August is one of the favourite times of the year to visit Budapest. Long summer days followed by even longer summer nights cooled down by a gentle breeze that is trying to remind us of the approaching autumn. Budapest is blooming and celebrating life to its absolute best. Budapest is one of a kind. A love affair. A never ending date night with the best tunes, food and the fruitiest wine. Let the city show you its kindest, most lovable side: it’s unforgettable August.
August weather in Budapest
Table of Contents
Budapest weather in August is extremely enjoyable with high temperatures lasting throughout the month and into September. There might be a chance of rain, but showers tend to be light and fast, so it won’t get in the way of your holiday.
August has an average temperature of 21°C with highs of 27°C – however, regularly staying in the 30’s in recent years. You can expect cooler weather at night when winds help to bring temperatures down to a comfortable level so make sure you always have an extra layer of clothes with you. Great news that you’ll have 13 hours of sunshine each day and humidity levels remain low, although there can be some cloud coverage towards the end of the month and on rainy days.
Budapest enjoys a continental climate which means the region gets cool weather in the winter and quite a lot of annual rainfall. Thunderstorms are more common in the summer because the rainfall is heavier and rising temperatures seem to fuel the storms. However, strong winds and heavy downpours can be avoided with a visit to the museum or a shopping spree in the local shopping centre.
What to wear in August
As briefly mentioned above you need to have enough breathable clothing for the Hungarian summer. If you choose to do a lot of walking, pack comfortable walking shoes and a small water bottle that you can carry around. Don’t forget to apply a generous amount of sunscreen as the Sun can get burning during the hot summer days. Most importantly pack your swimsuits for your day at one of the thermal pools or the sensational outdoor lidos either on Margaret Island or other parts of the city. However, since raining is not uncommon, carry waterproof jackets or at least an umbrella. Because Hungarian weather is mainly consistent, but can come with surprises, we would recommend to check the weather forecast before you start packing.
Get more tips for The best itinerary for 3 days in Budapest.
Cheap flights to Budapest in August
All major airlines fly to Budapest on daily, but at least on weekly basis. You can catch the best deals on Google Flights by looking and booking 2-3 months before you’d like to travel.
City breaks in Budapest
Budapest is perfect for a city break in August and all year round. Whether you plan to stay for the weekend or for a midweek break, you will find great accommodation at any area at reasonable price in one of our centrally located hotels in Budapest. Choose one our hotels for an unforgettable Budapest city break.
Our favourite reasons to visit Budapest in August
1. Chill out at the best outdoor pools in Budapest
Budapest lies on the geological fault separating the Buda Hills from the flat Great Plain, and more than 30,000 cubic metres of warm to scalding (21°C to 76°C) mineral water gush forth daily from some 123 thermal and more than 400 mineral springs. As a result, the city is a major spa centre and ‘taking the waters’ at one of the city’s many spas or combination spa–swimming pool complexes is a real Budapest experience.
Located on Margaret Island, in a beautiful setting, Palatinus water park is a popular place in the summer, especially during the weekends. There are 11 pools, including two thermal pools, two children’s pools and two swimming pools, among others.
Location: Margaret Island, District 13
Opening hours: Summer only, open from May to September (weather permitting), 9 am to 8 pm daily
Római, or the Roman, outdoor pool is located in the oldest part of Budapest. Archeological finds from the area date back to the Roman times, thus the name. Római houses three pools, including a swimming pool and a children’s pool.
Address: Rozgonyi Piroska utca 2
Location: Óbuda, District 3
Opening hours: Summer only, open from May to September (weather permitting), 9 am to 8 pm daily
Built in 1989, Paskál is one of the youngest open-air pools in Budapest. There are two pools, one of them is a children’s pool.
Address: Egressy út 178/F
Location: Pest, District 14
Opening hours: Summer only, open from May to September (weather permitting), 9 am to 8 pm daily
Aquaworld Budapest is a large indoor water park, open all year around. It has 17 pools, including a swimming pool, a wave pool and a surf pool, besides 11 slides. There is a separate area for small children with pools and playhouses. In the summer there are additional outdoor facilities on a fully landscaped beach area.
Address: Ives út 16
Location: Pest, District 4
Openig hours: year-round, 6 am to 10 pm daily
The history of Dagály Baths dates back to the 1940’s, when the first pool was built. Since the 1970’s Dagály Bath gets its water supply from the same thermal spring as Széchenyi Baths, elevating its status to a thermal bath. There are ten pools, including two swimming pools, a thermal pool, a wave pool and a children’s pool.
Address: Népfürdő utca 36
Location: Pest, District 13
Opening hours: year-round, 6 am to 8 pm daily
2. Enjoy World famous Summer Festivals
August is all about outdoors and celebrations. The Best Budapest Summer Festivals are awaiting you with World-class music, food and drinks.
3. Sziget Festival – 7-13th August
The famous Sziget Festival, Hungary’s most popular summer music festival to date is held every August in Northern Budapest on Óbudai-sziget (“Old Buda Island”), a leafy 108-hectare (266-acre) island on the Danube.
The week-long festival has grown from a relatively low-profile student event in 1993 to one of the prominent European rock festivals, with about half of all visitors coming from outside Hungary, especially from Western Europe. In addition to music, the festival offers a plethora of other activities including cinema, dance, theatre, tattooing, Internet access, volleyball, tennis, football, indoor rowing, rock climbing, bungee jumping and a life-sized foosball. The island is located in the city of Budapest allowing trips to the city centre during the day.
In 2011, Sziget was ranked one of the 5 best festivals in Europe by The Independent. The festival is a two-time winner at the European Festivals Awards in the category Best Major European Festival, in 2011 and 2014.
You can choose from endless choices of daily tickets and passes from simple tickets (€75) to Citizen (€289) and Moving-in passes.
4. Festival of Folk Arts in Buda Castle – 17-20th August
Every year, the Festival of Folk Arts workshops – where masters present special craft tricks and practices – draw a great deal of interest during the St Stephen’s Day celebration series. Visitors are able to observe unique knowledge rooted in centuries of generational experience, immense humility and love. During the event, tradesmen move their workshops to the Buda Castle so that whoever would like to can try their hands at the many crafts. These four days are indeed a celebration of masters and crafts, a borderless event that is the most significant meeting place for masters living in Hungary and abroad. It is truly a festival of crafts!
5. Bath party series in Szechenyi Bath – all month
While California dreaming comes with pool parties, Budapest nightlife takes this to another level: taking advantage of its natural features the city turns the thermal baths into the best party venues. Whilst reforming our thousand years old bathing culture, the aim with the combination of Hungarian bathing and party-culture is to create a unique musical and visual world that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Szechenyi bath parties are held in the hot summer months, late at night after the official closing hours from 10:30pm to 3:00am.
What should you wear? A stylish fashion show piece with stiletto, a dancing queen dress, or should you just be bare naked? No, all you have to bring along is nice swimwear, whatever that may be: bikini is just as good as a one piece, besides speedos, long trunks, surf style swim shorts are all welcome. A towel would be very useful, too.
Beers, wines, cocktails, juices and more can be bought on site with your special waterproof party card: there is no cash payment, but you can top up your Party Card with cash or card. The Party Card has a string attached so you can keep it safe with you in the water (around the neck or arm).
On top of the regular Sparties, the spectacular Cinetrip Pool Party is on twice a year: the first one is in August, around the Sziget Festival date, (the other one is normally on 30th December pre-NYE Party). These parties are awesome. No wonder Cinetrip editions are always the greatest hits of the summer season, as they are even more spectacular than the regular weekly bath parties with their own fireworks show.
Buying your party tickets online includes a locker (or a private cabin in the bonus tickets), too. You can book your ticket in advance here.
6. Need for speed? You’ll love F1 Hungarian Grand Prix – 2-4th August
The Hungaroring Circuit was built in 1985, located a few kilometres north-east of the Hungarian capital. The track is in a huge 110 hectare natural valley making the views as spectacular as the racing.
With the exceptional natural advantage of being situated in a natural amphitheatre, almost 70 percent of the racetrack is visible from any point and this makes the circuit a fan favourite.
A favourite with the drivers and teams for the excellent facilities, the circuit has also cemented itself as a fan favourite too. Located so close to a major city, there is no shortage of accommodation, restaurants, entertainment and tourist attractions.
The Hungaroring Circuit meets the highest technical requirements and is regarded to be one of the safest race tracks in the world, while still playing host to exciting racing.
7. Celebrate Hungary’s birthday on St Stephen’s Day – 20th August
August 20th is the greatest national holiday for Hungarians, celebrated with day-long festivities followed by spectacular fireworks throughout the country. August 20th commemorates the foundation of the Hungarian state, it’s like Hungary’s 4th of July. Also called St. Stephen’s Day, remembering Stephen I, the first king of Hungary and founder of the Kingdom of Hungary, who was canonised on August 20th, 1083 by Pope Gregory VII.
Festivities usually start already on 18th August with the spectacular fireworks closing the holiday on 20th. A series of state ceremonies launch the holiday programs in the morning on 20th August to commemorate the Foundation of the Hungarian State.
The main venues of the state programs are held in Kossuth Square in front of the Hungarian Parliament, and in Heroes’ Square. Besides the state celebrations, a wide range of other programs welcome visitors both in the morning and in the afternoon ensuring a wonderful time for the whole family.
Read more on 20th August Fireworks and family events in Budapest.
8. Where will you get the best view of the fireworks?
Views from both Buda Castle and the Danube River bank are spectacular. If you want to reserve your seat in the first raw we recommend staying in one of our amazing hotels and let us spoil you for a special weekend.
Hilton Budapest
The Hilton Budapest is one of the Hungarian capital’s most iconic hotels, and staying here is a matchless and unforgettable experience – on top of which the view of the fireworks will take your breath away. It’s no coincidence that the guest book is filled with the signatures of heads of state, international film stars and celebrities. In the heart of the Buda Castle District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the luxurious hotel offers its guests breathtaking panoramic views of the Danube both from their rooms and from their tables in the stylish LÁNG Bistro & Grill.
The building of the Hilton Budapest, a member of the famous Hilton chain of hotels, is a unique feat of architectural bravado: a modern hotel interior melded with elements of the 13th-century Dominican monastery that once stood here. The historic Dominican Courtyard is a popular venue for open-air events, concerts, receptions and weddings.
The magic continues as you step outside the hotel. With its cobbled streets in the shadow of Buda Castle, Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion, this is an area of Budapest that will steal your heart forever…
Hotel Gellért
The Art Nouveau style Danubius Hotel Gellért first opened its doors in 1918, and has long been an iconic Budapest landmark that has even featured in Hollywood films. Its stately building, at the foot of the Gellért hill, also houses the world-famous Gellért Baths, which include an outdoor pool with the original wave-generating device installed in 1927.
Over the years, some famous names have stayed at the Gellért – including American presidents and European royalty – and the hotel retains the elegant atmosphere of a bygone age. Guests can enjoy superb cuisine at the Panoráma Restaurant or Gellért Brasserie, and take advantage of wellness treatments and medical programmes at the adjacent Gellért Baths. Furthermore, the hotel is the perfect base for exploring, located next to one of Budapest’s most beautiful bridges and a short walk from Pest’s Great Market Hall and shopping streets.
Budapest in August is hot and extremely busy. From celebrations to summer festivals, there is something to do for everyone. If you enjoy burning sunshine, good music, late nights and lidos, Budapest is all you need.
Cheat sheet
How to exchange currency
Most places accept credit and debit cards, including restaurants, bars, shops and taxis. Street vendors or small shops may insist on cash only. The national currency is Hungarian Forint (HUF), which you can easily exchange from any currency at bureaux de change. However, there are huge differences between the rates offered by money changers. The worst rates tend to be offered at the airport, railway stations and in banks. The best policy is to exchange currency in a larger bureau such as Northline or Correct Change. Avoid people in the streets offering better rates than the licensed bureaux, as they are most likely out to scam you.
Getting Around Budapest in August
Most of Budapest’s inner city and historic districts are best to explore by foot. There are pedestrian precincts in downtown Pest and traffic is restricted on Castle Hill, so walking is probably the best way to get around. Great news, however, that the city is very well connected by public transportation, too. Budapest has a fast and efficient metro system as well as many trams, trollies and buses. Outer suburbs are served by the local suburban railway called HÉV.
There are two separate categories of transport, divided based on time. The daytime transport is available from 04:30 AM to 11:50 PM and the night transport is available from 11:50 PM to 4:30 AM. To make getting around the city easier, there are many travel cards you can pick from including a 24-hour travelcard, a 72-hour travelcard and even a 7-day travelcard.
Read more about Getting around Budapest.
What to avoid
Budapest has its own higher crime areas, however the city is relatively safe at night compered to another capitals. Thefts and pickpocketing could be quite common in certain parts of town, so always keep an eye on your belongings, especially in busy places, like bars, trams and buses. Avoid poorly lit streets and stay close to your friends if you are tired or had a couple of drinks. If you are the victim of a crime, or if you see an incident, call 112 and tell to the operator that you need help. The main squares and streets in the downtown area are under CCTV surveillance.
If you are excited about visiting Budapest in August then see more here: 3 days in Budapest itinerary.
Budapest weather in August is extremely enjoyable with high temperatures lasting throughout the month and into September. There might be a chance of rain, but showers tend to be light and fast, so it won’t get in the way of your holiday.
August has an average temperature of 21°C with highs of 27°C – however, regularly staying in the 30’s in recent years. You can expect cooler weather at night when winds help to bring temperatures down to a comfortable level so make sure you always have an extra layer of clothes with you. Great news that you’ll have 13 hours of sunshine each day and humidity levels remain low, although there can be some cloud coverage towards the end of the month and on rainy days.
You need to have enough breathable clothing for the Hungarian summer. If you choose to do a lot of walking, pack comfortable walking shoes and a small water bottle that you can carry around. Don’t forget to apply a generous amount of sunscreen as the Sun can get burning during the hot summer days. Most importantly pack your swimsuits for your day at one of the thermal pools or the sensational outdoor lidos either on Margaret Island or other parts of the city. However, since raining is not uncommon, carry waterproof jackets or at least an umbrella. Because Hungarian weather is mainly consistent, but can come with surprises, we would recommend to check the weather forecast before you start packing.
Views from both Buda Castle and the Danube River bank are spectacular. If you want to reserve your seat in the first raw we recommend staying in one of our amazing hotels and let us spoil you for a special weekend.
August has an average temperature of 21°C with highs of 27°C – however, regularly staying in the 30’s in recent years. This means that it can be pretty hot in August in Budapest. You can expect cooler weather at night when winds help to bring temperatures down to a comfortable level. 
If you love to travel in summer this is the best time of the year to go to Budapest! The high temperatures last until mid September and only a few showers refresh the air during this month. You can enjoy vivid cultural progammes and feel the vibrating atmosphere of the city!
