Five Reasons to Love Budapest in the Summer

Summer is a time to enjoy the outdoors in Budapest and experience its pools, parks, patios, festivals and nightlife. Here are some reasons why we love Budapest in the summer.

1. Summer festivals are abound in Budapest

Outdoor summer events, concerts, street fairs and festivals are always popular in Budapest. From classical concerts at the Vajdahunyad Castle Summer Festival and rock concerts at the Sziget Festival to open-air performances on Margaret Island, there is something for everyone. Fashionistas will enjoy the outdoor design fairs and for sports fans there is the Hungarian Grand Prix. For those interested in cultural events, theNight of the Museums or the Jewish Summer Festival offer a number of interesting programs.

2. The parks in Budapest are beautiful

If the sun is out, there is nothing better than relaxing with a book or taking a picnic in the greenery that makes Budapest so pleasant in the summer. With plenty of open spaces to choose from, you can take your pick from parks, promenades, playgrounds, adventure parks, gardens and zoos. City Park with its playgrounds, amusement park and zoo is a favorite with children. Margaret Island is popular for its green space in the middle of the Danube with pools, bike rental and an open-air theater. Szabadság tér, the Millenáris and Orczy kert are also popular green spots in the city. Kopaszi-gát is a favorite park to picnic. It also offers lots of outdoor activities from biking to ball games many playgrounds and a sandy beach. If you feel like leaving the hustle and bustle of Budapest, the Buda Hills offer a variety of outdoor activities from hiking to riding theLibegő and the Children’s Railway.

3. Eating and drinking extends to outdoor patios

Summer is the perfect time to eat and drink outdoors and fortunately there are plenty of ways to enjoy open-air dining in Budapest. Many restaurants and cafés offer some form of outdoor space. It’s a great way to experience Hungarian gastronomy with a side of people watching.

4. The outdoor pools in Budapest are great

Spend a day lounging by one of the outdoor pools and water parks in the city. Budapest is known for it’s thermal springs feeding the city’s famous baths, but there are also plenty of outdoor pools to enjoy. In fact baths like Gellért and Széchenyi have great outdoor pools and Széchenyi even offers weekend breakfasts on its charming terrace throughout the summer. Other popular places to take a splash at are the Palatinus water park on Margaret Island and the beach area of Aquaworld.

5. Budapest comes alive on summer nights

Nightlife in Budapest is even more fun in the summer. You can dance the night away under the stars in one of the many outdoor bars and summer-only pubs. Look for places with ‘kert’ (garden) and ‘udvar’ (patio) in their names, like Szimpla Kert,Kőleves Kert, or Holdudvar. Check out one of the wine bars for late night parties, or add a romantic touch with an evening cruise on the Danube. And for the best night-time panorama be sure to take a ride on Budapest Eye.

Enjoy summertime in Budapest and don't forget your SPF.

If you're still not convinced, watch the video below:

The video and the pictures were used with the approval of the authors.