12 Things to Do in Budapest in September

September is a less busy month than the summer months. However, it is also a month when the western festive atmosphere is replaced by a more Hungarian cultural one, with events related to local cuisine and traditions.

St. Stephen's Basilica is one of the most impressive neoclassical buildings in Budapest; however, its charm is multiplied by the fact that in certain months, such as September, it hosts a series of concerts. The grand architecture of the Basilica makes it the perfect place to enjoy classical music.

Tickets for organ concerts at St. Stephen's Basilica start at 28 euros.

The best way to get there is to take the blue metro line 3 and get off at Arány János station.

There is no better way to bid farewell to summer than on a dinner cruise. In this month of the year, cruises offer a multi-course dinner that can include a variety of dishes typical of this time of the year, all cooked by a chef of traditional cuisine!

• Túrógombóc (crumbs or breadcrumbs made with cottage cheese).
• Halászlé (soup of different types of fish with paprika, onion, tomato and peppers).
• The famous lángos, which are only plentiful in the summer months.

In addition, going on a night cruise on the Danube is a clear opportunity to be captivated by the spectacular night views of Budapest's cultural heritage. From a river cruise like this one, Budapest is seen from a different perspective: the illuminated bridges, the Parliament, the Buda Castle and the Citadel offer breathtaking views at night.

An ideal plan for September, when the weather is still fine, is to book an excursion to Lake Balaton and Herend. In a full day, lasting approximately 9 hours, you will escape from the hustle and bustle of the Hungarian capital and get to know the local tradition and all the details of traditional Hungarian porcelain making.

You will also visit the Tihany Abbey and get to know the area on the lake. All this with an expert local guide who will accompany you throughout the day.

And, of course, you will also have free time to explore the local gastronomy at your leisure.

Of course, another must on your trip to Budapest in September is to book your ticket to the Széchenyi Spa, where you can enjoy a relaxing day at one of Europe's most popular spas.

The spa has 15 indoor and 3 outdoor pools, as well as saunas, steam rooms and massage jets.

A unique proposal that will allow you to delve into the local tradition and enjoy a guided tour of the Palinka Museum, which includes an interactive exhibition to learn more about this Hungarian national drink that you will have the chance to taste.

The Budapest Jewish Summer Festival is a multicultural event celebrated by the Hungarian Jewish community. The event lasts 10 days and is an amazing opportunity to learn about Jewish traditions and culture through book markets, Hungarian food tours, art and film exhibitions.

It is also an excellent opportunity for a tour of Budapest's Jewish Quarter, as all the micro-events take place here, and of course to book a guided tour of the Budapest Synagogue.

The main venue of the Budapest Jewish Summer Festival will remain the Dohány Street Synagogue. Check the Jewish Festival website for information on programmes, dates, times and prices.

The National Gallop is one of the biggest festivals in Hungary and is related to Hungarian horsemanship, hussar traditions and everything connected with it. More than 100 Hungarian towns and cities participate every year in this two-day event in mid-September. During the festival, Heroes' Square is transformed into a 6,200 square metre race track, where young jockeys, modern hussars (soldiers belonging to an ancient cavalry corps) from all over the country compete for the prize money of just over 80,000 € (30 million HUF).

In addition to the horse races, the entire length of Andrassy Avenue becomes a promenade where you can find hundreds of stalls with people from all over the country selling traditional and handmade goods. You'll find blacksmiths beating horseshoes or costumed women embroidering traditional Hungarian floral designs, as well as stalls selling traditional cuisine, handicrafts and folk music.

As a side option, you can opt for a bike tour of the entire square and surrounding area - there's plenty to see, a perfect way to get up close to Hungarian history, traditions and culture.

Every Sunday in September from 10 am to 7 pm you can enjoy a street and art market at the Gozsdu udvar (VI District, Király utca 13).

Gouba is a Sunday street market where you can find interesting art, creative paintings, handicrafts, books and antiques. This is the place where every Sunday young Hungarian musicians, ceramists, painters, jewellers and artists in general exhibit their own creations.

The bazaar takes place in Gozsdu Udvar, a beautifully renovated courtyard in Király utca (Budapest's Jewish quarter). If you are looking for something fun to do on Sundays, the Gouba Bazaar is the place to be. It's also very close to the Ruin Bars area, in case you feel like stopping by after enjoying the art space.

Sweet Days Chocolate is a closed-door chocolate and candy festival where you can find special handmade chocolates, traditional sweets and world-famous brands.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to taste Hungarian chocolates, sweets and ice creams, participate in workshops and professional courses that introduce the basics of making handmade chocolates and truffles. There will be programmes for children and families, as well as live music. The festival takes place in Szent István Square in mid-September and lasts for a whole weekend (Friday 11-22h, Saturday from 10-22 h. and Sunday from 10-20 h.).

The most popular and representative Hungarian chocolate makers and confectioners such as Gundel, Ruszwurm, Szamos, Harrer Chocolat, Rózsavölgyi Csokoládé, Tibor Szántó, Zangio Kézműves Csokoládé, Cadeau Bonbon and Krisztina S.Nemzetes take part in this festival.

Főzdefeszt is your chance to have a craft beer and street food picnic to kick off the autumn season in Budapest's most beautiful park, City Park. And also your last chance to see the park in its original condition before it undergoes a major change! It will become one of the biggest ice rinks in Europe. If you are interested in the ice rink I recommend you to visit Budapest in December or, even better, in January.

The event lasts 3 days in the City Park (Városliget) in the middle of the month and there is no entrance fee, but you have to buy the festival glass for the beer tasting. The approximate opening hours are: Friday from 14-2 h., Saturday from 12-2 h. and Sunday from 12-24 h. For more information visit the official website of the event.

The Budapest International Wine Festival takes place in the second week of September and is one of the most popular events of its kind. Here you can taste the best of Hungarian and foreign wines, meet their creators, enjoy a traditional Hungarian dish and learn the art of wine tasting.

The event takes place on the terraces of the Buda Castle. In addition, you will be greeted with live music.

The price is approximately 8.5 euros per person. Check the Wine Festival website for more detailed programmes.

At the end of September, the Coffee Day Festival is celebrated in many countries, with cafes and shops offering promotions, special tastings, exciting coffee drinks all over Europe, and Hungary is no exception.

For a whole day Elizabeth Square will smell of coffee as the Aquarium Club organises the full-day programme. Various baristas, also Hungarian, will present their products and samples to the public. Not only do you have unlimited coffee to taste, but you can also attend lectures and workshops. There will also be coffee marketing, coffee sales, lectures and jazz music (the best music to accompany coffee).

If you want to learn more about the world of coffee, taste unlimited coffee, see lectures, bar shows this is the event for you. For more information on tickets and opening hours visit the following website.

If the Budapest Wine Festival isn't enough, you can enjoy the annual Champagne festival known as Budafok Champagne held in the Budafok district of the city in the second week of September.

The event hosts numerous wineries, free tours, concerts and other festivities related to Champagne drinking. No entrance fee is required to attend, nor to listen to music and enjoy the atmosphere.

However, as with the wine festival, to drink champagne you must buy a festival glass on site. For more details, check the official website.

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Budapest in September has perfect weather for going out thanks to an average temperature of 21°C, although this drops to 19°C at the end of the month.

Each day has 12 hours of daylight, making September the 4th sunniest month in Budapest. In terms of sensations it is a month with more of a summer than autumn character, especially during the first two weeks.

September's spectacular weather coupled with the lower tourist crowds make this month a favourite for longer accommodation stays.

In this month there is something for every traveller and budget. Here are some of the best accommodations divided into three categories:

• Luxury: Ritz Carlton Budapest, Aria Hotel Budapest, Four Seasons Budapest.
• Mid-range: Hotel Moments Budapest, Hotel Mika Superior, Hilton Budapest.
• Budget: Marco Polo Top Hostel, Bohem Art Hotel, D8 Hotel.

Given the comfortable weather Budapest experiences in September, you don't have to worry about packing too much winter clothing. A light jacket and a scarf should be more than enough, and only to protect you from the night wind.

For sunny days, light cotton clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat will be ideal. Since September is a month that allows for outdoor explorations, bring a pair of good walking shoes.

Also, don't forget that it's a month with a lot of nightlife to do in Budapest, so some fancy clothes wouldn't hurt.