Best Time to Visit Budapest

April to June, September to October

Months to avoid: July and August (35°C+ heat, peak tourist crowds, ruin bars packed with stag groups nightly)

Recommended stay: 4-6 days

Plan Budapest for April to June, September to October. Give it 4-6 days. The window to avoid is July and August (35°C+ heat, peak tourist crowds, ruin bars packed with stag groups nightly).

What the season gets you

• Széchenyi Baths on a cold October morning, you're neck-deep in 38°C geothermal water watching steam rise over neo-baroque domes, and it costs 8,600 HUF ($23)
• The view from Fisherman's Bastion at 7am before the tour groups arrive, parliament across the river, the Danube bridge traffic just starting, total quiet
• Lángos from the Great Market Hall upper floor, deep-fried dough with sour cream and cheese for 1,200 HUF ($3.30), eaten standing up