For all architecture lovers, gourmets, sportsmen, and partygoers, Budapest, the beautiful, has everything planned to amuse you! We did some digging and have listed our top 10 things to do in Budapest in summer that we recommend to all who wish to discover the Hungarian capital from all angles!

So, what is there to do in Budapest in summer in 2024? Here are our Top 10:

10Discover Budapest by night from the Danube

cruise on budapest on Danube

Enjoy the sweetness of the summer night to discover Budapest with a night cruise (45mn-1h) on the Danube. The main sites (Parliament, Buda Castle, Citadel, Matthias Church, Bridges, ..) will dazzle you! (from 9 euros).

For Cruise information in Budapest – click here

9The Great Market Hall of Budapest

Discover Hungarian gastronomy at the covered Great Market Hall in Pest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the ground floor you will find Hungarian food and its essential specialties (paprika, foie gras, salami, wines and spirits, etc.).
Upstairs you can eat at the many buffets and also discover a variety of Hungarian craft stalls and souvenirs.

Address: The Great Market Hall, Vámház krt. 1-3, 9th district, Pest – planwebsite.
Full information: see our article on the ‘must-see sites of Budapest’ on this link.

8Evening at the Széchenyi Baths: Sparty parties

The Széchenyi Baths are the largest baths in Budapest, located in Pest in the “Wood of the City” (‘Városliget’) The architecture is unique with its huge Neo-Baroque yellow courtyard and 21 baths, all mixed. During the day, the baths are part of our top 10 things to do in Budapest in summer, and every Saturday night, the Széchenyi baths host Sparty parties with live DJs, a laser show, acrobats, and dancers who await you in a unique and festive atmosphere!

SPARTY Information and tickets: click here.

The Széchenyi baths can be reached by public transport via the Metro M1 – Széchenyi fürdő station – and the trolley bus 72 – Széchenyi fürdő station.
Address: Széchenyi baths, Állatkerti krt. 9th – 14th district, Pest.

Further information on the baths of Budapest is found in our article, ‘The best Baths of Budapest’ on this link.

7Budapest Parliament 45-minute guided tour

budapest_must_see_parliament

Take a guided tour of Hungary’s Parliament, the third-largest Parliament building in the world and discover the Hungarian Crown Jewels and the Hungarian Holy Crown!

Budapest Parliament 45-Minute Guided Tour ticket – click here

Address: Hungarian Parliament, Kossuth Lajos ter 1-3, 5th district, Pest – plan

6Enjoy an ice cream at Café Gerbeaud – Budapest in summer

Budapest café gerbeaud

Founded in 1858, Café Gerbeaud is an institution in the Hungarian capital and one of its oldest cafés. The café has kept its early twentieth century atmosphere, a time when poets and writers spent their day amid the unique decor : ceiling stucco in the Rococo style of Louis XIV, chandeliers inspired by Maria Theresa of Austria, bronzes and marbles.This is one of the best places to eat, indoors or on the terrace, where you can discover Hungarian pastries such as Gerbeaud cakes, Dobos, the wonderful apricot cake with peanut butter and chocolate biscuits (in Hungarian: ‘Sós mogyoró-barack’ szelet).
Find more information, see our articles: ‘The Historic Cafés of Budapest’ and ‘Hungarian Pastries to Taste’.

Address: Café Gerbeaud, Vörösmarty tér 7-8, 5th district – mapwebsite. Open from 9 am to 9 pm.

5Dance at the Sziget Festival (7-12 August 2024)

The SZIGET Festival (7-12 August) is the biggest music festival in Europe.More than 50 stages, 600 concerts and animations were enjoyed in a unique atmosphere for all with dancing every day. See complete information in our article, ‘Sziget Festival of Budapest’ on this link.

4Experience the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Budapest:

Budapest formula 1 Grand Prix

The Formula 1 race competition takes place from July 19 to July 21, 2024 in Budapest on the Hungaroring circuit located 18 km northeast of Budapest.
The Budapest Formula 1 Grand Prix has been part of the world championship since 1986 and has become one of the most exciting races of the year!
Information and tickets are on the website: www.formula1.com.

Address: Mogyoród Circuit, Hungaroring utca 10. – map.

3Have a drink on the rooftops of Budapest

Budapest offers many rooftops bars and restaurants where you can enjoy lunch, dinner or just have a drink in a unique setting with panoramic views of Pest!
Our favorite rooftops/ terraces are listed in our article on the ‘Best rooftops in Budapest’ on this link.

2Enjoy Budapest baths !  – Budapest in summer –

budapest best baths

Budapest is recognized as the capital of thermal springs in Europe. Indeed there are more than one hundred natural hot springs! The baths are part of the Hungarian tradition and culture not only for their medicinal and relaxing virtues but also because they are a meeting place for friends, family and business. Which one to visit?
Discover our five favorite baths in detail in our article, ‘The Best Baths of Budapest’ on this link.

Prepare your visit at the Széchenyi baths and avoid long queue (especially during school holidays, week-ends and end-of-year holidays) with skip-the-queue tickets! 

Informations Széchenyi baths and skip-the-line ticket – click here

Discover this great video of the main baths of Budapest:

1Stroll around the Buda Castle district

Budapest in 2 days

On the apex of our top 10 thing to do in Budapest in summer is the historic heart of the city, the Castle district overlooking the Danube and Pest. It has many must-see sights including Buda Castle, a historic castle where the kings of Hungary once resided and in which the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum and the National Library are now located.

Matthias Church in this area is the witness of royal coronations. The roofs will dazzle you with their multicolored glazed tiles.

Enjoy a guided tour around the Matthias Church and learn about its rich history and architecture (duration: 50mn, skip the line ticket):

Matthias Church Guided Tour including Admission – click here

In this unique setting, the Matthias Church organizes classical music concerts several times a month with the Budapest Duna String Orchestra:

For information Matthias Church concerts and tickets – click here

Next is the Fishermen’s Bastion located adjacent to the church, offering an exceptional panoramic view of Pest and the Hungarian Parliament.

Address: Matthias Church, Szent György tér 2, 5th district, Pest – mapwebsite.

A Top 10 list of things to do in Budapest in the summer is subjective so do not forget to check out our ‘Travel Tips in Budapest’ section and our article on ‘Budapest’s must-see sightseeing’ as well as our 2 days, 3 days or 4 days tour itineraries for visitors to Budapest!