Budapest in July 2024: events, things to do and best tips
Your complete guide to visit Budapest in July
- things to do
- June 25, 2024
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If you’ll be in Budapest in July, you might be wondering what is there to do. Some people go to parks, some to thermal baths, others enjoy the nightlife…and there’s a lot more to do. But worry not – we’ll cover everything here – whether you’re a tourist going to visit Budapest, or if you’re just looking for the best local events, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll find what kind of weather to expect, the best events in July 2024, and what other things to do.
Budapest weather in July
Let’s begin with the weather, so that you know what to count on. With its continental climate, expect a warm Budapest in July. If June was already hot, July shouldn’t bring anything lower. It’s summer, and surely some days will go beyond 30ºC (86ºF).
Is Budapest warm in July?
It can get very hot in Budapest in July. With an average high of 28°C (82ºF) and a low of 17ºC (62ºF), expect quite sunny and warm days if you plan to walk a lot, and don’t forget to always carry a bottle of water during your stay. On many days, the highs will surpass 30ºC (86ºF).
Is it rainy in Budapest in July?
Usually, July isn’t a very rainy month in Budapest, but occasionally there’s some wet days. You’ll see 5-12 days with some rainfall, with an average of 40mm.
Sunlight hours in July
July is that month of the year in Budapest that should see the most sun. The first days of the month will see longer days, with the sun setting around 8:45 pm, and at the end of the month, when they begin to shorten, the sun sets approximately at 8:20 pm.
What to pack for Budapest in July?
Make sure to bring light clothing for the hot continental summer, where you might often find yourself longing for a breeze. Light colours, like white t-shirts, are a good idea – and even better if you have cotton or linens. If you plan to walk, bring comfortable shoes and a bottle of water to carry with you.
Budapest essentials
- Language: Hungarian
- Currency: Hungarian Forint (HUF)
- Average temperatures: 28°C (82°F) to 17°C (62°F)
- Country code: +36
- Time Zone: GMT +1
- Power sockets: types C and F
- Shared Airport Transfer with MiniBud
MiniBUD, the easy transfer between the airport and the city center
Perhaps this not on your thoughts now, but will certainly come in handy once you land. With this shared shuttle, more convenient and much cheaper than a taxi, you go straight from the airport to your chosen destination in Budapest city center. You can reserve now and pay later (or cancel it for free, in case you change your mind).
• From 12 euros per person
• From the airport to your destination in the city center
• Free cancellation up to 24h before
• Reserve now & pay later option
• Pay in your own currency
Budapest events in July 2024
Ok, so now that we’ve checked the weather, let’s have a look at the Budapest events happening in July 2024. July in Budapest is a great month, there’s a lot going on, so we’ll leave first a list with the quick links to make it easier for you to navigate them:
Quick links to Budapest events in July 2024:
• ‘The World of Banksy’ exhibition
• Beer Festival at Petőfi Bridge, on Buda Side
• The Danube Enbankment
• Summer Festival in Óbuda
• Dance Park
• F1 Hungarian Grand Prix
• City Park Boating Lake
• Concerts in Budapest in July
• Budapest Opera in July
• Museum of Fine Arts in July
• Hungarian National Gallery in July
• Museum of Ethnography in July
• Records Fair at Szimpla Kert
➡️ How to save money on museums, landmarks, activities and public transportation ⬅️
🖼️ The World of Banksy - "The Street is a Canvas"
• When: Whole month of July (until September)
• Where: Király utca 26 (behind the KOMPLEX building)
In this exhibition you’ll see more than 100 works by the famous street art artist Banksy. If you get entry ticket to the “The World of Banksy – The Street is a Canvas” exhibition in Budapest.
After more than 2 million visitors across the globe, in cities like Barcelona, Milan, Paris, Prague, Brussels, Lisbon, or Dubai, you can now see this exhibition in Budapest, during the month of July.
🍻 Beer Festival
• When: 3-7 July, 2024
• Where: Goldmann György tér (near Petőfi Bridge, on Buda side)
In this festival, you’ll find over 500 craft beers from countries like Hungary, Czechia, Germany, and Belgium.
You’ll also get to see live blues music and te Euro 2024 games on a giant screen, in case you’re wondering about that – and there’ll be plenty of local food to try too.
🏃 RAKPART 2024: Danube Embankment
• When: Whole July
• Where: Between Chain Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge
During summer, the Jane Haining wharf (in Hungarian, ‘rakpart’) will have no traffic during the weekends, inviting people to the many events happening by the Danube.
If you happen to be in Budapest on a Saturday or Sunday during July, don’t be surprised to encounter things like movie screenings, yoga, workshops, dancing classes, art fairs, exhibitions, etc. It’s also a beautiful scenery to go for a walk or a bike ride, as a great environment will gather in the area on those days.
🍹 Óbuda Summer Festival
• When: Whole July (14 June – 16 September)
• Where: Fő tér / Békásmegyeri market / Lupa Beach
• Full program here
Music concerts, movie screenings, a craft beer festival, programs for children, and Hungarian beach experiences. To sum it up, this is what you can expect from the festival.
But there’s more: there’ll be a giant screen to watch the Euro Cup football games, a “Meeting of Nationalities” event, a “Magnifying glass day”.
But the summer festival wouldn’t be complete without July 13, the day for the residents of the 3rd district. Everyone is invited to come to Lupa Beach, and the residents of that the 3rd district have free entry.
💃 Dance Park
• When: July 11-19
• Where: Millennium Park
• Full program here
Budapest is prone to dancing events, and July is no exception. In July, the National Dance Theatre’s “TáncPark” will bring outdoors dance performances to the Millennium Park.
This nine-day event features a variety of dance styles each evening, from Hungarian folk dance to tango, contemporary, and flamenco. Highlights include performances by the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, Danube Art Ensemble, and tributes to artists like Amrita Sher Gil. There will be dance workshops following each performance, so if you like dancing, get ready to engage too.
Tickets are available online and in person, with indoor alternatives in case there’s bad weather.
🏎 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix
• When: July 19-21
• Where: Hungaroring racetrack
• Full Program here
If you’re a F1 fan and will be in Budapest in July, then this is for you. The event will happen for three days, from Friday to Sunday, the latter being the Grand Prix final race (70 laps or 120 minutes).
But there’s more things, in case you want to live it fully: there’s F2 and F3 too happening on those days, practice sessions and qualifying sessions on all modalities, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, and more.
The timetables are already live, but make sure to confirm things before getting the to the track, as the times might still be changed.
🚣♀️ City Park Boating Lake
• When: from July 5
• Where: Budapest City Park
The City Park Boating Lake is one the best attractions in Budapest during summer. The area that serves as an ice rink in the cold months gets filled with water, forming a lake, and the Vajdahunyad Castle becomes a beautiful scenery to rent a pedal boat, rowboat, or SUP (stand-up paddleboard). Pure magic.
Expectedly, there’s a fee for this. But you won’t have to pay the full price. One excellent hack to enjoy Budapest is to get a Budapest Card, often referred to as the City Pass. You’ll get a 10% discount on the pedal boats, rowboats, and SUPs, and really a lot more: free entry to essential museums, thermal baths, unlimited public transport, and many other discounts.
🎸 Concerts in Budapest in July
• July program here
There’s lots of concerts, famous names, and DJ sets in Budapest in July 2024. Here’s a list with the main shows:
• Tom Morello, Budapest Park – Jul 1
• Take That, Budapest Park – Jul 3
• Richie Kotzen, Dürer Kert – Jul 4
• Fit For A King, Barba Negra – Jul 4
• gyuris, Duna-part Feszt – Jul 6
• Ice Nine Kills, Papp László Budapest Sportaréna – Jul 9
• Judas Priest, Rockmaraton 2024 – Jul 13
• Azahriah, EFOTT Festival 2024, Sukoró – Jul 13
• gyuris, Wheels & Beats Festival – Jul 19
• Ed Sheeran, Puskás Aréna – Jul 20
• Calum Scott, Puskás Aréna – Jul 20
• Lura, Margaret Island Open-Air Stage – Jul 24
• Sisi x Hundred Sins, Budapest Park, Jul 25
• Lenny Kravitz, Budapest Sportaréna – Jul 30
🩰 Budapest Opera in July
• Complete July program here.
Hungarian State Opera – events in July:
• Rigoletto, Giuseppe Verdi – Jul 2-17, everyday
• La Traviata, Giuseppe Verdi – Jul 18-Aug 7, everyday
• GSYO Symphonic Concert – Jul 23
Want a full guided tour of the Hungarian Opera?
Book it here and skip the line. From £21.98 / €26.00 / $27.79.
🖼️ Museum of Fine Arts in July
• Entire program here.
Temporary exhibitions in July:
• Kertész, Moholy-Nagy, Capa… / Hungarian Photographers in America (1914–1989) – the history of Hungarian-American photography, showcasing over thirty photographers: André Kertész, László Moholy-Nagy, Martin Munkácsi, and Robert Capa.
• Lipchitz. A Cubist Sculptor – an exhibition about Jacques Lipchitz (1891-1973), a sculptor that was born in Lithuania, and became famous when in Paris. You’ll find Lipchitz’s early Cubist works, as well the exhibition includes other sculptures and prints.
Permanent exhibitions in July:
• Halls of the Museum of Fine Arts (Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque)
• Ancient Egypt
• Variations on the Baroque – Art in Hungary (1600-1800)
• Classical Antiquity
• European Sculpture 1350-1800
• European Art 1250-1800
🖼️ Hungarian National Gallery in July
• Entire program here.
Temporary exhibitions in July:
• Sean Scully: UNINSIDEOUT – displaying Sean Scully’s works, an Irish artist who got famous for the large-scale abstract paintings.
• My Story. Early Memory of the Holocaust in the Works of Eyewitness Artists (until July 21) – this exhibition is dedicated to the Holocaust. Made of drawings, prints, and albums, it represents this tragic period in Hungary.
• When Dolls Speak – Retrospective Exhibition of Margit Anna (1913–1991) – celebrating Margit Anna, a leading figure in Hungarian painting of the 20th century, the Museum displays 220 of her paintings and graphics.
Permanent exhibitions in July:
• Variations on Realism – From Munkácsy to Mednyánszky – collections from local and international sources of Mihály Munkácsy’s art.
• Gothic Art in the Hungarian Kingdom, 1300–1500 – a great collection of winged altars, panel paintings, and wooden sculptures from the Kingdom of Hungary, between the years 1300 and 1500.
• Late Gothic Winged Altarpieces – wooden sculptures and panel paintings from the Middle Ages.
• Nude Sculptures from the Turn of the Century – naturalist and art noveau marble statues (by Hungarian artists), from the first twenty years of the last century.
• Art in the 19th Century – Hungarian fine art since the 19th century, showcasing 150 paintings, 40 sculptures, 40 medals, and 33 applied art objects.
• Shifts – Updated! – the history of Hungarian Art after 1945, with a focus on certain local artists.
• Modern Times – Hungarian Art Between 1896 and World War II
🖼️ Museum of Ethnography in July
Entire program here.
Temporary exhibitions in July:
SHIPIBO-KONIBO. Portraits of my blood – black and white photo works from David Díaz, indigenous photographer from a community in Peru called Shipibo-Konibo.
• Together: Images of Inaktelke 2000-2002 – exhibition showing the life of a village in Kalotaszeg and its community.
Some of the permanent exhibitions:
• ZOOM: A Change in Perspectives
2000+ artefacts and many hundred thousand photos, drawings, audio recordings, films, and manuscripts.
• Ceramics Space: Ceramics of the World – over 35,000 ceramic objects from five continents exhibited in a different way – divided into two parts, like the hemispheres of the human brain.
💿 Szimpla Kert's Music and Record fair
• Szimpla Kert’s program here
• July 6th, from 12 to 6 PM – record fair
Find new vinyl records and old treasures in this fair, at Szimpla kért, during the day. It happens every first Saturday of the month in the old and famous ruin pub.
Budapest Card: the smart way to explore Budapest
Budapest Card, often called the City Pass, is a hassle-free and cost-effective way to travel in Budapest, and the most popular way to explore the city.
What’s in it for you:
✅ Door-to-door airport transfer
✅ Unlimited public transportation
✅ Free entry to the best museums and Lukács baths
✅ 20% discount at the Széchenyi Bath, Rudas Bath, Aquaworld
✅ 10% discount at Dohany Street Synagogue
*You can buy it now and pay later (or cancel it, with full refund).
Things to do in Budapest in July
Besides the seasonal events, there are many other things to do in Budapest in July 2024. Let’s have a look at the most important historic places, monuments, parks, and local experiences, like the thermal baths, ruin bars, clubs, and more.
1. Budapest Parliament
This one isn’t really news, but has to be highlighted, as it’s probably the most famous postcard from Hungary. The Budapest Parliament is a symbol of the country, and one of the largest in the world. Built in the years of 1885-1992, its incredible façade has Neo-Gothic, Neo-Renaissance, and Neo-Baroque elements. Even if you’re not into architecture, you’ll be marvelled. And then there’s the huge inside, with 691 rooms, that houses the Hungarian Holy Crown and the Hungarian Assembly.
You can look at the parliament from the outside, walk through its gardens, or look for the best views of its façade from further away (Batthyány Square, Géllert Hill, or Margaret Bridge are great spots).
But there’s also the option of going on a tour inside:
Parliament tours
With a tour to Budapest Parliament you’ll get to learn about its history, architecture and everything that’s inside. Lasting around 45 minutes, prices are as follows:
• EEA citizen: HUF 6,000 (HUF 3,000 for ages between 6-24)
• Non-EEA citizen: HUF 12,000 (HUF 6,000 for ages between 6-24)
Opening hours (July): 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Location: Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, 1055
2. Budapest Museums
Budapest is a city full of history and museums. If you’re into learning when you travel, we can assure you’ll love it. And there’s three main ways to visit Budapest museums: one way is to just check your favorites, get there, and buy your ticket. But if you happen to be Budapest on certain days, you might get free entry. Another way is to buy a Budapest Card from 39 euros, which includes lots of the most important museums. Just have a look:
1. Included with the Budapest Card (from 39 €):
• Hungarian National Gallery
• Hungarian National Museum
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Budapest History Museum – Castle Museum
• Memento Park – Statue Park Museum
• Robert Capa Contemporary Photography Center
• House of Hungarian Photographers – Mai Manó House
• Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art
• Budapest History Museum – Aquincum Museum
• Ferenc Hopp Museum of Asiatic Arts
• Vasarely Museum
• Budapest History Museum – Kiscell Museum
2. Free Museums on selected dates in July 2024
On certain days, museums are free for adults under 26 (or children under 18 with two caretakers):
Free on July 7 (first Sunday):
• Natural History Museum
• House of Terror
Free on July 20 (third Saturday):
• Hungarian National Museum
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Hungarian National Gallery
• Hungarian Folk Museum
Free on July 27 (last Saturday):
• Budapest History Museum
• Aquincum Museum
• Hungarian Technical and Transport Museum
3. Széchenyi thermal baths
Now imagine that you’ve been walking for a few days already, and it was hot. And maybe there was a party or two as well. Likely, you’ll get to the end of your trip exhausted.
That’s when the Budapest thermal baths feel the best. Famous for its mineral-rich waters and the beauty of its buildings, these baths give you health benefits; and, like a local, you’ll get to experience an old Hungarian tradition. If you ask us, it’s a must.
Széchenyi is the most famous of these thermal baths in Budapest. You have lots of outdoors pools, you have night parties, inside pools, massages, and the list goes on. It’s our top choice. But there’s others, like Gellért Bath’s, Rudás, or Veli Bej.
Location: Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4, 1118
4. Budapest Opera
The Hungarian Opera House is another great landmark of Budapest. It’s grandious, and one of the most famous (and beautiful) buildings in the city. If you stay outside, you can admire the neo-Renaissance façade. But if you go inside, then you’ll see an opulent interior. And lots of history too.
For a better experience you can go on a tour to the Budapest Opera. But some people even prefer to attend a performance live. July 2024’s program isn’t particularly rich (other months usually have more performances), but there are some great operas, with Giuseppe Verdi’s works being the highlight.
Budapest Opera Tours:
If you want to skip a long line when going to the Opera, make sure you book your ticket online.
• Duration: 1 hour
• Price: £22.00 / $27.91 / €26
• What’s included:
✅ Interior visit to Opera House
✅ Live English tour guide
✅ Brief concert
✅ Skip the line ticket
✅ Free cancellation
✅ Book now, pay later
Location: Budapest, Andrássy út 22, 1061 Hungary
5. Margaret Island
Budapest in July is great for many reasons, and one of them is options that you have to explore Nature within the city. Margaret Island is probably the best way to do that. Just think of huge parks and picturesque views along the river. Romantic pathways, Japanese gardens, a musical fountain, ruins, a working open-air theater, dancing events, a zoo…and many more thins – that’s what you can expect from the Island in July.
What you’ll find in Margaret Island: pathways for romantic strolls, castle ruins, a zoo, rose gardens, an outdoor theatre, movie screenings, a Japanese garden, a musical fountain, thermal baths and pools, children playgrounds, sports facilities, restaurants and bars, and more.
Location: Budapest, Jászai Mari tér 3, 1137
6. St. Stephen’s Basilica
Maybe you’re into churches, maybe you’re into religion, or maybe you’re not. That’s really not relevant. But no one should leave Budapest without at least having a look at St. Stephen’s Basilica from the outside. We’re talking about a majestic, beautiful neo-classical monument in Budapest city center, 96 meters (or 315 feet) high. Just stunning.
The basilica was built in 1905 as a tribute to the first king of Hungary, and still preserves his right hand there (yep, sounds creepy). But the great attractions really is its interior, with incredible frescoes at the very top, inside the dome, providing a breathtaking sight. There’s also the view from the tower in case you decide to go to the top, but that’ll cost you extra – and, in our opinion, there’s better views from the city.
Want to get in the Basilica? We’ve got you covered below:
Entering St. Stephen’s Basilica – skip the line:
If you want to visit Budapest Basilica in July, you’ll probably find yourself on a long line to get your ticket. Consider buying your entry ticket online, or even get a tour to the Basilica to avoid that.
Entry ticket:
• Price: from £6.77 / $8.59 / €8
✅ Free cancellation
✅ Book now, pay later
✅ Discover the decorated treasury within
✅ See the relic of the St. Stephen’s right hand
7. Budapest Grand City Tour
Another great way to explore the city is the Grand City Tour. Go simple and, instead of doing all the other things one by one, get a guide that’ll take you to the most relevant places in Budapest. They’ll cover the Buda Castle District, Budapest Parliament (with an inside tour), Heroes Square, Szechényi Thermal Baths, Budapest Zoo, Andrássy Avenue, Budapest Opera House and St.Stephan’s Basilica. With this tour (already has almost 1000 reviews), you’ll learn everything about the most important sites of Budapest in just a few hours.
What’s included:
✅ From £46.54 / $59.04 / €55
✅ 4.5 hours
✅ Free cancellation
✅ Reserve now, pay later
✅ In English or Spanish
✅ Visit the main sites: Budapest Parliament (inside tour), Castle District, Heroes Square, Dohány Street Synagogue, Opera House, and more.
8. Glowing bridges at night
Here’s another fun thing to do. If you don’t like to plan too much, Budapest is a great trip because you’ll find beauty everywhere. And if you go on a stroll at night by the Danube, you’ll end up seeing some (if not all) of the most gorgeous bridges of Budapest glowing and reflecting over the River. If this is your thing, then aim for the Chain Bridge (the one in the picture), the Liberty Bridge (the green one), Elizabeth Bridge (white), and Margaret Bridge (the yellow one, that gives access to the island).
With a chill 1 hour walk between Margaret and Liberty bridges you’ll get delightful views of those fours bridges. It’s by far one of the best things to do in Budapest, so get your camera ready. As a bonus, you’ll end up finding other glowing monuments, like the Parliament (better seen from the Buda side), or Buda Castle (check it from Chain Bridge on Pest side).
9. Nightlife in Budapest
If you’re into partying, July is also a great month. The weather invites people out, and you’ll see streets full of people going to bars and restaurants. Budapest’s nightlife scene thrives in places like the ones below:
Ruin Bars: these bars and pubs are set in repurposed WWII buildings. Some of the most famous include Anker’t, Ellátó Kert, or Instant-Fogás. But the most famous and the oldest one is still Szimpla Kert, a classic (almost mandatory) for someone looking for a local experience. You can also visit it during the day.
Gozsdu Udvar: this long courtyward in the Jewish Quarter is a lively one. Cultural hub in the day, with stands full of local products,it becomes a busy nightlife spot when the sun sets. It has restaurants, cafes, bars, karaoke clubs, and dance clubs.
Bálna: if your idea is to get a drink with a beautiful glowing bridge as the backdrop, check this area by the Liberty Bridge. You’ll find lots of bars and restaurants where you can sit inside or outside, day or night, for a glass of wine, some tapas, and a stroll with a view.
10. Hungarian food and wine
If you’re a foodie, this one’s for you. For those out there trying to collect tasty memories, take note: the Great Market Hall is the famous place where you can find lots of local specialties, like Paprika, sausages, goulash, cooking products, souvenirs and so on. You’ll get it all there, even though it’s not the cheapest – and many of those things can be found in other markets.
As to the best restaurants in Budapest, there’s a few Hungarian ones we recommend: Rosenstein Vendéglő, Menza Étterem, Alma & Körte and VakVarjú are some of our favourites. And to beat the hot July, maybe a…refreshing fruit soup? Or go for local wines, like Tokaji or Fröccs. Below you’ll find a great wine tasting experience to try:
Hungarian Wine Tasting with 7 Wines and Tapas
Experience a Hungarian wine tasting with a local expert and learn about the country’s wine history and its different wine regions.
• Duration: 2 hours
• Price: £47.10 / $59.76 / €55.67
• What’s included:
✅ Guided tasting led by a wine expert
✅ 7 wine tastings
✅ Local tapas
✅ Bottled water
✅ Tasting notes
✅ Map of the wine-tasting regions of Hungary
✅ Free cancellation
✅ Book now, pay later
Tips to visit Budapest in July
• Always carry a bottle of water, especially if you’ll walk during the day. Light clothing, sunscreen and a hat might come in handy too. We said it already, but we’ll repeat: you’ll get days above 30ºC / 86ºF.
• Get a Budapest Card for free museum entries, discounts, and unlimited public transportation or a Budapest Travel Card for the best public transportation deals.
• Plan things ahead while keeping it flexible. July in Budapest gets quite busy, so you should book your tickets in advance. Check the best activities with GetYourGuide here, and book as you wish. You don’t have to pay now, and you can always cancel it later.
• Enjoy the weather. July’s a great month to be outdoors. There’s Margaret Island and Városliget (City Park), not to mention the evening/night strolls by the Danube.
• Visit Budapest main attractions: places like the Parliament, Castle District, Basilica or the Opera shouldn’t be missed. Have a look at our Budapest attractions map if you need to organise yourself a little bit.
• Use the Mol Bubi bikes for sustainable, budget-friendly and convenient travel. It’s all over the city and honestly it’s a great alternative to metros and trams, especially when they get a little busier.
• Save money when converting to HUF. The currency in Budapest is the Hungarian Forint (HUF). So if you’re paying things or exchanging money, you’ll likely be charged hidden fees by your bank or exchange houses without even realising. It’s their markup on the exchange rate that makes the difference, so don’t go in the “zero commissions” talk. We recommend you getting a card like Wise or Revolut. You can get the physical card or the virtual one, which is immediate.
• Learn some basic Hungarian just to help you a little bit. Locals will love hearing you saying ‘Szia’ (can be used for “hello” or “goodbye”), or ‘Köszönöm’ (means “thank you”). That’s always the best way to get a smile when in a foreign country.
What to eat in Budapest in July
When it comes to food, there’s a world of things to explore in Budapest during July. We’ve already covered a few things, but here’s a mored detailed list of what to eat:
• Dobos Torte: if you’re keen on sweets, this Hungarian dessert might be for you: layers of sponge cake filled with chocolate buttercream, topped with caramel. Sounds good?
• Somlói Galuska: Another traditional dessert from Hungary, but this one’s a bit more cheeky. It’s sponge cake with rum, and layers of chocolate sauce, walnuts, and whipped cream.
• Hortobágyi palacsinta: these are savory pancakes stuffed with meat, served with the typical paprika sauce (almost everything has paprika, so be ready for that).
• Goulash: one of the most famous dishes, this is a hearty soup with beef, potatoes, carrots, sometimes other veggies too, and a – suprise surprise! – paprika broth.
• Fisherman’s Soup (Halászlé): this is a great spicy fish soup made with fish from the Danube River, cooked with onions and paprika.
• Kolbász: Hungarians are quite known for the local sausage variety. This one is from seasoned pork (or a mix of meats). It’s often smoked or cured for some added flavor.
• Lángos: you can find langós in markets, summer events, and the usual food stands. Summer events are prone to selling it. It’s a crispy fried dough that can take garlic, sour cream, and cheese on top.
Best drinks to have in Budapest in July
July is a hot month in Budapest, so here’s a great opportunity to try a few local refreshments:
• Fröccs: This is perhaps the most popular local summer drink. Fröccs is refreshing and simple, mixing wine and soda water. At the counter, you can ask for a ‘kisfröccs’ (small fröccs, or small sprizer), or ‘nagyfröccs’ (the large one).
• Pálinka: For the bravest ones, there’s pálinka – a traditional brandy fermented with fruit. Often tasting to apricot, plum, pear or other fruits, it’s meant be drank as a shot.
• Törkölypálinka: This is not too different from pálinka, but it’s made from grape pomace. It’s often drank as a digestif.
• Lemonade: The Hungarian version has a twist – besides the lemons, commonly it has strawberry or orange. And it’s also normal to get some mint or ginger.
• Szörp: A fruit syrup diluted with water, making it a refreshing drink. The most popular flavors are raspberry, sour cherry and elderflower.
• Beers: If you want the local brands, there’s the most common: Soproni, Borsodi, and Dreher. For dark beer, Dreher Bak is quite popular.
• Túró Rudi Shake: Túró Rudi is a delicious Hungarian chocolate bar with sweetened cottage cheese filling, very famous amongst locals. The shake versio, just mixes it with milk or ice cream.
And just to remind you, in case you want to try, there’s this great Hungarian Wine Tasting with 7 Wines and Tapas that you can book in advance.
Getting around Budapest in July
Public transportation in Budapest, called BKK, works really well. Here’s what you can expect:
• Tramlines 2, 4, and 6 are the most important, giving you access to the most central areas. There’s also four metro lines, plus the busses and the trolleys running constantly. For unlimited access to public transport during 1-4 days, consider using the Budapest Travel Card.
• If you fancy biking, the MOL Bubi system is a great call. You just have to download their app, and pick up and drop the bike at the docking stations. The city is well prepared with bike lanes. This is a quite cheap and convenient way to explore Budapest.
• If you prefer something a bit easier, then…there’s no UBER, but BOLT will do job just as well. Or City Taxi, your call.
• When it comes to travelling between Budapest airport and the city center, the 100E Budapest Airport Bus is the most popular and affordable option, costing 2,200 HUF. But there’s also great shuttle options, like the shared MiniBUD.
Bottom line: is July a good time to go Budapest?
In our opinion July is a great month to visit Budapest, probably one of the best. The weather is warm and sunny, which invites you to be out – just make sure to carry a bottle of water. And there’s a lot of outdoors events and activities going on throughout the month, so you’ll have plenty of things to visit and to do.