A beach vacation is probably the last thing that comes to mind when you’re planning a trip to Budapest. However, with the Danube River, Lake Balaton, and all those thermal springs, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to splash around or relax on a beach in and around Budapest.
Although visitors don’t flock to Hungarian beaches, they’re often packed with Budapest residents looking to escape the city heat. Consequently, the atmosphere of these beaches is generally laid-back, allowing you to experience summer like a local.
Once you’ve visited the famous city sites and you’re in the mood to relax and cool down during the summer, grab a beach towel and a swimsuit and head to one of these beaches in the Budapest area.
Római Part, Óbuda: Swim in the Danube
Best beach for Danube bathing
If you’re wondering whether you can swim in the Danube in Budapest, the answer is yes, but with certain restrictions. In the 1970s, swimming in the river was banned due to poor water quality. However, as of 2021, the water is clean enough for a swim, and designated bathing areas at Római-Parti Plázs are open until 10pm in July and August.
Római Part (Roman Beach) is located on the northern side of Budapest in the Óbuda district. Its tree-lined pebble beach attracts crowds from across the city, enticing visitors with grungy riverside bars in repurposed double-decker buses and retro fish stalls. Alternatively, if you prefer lounging by the river with a fröccs (spritzer) in hand, grab a colorful deckchair by the water’s edge at Fellini Római Kultúrbisztró. The area is also easy to access via bike, as a bike path runs from the city center to Római Part along the Danube.
Siófok Beach: The Most Popular Hangout on Lake Balaton
Best beach for partying
If you want to spend a day at the “Hungarian Sea,” hop on a train and you can be at Lake Balaton in just over an hour. Siófok is the largest resort on Lake Balaton, boasting a main beach that is one of the most popular waterside hangouts in Hungary and a top party destination during the summer.
Day tickets for the grassy beach, lined with bars, restaurants, sunbeds, and even a giant Ferris wheel, are reasonably priced. This beach also connects to Petőfi Promenade, a street known for its vibrant bars and nightlife in summer. For an unforgettable evening, visit Plázs, where you’ll find concerts, foam parties, and various ticketed events.
Kopaszi Gát and BudaPart: Sand but No Swimming
Best beach for restaurants and bars
The rehabilitated area of Kopaszi gát (Kopaszi dam) and BudaPart (Buda Beach) partially encloses the Lágymányosi Bay from the Danube in the up-and-coming District XI in the southern part of the city. This area is filled with lush green parkland, trendy bars like Dürer Kert, restaurants offering street food and gastropub cuisine overlooking the water, and sandy stretches perfect for lounging. However, swimming is not permitted at these free-to-visit beaches. The only designated area for swimming is within the buoy-marked zone at Sho Beach, a ticketed beach area equipped with bars, street-food stands, changing rooms, showers, and sunbeds, with rental options for stand-up paddleboards.
During summer, Budapest can experience heavy rain, leading to rising water levels in the Danube, which may submerge some beach areas.
Nagymaros Beach: Relax at a Scenic River Beach
Best beach for boho travelers and digital nomads
Nagymaros is a small town nestled between the Danube and the Börzsöny Hills at a picturesque part of the Danube Bend. This free, sandy beach offers beautiful views and is popular with locals and a more bohemian crowd.
The town faces the forest-clad Pilis Hills across the river, and the imposing Visegrad Citadel adds to the photogenic scenery. If you need a bite to eat or something to drink, several kiosks sell fish or lángos, a local deep-fried pastry topped with sour cream and cheese. Alternatively, relax under the vine-covered courtyard of Piknik Manufaktura, which attracts an eclectic crowd, including digital nomads working at the nearby OOO Campus, a coworking space located on the terrace above the bar. For a laid-back vibe, stroll north along the river for about 30 minutes to reach Nomad Bar, where you can unwind in a hammock by the river.
Lupa Beach: Swim in Clean Lake Water
Best beach for luxury travelers
Lupa Beach offers an experience akin to a five-star seaside resort near Budapest. Surrounded by white sand, palm trees, and luxury four-poster sunbeds, this former mining lake features some of the cleanest water in Hungary.
Guests can enjoy cocktails or fine dining on the beach, with Michelin-starred restaurant Costes having a catering stand here. Visitors can take a swim in the crystal-clear water, lounge in the sand, and feel as if they’ve escaped to the true seaside. Lupa Lake and its beach are only a 30-minute direct bus ride from Nyugati train station in downtown Budapest.
Lake Velence Beaches: Enjoy the Mineral-Rich Lake
Best free-to-visit beaches
Lake Velence is Hungary’s third-largest natural lake and is only 30 minutes by train from Budapest. It’s known as one of the warmest lakes in Europe, with temperatures ranging from 78°F to 82°F (26°C to 28°C) and is rich in minerals such as sodium and magnesium.
The best-known free beach at Lake Velence is the Velence Korzó, located just minutes from Velence train station. This beach often attracts locals during the summer, who come for the seaside atmosphere, including lángos and street-food kiosks, restaurants and cafes, sports, and water sports facilities. Along the waterfront, you’ll find sandy areas with available sunbeds and shades for rent, security boxes, changing rooms, and bathrooms. In Gárdony, a train stop after Velence station, you can find less-crowded free beaches, including a hidden nudist beach.
Palatinus Beach on Margaret Island: A Thermal Pool Complex
Best beach for families
Sometimes Hungarian beaches are adjacent to artificial pools, like Palatinus Beach on Margaret Island. This beach functions as a thermal bath complex and has been operational for over a century, providing fun for the entire family with various pools and even a water slide park.
Palatinus Beach is celebrated not only for its Art Deco and Bauhaus architecture but also as a popular destination for families, thanks to its selection of thermal water pools, swimming pools, children’s pools, leisure pools, and wave pools. The lush green surroundings and excellent amenities make it a delightful location to enjoy a sunny summer day.
