A seasonal guide to the best time to visit Budapest

January is the coldest time of the year in Budapest and is not the best time for sightseeing. However, if you are keen to see a snow-filled wonderland, then, Budapest should be your pick! On most days, the entire city is blanketed in thick layers of snow and you’ll be able to spend your time here ice skating at the City Park or tobogganing on Buda Hills. The first month of the year is also a great time to attend parties, head to nightclubs, attend the opera or catch a performance at the local theatre.

Even though it is the warmest of the winter months, February is still decidedly winter in Budapest and the perfect time to sip on mulled wine and chomp down special winter foods. However, the month sees several craft markets and food festivals, including, the fish festival and Mangalica festival – which celebrates pork delicacies. Budapest is also a great choice for a Valentine’s Day holiday and you can book a romantic cruise on the Danube or a weekend getaway at a resort in the Buda Hills.

March witnesses a significant change in the weather with the arrival of Spring. There's a general increase in activity and chatter around the city with the first of the warmer days and both locals and tourists are out and about in the city in larger numbers. While museums, theatres, and art galleries are still a good option for when the days get slightly cold, you can head to outdoor attractions like the Botanical Garden and Budapest Zoo to bask in the pre-summer sun during the day. The Hungarian city celebrates Memorial Day on March 15th to commemorate the 1848 Hungarian revolution.

Spring brings along with it colour, blooming flowers, seasonal festivals and outdoor activities. In this month, you’ll be able to witness the grace and grandeur of the European spring at the Cherry Blossom Festival and at the Japanese Garden on Margaret Island. You’ll also be able to participate in the Easter festivities and go on egg hunts. Plus, the city is not overrun with tourists since it is still shoulder season.

In the last month of the spring, you’ll see temperatures increase but the heat will not be unbearable and you can expect periodic rains. Given the pleasant weather, you can embark on an exhilarating climb of Gellert Hill to take in panoramic views of the city, take a chairlift to the top of Buda Hills, or enjoy a leisurely picnic on Margaret Island. You can also opt for a guided city tour or join a bar-hop. The city also hosts many spring festivals in May that you can participate in.

Summer arrives in Budapest in June and brings with it a smattering of rain (that can threaten to ruin your well-laid-out plans). Still, the overall weather is pleasant which is why June sees the highest number of tourists. With the onset of summer, many outdoor and rooftop cafes and pubs offer Hungarian beer and a place to relax. June is also the month of countless festivals and events. The Danube Carnival and Night of the Museums are must-visits among these.

July, in Budapest, marks peak tourist season with visitors coming in to witness the many events unfolding over this summer. You can spend your days attending concerts at City Park and Margaret Island, especially the ones in the evening where you can listen to live music under the stars. In other parts of the city, you can experience dedicated festivals for street food and beer. Budapest also plays host to the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix and this too is a huge draw.

It’s festivals galore in Budapest during August. Like July, Budapest lines up a dazzling array of fests during this month, which witnesses a slight temperature drop from July. If you are travelling to the city in August, then, the Sziget Festival – touted as one of Europe’s largest music and cultural fests – is unmissable. You can also attend the Festival of Folk Arts and the grand St. Stephen’s Day celebrations that unfold in the city during this time. Apart from these, it’s all a great time for sightseeing as the temperature remains pleasant and there are enough daylight hours.

In September, the tourists stop amassing in the city, giving you plenty of time and space to explore the city at your pace. The start of fall brings with it cold spells that are followed by sunny days. During your time here, you can stop by the National Gallop Festival and sign up for a roster full of theatre, opera and ballet performances.

Budapest embraces the colours of Autumn with leaves turning yellow and orange and the weather turning mellow. October is a great month for long walks and trips to the city’s many thermal baths. You can also keep warm with copious amounts of beer at the Oktoberfest.

With the start of winter in November, you can expect shorter days and people bundled up in coats. As the year winds down, the city embraces a gentler pace, and you can spend your days here on walking tours, food tours, and exploring the city’s leading sights. November also marks the start of craft and Christmas markets. You can also participate in the festivities around All Saints Day and St. Martin’s Day in the first half of the month.

December in Budapest is all about Christmas. If you're looking to do some gift shopping, there are plenty of cute markets located all around the city. The Christmas markets at Vorosmarty Square attract a huge crowd, both locals and tourists. Special Budapest Christmas delights include mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and Kürtőskalács – a unique type of cake. There are also countless Christmas and New Year parties that you can head to for a gala time.