Budapest Month By Month

Start the year off right with a trip to Budapest in January. Enjoy an afternoon in Budapest's European-style cafes if the air gets too chilly when you're out and about in the Hungarian capital.

Celebrate Valentine's Day in Budapest with a romantic dinner, a concert, or simply a bottle of good Hungarian wine. This romantic destination is perfect for couples who will find plenty of memories to make in the atmospheric city center.

The Budapest Spring Festival ushers in this colorful season as the city sheds winter's chill. Get into the spirit by attending the fair on Vorosmarty Square. Consider taking a tour of the Parliament Building (buy tickets in advance) and visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, both important for Hungarian history.

April is a great month in which to travel to Budapest. The summer rains have yet to come, and pleasant spring weather makes sightseeing enjoyable. Landscaped squares, trees in bloom, and the activity that accompanies warmer weather show that Budapest comes alive even before high travel season hits.

You can enjoy Hungary's famous fruit brandy, palinka, year-round, but the Budapest Palinka Festival, which brings together palinka makers from all over Hungary, comes to the city during the month of May. Sample different palinkas and try other traditional Hungarian food and drink.

June is one of Budapest's rainiest months, but its event calendar is full. Check out the Summer Festival on Margaret Island or the National Gallop, which celebrates Hungary's heritage of horsemanship.

If you love hot weather, July is a good month in which to travel to Budapest. Summer festivals attract visitors to the capital from around Europe and the world.

The Sziget Festival, one of the largest music festivals in Europe, takes place in August in Budapest, and the Summer Festival on Margaret Island begins to wind down.

Budapest's September events calendar offers a Jewish festival, a Baroque festival, and the food-and-entertainment festival known as Szeptemberfeszt. Also visit an international wine festival, where local and other wines will be available to be sampled--Hungary's wine regions produce a good variety of different wines that deserve to be tried.

Fall comes to a close in Budapest during the month of October, but the beginning of the month still offers nice weather for sightseeing. Consider a visit to the thermal baths to stave off the autumn chill or take a drive through the countryside to see the fall leaves.

November in Budapest is good for shopping for Christmas gifts and enjoying cozy dinners at restaurants serving Hungarian traditional cuisine. The end of November sees the opening of the annual Christmas market, a great source for souvenirs and traditional crafts.

December in Budapest is a time for celebrating Christmas and the arrival of the New Year. Both holidays are well enjoyed in the Hungarian capital, and the city offers plenty of activities for the visitor. The Christmas market offers a great opportunity to purchase homemade crafts and gifts, and hot mulled wine is a favorite beverage served in restaurants and cafes.