5 Reasons to Love Summer in Budapest

You might say that I’m biased when it comes to summer in Budapest–that was the first time I experienced the city, after all. Traveling solo, halfway through a whirlwind trip around the world, my first introduction to the city was an endless weekend of exploring ruin bars under glowing lights, sharing music with strangers until the wee hours at opn mics, and all in all generally being entranced by the beauty of the city. Now that I’ve lived through a summer in Budapest, I can only say that it’s gotten better! There’s loads to do in the city, but here are five of my favorite things to experience in Hungary’s capital during the summer.

Summer Snacks

Technically you can get my favorite refreshments year round, but they just taste better with a side of summer breeze. My go-to comfort food now is a lángos, a disc of fried bread traditionally spread with sour cream, cheese, and garlic. I’ve tried my share of places around the city, and without a doubt the best place to get one is at the lángos stand at the entrance of Lehel Market. For 390 ft ($1.40), you can get a sizzling sajtos-tejfölös lángos all to yourself–but I always prefer to split it with a friend!

If you need to wash down your lángos, or maybe you just feel like relaxing by the Danube with something cool in your hand, you can go for a white wine or rosé fröccs, or spritzer. A kisfröccs has more water and a nagyfröccs has more wine. Get to sipping and enjoy!

Rooftop Cinema

I have to say, the cinema experience is even more fun when you’re snuggled up under the stars, watching a film play out high above the city. Check the listings of Budapest Rooftop Cinema (screenings range from new releases to Hungarian classics) and start planning your date night, treat yoself night, whatever! Find an excuse and get to the rooftop!

Tickets are 1490 Ft ($5.50) for one or 2790 Ft ($10.25) for two.

Boat Cruises

The lit up riverbank of Budapest is beautiful in any season, of course, but it’s nice to enjoy it without your face freezing off. Now all you have to do is figure out how you want to experience it. If you have a transportation pass, you can use it for one of the BKK boats and have a cheap ride down the Danube! Or, perhaps you want to engage all of your senses and book one of the countless dinner cruises. And if you want to take it to another level (and if you have the stamina for it), party boat cruises will let you sail down the river in a swirl of fog machines, pounding music, and dance parties.

Lake Getaways

Balaton blue is my favorite color 🙂

I winced when I thought about the traffic in between us and the “Sea of Hungary” one weekend (people from all over the country flock there for the summer, after all), but I wanted a frolicking lake holiday, gosh darn it! Turns out that stopping off to explore some of Hungary’s smaller cities along the way helps to lessen the road rage (Veszprém, I’m looking at you) , and we still managed to find our own little patch of sun on the shores of Lake Balaton in good time. I had a precious time staying at Zoltan’s AirBnb (and the access to a private beach didn’t hurt either!)You’ll find that spa towns, party destinations (not to mention the raging music festivals), and quiet beaches dot the lake’s perimeter, so you can find an experience tailored to your interests. While you’re there, make sure to check out the picturesque Tihany peninsula, or to find your own adventure boating through the subterranean caves in nearby Tapolca.

Picnics

Get into Budapest’s green spaces! Those who take a trip to the famous Szechenyi Baths often linger in the surrounding Városliget (City Park). There are cafes and restaurants aplenty, of course, but the penny saver in me much prefers to pick up a few kifli along with some fruit and cheese for a simple spread in the grass. You won’t find a supermarket in the park, however, so be sure to pick up some supplies before you go! If you want to see more of Hungary beyond Budapest, for a riverside barbecue with the locals, follow the river 30 minutes north of the city and find the oasis of Romai Part. It’s far enough out of town that you’ll shed the tourist crowd (I only heard about it through a friend of a friend of a Hungarian friend) and join the loads of families and others who have come for a fun day in the forest. You’re sizzling in the heat, burgers are sizzling on the grill, it’s a good time all around.

Fall may be coming at full speed, but it’s still summer in my mind. How would you spend a lazy summer day in Budapest? Let me know in the comments below!