1/11
Explore parks with blooming gardens
With the onset of warmer months, Budapest turns into a blossoming metropolis, and many of its public gardens become sweet-scented recreation zones where urban dwellers can relish sedate moments and recharge with long-anticipated sunshine. Found in Budapest's oft-overlooked District VIII, ELTE Füvészkert – the sprawling botanical garden of Eötvös Loránd University – is one of the most prominent preserves for exploring fascinating flora, and entrance here costs only 850 forints. A visit to the garden during the blooming days of the Japanese cherry trees is an especially appealing experience, when the flowers of these Oriental plants paint the surrounding vistas pink – this is the star attraction of the Sakura Celebration here on April 9-10, when visitors gather on the grass with blankets to enjoy the blossoming at its peak.
Enveloped by vibrant flowers, burbling fountains, and romantic pathways, Károlyi Garden is a tree-shaded getaway tucked amid some of the city center’s most charming century-old buildings, just a short stroll away from the Hungarian National Museum. The French-style parkland is an ideal locale to stop in for a breather on a wooden bench, while listening to the chirping birds and watching children play in the bright sunshine – or take a sidewalk table for nice refreshments at Csendes Tars, occupying the open space near the park’s main entryway.
To explore blooming scenery on the Buda side, take a slow stroll amid Várkert Bazaar’s emerald hillside lawn, now covered with colorful flowerbeds: from here we enjoy panoramic views over the Danube and the Pest skyline, while behind us the Royal Palace towers above this stunning neo-Renaissance building complex.
2/11
Ascend Vajdahunyad Castle’s towers for sweeping vistas
Towering above City Park’s sylvan settings, the lofty spires of Vajdahunyad Castle are now open to welcome visitors throughout the spring and summer seasons for panoramic tower tours, and these mystical expeditions are designed to reveal much about this fanciful 120-year-old monument housing the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture. After a thorough refurbishment, now we can climb up two of the palatial steeples to get glimpses into the palace’s hidden treasures and history, provided by an English-speaking guide. Tours to the Apostles’ Tower kick off every hour during the museum’s opening hours, and once we reach the spire we can admire the city’s major landmarks from a bird’s-eye perspective, including Gellért Hill, the Buda Castle, the Parliament, St. Stephen’s Basilica, and the Széchenyi Bath. Those who want to continue this heavenly odyssey can climb up the Gate Tower without a guide, from whence we can enjoy views of a lower altitude. The combined ticket to visit both towers costs 700 forints per person.
3/11
Get in shape with public exercise facilities
As soon as the first sunny day hits town, many health-conscious Budapest residents emerge from their shaded domains to conquer Budapest’s outdoor sports grounds. When it comes to gaining back vitality amid picturesque settings, Margaret Island is an unparalleled choice for anyone pursuing alfresco fitness activities in the Hungarian capital. Runners cherish the island’s recently renewed jogging path, with hardcore athletes traversing this 5-kilometer rubberized track all year round, but naturally the number of people on the path increases as clouds waft away from the sun. We can embark on a jog here at any time of day, but working out at sunrise or sunset is especially rewarding, as we can admire the Danube and the Buda Hills in their camera-ready splendor before or after the workout.
Just a short walk away from Buda’s Széll Kálmán Square, Városmajor Park offers an intriguing mix of sports facilities among its forested spaces, including a soccer pitch, a basketball court, and a tennis wall ideal for anyone who wants to play solo. Urban runners can traverse the park’s modernized jogging facility, while those who prefer to build muscle mass can exercise at the outdoor gym, while a parkour course provides opportunities for traceurs.
If you are a fan of basketball and enjoy playing the game, you will find plenty of outdoor spots around the city ideal for polishing your slam-dunk skills. Score some three-pointers within the green parkland across from the Kempinski Hotel in central Budapest’s Erzsébet Square, and relax afterwards at any of the many outdoorsy hangouts surrounding this popular downtown plaza. For those seeking a streetball spot on the Buda side, Bikás Park boasts one of the most popular courts in town, available for recreational competitions. The park is easy to reach from central Budapest by taking metro line 4.
4/11
Rejoice at invigorating festivals
Throughout April and May, many outdoor festivities kick off citywide, featuring live music, arts, crafts, thematic guided tours, sports activities, and many other events. The Budapest Spring Fair is now open through April 25th at downtown’s Vörösmarty Square, hosting many timber huts scattered across this elegant plaza to offer Magyar-made handicrafts like colorful ceramics, handmade jewelry, and ornate springtime decorations, alongside freshly cooked delicacies inspired by peasant cuisine from centuries ago.
Applaud diverse art performances and music of various genres – including jazz, classical, and contemporary productions – during the annual Budapest Spring Festival, happening during April 8-24 at numerous venues citywide, like the Hungarian State Opera, Bálna Budapest, the Ludwig Museum, and the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, just to name a few locations.
Those who want to get a sneak peek into local architecture should not miss Budapest100, an event during April 16-17, when a select collection of the city’s century-old buildings open their doors to the public. During this occasion, visitors can join thematic guided tours, mysterious attic expeditions, and many other programs happening at the historic edifices along the Nagykörút (“Grand Boulevard” in Hungarian) that are free to visit for this special occasion.
Budapest's intellectual crowd can celebrate art on May 21st beginning at 2pm, as the elegant galleries on downtown’s Falk Miksa Street becomes an open-air party for the Falk Art Forum, an event turning this tree-lined lane into an alfresco exhibition ground with cultural programs, live music, fine bites, and a plethora of happenings continuing until 10pm at night. The following day (May 22nd), active ladies are encouraged to join the Wake Your Body Women’s Runing Gala in Budapest’s City Park, with challenges of different levels and multiple distances to tackle.
5/11
Hang out in terrace-covered squares
The warmer the weather, the more outdoor seating options we find across the city’s sun-splashed plazas, and these outdoor hangouts are often packed with a chattering crowd nursing glasses of potent potables. In the epicenter of urban happenings, Erzsébet Square is one of Budapest’s busiest meeting hubs, where city dwellers can pause for a while: Fröccsterasz here is an unpretentious alfresco hangout where we can lounge at picnic tables and imbibe glasses of refreshing fröccs (a mix of local wine and sparkling soda water, served in varied proportions). The nearby Akvárium Klub is a terraced hotspot, with the grand stairway leading down to the club entrance covered by tables, chairs, and lots of sunny spots, making it a highly popular place just to hang out and watch the world go by on bright days.
Lively bars and restaurants encompass Budapest’s , a popular hangout in the city for decades, with numerous terrace places lining its sides. Here at the corner of Paulay Ede Street, is favored by locals and travelers alike for its sprawling patio, impeccable service, laid-back ambience, and tastefully presented dishes, like the Hungarian beef stew or the Mangalica confit. A few steps away, Café Vian offers a lengthy outdoor area where guests enjoy aromatic coffees, fine meals, and drinks from morning until the late-night hours.
Budapest’s District VIII started ranking high on many travelers’ agendas just after numerous international publications praised its many hidden attractions, and now the formerly overlooked district boasts well-maintained lanes and peaceful plazas, such as Mikszáth Kálmán Square. Here a variety of cafés, bars, and restaurants are located side-by-side, all offering places to sit outside. If you are exploring this area, take a refreshing beer break at Garzonkert’s charming courtyard, absorb your daily caffeine dosage at ’s sidewalk tables, or sunbathe amid the Oriental-style rooftop terrace at Darshan, found further down on Krúdy Gyula Street.
Named after the university building that defines the imposing backdrop of this urban space, is equally appealing for students, couples, and elderly guests for its diverse mix of eateries and cafés that flank this modernized plaza. Among the nicest places with outdoor areas here, we recommend Véndiák – a longtime restaurant that serves a selection of tasty Hungarian cuisine – and SonkaArcok, with its tempting assortment of hams and sausages.
Enjoy the pleasant spring breeze as it kisses your cheeks amid small-town settings at ’s central Fő Square, a cobblestoned plaza offering cozy hangouts for dining and wining. With affordably priced local food served here and live Gypsy music tunes permeating from inside, eating out at Csalánosi Csárda’s covered patio evokes feelings reminiscent of a day out in the Hungarian countryside. Best of all, just a few steps from the restaurant we can savor hefty Magyar meals with alcoholic drinks at , found within the Zichy Palace’s charming courtyard. Kobuci throws a season-opening party on April 22nd with high-spirited concerts, and this is just the beginning of the lengthy celebrations that last through the late summer months here.
6/11
Pedal the city streets during I Bike Budapest
Join masses of two-wheelers rolling on the city’s car-free streets on April 23rd during the “” event, a mass parade of urban cyclers turning the Hungarian capital into a bike-friendly metropolis. Last year the initiative enjoyed massive success as thousands pedaled through Budapest’s ordinarily bustling lanes, enjoying a smog-free ride on this special occasion. If you want to be part of this eco-friendly happening, cycle to the starting point on Közraktár Street in District IX, from where the crowd kicks off at 3:30pm to glide along the Danube banks, , Museum Boulevard, the Buda Castle Tunnel, and across the , before approaching . Here, exhausted bikers can collapse in a giant meadow to enjoy a grand alfresco gathering with music, an open-air movie screening, and many other great programs.
7/11
Eat your way through delightful gourmet festivities
When the first buds of spring start to sprout, the number of gourmet festivals rapidly increases in Budapest and beyond, and these delicious days are ideal for those who want to sample regional Hungarian (and international) meals, along with intoxicating local tipples. On April 9-10, the stone wine cellars of Etyek open their doors on the occasion of the Spring Picnic in Etyek to welcome visitors to enjoy their good libations amid rustic settings, just a half-hour drive or short bus ride from central Budapest. Besides the aromatic reds, whites, and rosés, we can sample potent , regional Transylvanian food, assorted artisanal cheese specialties, smoked hams, and savory sausages, while merry music drifts out from some of the cellars.
If you don’t want to leave the city behind for wine tasting, hosts the Rosalia Festival during May 6-8, where you can sample a variety of refreshing rosé wines, fizzy champagnes, and other superb bubbly. Here, some of Budapest’s best street-food treats accompany the liquid refreshments, and live jazz tunes entertain the bibulous crowd.
Try the best of local cuisine and sample delights from almost all of Hungary’s top restaurants at one location during the , happening during May 12-15 in . Along with booths representing the prominent eateries, the event will feature excellent wineries, confectioneries, and other stars of the Hungarian gastronomy world.
8/11
Take a breezy cruise on the Danube
The gently flowing Danube River sparkles under bright sunshine, making this season ideal for swaying on the water while admiring the picture-perfect panorama of Pest’s cityscape and Buda’s undulating hills. The – operated by the city’s public transport service – is undeniably the most inexpensive option for enjoying scenic city views from this central perspective: a one-way ticket costs just 750 forints, and those who hold public-transport passes (including tickets for 24 hours) can use the service on weekdays without paying any extra charge. Several docks line both the Pest and Buda banks, and when traveling from the city’s southernmost section toward the northern outskirts, a complete trip upriver takes approximately two hours; a downriver odyssey lasts about 90 minutes.
Those who want to set sail for new waters can enjoy extended rides by semi-open boats from Budapest all the way up to the charming town of Szentendre, just north of the city. The trip starts at Vigadó Square in District V, and along the journey passengers get close-up looks at major landmarks like the , the , , and , before approaching Szentendre. A one-way trip out of town takes 90 minutes, while the return journey downriver lasts just one hour. For more information about the excursions, visit Mahart passnave’s website.
Only a few people know that the Danube is not only for leisurely cruises – speedboat aficionados can enjoy rip-roaring rides aboard an exclusive water limousine, splitting the river at speeds up to 70 km/hour. For a true Budapest voyage of adventure, consult .
9/11
Visit compelling exhibitions
Budapest boasts many captivating art displays all year round, and it’s no different during spring: spanning from Picasso’s groundbreaking works to eye-opening press photos to awe-inspiring Japanese art , the exhibits on view this season offer an intriguing mix of stimulating subjects. Through April 17th we can be “In Search of Prince Genji”, a display representing Japanese art traditions through historic writings, Oriental objects, and captivating photographs at the Ferenc Hopp Museum of Asiatic Arts on ; while a meditative walk in the museum’s Oriental garden is a nice conclusion to this cultural jaunt.
Get glimpses into the exclusive collection of on view through May 1st at the , where many impressive works of notable visionaries – including canvases by Wassily Kandinsky, Alexander Rodchenko, and Mikhail Larionov – are on display, featuring deep-hued portraits and abstractly arranged geometric shapes. To get more modern perspectives in living color, the hosts the 34th Hungarian Press Photo Exhibition now through May 14th, highlighting a vast array of photojournalism from 2015’s international news events like the European refugee crisis, captured alongside many other subjects by talented Magyar photographers.
For more cheerful viewing, the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture within ’s turns into a during the first day of May, presenting interactive exhibitions and games welcoming visitors to overcome several obstacles: we can try to break free from the mirror room, or solve the mystery of the talking walls, while a magician hides in random corners to play tricks on those who cross his path.
Flip through photos and other artworks to catch glimpses into the widespread phenomenon of fandom, and learn how passionate glorification was expressed before the Internet and social media took control of our lives. Viewing these artworks – originating from the rock culture of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s – we can examine the often-eccentric behavior of fans and explore how mass media and pop culture deal with these enthusiastic attitudes. The “Passion. Fan Behaviour and Art” exhibition is on view in the from April 16th through June 26th.
Step into a world of surreally expressive settings in the as it hosts a prime exhibition of 45 paintings, several drawings, and statues of from April 21st through July 31st. The artworks displayed here are selected from different periods of Picasso’s career, and demonstrate the evolution and techniques used by the artist to depict the human body.
10/11
Find Budapest Bakering’s customized carts
Last spring, an exciting mix of colorful pushcarts popped up around the city’s downtown zones to join the Hungarian capital’s ever-expanding street-food revolution, proffering inexpensive nibbles to passersby from small-size wagons designed to resemble Budapest’s buses, trolleys, and trams. With the onset of spring, these adorable mobile vendors are out and about citywide with a fresh selection of bites, including bagel-like bread rings filled with assorted ingredients. If you want to catch these moving purveyors of savory snacks, check the interactive map on Budapest Bakering’s website to follow the route of the carts.
