Budapest Event Guide July 2016
There are plenty of things to do in Budapest in July. During this month Budapest becomes lively with lots of festivals, concerts, open air theatre and all sort of things to do all over the city for locals and tourists to see, take part and enjoy.
Budapest weather in July is very warm, days are long, very sunny and bright. Temperatures rise and the whole landscape shines in summer colors.
I strongly recommend you bring along your sunglasses, a hat and suncream. Do not forget your bathing suit, as you shouldn’t miss the thermal baths nor the outdoor pools!!
Please find below our top picks’ list of things to do in Budapest in July, there are plenty of fun activities you might be interested in doing besides sightseeing while visiting Budapest. Do what locals do and go where locals go! Have Fun!
Budapest Summer Festival at Margaret Island and Varosmajor Oper Air Stage
When: June 10 – August 30, 2016
Where: Margaret Island Open Air Stage and Varosmajor Oper Air Stage
The Budapest Summer Festival is the city’s most important musical event of the season and one of the festivals that offers the best variety of things to do in Budapest in July and August.
Budapest Summer Festival offers high quality folk, jazz and world music performances as well as renowned operas during the month of July and August.
-The Budapest Summer Festival opens on June 10th with the opening concert of the National Philharmonic Orchestra featuring Chinese pianist Yuja Wang, and conducted by Zoltán Kocsis. The two Verdi opera presentations and the opera gala world premier offer classical movie lovers a true delicacy. A new production of Traviata by Ferenc Anger will be performed on June 24th and 26th with Erika Miklósa and Italian tenor Giuseppe Filianoti in the leading role. The Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and chorus will be conducted by Domonkos Héja. The open-air performances of Othello can be viewed on July 29 and 31 with Andrea Rost in the role of Desdemona, and American tenor, Marc Heller in the title role. The Opera’s orchestra will be led by internationally acclaimed conductor Gergely Madaras. The anticipated sensation, Three tenors on Margaret Island opera gala will be performed on July 22nd. The popular concert-show tradition was renewed at its world premiere by three young star tenors who have already proven themselves on international stages. American James Valenti and French Sébastien Guéze vie for the audience’s favor with the most romantic melodies in opera literature in cooperation with the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Péter Halász. Evita, the world classic Webber musical, which brings to life the legendary Eva Peron awaits musical lovers on July 8th and 10th. Following the highly successful guest appearance with Hamlet, and linked to the 2016 Shakespeare year, the London Shakespeare’s Globe will revisit Margaret Island this time with a performance of the Two Gentlemen of Verona. Romeo and Juliet, the playwright’s most beautiful love story, can be seen in a performance by Europe’s preeminent classical ballet company’s the Monte Carlo Ballet on August 5th. The excellent company will perform director Jean-Christophe Maillot’s choreography to Prokofiev’s music. A Stacey Kent concert will delight fans of jazz and easy listening music on June 12th. The American jazz diva returns to Budapest with a big band line-up to thrill the audience with romantic melodies.
Budapest Summer Festival offers high quality folk, jazz and world music performances as well as renowned operas during the month of June until the beginning of September.
More information:Check the Budapest Summer Festival website for detailed information on performances and tickets.
Red Bull Air Race
When: Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th of July, 2016. From 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Where: Danube River between Chain Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge.
Red Bull Air Race World Championship race took place, once again the city will be alive with race fever on 16-17 July with a much-awaited reappearance on the calendar this year.
Peter Besenyei, is a hungarian pilot and one of the greatest competitors not taking part anymore in this race. Watch him in action in the video below.
This extreme acrobatic competition brings a great flow of adrenaline to all viewers. The first day will be dedicated to competitors timing and hard training. The opening ceremony of the contest will take place on this day at 3:00 pm, followed by the racing itself to be held on July 16th.
The Red Bull Air Race World Championship showcases the world’s best pilots of a speed, precision, dexterity-based motor sports within the framework of competition. The fastest, easiest-to-navigate, using the lightest racing planes, pilots flying speed of 370 km / h along the low-height aerial slalom track, while the gravitational force of 10 Gs resist.
If you are in Budapest during these days, do not miss this one in a time opportunity.
More information: Check the Red Bull Air Race Website for a detailed program information.
Night Spa at Rudas Bath
When: Every Friday and Saturday Night of July, 2015. From 10:00 pm to 4:00 am.
Where: Rudas Baths – Budapest 1013, Döbrentei tér 9.
Price: 4,600 ft.
Rudas Baths is one of the remaining Turkish baths in Budapest. It was built during the 16th century and still preserves the unique architecture, its Ottoman interior and Turkish character.
It opens its doors every Friday and Saturday night to enjoy a quiet spa experience. Visiting Rudas baths at night can be a unique thing to do in Budapest in July.
How to get there: The best way to get to Rudas Baths is taking trams 18 or 19 (from Bathyanyi tér Red Metro Line) as well as buses 5, 7, 8 and 86 to Dobrentei tér. (at the foot of Elizabeth Bridge on the Buda side).
Classical Music Concerts at Budapest Basilica
When: Every Tuesday and Sunday of July, 2016. 8:00 pm.
Where: St. Stephen’s Basilica
Cost: 42-49 Euro
Saint Stephen’s Basilica is one of the most stunning neo Classical buildings of Budapest.
Its great acoustics makes it the perfect place to enjoy a series of beautiful classical music concerts where the organ and the flute are the main players together with outstanding performers.
How to get there: The best way to get the Basilica of Budapest is taking Blue Metro Line 3 and getting off at Arány János station.
More information: Check the Basilica’s organ Concerts Website for detailed information on dates, concerts and prices.
Budapest Summer Shopping Sale
When: July, 2016
Where: Shopping Centers, department stores and boutiques in Budapest. Budapest`s Summer sales 2016 are now on. If you are looking for great bargains on clothes, shoes, accessories, books and all kind of stuff, explore the summer “Akcio” while in Budapest.
Summer sales in Budapest start basically at the end of June, lasting the entire month of July, and in some cases until the beginning of August.
Boutiques, department stores, shoe shops, book stores and even supermarkets cut prices with up to 70% off. There are several shopping venues all around the city such as Arena Plaza, Westend, Alle, Mammut MOM Park and Arkad shopping centers where you can find both local and international brands.
I personally prefer Arena Plaza and Arkad shopping centers because there, one can find almost all shops you find everywhere else, all at the same place.
Tips for Summer Sales in Budapest
-If you have time, avoid going shopping in the weekend. The best time to hunt the sales is during the week, preferably in the morning.
-Dress comfortably and light. Save time in dressing rooms avoiding wearing items with laces and buttons. Wear a comfortable pair of running shoes as well.
-Compare prices between stores and check the return policy.
-The best discounts are provided at the very end of the sale, usually at the end of July but then the choice can be limited, especially on shoes and clothes.
Have Fun!
Sail along the Danube
When: From April to September
Where: Obuda’s Riverfront (Romai Part), Budapest III district.
Romai Part is a charming riverbank in Budapest’s District III. It is a popular place for dining, strolling around, riding your bicycle, renting a kayak or a boat and sailing along the Danube. There are lots of terrace restaurants where in summer locals enjoy the cool breezes of the Danube as well as Hungarian summer delicacies such as langos, palacsinta (pancakes) and fried fish (hake).
If you are willing to spend an afternoon as a local and with locals, come to Romai Part.
How to get there: take the HÉV train from Batthyány tér and get off at Római Fürdő station. Walk to the riverbank.
Alternatively, you can go by boat, public boats operate from April to October, you can take the boat at Batthyányi tér dock and get off at Romaifűrdő dock. To get back to the city check the timetable at Romaifűrdő dock.
“Due to the Danube floods in early June, Restaurants and ice cream shops in these are might be under renovation”.
Budapest Palace of Arts
When: July 2016.
Where: Komor Marcell u. 1, Budapest IX District
The Budapest Palace of Arts offers an amazing variety of cultural events all year round. Musical concerts from diverse genres, opera, dance performances, art exhibitions and art workshops among many other kind of events take place in the Palace of Arts.
If you are interested in any type of art, visit Budapest’s Palace of Arts and enjoy Hungarian’s rich cultural life.This is truly one of the things to do in Budapest in July you shouldn’t miss.
How to get there: The best way to get the Palace of Arts is taking tram number 2 and getting off at Közvágohíd (Millenium Kulturalís Központ)
More information: Check Palace Arts Events for detailed information on current programs.
Travel by Boat as a Local
When: From May to September, 2016.
Where: From Budapest’s Docks to Riverfront in Óbuda (Romai Part), Budapest III district.
If you want to enjoy a boat ride along the Danube, just the way locals do, take one of the ferries that run from Petőfi bridge (Boraros tér dock) to Romaifűrdő dock.
This is a very nice tour that covers the length of the city and costs you a little bit more than a metro single ticket, exactly 400 ft.
There are stops at Batthyányi Tér and Jászai Mari tér where you can get on and there is also a stop at the Margaret island where you can get off and look around if you wish.
I recommend you take the boat at Boraros tér or at Boat restaurant Bar A38 then you will have the opportunity to take beautiful pictures of the Chain Bridge, the Buda Castle and the Parliament.
Get off at Romaifürdo stop, where you can stroll around, have a nice cold drink or a langos (fried dough with toppings) at any of the restaurants you will find on the river bank. This place is one of locals’ favorite in summer time.
A one way ride costs 400 ft. Passengers who are over 65 years of age and come from any European Union country travel free of charge.
Tickets are sold on board.
Download a PDF timetable for weekdays, weekends and public holidays Here .
WAMP Arts and Crafts Festival
When: July 25, 2016.
Where: Erzsebet Tér. (in front of deák tér. M3)
WAMP is a local design festival that takes place at least once a month, usually on Sundays where young Hungarian designers and craftsmen exhibit their creations. This is the perfect place to get to know Hungarian Fashion, emerging Hungarian designers and to buy unique colorful and authentic gifts.
If you happen to be in Budapest at this time, don’t miss this festival! Take advantage of this fair to look for unique souvenirs for relatives and friends..
How to get there: The best way to get to WAMP in Erzsebet tér is taking Blue Metro Line (M3) and getting off at Deák tér station Erzsebet tér is just in front of Deák tér.
Gouba Bazaar – Art Street Market
When: Every Sunday of July, 2016 10 am- 7 pm
Where: Gozsdu udvar. VI District. Király utca 13
Entrance: Free
Gouba is a Sunday street market where you can find interesting, colourful, creative and fun arts, crafts, books, antiques and gastronomy. From Spring to the end of Autumn this is the place where every Sunday young Hungarian musicians, ceramists, painters, jewelers and artists in general exhibit their own creations.
The bazaar takes place at Gozsdu Udvar, a beautifully renovated courtyard on Király utca (Budapest Jewish Quarter). If you are looking for something fun to do on Sundays, Gouba bazaar is the place to be.
Buda Hills by Budapest Chair Lift
When: July 2016
Where: Zugligeti út 97.
János hegy is a wonderful place located in one of the most beautiful areas of Buda Hills from where you can admire the entire city of Budapest.
You can reach János Hill by chairlift (libegő).
The ride takes about 15 minutes through a leafy green forest with fantastic views of surrounding neighborhoods and Budapest.
János hegy is the highest point in the Buda Hills where you can walk up to Elizabeth lookout and enjoy 350°breathtaking views of the city and surroundings, have a relaxed walk or even take a ride back to the city on the children railway.
The chairlift to János hegy (John’s hill) works daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday to Sundays and Public Holidays.
The chairlift runs depending on weather conditions (It doesn’t operate on windy, stormy, foggy or rainy weather)
Cost: 1000 Ft per adult per ride. And 600 Ft per child per ride.
Return Ticket: 1,400 Ft for adults and 800 Ft for children. Children under 3 years old can travel free of charge.
How to get there: The easiest way to get to Zugligeti Libegő station is to take bus number 291 at Nyugati Station, get off at the last stop and walk up about 200 mt. On the right side you will find the Zugligeti Libegő station (Next to Zugligeti campsite where there is a yellow tram car that works as a campsite shop).
More information: Check the map and timetable here.
Hungarian Formula 1
When: July 22, 23, 24, 2016
Where: Mogyoród, Hungaroring
Fans with valid tickets will have the opportunity to enjoy the Public Pit Walk at 10:00 am and at 4:00 pm on July 22th. Qualifying for pole position takes place at 2:00pm on July 23th and the race itself takes place on Sunday, July 24, at 2:00 pm.
More information: Check the Hungarian Formula 1 website for detailed information. Or visit the Hungaroring official website for directions on how to get there.
Dinning Cruise with Live Music
When: Every day in July, 2016
Where: Meeting Point. Danube Palace, Zrinyi u. 5.
A romantic dinner cruise with live music on the river Danube is a wonderful thing to do in Budapest in April. These cruises offer a great 4 meal course of traditional Hungarian food created by the well known Hungarian chef, Klöter Gregor-Grex.
The musicians, members of the Zoltan Kodaly awarded Hungaria Orchestra, as well as the world famous violinist Zsigmond Vidák entertain guests with melodies of classical and traditional Hungarian music as they witness fabulous night views of Budapest at the background.
Do not miss the opportunity to get enchanted by the spectacular night views of Budapest world cultural heritage panorama. From a river tour like this, you see Budapest from a different perspective: the illumined bridges, the Parliament,the Buda Castle and Citadella are simply stunning at night.
More information: Check the Dinner Cruise Website for detailed information on dates, menu and prices.
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