Best time to visit Budapest? Here’s all you need to decide

January is the coldest time of the year in Budapest and honestly, not the best time for people looking to engage in extensive sightseeing. But if you happen to be a snow lover, well, this is literal paradise. The entire city of Budapest is blanketed in a thick cover of snow and there many snow-based activities you can participate in. You can try your hand at ice skating on the City Park Ice Rink or make your way to the Buda Hills to toboggan. You can also head to local dance house and party to Hungarian folk music! January is also the peak season for opera and theatre.

While not as cold as the months of December and January, February is a decidedly winter month where the temperature is perfect for mulled wine and traditional, 'heavier' Hungarian food like hurka (a type of blood sausage). The month of February also sees a number of craft markets and food festivals, such as the fish festival and the mangalica festival. If you're looking forward to a trip with your partner during Valentine's Day, Budapest is the perfect choice. You can go on a romantic dinner cruise on the Danube or a weekend getaway at one of the resorts 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 is out in full force in April with colours all around, blooming flowers, numerous spring festivals and a plethora of outdoor activities to boot. Witness the grace and grandeur of European spring at the Cherry Blossom Festival or head to the Japanese Garden on Margaret Island to admire the spring bloom. You can also participate in the Easter celebrations and traditions, including painting eggs to get the authentic Hungarian experience. Since April is still officially part of the shoulder season, you don't have to worry about the city being overrun with tourists.

The last of the spring season, May experiences a considerable increase in temperature, but nothing too hot to handle. Despite the rise in heat, there are unexpected rain showers you need to be wary of. Given the pleasant weather, you can participate in a variety of outdoor activities including an exhilarating climb to Gellert Hill for a panoramic view 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 tour of the city or go on a bar-hop of the city's best pubs. The city also hosts a variety of spring festivals in May that you can participate in.

Summer is officially upon Budapest in June and while the average temperature is lower than that of July and August, there are occasional rains you need to factor into your plans. Still, the overall weather is extremely pleasant which is why June sees the most number of tourists visiting the city. With the onset of summer, many outdoor and rooftop cafes and pubs also open their doors where you can enjoy your Hungarian beer and relax. June is also the month of countless festivals and events. The Danube Carnival and Night of the Museums are must-visit events. There are many music festivals in the city in June that celebrates a range of genres.

July can be best described as the most summer months, both in terms of the temperature and the sunny disposition of the people around. While a good majority of locals head out on a holiday, the city is teeming with tourists from across the globe. Summer is celebrated in the city with a large variety of outdoor performances scheduled for the evening. You can also make your way to City Park and Margaret Island to enjoy live music under the stars. The city also hosts a large number of festivals for everything from street food to beer. The Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix is also organised in the month of July, adding another reason to visit Budapest in this month.

One of the most popular months for tourists, August in Budapest is pretty similar to July but the temperature is slightly lower. One of the biggest events, the Sziget Festival takes place this month and brings a massive crowd to the city. While the Sziget Festival is targeted towards a younger crowd, there are other events like Festival of Folk Arts and St. Stephen's Day celebration targeted at a broader audience. Apart from all the events and festivals, August is a great month for sightseeing as well since the temperature is tolerable and the days are long.

Straight off the crowded tourist season of June, July and August, September in Budapest features the perfect spot of just the right amount of crowd. Most of the tourists have left the city but there are still enough left for the city to not feel dead. The weather in September can be best described as an "Indian summer", with a slightly cold spell followed by a couple of days of increased temperature. There are many special events and festivals that grace Budapest in September, including the Hungarian horse tradition at the National Gallop Festival. With the arrival of autumn, a whole new season of theatre, opera and ballet also starts.

With the arrival of October, autumn spreads its beautiful wings in Budapest. Autumnal leaves make their presence felt by covering every park in the city and every tree-lined street. There's nothing quite like a peaceful walk around Budapest in the month of October when the weather is not quite cold and the sun isn't as harsh. October is also one of the most popular months for visitors due to the Oktoberfest beer festivals. You can also expect to attend a killer Halloween party if you visit the city at the end of the month.

November is the official start of winter season in Budapest with the days getting darker much sooner and people bringing their coats out. Despite the slightly cold weather, there are still certain days of beautiful fall in November. The month sees a wide number of craft markets and night markets where locals engage in early Christmas shopping. The outdoor cafes and pubs are less popular in this month, but still available on days when the sun is out. You can also participate in the All Saint's Day activities on November 1 and St. Martin's Day festivities on November 11.

Christmas is floating throughout the month of December in Budapest. 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. Some of the special Budapest Christmas delights include mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, kurtos kalacs and the very likely possibility of a white Christmas. There are also countless Christmas and New Year's parties that you can head to for a gala time.