The weather in Budapest Hungary is one of many great advantages compared to other European cities. Hungary is situated in the temperate zone which results in a high annual average temprature: 11.2 °C in Budapest. This makes Budapest a great all year travel destination. Also the Budapest weather:
have long and warm summers (May – August),
more sunhours (between 1700-2200) and
less rain then most of the other countries.
Most popular seasons are spring (Mars-April), summer (May-August) and fall (September-November). The hotest months in Budapest are July and August with temperatures usually around 30-35 °C. December and January are the coldest months with temperatures around -5 – +5.
Budapest summertime is the best choice if you want to spend most of your time outdoors. During summertime Budapest have many great outdoor parties, (Buddha Beach, Zöld pardon)festivities and music performances etc. Also there are beautiful gardens (like Margret Island, St: Istvan Park, Népliget) and great outdoor baths in nice surroundings (Palatinus, Gellert, Szécseny, Dagaly).
Budapest spring and fall are great if you want to combine outdoor and indoor activities. The Budapest weather outdoors is still very nice (usually 15 – 20 °C) but it is easier to enjoy an indoor opera, theatre, musical or exhibition without the summer warmth.
Budapest winter is often quite mild and snow is not that usual in Budapest. This period most tourist come to visit one of Europe’s biggest Christmas Fairs on Vörösmarty square in the middle of Budapest. There is usually many musical performances and exhibitions at this time of the year to enjoy. During the winter (Budapest winter invasion) many hotels offers one night for free.
Budapest is a dynamic city with something for everyone: music events, classic concerts, wine festivals, cultural exhibitions and much more. If you´re interested in Budapest as a travel destination but dont know when to go go this list with all major event and festivities might help you to decide when to visit Budapest.
Budapest Spring Festival
Last for 2 weeks in March-April, International classical music stars perform and give concerts.
World Music Day
Usually the last weekend of june. Jazz, rock, folk music events and open air concerts.
Bridge Festival
June – August. Lanchid is closed every weekend during the summer. The bridge becomes a long party area with arts & Crafts, food, drink, music and entertainment.
Sziget Festival
Prepare for 1 week of Woodstock in August! The largest music festival of Europe with many international top artists.
Hungarian F1 Grand Prix
On a weekend in August. Very popular international event with lots of tourist from all over the world.
St. Stephen’s Day
On the 20th August. Hungarys biggest celebration of the whole year with fireworks, street entertainment and the works. Great parties.
Budapest Parade
In the end of August. 100,000 line Andrássy út to watch a parade of floats, dancers and DJs and finish in Heroes Square and party into the night.
Jewish Summer Festival
A weekend of August displaying Jewish arts, performances, concerts, theatre and more.
Budapest Wine Festival
Two weeks in September. Wine producers presents their wines. Concerts, folk music and events at the Castle District and Vörösmarty tér.
Budapest Music Weeks
2 weeks September/October. The traditional opening of the classical season.
Budapest Autumn Festival
Usually in October. A great festival with perfomances, music, fine arts cinema, exhibitions and theatre.
Budapest Christmas Fair
26th November – 24th December. Started in 1999 and have become one of the biggest in Europe. Very popular international event at Vörösmarty Square. in the heart of Budapest.
The Hungarian formula 1 – 3968 metres track of pure excitement!
A formula 1 Grand Prix is in-itself a lifetime experience. Enjoying the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix 2008 in Budapest Hungary, one of Europe’s most beautiful and interesting cities will make it unforgettable! Here do you thing Sylvester Stallone went to prepare his car racing movie “Driven”? That’s right, he went to see the Hungarian formula1 in Budapest! One of the best advantages of Hungaroring, the Hungarian racing track near Mogyorod, 19 km outside of Budapest, is that it is located in a natural valley with approximately 80% of the racetrack visible.
The start of the Grand Prix in Budapest Hungary 2007
Ticket prices for the F1 GP
The price for the Hungarian Grand Prix 2008 ranges between 80 to 400 Euros. The most popular ticket-categories are:
Super Gold Priority 2 (Wkd.) EUR 380.00
Gold 3 Priority 2 (Wkd.) EUR 285.00
Silver 3 Priority 2 (Wkd.) EUR 257.00
Silver 3 Priority 2 (Sun.) EUR 238.00
Gen. Admission Priority 2 (Wkd.) EUR 99.00
Family (Wkd.) EUR 250.00
Buying tickets for the Grand Prix Formula One in Budapest 2008
Basically you have two choices, either you buy a whole Grand Prix travel package from international Grand Prix travel specialists like “Formulatours” or “Grandstand Motor Sports” (se links below) or just buy the Formula One tickets and the travel-tickets to Budapest separate.
Ordering F1 tickets online: the gpticketshop: (official Grand Prix ticket sales agency)
Budapest hotel booking online: Budapest hotel reservation & guide! Budapestguide.net offers online hotelbooking in cooperation with one of the biggest online hotelbooking serviceproviders: bookings.com
Getting to the Hungarian Formula 1
The Hungarian racing track is located near the village Mogyorod not far from Budapest (19 km) easily accessible by the HÉV, (short distance train) from Örs vezér Tér. Get of att “Szilasliget” station, from there you walk. It takes almost 30 minutes. If you have at ticket you can take one of the buses from the Arpad bridge (Pestside) that the Grand Prix provides.
Palinka is one of the most typical of Hungarian alcoholic spirits. It is a bit of Hungarian culture in liquid form and it tastes terrific. Some call it “the flavor of Hungary”. Historically Palinka used to be an important part of the fat diet (bacon, pic fat, bread, onion) of village people since the high alcohol content of the Palinka made digestion easier.
Palinka is a strong (from 40 – 80 %) brandy, double-distilled from a variety of fruits grown in the orchards on the Great Hungarian Plains. The most traditional sorts of Palinka are:
barack pálinka (appricots),
cseresznye pálinka (cherries),
körte pálinka (pears),
alma pálinka (apples)
szilva pálinka (plums)
Other popular Palinka flavors are: apple, honey, paprika, herbs and nut. Honey is one of the most recent and is very popular (2007). There are many Palinka producers in Hungary and the quality varies. Some of the more reliable producers are
the Kecskeméti barack (apricot) pálinka,
the Szatmári szilva (plum) pálinka,
Zwacks Vilmoskörte (William’s pear).
Today people drink Palinka usually either as an aperitif before dinner or like a shot beside the beer. It should be served at room temperature. The Hungarians usually take it bottoms up, but take it easy if your not a hard drinker, its strong! You´ll enjoy it better. Just don’t forget the traditional Hungarian cheers “Egéségedre“! Pronaunced E-gey-segg-edd-re.
The bathing culture of Budapest started with the Romans who built the first baths over the many hot springs of Pannonia. In modern Hungary bathing has become an everyday activity for the locals and thousands of tourists every year. The “modern” baths of Budapest with their refreshing and healing water have become a refuge for weary souls looking for some relaxing times and revitalizing treatments for both body and soul. The myths about the complicated Hungarian bathing procedures should not discourage you from having this unique experience. Mainly the problem is with English. Older Hungarians cant speak it! But that not a problem if you know how it works!
Gearing up!
This is what you’ll need at the thermal baths of Budapest:
a bag,
a towel,
some money, (to eat and drink, bathroom),
shower gel,
a cap (or rent it at the bath) some baths require it for some of the pools,
a pair of slippers to stay away from feet infections.
Tickets & Fees
The entry fees to the Budapest thermal baths cost usually between 1000-3000 ft (4-12 Euros) Gellert and Szécsény thermal baths being the most expensive. This is the price for entrance to the pools and thermal baths of the facility. If you want massage, water therapies or other treatments you have to pay extra for it and you’ll have an extra ticket you’ll have to show the masseur. Here’s how the entrance fee works:
you pay the fee as if your gonna spend the whole day at the bath.
if you leave within 2 hours you get back a larger amount (say 400 ft).
if you leave within 3 hours you get back a lesser amount (say 200 ft).
if you spend more than 3 hours you get back 0.
The furdöneni & báci (the bathaunt & uncle) – the keymasters of the baths
This is the really tricy part. The biggest question is why the keymasters exist at all? But we wont dive into the Communist and Taylorist theories of work organization here. The important thing for you to know is that you will depend on them if you choose a locker or cabin, and you probably will. If you want them to look after you stuff and want good service you tip them in advance (at least 200 ft but not more than 500). And here’s how it works:
show them your ticket and they find you a locker and open it for you. At some baths you will get an own key and the keymaster doublelocks the cabin with his key.
after you’ve changed you go to them and they’ll understand your ready and close the locker/ cabin for you.
when you want something from the locker or want to go home you find your keymaster to open your locker/ cabin.
If you didn’t tip them in advance and you want a smile before you leave now´s the time, they’ll expect it.
Rules and common courtesy
You have to take a shower and wash yourself with soap before entering the baths and pools.
Be quiet and act calmly! Don’t run speaking loudly or jump into the water.
At some baths swimming caps are mandatory. As how it works at the ticket desk.
Tips
Be careful with the steambaths they can be very hot!
Don’t plan anything advanced physical stuff afterwards.
The ticket booth close one hour before the baths close.
Thats it! Now your well prepared to visit a traditional Hungarian bath and have a unforgettable relaxing and refreshing experience. Enjoy!
