A seemingly impossible blend of hill and flat land, Budapest is the physical amalgamation of the hilly Buda and the flat Pest. The beautiful city is the official capital of Hungary and features a 19th-century Chain Bridge which connects Buda with Pest. A trip to Budapest is something straight out of a fairytale with multicoloured houses dotting the surrounding hills, cobbled streets and majestic architecture everywhere you look, and a generally magnificent vibe that encapsulates everything in sight. To add to the city's beauty, River Danube flows through the middle, bisecting the city's hilly terrain and the flat land. Some of the attractions you can head to while in Budapest include the Budapest History Museum, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion, the Hungarian State Opera House and countless other places. The success of your trip to Budapest, or any place really, is dependent on a lot of factors, including the time you visit. Here's why visiting Budapest in August is a great option.
Why is Budapest in August a must visit?
- Buzz of tourists: Part of the appeal of visiting a tourist destination is the fellow travellers you get to meet and interact with during the journey. Budapest in August is one of the most popular destinations for tourists from across the globe. You are guaranteed a gala time out on the streets with a lively crowd experiencing the city along with you!
- Outdoor-friendly weather: Budapest has a wildly varying weather ranging from summers that hit 41°C and winters that drop down to -25.6°C! August then falls in the sweet spot between hot and cold. In fact, it happens to be one of the few months when you can step out during the evening and explore the city during the night.
- Festivals galore: August in Budapest is also home to some truly iconic festivals and events. From the popular and important St. Stephen's Day to the joyous and exciting Budapest Summer Festival, there's something worth experiencing happening in the city pretty much all of August. There's also the annual Festival of Folk Crafts where you can shop for Hungarian souvenirs and gifts!
- Local delights: Budapest has been reasonably successful in retaining and more importantly, celebrating its cultural identity. You can expect a trip that truly takes you on a journey through the city's fascinating culture and traditions. Gorge on local food or gulp a pitcher of Hungarian beer, you'll never truly be out of things to do and sights to see in Budapest.
Budapest Weather in August
One of the primary reasons for visiting Budapest in August is the pleasant weather. Unlike the winters that get unreasonably cold during the night, the summer season in Budapest makes the perfect time for travel and exploration. August happens to fall bang in the middle of the summer season and is the preferred month of travel for tourists who wish to avoid the fall season. On an average, the average high temperature in Budapest falls around 27°C. The average low falls around 15°C. The overall average temperature ranges around 21°C.
Budapest in August: Things to do
1
Guided Tour of Buda
Begin your time in Budapest with a guided tour of the hilly Buda and experience the beauty of the city in a well-planned manner. This guided tour of Buda will take you to all the iconic landmarks you need to visit including Castle District, Matthias Church, Fisherman's Bastion and Gellert Hill. Depending on how much time you have in hand, you can either opt for a 2-hour tour or a full-day tour.
August Timings
Guided Tours start daily at 2 pm
Buda, Budapest
Hungary
Getting There ›
2
Guided Tour of Pest
If venturing out into the unknown is your idea of fun, this guided walking tour of Pest is perfect for you. Explore the flat, city side of Budapest like a true local by getting up close and personal with the majestic architecture that dots the city. The great thing about this guided tour is that you get to explore the hidden gems of Pest as well and not just the popular attractions.
August Timings
Guided Tours starts daily at 10 am
Pest, Budapest
Hungary
Getting There ›
3
Gellért Spa
If offbeat attractions delight you, the Gellert Bath complex, housed within the iconic Hotel Gellert in Buda, is a must-visit. Featuring thermal baths that source their special water directly from Gellert Hill's mineral hot springs, the Gellert Spa is one of the most unique attractions in the city. Opt for a private bath which includes a bowl of fruit and a bottle of sparkling wine.
August Timings
Daily: 9 AM - 6 PM
Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4, 1118
Hungary
Getting There ›
4
Danube Bend Tour
The Danube Bend features three breathtakingly beautiful cities, Esztergom, Visegrad, and Szentendre. If you're interested in learning more about Hungarian history from the locals, this tour is ideal for you. Visit settlements from all three cities and enjoy picturesque sights along the bus ride. During summer months, which August happens to fall in, you'll get to return to Budapest by boat!
August Timings
Depends on chosen tour
Budapest,
Hungary
Getting There ›
5
Danube River Cruise
The Danube River is a striking sight in Budapest and overlooks some of the most iconic landmarks in the city. A cruise in the river then becomes a great way to explore everything Budapest has to offer. What's really special about a Danube River cruise is that it offers you access to certain hidden parts of Budapest. There are many cruise options you can pick from including night cruise, dinner cruise and even a pizza and beer cruise.
August Timings
Depends on chosen cruise
Danube,
Hungary
Getting There ›
6
Budapest Parliament Tour
Go on a fascinating tour of the third largest Parliament building in the world. Get priority access to the Budapest Parliament and explore the majestic architecture of the building and even the crown jewels. The guided tour will take you to iconic places within the Parliament including the Dome Hall, Old Upper House Hall, and many others!
August Timings
Daily: 8 AM - 4 PM
Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, 1055
Hungary
Getting There ›
7
Budapest Segway Tour
There's something beyond exciting about zipping around a foreign city on a segway and that's exactly what this Budapest Segway tour offers you. Roll through the city past iconic landmarks like the Vorosmarty Square, Chain Bridge, Danube Promenade, Liberty Square and St. Stephen's Basilica. To keep you safe during the tour, you'll be trained beforehand and a guide will be accompanying you for the entire duration of the tour.
Budapest, Andrássy út 22, 1061
Hungary
Getting There ›
8
Budapest Food Tour
One of the many advantages of visiting a culturally rich place like Budapest is the varied food you get to try. Go on a Budapest food tour and get acquainted with 8 different tastings of authentic mouthwatering delights. The guided walking focuses on the downtown area of Pest and the Jewish Quarter. Amongst the food items you'll get to sample are Hungarian cheese specialities and a variety of craft beers.
Budapest, Báthory utca 21-25, 1054
Hungary
Getting There ›
Budapest in August: Events to Look Out For
St. Stephen’s Day Celebrations
August 20, 2023
One of the most famous holidays in Hungary, St. Stephen's Day is a country wide celebration to commemorate the foundation of the Hungarian state more than 1000 years back. Along with the commemorations organized by political parties, there are countless events and programs where both locals and tourists can participate.
Sziget Festival 2022
August 10 - August 15, 2023
One of the biggest multicultural music and arts festivals in the world, the Sziget Festival is one of the primary reasons why many tourists visit Budapest in the month of August. Some of the artists scheduled to perform at this year's Sziget Festival include Dua Lipa, Imagine Dragons, Billie Eilish, Mumford & Sons and many more!
Festival of Folk Arts 2023
August 19 - August 21, 2023
Organized in Budapest's Castle District, the Festival of Folk Arts is a must-visit if you're interested in learning more about Hungary's and other nations' folklore and crafts straight from the source of the art i.e. the locals. Local artists from Hungary, Mongolia, China and Uzbekistan will feature in this year's festival.
Budapest in August : 3-day Itinerary
If you're visiting Budapest in August and are looking for an itinerary that you can simply adapt, here's our handcrafted 3-day itinerary. You can also take a look at our 2-day and 1-day itineraries to visiting Budapest.
Budapest Essentials In August
LanguageHungarian
Time zoneGMT+2
Country Code+36
Socket Type C & F
CurrencyHungarian Forints (HUF)
Budapest Weather in August
August is one of the warmest months in the year and that really isn't all that daunting since the average temperature falls around 22°C. The average low is around 16.5°C and the average high is approximately 27°C. The city witnesses average rainfall in August with an average precipitation of 60-70 mm.
Where to Stay in Budapest in August
Accomodation is an important part of the planning process no matter where you go. Budapest, being one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world, offers plenty of options when it comes to accommodation. Here's a budget-wise breakdown of some to best places to stay in Budapest: .
What to Pack for Budapest in August
First things first, you need to have enough breathable clothing for the Hungarian summer. Lighter colors are also favorable. If you choose to do a lot of walking, pack comfortable walking shoes and a small water bottle that you can carry around. Applying enough sunblock can be crucial, so keep them handy as well. Pack your swimsuits for your day at one of the thermal pools. Rain is not uncommon, so carry waterproof jackets, boots, and umbrellas.
Getting Around in Budapest in August
One of the greatest aspects of Budapest is the robust and user-friendly public transport option. There are several options for you to choose from including metro, suburban railways, boats, trams, trolleybus, and bus. There are two separate categories of transport, divided based on time. The daytime transport is available from 04:30 AM to 11:50 PM and the night transport is available from 11:50 PM to 4:30 AM. To make getting around the city easier, there are many travel cardsyou can pick from including a 24-hour travelcard, a 72-hour travelcard and even a 7-day travelcard.
Budapest in August - Must-Try Delicacies
A deep fried flat bread that can either be eaten plain or with a slather of sour cream, grated cheese, or garlic butter. Perfect for when you're on the go and need a quick pick-up, Langos make for an affordable crispy treat.
Where to eat: Retro Cafe, Arany Janos Street, Budapest
The local name for stuffed cabbage, Toltott kaposzta is a very popular dish in most of Eastern Europe along with parts of Asia. The Hungarian version of the dish features cooked cabbage leaves stuffed with ground pork and beef, rice, tomatoes, and sauerkraut.
Where to eat: Szazeves Restaurant, Budapest, Piarista u.2, 1052 Hungary
Considered the national dish of Hungary, Gulyas is generally served as a thick stew. The authentic gulyas served in Budapest though has a thinner consistency with chunks of beef and additional flavors of tomatoes, paprika, onions and peppers.
Where to eat: Baltazar Budapest, Castle District, Budapest
End your food adventures in Budapest on a sweet note with this cracker of a dessert. Featuring layers of sponge cake with chocolate buttercream frosting and a hard caramelized sugar top, Dobos Torta is one of Hungary's most famous deserts.
Where to eat: Fröhlich Cukrászda, Jewels Quarters, Budapest
Tips for Visiting Budapest in August
- While the general weather in Budapest in August remains on the pleasant side, there are the occasional rainstorms that can limit your outdoor options. There's a great way to avoid wasting your precious time by opting for indoor attractions like the Budapest Museum or the State Opera House. You can book a taxi cab to pick you up from your hotel and take you to your destination.
- A great way to genuinely experience a new city is by exploring on foot. Fortunately, the August sun isn't too harsh and you can step out and take a leisurely stroll through the city. If you wish to add some additional value to the experience, there are countless walking tours of Buda and Pest available as well to take you on specific journeys around the city.
- Like we mentioned previously, there's actually a lot to do and see in Budapest. Save some money by opting for a day tour which will take you to all the important landmarks in the city. Alternatively, you can book combo tours that include visits to two or more attractions.
- Speaking of planning, it is super important to plan out your days in Budapest. There's indeed a lot to see and unless you're in the city for more than a week, chances are you'll have to make the tough call of picking a select few attractions to visit. Do your research before booking any tickets and make sure you're actually interested in what the attraction offers you.
A Month-By-Month Guide To Visiting Budapest
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More Budapest Guides
Looking for more things to do in Budapest? Here are a few guides that will help you plan your trip to Budapest in August.
FAQs
The weather in Budapest in August is usually hot and humid, with average temperatures around 27 degrees Celsius (81 Fahrenheit). However, there can be occasional days of extreme heat, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).
Pack your favourite Summer clothes: shorts, skirts, dresses, tank tops, etc. Also include your sunscreen, hat, comfortable walking shoes, a bathing suit and an umbrella.
There is plenty to do in Budapest in August! Take a dip in one of Budapest's world-famous thermal baths. Stroll through Szentendre, a charming artists' village just outside of Budapest. And also visit the Buda Castle complex, home to many of Hungary's most important historical and cultural sites.
If you're visiting Budapest in August, be sure to check out the Festival of Folk Arts, Sziget Festival and experience the St. Stephen’s Day Celebrations.
Some of the best attractions in Budapest in August are The Hungarian Parliament, the Thermal Baths and Danube River Cruise.
