Events, Things to Do in the First Month of Summer
Visit Budapest in June, and you will have a wonderful vacation in the Hungarian capital.
As summer kicks in, the city is offering plenty events, programs and things to do for everyone.
June is a fantastic time to visit Budapest, as the weather is pleasant, and the city is bustling with festivals and activities.
You’ll have your pick of Wine & Beer Festivals, a Gin Market, Spritz Festival and a range of big gastro events, Night of Museums and more cultural programs.
Whether you’re interested in
- ✅ Exploring historical landmarks,
- ✅ Going on outdoor adventures,
- ✅ Trying out Hungarian cuisine, or
- ✅ Experiencing the (in)famous nightlife.
this city has something for everyone!
In this article, we will guide you through the top things to do in Budapest in June, ensuring you have an unforgettable experience.
Table of Contents
June Weather In Budapest
June tends to be already very hot in Hungary. Due to the global climate change summer starts way earlier than it did a couple of decades ago.
This year (2023) the first month of summer seems to be wet and muggy with sunny spells disturbed by occasional showers during the day.
Daily temperatures can reach 25 – 30 ºC or more there is lots of sunshine.
As we have already mentioned, a quick summer shower is not unusual in June so bring an umbrella.
Packing List Tip: In some years June can be very rainy and colder than usual though so do check the weather forecast before packing clothes for your visit. Do bring a lighter jacket or raincoat, baseball cap, waterproof shoes
Rosalia, Festival of Rose Wines, 09 -11. June 2023
Venue:
- City Park, behind Vajdahunyad Castle
Getting There:
- M1 (yellow line) Hősök tere or Széchenyi fürdő stop
Opening Hours:
- Friday, 09. June: 14.00 – 24.00,
- Saturday, 10. June: 11.00 – 24.00,
- Sunday, 11. June: 11.00 – 21.00
Entry: free, tasting: you have to buy a tasting glass for 1 600 HUF (Stölzle crystal glass)
A festival celebrating fresh roses. sparkling wines and other splendid summer wines.
More than 50 exhibitors, including some of the best street food vendors.
This year it moves to a Pest location: the City Park-Vajdahunyad Castle – a green expanse behind Heroes’ Square, home to the Zoo and the Széchenyi Bath.
Family and children programs early afternoons:
- Bread making in the Szittya Pitta Cottage: every day of the festival
- Learning to bake Kürtöskalács/Sekler cake: Sat – Sun: 10.00 – 16.00
- Craft workshop, face painting on Sunday/11. June: 10.00 – 18.00
# Our Tip: Take an Evening Wine Tasting Cruise
Should you miss the Rosalia Wine Festival hop on a sighseeing boat that offers a tasting of Hungarian wines. Here are our recommendations:
SUP Festival On the Danube 17. June 2023
Paddle through Budapest on the river Danube on the longest day of the year.
You will glide through all the beautiful bridges of the city between Romai-part and Kopaszi dam and marvel at the famous landmarks:
- Gellért Hill,
- Buda Castle,
- Parliament,
- National Theatre and the brand new
- Athletic Stadium.
Tickets & Prices:
- with ypur own SUP: 9 990,
- with renting a SUP: 21 990 HUF
- Bus transfer to the starting point: 3 990 HUF
- Life jacket rental(compulsory to wear): 3 490 HUF
Registration is required: 08.00 – 10.10
Meeting point: Duna Café Grill and Drink Bar
You can register from 08:00 am at the venue of the start. Please arrive until 09:00 am if you rent a Sup.
If you have your own sup you can register until 10:00 am.
10:45 Safety briefing
Start: 11.00
Arrival around 13.40 – 14.00 behind Ponyvaregény restaurant on Kopaszi Dam in Buda.
Distance: 16 km
Night of Museums, 23/24. June, 2023
Venues: Museums in Budapest
The Night of Museums (Múzeumok Éjszakája) is an international festival that has been part of Budapest’s majorJune events for a couple of years now.
You can hop from museum to museum using the special bus service – 7 colour-coded lines connecting various parts of the city – operated on Midsummer Night.
A great variety of programs for all ages and interests.
Tickets (can be bought at any of the participating museums):
- full price: 2 500 HUF,
- students (ages: 6 – 18): 1 200 HUF.
You can use the dedicated bus service, participate in the programs and view the permanent and temporary exhibits of the museums.
TIP: Find out more about the Night of Museums in Budapest: tickets, transportation, program schedule
Enjoy Outdoor Activities – Margaret Island & Buda Hills
With pleasant weather in June, Budapest offers a variety of outdoor activities for adventure enthusiasts.
Take a stroll along the picturesque Margaret Island, located in the heart of the Danube River. This green oasis is perfect for cycling, jogging, or having a peaceful picnic.
There’s a
- Lovely rose garden, a
- Japanese Garden and a
- Cmall zoo – so you can easily spend half a day just to discover the island’s attractions.
Buda Hills – Normafa Park
For a more thrilling experience, head to the Buda Hills and embark on a hiking or biking trail. The hills provide stunning views of the city and offer a chance to reconnect with nature. Normafa is an easily accessible, popular hiking and recreational area in the Buda side in district XII.
It offers a refreshing escape from the bustling city and provides stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
You can easily get to Normfa by bus from the city centre in about 20-22 minutes.
Getting to Normafa by Public Transport:
- Bus 221 and Bus 21 from Széll Kálmán tér (trams 4. 6 and M2 metro) will take you there in 19 minutes
- Bus 212 from Boráros tér (trams 4, 6) travels till Svábhegy on weekdays but runs on an extended route to Normafa on weekends.
- Bus 210 from Deák Ferenc tér or Széchenyi István tér in the city center
If you aren’t scared of heights, hop on the Chairlift – free with Budapest card in both directions -, which takes you to the top of János Hill in Normafa, the highest point in Budapest. Tickets without BP card: adult 3000 HUF/Children (ages – 3 – 14): 1 000 HUF. See timetable for the chairlift here.
TIP: Solstice Yoga Festival on Margaret Island, 18. Jun, 2023
Date & Time: 18. June, Sunday, 09.00 – 18.00
Admission: Free
Venue: Holdudvar on Margitsziget (a former cafe and club near the Centennial Monument at the southern tip)
A half a dozen yoga studios will held yoga classes from morning till evening on Margaret Island on Sunday, June 18.
Join many others to try and practice various branches of yoga:
108 Sun Salutations will launch the all-day event starting at 09.00
- Ashtanga Yoga
- Siddha Yoga
- Vinyasa Krama and more.
Bring your kids too because they can participate in the children’s yoga classes between 09.00 – 17.00.
Note: Recommended for kids older than 4.
Detailed program of the Yoga Festival can be found here!
Outdoor Pools, Open Air Baths
Our city is well-known for its thermal baths and bathing culture and the handful of open-air pools and lidos offer a reprieve on sultry summer days.
Our favourite summer beach venue is the Palatinus Bath on Margaret Island. It has both indoor and outdoor pools, shallow pools for toddlers, slides and a wave pool.
You can spend a whole day there but definitely set aside a couple of hours to enjoy the cooling water, the sunshine and the terrific views of the Buda Hills.
The place has numerous street food joints and buffets with the compulsory local favorite the lángos so you won’t stay hungry.
Browse also our guide to 5+ outdoor Budapest baths (Palatinus, Csillaghegy, Paskál, Római Strand, Pesterzsébeti Bath) that are open in June 2023.
Sightseeing TIPS for June
Our city offers a dazzling array of sights and monuments so we choose only one or two to include in our monthly program recommendations.
Boat Tours on the Danube – Cruises 3 Main Times A Day
The most romantic and relaxing way to admire the city scape is on a sightseeing cruise on the river Danube.
The tours last 1,5 – 2 hours, during which you will see the most notable sights on the two riverbanks Budapest is famous for:
- Buda Castle with the Royal Palace,
- Gellért Hill,
- the bridges spanning the river, including the oldest one: the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd).
Top Dinner Cruises In Budapest
A river tour on the Daube with dinner – buffet style or served at your table – is a one-of-a-kind experience that you should consider give it a chance to. If you keep in mind that food is not the highlight of these excursions – though some of them offer really good, tasty meals you’ll have a fanastic time.
So don’t go expecting exceptional culinary delights but expect the marvellous night view of Budapest when the illuminated buildings and bridges reflect in the dark water of the river.
On the whole you’ll have a wonderful, memorable evening – a fitting program for celebrating a special occasion too – with live music or Hungarian folk dance show.
TIP: Cruises with Hungarian Dinner are a nice way to sample traditional local dishes, like goulash, chicken paprikash, strudel. According to our experience they were all very flavourful and up to high quality even by local standards.
Book A Danube Dinner Cruise – FREE Cancellation!
Evening Cruise with 3 Course Dinner and Champagne
Departure: 19:30 / Duration: 90 min. – From €65
Romantic Candlelit 4-Course Danube Dinner Cruise
Departure: 20:30 / Duration: 150 min. – From €85
Night Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Folk Music
Departure: 22:00 / Duration: 90 min. – From €55
Can be booked without meal if you want to enjoy only the vista with a chilled drink in your hand.
TIP: See also our comprehensive guide to the top 5 dinner cruises in Budapest!
Bike, Segway & Running Tours – Fun Sightseeing
Do you like running? Explore Budapest on a running tour – 5-10 km long routes where you will see the the top attractions of the Hungarian capital.
If you are not up for jogging then go on a bike tour:
- Bikes,
- Helmets and
- Professional guiding is provided.
TIP: Try BuBi, Budapest’s public bicycle sharing system for affordable bike rides in the city.
You can rent the massive, light green bikes at 76 points in the city (bank card is required if you aren’t a registered user and in this case a 25 000 HUF deposit will be deducted if you rent a bike.)
Tourists coming for a couple of days can choose from 24-hour, 72-hour or 7-day passes. During the validity of the pass you can use the bike for 30 minutes, over that you’ll be charged a fee.
Jewish Monuments – Discover Them On A Guided Tour!
Budapest boasts one of Europe’s richest Jewish heritage:
- Synagogues,
- Monuments,
- Memorials,
- Museums and archives,
- Cemeteries.
You can discover them on guided tours or self-made walks in Buda and the Pest side.
TIP: Streetart – Budapest boasts great many street art, the most famous ones being the quirky, colorful firewall paintings mainly in the Jewish Quarter – but other parts of the city have them too. Just remember to look up occasionally when you wander around and you’ll surely bump into them.
For a more immersive experience and behind-the-scene knowledge go on a guided street art tour. your expert guide will let you in on anything related to these phenomenal artworks during the 2-hour tour.
Book A Guided Tour To Learn About The City’s Jewish Heritage:
Budapest: Book A Jewish Heritage Tour
Tours starts: 10:00 / Duration: 120 / 240 min. – From €49
Budapest: Street Art Walking Tour
Tours starts: in June / Duration: 120 min. – From €20
Budapest: Jewish Cuisine and Culture Walk
Tours starts: everyday / Duration: 240 min. – From €102
Classical Concerts, Cultural Programs in June
We’ve already listed the Night of Museums for a one-of-a kind cultural activity in June but here are some concerts and exhibitions that you may not want to miss during your visit.
Budapest has many great concert halls where you can enjoy classical concerts, folk music and dance shows all the year round. We’ve selected twounique events for classical music fans .
Free In Music – From Baroque to Jazz, 17. June, 19.30
Concert of The Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra and the Tálas Áron Trio
Venue: Öntőház Courtyard of the Várket Bazár/Castle Garden Bazaar in Buda (next to the Chain Bridge)
Address: 1013 Budapest, Ybl Miklós tér 4.
Tickets:
- Normal: 4 900 HUF
- VIP Panorama: 11 500 HUF
TIP: The VIP Panorama ticket includes a 5,000 HUF worth restaurant drink coupon. With the ticket, you can enjoy the concert at 2-4 seat tables on the Monkey Bistro terrace.
Attend this this extraordinary concert combining the exciting mix of Baroque and jazz genres, styles, and harmonies.
The jazz improvisations of Tálas Áron fearlessly reinterpret Baroque harmonies, forms, and moods.
The exceptional artists of the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrating their 170th anniversary this year, will also showcase their talents as soloists.
The Öntőház courtyard of Várkert Bazár(castle Garden Bazaar near the Chain bridge in Buda will host this musical extravaganza.
Summer Concert in the Courtyard of Pest County Hall, 30. June 2023
Venue: Courtyard of the Pest County Hall (Pesti Vármegyeháza) in the city center (view on map)
Date & Time: 30. June/friday at 20.00/8 pm
Tickets: 3 500 HUF
The courtyard of the Pest County Hall (Vármegye utca 15., distr. V.) hosts a series of classical music performances by the Concerto Budapest ensemble founded in 1907 and a resident group of the Music Academy since 2013.
Enjoy the evergreen melodies of Mozart, Beethoven, or Vivaldi in a historic venue in the city centre!
Note: In case of rain concerts will be held in the Aula Magna of the ELTE University at Egyetem Square 1-3. at 20.30).
Hotel TIP
Prestige Hotel & Costes Downtown
Prestige Hotel is located in a 19.-century townhouse in a small, quiet street in downtown.
It boasts remarkable interior design, comfortable rooms, and a fine dining restaurant, Costes Downtown, one of Budapest’s 5 Michelin star restaurants.
Within walking distance to the Danube and other famous sights, Prestige Hotel Budapest is an ideal accommodation for a summer city break.
Cafe, Restaurant TIPS
Here are two outstanding gastro places in Budapest that we recommend for you to try in June.
Twentysix – Restaurant, Wine & Pasta Bar, Yoga Studio
Address: Király utca 26., Bp. 1061, district VI.
Opening Hours:
- Mon – Thurs: 07.30 – 00.00
- Fri – Sat: 07.30 – 02.00
Twentysix is Budapest’s latest hot spot with a gourmet deli shop, cafe, restaurant, yoga studio all within a luscious garden.
The around 500 plants in the garden thrive best at 26 degrees Celsius so the name refers not only to the address but this fact.
The restaurant and bar located in the green oasis are perfect venue for a relaxing lunch or romantic dinner.
The menu allows guests to share in mezze style, so they can sample what they like: hummus and other plantbased sauces with sweet potato, roasted cauliflower etc.
These cost 2 200 – 3 990 HUF.
There also soups, main dishes, salads and really delightful sweets too.
The wine, liqueur, spirit and cockatils list is also extensive.
The shop sells all sorts of bakery goods – made on spot – olives, cheeses, bar snacks, wines and of course coffee.
The Studio is home to
- Yoga,
- Deep work,
- Pilates, and a new fitness class:
- Drum work.
TIP: Twentysix is also a great breakfast place with both lighter and heavier morning meals, like avocado porride or a a full English breakfast. But if you’re in the mood for a nice Gin Tonic they have an excellent G & T bar too.
Szamos Today Cafe & Chocolate Museum
Address: Kossuth tér 10., district V.
Opening Hours:
- Cafe: Mon-Fri: 07.30 – 19.00, Sat -Sun: 09.00 – 19.00
- Museum: Mon-Sun: 10.00 – 18.00,
Admission to the museum: 980 HUF
The Szamos Cafe, next to the Hungarian Parliament building is the new generation of the classic Szamos Cake Shops we were used to in the previous 70+ decades.
The interior of a former coffee house has been tastefully renovated, turning the place into a modern, lively cafe and bistro in one of the most visited neighbourhoods of the city centre.
- Delicious tortes , pastries, and other desserts (Hungarian classics, more contemporary sweets) in the ground floor area,
- an al carte restaurant on the gallery and a
- Chocolate Museum on the top floor make Szamos Cafe a unique place to see in downtown Budapest.
TIP: Browse also our selection of the Top Ice Cream Places in Budapest for high quality gelato, sorbet, granita and other chilled delights.
Bars & Clubs, Nightlife, Partying
The warm June nights are perfect for outdoor parties and clubbing, but if you’re want to spend the night in a more laid-back fashion Budapest has some fantastic rooftop bars and cocktail places for you.
TIP: A popular clubbing area is in Kazinczy Street, in the Old Jewish Quarter. It is packed with the ruin bars, and garden clubs: the most famous are the Szimpla Kert, 400 Bar, Kocka, or the Mika Tivadar Mulató.
360 Bar – One Of The Best Panoramic Views of the Whole City
Address: Andrássy út 39. district VI. on the rooftop of the Paris Department Store (lift to the right of Alexandra Bookshops’s entrance)
Open:
- Every day: 10.00 – 24.00 Thursday-Saturday: 10.00 – 03.00
In this cool bar on the highest rooftop of the city you can enjoy the fantastic 360 degree vista all summer:
- the Dome of St. Stephen Basilica, the
- Dohány Street Synagogue,
- Buda Castle and the Buda Hills,
- Budapest Eye.
The Art-Nouveau department store’s rooftop – built towards the end of the 19.century – used to hosted an ice rink.
Today ideal place for a leisurely late breakfast with coffee, lunch or chill with a glass of fine wine or cocktail under the enormous parasols while taking in the breathtaking panorama.
Varied programs add to the appeal of the bar:
- Concerts,
- Film screenings, and
- Sunday brunch.
A38 Ship – Concerts, Dining & Cocktails
Address: Petőfi Bridge, Buda end, 1117 Budapest
A38 Ship is a unique entertainment venue set on a converted Ukrainian stone-carrier ship. It’s been part of the Budapest’s nightlife and live concert scene for more than teo decades now.
This popular venue hosts various live music performances, concerts, and club nights as well as exhibitions.
The ship offers both indoor and outdoor spaces, a bistro with a short international menu as well as tasty barfoods and snacks.
It’s open till 22.00/10 pm every day.
The bar has an extensive drinks menu from wines, beers, champagne and non-alcoholic bevarges.
TIP: Enjoy the dazzling night view of the Danube River with a glass of drink on the large open-air deck.
Heer are other recommended nightclubs and party spots in Budapest!
Some Other Great Outdoor Clubs:
Past Events:
Festive Book Week, June 8 – 1. 2023 (Ünnepi Könyvhét)
Venue: Danube Promenade/Dunakorzó, between Március 15. Sqr. and Vigadó Sqr.
Getting there: tram 2
Vörösmarty Square, M1 (yellow line) underground Vörösmarty tér stop
Admission: free
An event for book lovers with book launches, discussions, concerts, and children programs.
If you plan to visit the Book Week, combine it with
- a stroll along Váci utca,
- an ice cream/cake/coffee in the Gerbeaud Cafe, or
- a lunch/dinner in the Michelin-star Onyx restaurant.
Find out more about the Festive Book Week.
Czech Beer Festival 08 -12. June, 2023
Venue: WestEnd Shopping Centre-Roof Terrace: tram 4, 6 or M3 (blue) metro Nyugati tér stop
Entry: FREE
The Czech beer festival will welcome beer lovers with more than 100 beers for 5 days in June on the roof terrace of the WestEnd Shopping Mall.
You can taste the top Czech beers along with traditional Czech dishes and enjoy Czech cultural programs.
More about the Czech Beer Festival in Budapest…
Gin Market In June at Hello Buda, 09 – 10. June, 2023
- Address:
- Getting there:
The terrace of the Whale/Bálna building at the Pest riverbank is undoubtedly one of the most scenic spots in Pest.
It’s right on the Danube bank offering a spectacular view of the river and the Buda side.
Gin Tonic will be in the focus so you can sip all sorts of
- GT specialties while
- enjoying the unique panorama.
TIP: See more terraced hangouts in Budapest for the Summer!
Related
Budapest in Summer 2023 – Budapest in July – August Things To Do – September Program Tips – Things to do in November – May in Budapest