Perched on the Danube River, a visit to this Hungarian city is like two trips in one: Buda and Pest. While the city has a history dating back to Roman times, it was not officially formed until 1873, when Buda, Pest, and Estbuda were combined. Since then, the city has become the largest and most popular in Hungary.
The historic city has incredible architecture, museums, cafes and restaurants that make it a great destination all year round. While winters are cold, for many Budapest residents, February is all about discovering fun ways to avoid the cold while immersing yourself in the city’s culture, and one of the best ways to do that is to visit one of the many quirky bars. , bars and restaurants in Budapest.
Read on to learn more about the weather in Budapest, what to pack, and what events not to be missed.
February Weather in Budapest
Budapest enjoys slightly warmer temperatures than some other popular destinations in eastern Central Europe, but a chill still lingers in the air during February.
- Average High: 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius)
- Average Low: 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-2 degrees Celsius)
In general, winter, which runs from December to early March, is the coldest and darkest time of the year. Budapest receives a great deal of snow each year, with sometimes up to 15 inches falling in a single day. Nighttime temperatures of 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius) are typical.
What to pack
As with travel in most of Eastern Europe during this cold season, you should pack accordingly for Budapest’s unpredictable winter weather. Sweaters, base layers, and other clothing that can be layered are a good idea for extreme cold, in addition to waterproof clothing. A good coat that can be zipped into your suitcase is a good option. In general, you will want to pack:
- Thermal underwear
- Long sleeve tops
- Jeans / pants
- A very warm jacket / coat
- Wool socks
- Warm boots
- Winter accessories, such as a hat, gloves, and a scarf.
February events in Budapest
With all of Budapest’s famous museums, castles, bridges, and cafes, you’ll keep busy in Budapest, even in February.
- Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Budapest on February 14 with a romantic dinner, a concert or a trip to the thermal baths.
- Budapest’s annual Mangalica festival takes place at the beginning of the month. Celebrate an indigenous breed of pigs that Hungarians turn into tasty dishes.
- The Budapest Fish Festival, also called Budapesti Halfesztivál, takes place in mid-February. Families and fish fans gather to eat tons of crispy fried sea bream.
- Farsang , Hungary’s carnival season, begins on Epiphany (January 6) and ends on Ash Wednesday, which usually occurs in mid-February. The celebration includes many festivities, costumes, and other festive events.
- Hungary celebrates a holiday similar to Groundhog Day on February 2. However, instead of a groundhog seeing its shadow, in Hungary the question is whether or not the bear sees its shadow.
February Travel Tips
- Budapest has several ice rinks that are still open in February. This is a great way to spend an afternoon of good weather. The two most popular tracks are the track in the renovated City Park (Városligeti Műjégpálya) and the track at the Whale / Bálna Shopping and Cultural Center, which is located along the Danube river in Pest. The latter is free except for the cost of renting skates, while the former is the largest ice skating rink in Europe.
- The Budapest Opera House offers high-level dance and musical performances. The February calendar generally includes classics like Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly, Georges Bizet’s Carmen, or Tchaikovsky’s ballet Onegin.
- Seeing the views of the city from the river is a great excursion, but if you do it in February be sure to choose a tour that offers a heated panoramic boat.
- February is an ideal time to take the waters. There are 15 thermal baths and spas in Budapest; The most famous are the Gellert and Széchenyi thermal baths.
- Budapest doesn’t have a real ski nearby, but you can take a trip to Normafa, a nearby hill in Buda where you can ski bunny hill or go sledding.
