Budapest Things to Do

The biggest and best-established summer carnival in Hungary, the Danube Carnival in Budapest brings international dancers and traditional folk artists into the city every June – 2013 dates are June 15 through 23. Encompassing all genres of dance from folk to flamenco and tango, the festival spreads along the Danube Promenade, into the open-air venues on Margaret Island and into Vörösmarty Square as well as into other Hungarian towns along the Danube River, including the suburb of Óbuda and Budafok.

As 2013 sees the celebration of 75 years of acclaimed concerts at Margaret Island Open-Air Theatre, expect the Budapest Summer Festival to set the world on fire. The summer-long music jamboree kicks off on June 14 with an open-air concert of music by Verdi and Wagner performed by the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra on Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube.

Aspiring tourists with children may be surprised to discover that Hungary’s capital city offers affordable and varied opportunities for travelers with kids to entertain. The price is right and the activities are likely to amuse grownups as well as their children. See below for a sampling of the many events and institutions available in Budapest that are geared toward the young.

Easily the equal of other European subterranean wonders (in Paris, Moscow, London, etc.), the labyrinth system beneath Castle Hill in Budapest originated as calcareous tufa caves resulting from hot water springs more than 350,000 years ago.  Since that time, the complex (the natural properties of which have been considerably improved by man over the years) has served many purposes, and today exists as one of the most curious and rewarding tourist attractions in Budapest.

Budapest is justly famous for its thermal baths. What better way to revitalize after a hard day’s sightseeing than in the bubbling waters of one of the city’s famous thermals baths? In all there are seven spa complexes, most open for mixed and single sex bathing, saunas, and spa treatments daily, and all renowned for the healing properties of their hot spring water. Towels, robes, slippers, and soap are available in most spas – just remember that in baths where mixed bathing is permitted, bathing costumes are obligatory.

Although the Feast of St Nicholas is celebrated on 6th December in Budapest, when well-behaved children are rewarded with small gifts, December 24 is the key date for Christmas celebrations. The countdown starts in late November, when the stores and streets are decorated and strung with millions of fairy lights, and giant Advent wreathes appear in the main streets.