Vingardium Borliget
During September 1-3, urban dwellers retreat to Budapest’s District XVI, where a green parkland hosts the annual Vingardium wine festival. In addition to Magyar-made wines, the alfresco jamboree stars local bands on stage (where everyone is welcome to perform during set breaks on Saturday, thanks to Budapest Open Mic), while lots of absorbing activities enhance the festival’s metropolitan atmosphere, including wine-themed escape-room games, a Pilates program (Saturday at 11am and Sunday at 2pm), and slacklining. Those who want to sober up from the buzzing scenes can immerse themselves into the festival’s Hungarian-style meals, or to sleep it off in any of the bean bags and hammocks set up across the park.
How to get there: Take the HÉV commuter train from its Örs Vezér tér terminus to Imre utca, or bus 176E and 276E to Hunyadvár Street. Alternatively, a free vintage bus runs between Örs Vezér tér and the event’s venue during the festival – for more details about the schedule, check out Vingardium’s official website.
Budafok Champagne and Wine Festival
Happening on September 2-3, south Buda’s biggest gastronomy get-together invites bibulous crowds to explore the open wine cellars hidden in the Hungarian capital, but guests can also imbibe aromatic reds, whites, and rosés at the festival’s Wine Courtyard. Meanwhile, sparkling sensations are served at the Champagne Garden and at the Fröccs Terasz, where carbonated soda water adds a refreshing touch to the chilled libations. In addition to these fine drinking destinations, during the two-day event, Budafok’s Magdolna Street turns into an artistic lane, featuring a selection of locally made artworks and creative activities, like drawing and painting.
How to get there: During the festival weekend, cellar lines run every 30 minutes from 11am to 11pm between Blaha Lujza Square’s open-air parking lot, Ferenciek Square, Gellért Hill, the Törley Visitor Center, and Campona. Meanwhile, buses depart every half hour to transfer passengers between the wine cellars of Budafok. Tickets can be purchased aboard the bus, with a full-day pass costing 1,000 forints per person.
Etyek Picnic
Found just 30 kilometers west of Budapest, undulating vineyards surround a rustic village that’s now considered among the country’s key wine regions, with its fruity libations and relaxed wine festivals inspiring oenophiles to commute here all year round. Etyek is increasingly animated around the harvest season, and the Autumn Picnic event (September 2-3) moves throngs of wine aficionados to the small cellars that open their doors for the weekend to offer high-spirited nectars and Hungarian staple foods to visitors, including crimson stews, smoked sausages, and cured hams. Between drinking and dining, we can let loose and wander around the homey hamlet that becomes livelier than ever.
How to get there: Bus line 760 departs hourly from Budapest’s Kelenföld pályaudvar (at Buda’s metro 4 terminus), and a return ticket costs 1,120 forints per person. The festival’s official cab-service provider from Budapest is 6X6 Taxi.
Budapest Wine Festival in the Buda Castle
On September 7-10, urban dwellers ascend to the Buda Castle to sip amid majestic settings while admiring scenic city views from an elevated perspective, overlooking the Danube, Parliament, and the Chain Bridge. Over 200 wineries offer thousands of libations for sampling at this eagerly anticipated festival, and while testing the flower-scented whites and full-bodied reds amid these palatial settings, guests are entertained by pleasant concert programs. Across the cobblestoned festival grounds, the aroma of sweet-scented wine and freshly fried treats mingle in the air, enticing high-spirited guests to fully immerse into a delightful feast under the open sky.
Szentendre Jazz and Wine Festival
Located just about 20 kilometers north of Budapest, the small town of Szentendre is a popular destination for day trips from the Hungarian capital thanks to the city’s easy accessibility by road and on the Danube. From September 29th through October 1st, Szentendre gets even more enticing when wineries from around the country line up along the waterfront to pour from their best bottles – during the joyful jamboree, the city’s Danube promenade fills with a bibulous crowd enjoying a selection of local libations and gastronomy treats. However, the festival is not only about eating and drinking, as soulful jazz performances and cool cultural activities add to the high-spirited atmosphere.
How to get there: From Batthyány Square, take the HÉV commuter train to the Szentendre terminus; the journey takes about 40 minutes. Alternatively, several ferryboats set sail to Szentendre from Hungary’s capital during the week – check out Mahart passnave for more information.
