Hungary
The best time to visit
When to go to Hungary
Go in April to June or September to October for mild weather and thinner crowds in Budapest. Summer is warm and packed with festivals, and winter is cold but cosy, ideal for the city's famous thermal baths.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Budapest. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Sep.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Hard cold.
In short
The year at a glance
Hungary sits in the heart of central Europe with a continental climate, and these ratings follow Budapest. Late spring and early autumn bring the most comfortable weather, perfect for the riverside city, the ruin bars and the grand thermal baths.
Summer is warm and lively, home to the huge Sziget festival, while winter is cold and grey but has its own charm, with steam rising off the open-air baths and a festive feel in December. Lake Balaton draws crowds in the summer heat.
Month by month
Hungary month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Budapest.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2°C / 36°F | -3°C / 27°F | 35 mm | Avoid 17 | Freezing and dry. |
| February | 5°C / 41°F | -2°C / 28°F | 30 mm | Avoid 26 | Cold and dry. |
| March | 11°C / 52°F | 2°C / 36°F | 30 mm | Great 59 | Cool and dry. |
| April | 17°C / 63°F | 7°C / 45°F | 42 mm | Ideal 88 | Mild and dry. |
| May | 22°C / 72°F | 11°C / 52°F | 60 mm | Ideal 94 | Mild with a little rain. |
| June | 25°C / 77°F | 15°C / 59°F | 65 mm | Ideal 92 | Warm with a little rain. |
| July | 27°C / 81°F | 17°C / 63°F | 55 mm | Ideal 96 | Warm with a little rain. Budapest hotels in July |
| August | 27°C / 81°F | 16°C / 61°F | 58 mm | Ideal 95 | Warm with a little rain. Budapest hotels in August |
| September | 22°C / 72°F | 12°C / 54°F | 45 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. Budapest hotels in September |
| October | 16°C / 61°F | 7°C / 45°F | 42 mm | Ideal 83 | Cool and dry. |
| November | 8°C / 46°F | 3°C / 37°F | 55 mm | Good 47 | Cold with a little rain. |
| December | 3°C / 37°F | -1°C / 30°F | 45 mm | Avoid 20 | Cold and dry. |
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Budapest
Best in spring and autumn for sightseeing, warm and festival-filled in summer, cold but cosy in winter with the thermal baths.
Lake Balaton
Central Europe's largest lake is a summer playground, busiest and warmest from June to August.
Tokaj and the wine country
The famous wine region glows at the autumn harvest, a mild, golden time to visit.
Go for
Best time to visit Hungary for
Budapest sightseeing
April to June and September to October for mild days and lighter crowds along the Danube.
Thermal baths
Year round, but best in winter, when steam rises off the warm outdoor pools.
Festivals
Summer, peaking with the week-long Sziget festival on a Danube island in August.
Wine country
September and October for the Tokaj and Eger harvests in the golden countryside.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Sziget festival, August
One of Europe's biggest music festivals takes over an island in the Danube.
Thermal baths in winter
The steaming outdoor pools of Szechenyi are at their most atmospheric in the cold.
Hard cold
Dec to Feb.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Hungary
Compare hotels and rentals around Budapest, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
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Questions