Although autumn officially arrived a few weeks ago, the weather still feels like summer – perfect for soaking up those late-summer and early-autumn vibes. This is the ideal season for one last lángos, an ice cream, or a sunny terrace session – whether along the Danube Promenade, at a rooftop bar, or in one of Budapest’s prettiest garden spots. And if the rain does show up, no worries – the city is full of great indoor activities, from science, immersive and contemporary exhibitions to concerts and autumn fairs. Here are our favourites!
Port de Budapest
The season shifting from summer to autumn is perhaps the most beautiful along the Danube: September sunshine and cooler evenings bring both the laid-back vibe of summer and the cosiness of autumn. Port de Budapest, located on Belgrád rakpart, captures this feeling perfectly – with a panoramic terrace, pleasant music and signature cocktails that are worth the visit on their own. This autumn, Port de Budapest is also an official participant of Budapest Cocktail Week, creating a brand-new drink especially for the occasion. The Liberty Bloom is a Gentleman Jack-based cocktail enriched with citrusy, lychee and mandarin notes, chamomile-honey syrup and orange bitters. And for those who like to pair their cocktails with food, Port de Budapest offers tasty bar bites, from sourdough bread spreads to Mediterranean platters stacked with ham, cheese and stuffed peppers, as well as a selection of spiced olives. For anyone looking to enjoy not just the views but also Budapest’s cocktail culture and gastronomic experiences at a high level, Port de Budapest is a must this September.
Details here
White Raven Skybar & Lounge
Indian summer is always just a fleeting gift – a few precious moments to be enjoyed to the fullest. One of the best places to experience this special in-between season is the Buda Castle, and more precisely the White Raven Skybar & Lounge, perched atop the Hilton Budapest. As the city’s highest rooftop bar, it not only serves quality drinks and fine bites but also offers an unparalleled panorama of the Parliament, the Danube and the city lights. In this elegant and modern setting, you can luxuriate in the golden hues of early autumn and the fresh air after the sultry summer, bidding farewell to the season in true style. This autumn, the focus shifts to wine, with a curated selection of both Hungarian and international bottles. The kitchen also embraces the new season, highlighting dishes that pair beautifully with the wine list and the cooler weather – think chicken pho soup, pumpkin salad and light Asian rolls. For those wishing to soak up the very last rays of late summer in a stunning setting, and to carry a memorable experience into the colder months ahead, White Raven is a perfect choice.
Details here
Vadrózsa Restaurant
Where better to enjoy the sweet spot between scorching summer heat and the harsher autumn chill than in one of Buda’s most beautiful garden restaurants? Vadrózsa, nestled in Rózsadomb, is one of the city’s most impressive and longest-running eateries, instantly transporting you back in time. Both the ambience and the dishes convey a homely sense of permanence that makes it worth slowing down and escaping the city’s bustle. The restaurant’s stately villa building comes with a vast evergreen garden, a refreshing sight for both eyes and soul throughout the year. Under shady trees and birdsong, you can savour homestyle flavours, always served at the same high quality you’ve come to expect. Here, instead of seasonality, it’s classic flavours, reliability and constancy that dominate – showing that when something is good, there’s no need to change it. Whatever the time of year, you can enjoy raspberry soup with chilled cottage cheese dumplings or plum soup served ‘with its stone’, cleverly replaced by a ball of marzipan. Alongside a respect for tradition, there’s also a strong emphasis on professionalism, both in ingredients and service, with the aim of leaving guests with memories to treasure long after their visit.
Details here
Sissi Ice Cream
Summer may be officially over, but who says you can’t enjoy ice cream in autumn? Exactly – no one! And if you do, it’s worth going for artisan scoops made from premium ingredients, just like those at Sissi Ice Cream. One of the country’s best-known gelato venue, Sissi offers a huge selection in September too, with 36 flavours and coffee available at their Gödöllő and Veresegyház shops. Their award-winning creations include rosemary cheesecake with baked peach or tonka bean almond. What makes Sissi truly special is that it’s the only Hungarian ice cream parlour invited to the prestigious Scirubetta Festival in Reggio Calabria, Italy, held 13–16 September. This renowned international festival gathers 34 top gelato makers from across the globe, from America to Japan. For the occasion, Sissi’s gelato master Andrea Koncz has created a unique composition, which will also be available back home after the event: the Sinfonia di mirtilli e caprino (Symphony of Blueberries and Goat’s Cheese) – a creamy blueberry gelato elevated with surprising notes of balsamic vinegar and goat’s cheese cream, topped with a crunchy, salty almond layer.
Details here
TODO Mexican Kitchen
If you’d like to hold on to the vibe of hot summer evenings a little longer, TODO Mexican Kitchen is the place to be. September still calls for long nights on a pleasant terrace with tasty bites and good drinks – and TODO’s spacious terrace is just perfect for that. The essence of their tacos and dips lies in sharing them together, so don’t forget to order a pitcher of Margarita for the table – even in Frozen Margarita form if you like. At TODO, tacos are guaranteed fresh as they’re made in-house every morning, with a philosophy rooted in technique, expertise and passion. The menu offers plenty of variety, from inventive twists to Mexican classics. Most dishes come gluten-free thanks to the cornflour tortillas, and there’s also a wide vegan selection, so everyone in the group is sure to leave happily full.
Details here
Retro Lángos Budapest
Retro Lángos Budapest has long been a favourite, so it’s great news that they’ve just opened a second location – this time in one of the city’s most beautiful neighbourhoods, right by Parliament on Vécsey Street. The new spot welcomes guests with an elegant yet friendly interior, restaurant-style atmosphere and professional service, all for those seeking a premium lángos experience. This iconic, family-run lángos place stands out for its wide variety, ranging from the classic cheese-and-sour cream version to stuffed and more experimental flavours, with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options too. You can try lángos topped with dill, ewe’s cheese and bacon, or go for chicken paprikash or BBQ pulled beef. For those craving something different, homestyle goulash soup, grilled chicken and Greek salad are also on the menu. Dessert is a must – whether it’s pancakes or a Nutella lángos to crown the experience. Thanks to the in-house bar, you can pair your dish with draught beer, spritzers, Hungarian wines or refreshing lemonades. A calm terrace and the option to book a table in advance ensure you can enjoy this summery culinary treat in comfort anytime.
Details here
Palace of Wonders ( Csodák Palotája)
If early autumn turns rainy, it’s worth having a few creative indoor activities in mind. One great option is the Palace of Wonders, which welcomes all ages with more than a hundred games and interactive attractions even in autumn. You can hop into a car with oddly shaped wheels, lie on a fakir’s bed, wander through a mirror maze or sit inside a life-like lunar rover. A flying reflection, a face mixer and selfie-taking scientists make the adventure even more fun. Spectacular science shows take place up to four times a day on the Öveges stage, while the Richter Gedeon lab lets you experiment in a white coat and safety goggles, just like a real scientist. For school groups, the 2025/26 academic year once again brings the Csopa STEAM Experience Packages, where kids explore science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics through mission-based activities, earning a STEAM certificate at the end. A big novelty this autumn is the Mission: STEAM! Explorer Club – held Monday afternoons, where small groups of 8–12-year-olds face new challenges under the guidance of professional Csopa mentors. Membership also includes full use of the centre, so the adventure continues even after the sessions.
Details here
Budapest Retro Center
If you’re craving a little time travel this autumn, head to the Budapest Retro Interactive Museum on Október 6. Street. This nostalgic spot is a treat for both young and old. If you remember what life was like in Hungary between 1960 and 1999, the experience will feel like a trip down memory lane – and if you’re younger, you’ll get a glimpse into the everyday lives of your parents and grandparents. You can hop on a Pannónia with a sidecar, patrol the Gazdagrét housing estate in a Lada police car simulator, get up close to a 12-metre air defence rocket, or admire football relics, old-school quartz games and even an original Commodore 64 computer. After the fun, stop by the Retro Bistro for a hot dog, toasted sandwich or debreceni sausage with a classic Bambi soda. This September, the museum is also hosting ‘retiree Wednesdays’, where senior visitors receive a retro coffee or glass of cordial with their ticket. On Mondays and Tuesdays, a 10% discount applies when buying two full-price weekday tickets together.
Details here
IKONO Budapest
IKONO Budapest is an immersive, interactive exhibition space on Váci Street that takes visitors on a captivating journey. In this eclectic world created by visual artists, art and the element of surprise all come together. On a rainy September day, it’s the perfect place to escape reality and dive into a world of colour and form, seeing the world around us with fresh eyes. The exhibition inspires creativity, spontaneity and emotional connection across all ages. Unlike in traditional museums, here you can touch everything and explore more than ten unique rooms as part of the experience. Whether you dive into a giant ball pit, create your own Picasso-inspired light artwork or get lost in a dazzling mirror room, IKONO promises a journey that excites all the senses. This special international art concept is already present in seven major cities, and until 30 October you can discover IKONO Budapest with a discounted student ticket if purchased on-site – all you need is a valid student ID (not combinable with other discounts). If you’d rather buy tickets online, you can also get 10% off until 31 December using the code WLB10 on the IKONO website.
Details here
Budapest Galéria
Those interested in contemporary art shouldn’t miss the temporary exhibition No One Questions a Man’s Place in the Revolution at Budapest Gallery this September, whose centrepiece is a huge carpet originally created in 1897 for the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. Until 5 October, this 70-square-metre floral carpet has been brought from the Academy’s Art Collection storage into the gallery’s contemporary exhibition space. This in itself is a rare occasion, as the late Biedermeier piece dates back to the 19th century. Even half of the carpet, now on display, nearly fills the room. Created collectively by more than 160 women, the piece is not just decoration but also a monument, a political statement and a tapestry of intertwined life stories. Curator Anna Lujza Szász has placed the carpet among contemporary works, weaving together past and present pieces and the motivations behind textile-making. Themes of female representation, women’s self-organisation, self-representation, participation and even bold political expression all appear. Throughout September, Budapest Gallery also hosts related programmes including guided tours, workshops and educational activities.
Details here
Budapest Contemporary exhibition and fair
September once again brings one of the most anticipated events of Hungary’s contemporary art scene – the Budapest Contemporary Art Fair (BCT). Launched just three years ago, Budapest Contemporary quickly became one of the capital’s most important art happenings. From 25–28 September, galleries and artists will meet the public once again at Bálna, this time across a larger area than ever before, with international exhibitors, guided tours and extra programmes. Nearly 40 exhibitors will showcase thousands of artworks, from paintings to sculptures, design pieces and other treasures. The selection spans the full spectrum of contemporary art, with collectors, artists, galleries, museums and even higher education institutions taking part – including MOME with its own stand. This year’s BCT places special focus on Hungarian and international women artists, while the Szipál Márton room offers a highlight with works by Hollywood’s beloved Hungarian photographer. Throughout the fair, visitors can also join daily guided tours and children’s activities.
Details here
Go-Jo and Kerala Dust concerts
As the summer festival season wraps up, Budapest’s concert scene comes alive again. The second half of the month brings two special shows. On 19 September, Go-Jo will perform in Hungary for the first time, bringing his crazy hit Milkshake Man to the A38 Ship. Known mainly from social media, where he has nearly 1.5 million followers, Go-Jo was the 9th most-streamed Australian artist worldwide in 2023. His billion-view track Mrs. Hollywood is sure to be on the setlist, but the charismatic, versatile musician – who’s just as comfortable strumming a guitar as riding a unicycle – always has surprises up his sleeve, not least his natural gift for connecting with the crowd. The very next day, 20 September, fans of Kerala Dust can rejoice as the band returns to Akvárium Klub with their new album An Echo of Love . Formed in London in 2016, the group draws inspiration from CAN, Tom Waits and The Velvet Underground, blending psychedelic rock, blues and techno into a swirling mix. Their hypnotic sound, last heard in Budapest at DAAD, will now feature alongside new tracks including their recently released single Bell.
(Cover photo: Polyák Attila – We Love Budapest)
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