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Original poster

Budapest tomorrow at 40+ degrees

36 replies

OddSocksAreCool · 03/08/2026 19:57

We're arriving in Budapest tomorrow and it's going to be record breakingly hot. They're in the middle of a crisis right now with energy and water. We're there until Saturday. We have AC in the flat but I'm feeling pretty anxious about 2 kids in 40+ degrees in a city. Any tips please?

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CypressMoon · 04/08/2026 17:27

Also - not sure if they will still have these if there's a water shortage, but when we were there, they had these gorgeous door frames on the pavements that you walk through and they mist you with water - not enough to get your clothes wet, just enough to cool you down. The DC loved walking through them.

London1341 · 04/08/2026 17:35

CypressMoon · 04/08/2026 17:27

Also - not sure if they will still have these if there's a water shortage, but when we were there, they had these gorgeous door frames on the pavements that you walk through and they mist you with water - not enough to get your clothes wet, just enough to cool you down. The DC loved walking through them.

They do. They aren’t on permanently bc of electricity shortage, they come on every 15 mins or so. They were a big hit with us as well! Kids (and adults) loved them.

Original poster
OddSocksAreCool · 04/08/2026 18:56

Our cruise down the river was cancelled and the fountains are all off 😭

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Travellingshoes · 04/08/2026 21:29

Despite some PP saying 40 is not normal in Hungary, it’s a heatwave and exceptionally low wafer levels.

You could try to see if the Balaton has any water left in it.

I’m sorry OP, I hope you’ll still enjoy some time there but I’m not optimistic. (I’d hate it.)

Original poster
OddSocksAreCool · 05/08/2026 20:20

We went to Pallintus Strand baths today and may just live there! Was amazing and definitely the best place to be in a heatwave.

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Original poster
OddSocksAreCool · 06/08/2026 16:10

We should have gone back there today, both kids wanted to but my husband was intent on visiting the local market, which was sweltering, and we ended up there for ages and are now back at the flat exhausted from heat. Waste of a day!

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TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 06/08/2026 18:40

How much longer are you there @OddSocksAreCool ?

crackofdoom · 06/08/2026 23:42

margithid13 · 04/08/2026 06:33

Gosh - I used to live there but hadn’t seen the news until this thread. I remember the low water levels of 2018 and this is significantly worse.

if rescheduling is not an option then the best 2 pools for children that are more lido-style than thermal baths are Palatinus strand on Margaret island or Dagaly furdo which is a little further out and I would recommend as the former will be packed with tourists. You can get to both on the number 26 bus very easily (it stops at the door of palatinus and for dagaly you get off at end of bridge then go down some steps and short walk along) Transport is really well connected best to get a pass for the length of your stay than faff around remembering to validate single tickets.

for playgrounds, Olimpia park is brilliant with lots of shade and water fountains/spray mist that the kids can cool down in. Szabadsag ter (liberty square) also has lots of little fountains that kids play in and some playgrounds. Sad to see they’ve turned off the Margaret island musical fountain to save energy it’s so lovely.

40C isn’t that unusual in the summers but clearly this length of heatwave without respite and the drought is new, if electricity becomes limited and you can’t use aircon it will be quite uncomfortable.

Hope you are still able to enjoy the beautiful city.

Yes, we went to Palatinus baths in a 38 degree heatwave last year, and it was indeed quite crowded- and quite expensive too. And of course, a lot of the pools were thermal, so quite warm- probably lovely in spring and autumn!

Original poster
OddSocksAreCool · 07/08/2026 01:18

All the fountains have been switched off to save water unfortunately. So no cooling options in Liberty Square or any other places. It's going to be much cooler today with some much needed rain, I hope it means things are on the turn.

We went to the Flippermúzeum today which was great fun! Finally had a stroll down the river. It's very low and very dark without the lights.

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Original poster
OddSocksAreCool · 07/08/2026 01:23

I didn't think Pallintus was expensive, it was about £50 for 4 of us, but that's for the whole day! A session in the swimming pool with slides at home would be the same. Budapest is far more expensive generally than it was, being badly hit by inflation. I was here in 2015 and it was relatively cheap.

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Original poster
OddSocksAreCool · 07/08/2026 13:05

Sods law, our last day, temp only 33 and we'd planned to finally see stuff and my 5 year old has been up all night vomiting!

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