Sziget, one of the biggest music festivals in Europe, kicks off in a couple of days (7-12 August), bringing some banging acts to the Island of Freedom. Fred again., Halsey, Sam Smith, Martin Garrix, and Kylie are all attending, and if so are you, it's time to see what to expect. From what to pack to where to eat and what to see outside the festival, here is all you need to know before setting off.

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How to plan ahead

The Island of Freedom is a proper mini-country. It comes with several stages and party spots, chill areas, campsites, food courts, and even a travelling funfair. To make the most out of all the hip locations and to ensure you find your way from one place to the other, check out (and save) the map. Then, to manage your tickets easily, create a festival account. And it's also worth downloading the Sziget mobile app, where you can create your own schedule. That will come in handy if you lose your sense of time amid the vivid parties. Check the timetable in advance and explore all the fantastic acts Sziget can offer! And if you need a pre-selected list of the best shows beyond the Main Stage, see our article here.

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What to pack

First, put your photo ID and festival e-ticket (voucher) into your bag right away. Then 'check in' and add your boarding pass to your Mobile Wallet - this is the easiest and fastest way to enter the festival. If you don't have a ticket yet, head to the official website.

Also, check the weather forecast before packing. If we were you, we would bring bikinis, shorts, sunscreen, as well as water-resistant shoes, sweaters and raincoats. Just in case. But worry not if something gets left out from your packing list, as there are Official Merch Shops onsite. Also, medicines and wet wipes might come in handy.

Bear in mind that Sziget is a cashless festival, meaning you will need your contactless card. If you don't have one, you can top-up your balance to your wristband or pre-top-up before the festival to your ticket in your festival account.

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How to get there

Once in Budapest, surely enough, you can jump into a taxi to get to Óbudai Island. But if you are looking to arrive as a local, pick the HÉV (H5) instead. Get on at Margit Híd Budai Hídfő and off at Filatorigát, and join the rest of the festival-goers in strolling pleasantly to the K Bridge. The atmosphere will be brilliant already. But if you wish to arrive in style, go for the Sziget Boat. You can hop on at Jászai Mari Square, and on the roughly 25-minute trip, you will be in for sightseeing, too. The ticket costs €7 one way (get it here), but if you buy a Sziget CityPass by Budapest Card, you can use this service for free! Check the timetable here!

See all the travel options here.

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Where to stay

Sziget offers several campsites, from comfort and boutique to glamping spots. Anyone with a weeklong pass or multiple-day passes for consecutive days is entitled to camp at the basic campsite free of charge. You can also upgrade and stay in a wooden house or an igloo, or park your van in the caravan camping. Many other accommodations are available nearby the festival; if you insist on having your beauty sleep, check into a hotel or a hostel (browse through more options here). If you do decide to sleep at Sziget for the whole week, however, you will be rewarded with the complete music festival experience and plenty of wild tales to tell friends later. But bring some survivalist items with you, such as earplugs, a mattress, an extra blanket (as nighttime can get cold here, even in August), a bug repellent, and a torch.

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Where to eat

Several food courts are scattered on the island, where you can sit in the shade while munching on a slice of pizza. Szitizens will be spoiled with different cuisines; Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, Greek, French, Brazilian, American, Serbian, Mexican, Turkish, Hungarian - you name it! You can opt for vegetarian, vegan, and lactose-free meals and watch out for fruit points to down an energising smoothie. The price tags will be on the steep end, but as a new rule, all caterers are obliged to offer at least one dish below HUF 3,200 (appx. € 8). Another good news is that you can save money by grocery shopping at ALDI, a supermarket that will open up a 500-square-metre store onsite. 

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What to do outside the festival

If you are scrolling this article, you are likely here for the full-on festival experience. But over the fence, you find one of the coolest capitals of the continent with tons of attractions for young travellers. So we say, wake up early and explore the best bits of Budapest before the concerts. Here are 10 amazing things to do:

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