Budapest Heatwave 2026: Record Temperatures Are Hitting the City

Budapest is in the grip of a serious heatwave right now, and it’s not letting up. On Sunday, June 28, a new daily heat record was set in Budakalász, just north of the capital, where temperatures reached 40.7°C — breaking the previous record of 39.9°C. By Monday morning, yet another record had fallen before 11 AM. Hungary’s national meteorological service HungaroMet has issued a red weather warning across the entire country for both Monday, June 29 and Tuesday, June 30, meaning daily mean temperatures are expected to exceed 29°C everywhere — a threshold that carries genuine health risks, especially for older visitors, young children, and anyone not accustomed to extreme heat.

If you’re in Budapest right now, or planning to arrive in the coming days, a little preparation goes a long way. Here’s everything you need to know to enjoy the city safely.

Free Drinking Water Across the City

Budapest Waterworks has responded to the emergency by deploying 22 temporary drinking water stations at the city’s busiest squares and transport hubs, on top of the 551 permanent public taps and 63 seasonally operating drinking fountains already spread across the city. The temporary stations are easy to spot — they’re marked with the international drinking water pictogram showing a tap and a glass of water.

You’ll find them at some of the most central and frequently visited locations in Budapest, including Deák Ferenc Square, Astoria, Kálvin Square, the Városháza Park, Blaha Lujza Square, Keleti Railway Station, Széll Kálmán Square, Lehel Square, Örs Vezér Square, Ferenciek Square, and Móricz Zsigmond Square, among many others. Whether you’re sightseeing in the inner city, changing trams, or heading out to the suburbs, there’s very likely a free water point within easy walking distance.

One important note: Budapest Waterworks is not providing disposable plastic or paper cups at these temporary stations, in the interest of reducing waste. Bring your own reusable water bottle or travel cup — it’s the single most useful thing you can pack for a summer day in the city right now. The waterworks also notes that you may need to let the tap run for a moment before the water reaches a properly cool temperature.

Budapest’s tap water is of excellent drinking quality, thoroughly monitored and controlled — so refilling your bottle from any of these fountains is completely safe. One curiosity worth knowing: the oldest still-functioning drinking fountain in Budapest is a beautifully carved stone lion fountain at the Káposztásmegyer main waterworks facility on Váci Road, built in 1905 and still flowing continuously in summer. It’s not a typical tourist stop, but it’s a lovely piece of the city’s infrastructure history. Just remember: decorative fountains and splash pools around the city are not drinking water sources — only the designated drinking fountains are safe to drink from.

Staying Safe in the Heat: What Doctors Recommend

Hungary’s Minister of Health has issued guidance reminding everyone that sustained high daytime temperatures, warm nights with little cooling, and humid air combine to significantly increase the risk of exhaustion, headaches, dizziness, and heat-related illness. The core advice is straightforward: drink plenty of water regularly, not just when you feel thirsty. Opt for plain water or unsweetened drinks rather than alcohol or sugary beverages, which accelerate dehydration.

Wear light-colored, breathable clothing and a hat, and apply high-factor sun protection generously and often. If you’re planning to walk, run, or do anything physically active, aim for the early morning or late evening hours when temperatures are more forgiving. During the hottest part of the day — roughly between noon and 5 PM — find shade, head indoors, or slow down considerably.

Pay extra attention to children, elderly companions, and pets, all of whom are more vulnerable to heat stress than healthy adults.

Where to Cool Down in Budapest

City Park (Városliget) is a popular summer destination and remains open, but the park itself recommends following all official heatwave guidelines if you visit. The park has more than 30 drinking fountains on its grounds, misting gates to walk through for instant cooling, a water playground at the House of Music, and roof-level cooling features at the Museum of Ethnography. Stick to the shade of the tree canopy, take it slowly, and keep drinking water throughout your visit.

For a more immersive way to beat the heat, Budapest’s famous thermal bath complexes are ideal. Széchenyi Baths in City Park, Gellért Baths on the Buda side, and Rudas Baths near Elizabeth Bridge all offer outdoor pools where you can float in the water for hours. And if you’re looking for something truly memorable on a hot evening, Széchenyi Baths is hosting outdoor cinema screenings in its pools on four consecutive Friday evenings this summer — a wonderfully Budapest way to watch a film while cooling off.

The city’s museums, galleries, and covered market halls are air-conditioned and make excellent midday refuges. The Great Market Hall at the foot of Liberty Bridge, the Hungarian National Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts near Heroes’ Square are all worth a leisurely couple of hours in the cool.

Budapest in summer is vibrant and beautiful — just make sure you’re looking after yourself while you explore it.