My husband and I will be in Budapest from August 18-21 which is the St Stephen’s festival. We are staying at the Boutique Victoria Hotel on the Buda side which should give us a view of the fly past and fireworks.
My question is … What does Budapest look like during festival time? Should we spend our 3 days enjoying the festival atmosphere or is Parliament open for us to book a tour? Should we prebook 3 restaurants for dinner?
How would you spend 3 days during St Stephen’s Day festival?
Unfortunately, the hotel doesn’t have a rooftop so you will be on the river embankment with the masses for the fireworks. Last year they closed the road along the embankment, and they closed the tram service along the embankment. I am not 100% certain also at the location of the hotel, but I think so. If I am correct, you might find yourself doing some good walks for a few days. But the area along the embankment is set up with food booths and it’s a party.
It's the river front that has all of the activities. Inside Pest and up at the castle life is more or less normal except for more things are closed (but not so much that it is an issue).
Yes. book your restaurants. No reason not to. I will send you some suggestions in a PM.
Here is some more information. Some is from last year, but things will be the same.
https://www.szentistvannap.hu/en
https://ultimatebudapest.com/city-guide/tips-and-recommendations/activities/complete-guide-for-st-stephens-day-2024
https://www.kempinski.com/en/hotel-corvinus-budapest/overview/destination/events-in-budapest/festival-of-crafts-st.-stephens-day
https://welovebudapest.com/en/article/2023/08/18/active-things-to-do-august-20-2023-st-stephen-s-day/
https://abouthungary.hu/news-in-brief/three-day-festival-to-be-held-in-budapest-to-mark-august-20-national-holiday
You have chosen an exciting time to be here. Use the 18th and 19th to do traditional tourism things, the 20th on the embankments and the 21st back to traditional tourism. You are about 2 days short of a good stay though so use it wisely. And think carefully about your hotel choice.
Here it is from the Buda side, not too terribly far from your hotel. https://youtu.be/SS62GxfHrLY?si=SZYZdM1Kwe305gV9 Pest side https://youtu.be/ZsTgqwjheFA?si=vMMMOjY1rKaylFI0 One showing "attendees" https://youtu.be/HeAUn1oRvPc?si=Q4czCwYEgomYnV_M This I guess is one of those nights where you can justify traveling to a city for just one thing. I once went to Sydney for the New Year fireworks show. That and one day in the city then went home. Worth it.
Wow! Thanks for the videos. We didn’t plan to be there over the festival time but we’re excited now!
Its freeking amazing. Better than NYE at Sidney Harbor. But again, do be certain about that hotel.
