Great weather, fewer crowds and fall festivals make it a great time to visit Budapest
Updated for 2011
Budapest Batthyány Square
It’s September and the days are already a little shorter, evenings are much cooler and a few leafs are starting to change color. Most of the summer crowds have gone home so you can actually enjoy some solitude as you take in the sights of the city. With periods of extended Indian summer, autumn is a great time to visit Budapest, as temperatures can stay above 70F (20°C) during the day until the end of October.
Budapest is a walking city and the fall weather makes it ideal to wander around on foot with many cozy cafés and restaurants offering their retreat if needed when temperatures cool down. With over 100 museums and galleries the city also offers many indoor attractions and activities to suite every interest.
Pálinka and Sausage Festival on Castle Hill
The fall is also the perfect time to visit one of the many parks in Budapest or plan a day trip to Szentendre or the Danube Bend and take in the beautiful scenery of fall foliage with the changing colors of autumn leafs. Hungary is famous for its wine and one of the best ways to experience its wine making traditions is to take a harvest trip to Tokaj, Eger, Villány or one of its many other wine regions. Several wineries offer wine tasting and accommodation.
If you need more reasons to visit Budapest in the fall, keep in mind that hotels and flights are cheaper and you can use your savings to enjoy some of the great restaurants in the city. In the fall many restaurants offer goose and foie gras on their menus, especially in November, as November 11th is the feast day of St. Martin (Márton nap). On this day Hungarians traditionally celebrate by eating goose dishes and drinking the season’s first wine. Finally, there are several festivals and events held in Budapest in the fall. Take your pick from the following list of notable events for fall 2011:
Gellért Hill in the fall
September Events
JazzForum Budapest
Budapest International Wine Festival
National Gallop
Sweet Days Chocolate & Candy Festival
October Events
Budapest Design Week
Spar Budapest International Marathon
Budapest Pálinka and Sausage Festival
Café Budapest Contemporary Arts Festival (formerly known as Budapest Autumn Festival)
November Events
Budapest Christmas Market
Budapest Art Fair
Enjoy the fall in Budapest!
Leave a Comment