01Weather
Budapest weather in May
Afternoons in May average 21.7 °C (71 °F) and nights cool to 11.3 °C (52 °F). The month brings about 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain spread over roughly 12 days. Compared with April it is 3.9 °C warmer; June is 5.9 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical May | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 27 °C / 80 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 16 °C / 60 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 7 °C / 45 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.2 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 40 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest May day 2016–2025 | 30.9 °C / 2.3 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 05:26 | 19:55 | 14.5 h |
| 15 May | 05:06 | 20:13 | 15.1 h |
| 31 May | 04:51 | 20:31 | 15.7 h |
Daylight grows by about 72 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Budapest).
03Crowds
How busy Budapest is in May
busy The main sights are busy in May. What drives it:
- Labour Day on 1 May
- Whit Monday
- ruin bars open their gardens
04Public holidays
Public holidays in May 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 May 2027 | Labour day |
| 16 May 2027 | Pentecost |
| 17 May 2027 | Whit Monday |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Budapest in May
Every year in May
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Rosalia wine festival | May, Városliget | food |
07Packing
What to pack for Budapest in May
- layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings
- comfortable walking shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
May is warm and green, with afternoons around 22 °C, Labour Day on 1 May with festivals in the City Park, the Whit long weekend and the ruin bars opening their gardens. Days are long and usually dry, with rain on about nine days. Boat trips on the Danube are at their best in the evening light. Crowds build but remain comfortable, and hotel rates are below summer levels.
The Rosalia wine festival in the City Park and the Gourmet Festival at Millenáris fill the weekends. The Parliament tour needs booking a week ahead. The Children's Day on the last Sunday brings events to the parks. Daylight lasts until after eight. For the longest days and the Danube Carnival, see June; the second half of May is the quiet window.
09Compare
Budapest month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 °C | -2 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 8 °C | 0 °C | 12 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 13 °C | 3 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 18 °C | 7 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| May | 22 °C | 11 °C | 12 | – | busy | Good |
| June | 28 °C | 16 °C | 11 | – | busy | Good |
| July | 29 °C | 18 °C | 10 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 29 °C | 17 °C | 8 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 24 °C | 13 °C | 10 | – | busy | Good |
| October | 17 °C | 8 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| November | 10 °C | 3 °C | 9 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| December | 5 °C | 0 °C | 8 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about May? See the best time to visit Budapest.
10Elsewhere
May in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Prague in May | 19 °C | 11 |
| Venice in May | 21 °C | 10 |
| Rome in May | 24 °C | 5 |
| Copenhagen in May | 16 °C | – |
| Amsterdam in May | 18 °C | 9 |
| Paris in May | 19 °C | 13 |
11FAQ
Budapest in May: your questions
Is May a good time to visit Budapest?
May is a good month to visit Budapest. Daytime highs average 22 °C (71 °F), rain falls on about 12 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in Budapest in May?
Expect mild days around 22 °C (71 °F) and nights near 11 °C (52 °F). One May in ten brings afternoons above 27 °C, and one in ten stays below 16 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Budapest in May?
May brings about 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain over roughly 12 days, which is showery by Budapest standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 40 percent.
What should I wear in Budapest in May?
Pack layers: t-shirt plus a light jacket for evenings, comfortable walking shoes, a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three.
Is Budapest crowded in May?
The main sights are busy in May. Main drivers: Labour Day on 1 May; Whit Monday; ruin bars open their gardens.
What time does it get dark in Budapest in May?
Around the middle of May the sun sets at about 20:13 and rises at 05:06, giving 15.1 hours of daylight.