This post covers the top things to do in Budapest in June.
We include events, nighttime activities, free things to do, and family-friendly options, and is updated for 2024.
TOP ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS IN JUNE
This post covers some of the best things you can do in Budapest in June, including free, family-friendly, as well as nighttime events and activities.
See our post on things to do in Budapest at any time of the year.
Some of the attractions and activities in this post are included for free in some Budapest tourist attraction discount passes.
Other activities to consider this month (and all year) are:
1. Danube Carnival
The annual Danube Carnival, an international multicultural festival, is a 9-day celebration of music and dance, with hundreds of performers, both Hungarian and foreign, sharing styles both traditional and contemporary.
Events surrounding the carnival take place on an open-air stage on Margaret Island, the Chain Bridge, and other locations.
In 2024, the festival is tentatively scheduled for June 7-14.
2. Cruise the Danube
Float past Budapest's floodlit landmarks on an evening cruise, with Parliament on one side, Buda Castle on the other, and much more.
There are short tours that offer a drink with your cruise, such as this tour.
Longer cruises such as this one, provide a meal by candlelight with live music.
There are also day tours and other options.
3. Budapest Summer Festival
This annual festival offers concerts, theatre performances, and musicals.
Dates for 2024 have not been released yet so check the website for further details.
The program includes ballet, orchestral music, opera, and more, all taking place in various venues in Buda and on Margaret Island.
Ticket pricing depends on what you add, although there is a 20% discount for students and seniors and a 30% discount with the Budapest Card.
You can find events and tickets online. Consider a boat transfer option to Margaret Island. Information can be found here.
The boat ticket office is open Monday 12:00-18:00 and Tuesday-Friday 10:00-18.00.
4. Take a Walking Tour
Budapest's center is very walkable, making it an ideal city to explore on foot. You can do this on your own but you can also take a free walking tour!
A free walking tour offers you a budget-friendly way to gain insight into the city’s history and culture from a knowledgeable and entertaining guide.
Free tours cover various parts of the city and take place at different times.
Find out more about what’s available from our post on free walking tours of Budapest.
5. Soak in the Széchenyi Spa Baths
Budapest's thermal springs and the stunning architecture of the pools built above them make them a must-experience on any trip to Budapest.
It's said that the pools have the power to heal, helping everything from arthritis to respiratory disorders.
Szechenyi is one of the most impressive. This bath is located in City Park and includes 18 different pools, both indoors and outdoors.
There are also massages, mud baths, saunas, restaurants, and more. The baths are open from 6:00 am to 22:00 (10 pm).
To bypass lines in this busy place, consider a skip-the-line admission ticket. There are also some discounts to be had with the Budapest Card.
6. Save Money With a Tourist Pass
If you're planning to visit multiple locations or enjoy a variety of activities in Budapest, using the Budapest Pass could save you a lot of money on general admission prices.
Depending on which pass you choose and how you use it, you could save 20% – 50% off or more on the following:
- Danube Wine Tasting Cruise | €33
- Budapest Tuk Tuk Tour | €47
- Organ Concert in St. Stephen’s Basilica | €20
- Szechenyi Thermal Baths | €21
- Gellert Thermal Spa & Bath | €22
- Budapest Caving Adventure | €44
- Miniversum Theme Park | €11
- Museum of Fine Arts | €9.50
- The Ludwig Museum | €4.75
- Hungarian National Museum | €7.75
- City Park Segway Tour | €32
- Budapest Night Bike Tour | €25
- and more!
For more information about how to use a tourist pass and how much money you can save, make sure to read our post covering the Budapest Card.
7. Discover Rosé in Budapest
In City Park, behind Vajdahunyad Castle, you’ll find the Rosalia Fesztival.
You’ll find over 60 wineries sharing their finest, food exhibitors, and musical offerings.
The festival runs from June 9-11. Tickets can be purchased on the website and include a tasting glass.
8. Take a Food Tour of Budapest
If you can't make any of the food-related events above but still want to try traditional Hungarian foods, a food tour might be just the thing you need!
Food walking tours are an excellent way to learn about the city while sampling delicious local food.
One tour that is popular and highly reviewed is this Hungarian wine, cheese, and meat tasting.
If you want to see some notable sights as well as enjoy food, try this Budapest food walking tour, which also visits the Dohany Street Synagogue and Central Market.
9. Stand Atop Buda Castle
Buda Castle sits atop a plateau that overlooks the Danube. Various palaces and royal residences have existed on this site since 1247.
Today the Castle is home to the Budapest History Museum, the National Szechenyi Library, and the Hungarian National Gallery.
It is also part of a complex of buildings that includes Fisherman's Bastion, Mattias Church, The Hospital In the Rock Nuclear Bunker Museum, and the Houdini Museum.
Underneath the castle is what is known as the Labyrinth, made up of tunnels and caves used over the years by the inhabitants of the castle as everything from a shelter, a hiding place, storage, a prison, a harem, and more.
Changing of the guard takes place every hour. On the last Saturday of the month, the changing of the guard is accompanied by music.
The grounds and courtyards of Buda Castle are free to enter. Those with the Budapest Card get free entrance to two of the museums on site.
Various free walking tours offer a tour through the Buda Castle grounds. Private tours can be had as well.
10. Attend the Hungarian State Opera House
Recently having undergone a $30 million renovation, the Hungarian State Opera House is one of the grandest buildings in Budapest.
This neo-renaissance-style building was opened in 1894 and was at one point under the direction of composer Gustav Mahler.
Tours are available in a number of languages. See here for opening hours, event times, and ticket information.
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