10 Things to Do in Budapest in April

April is the month of spring par excellence and, although there are always things to do in Budapest, there are many more things to do during your trip. The city seems to blossom at the same time as its cherry trees, one of the city's best spectacles.

It is difficult to choose between all the activities, and you can combine more traditional events, such as the celebration of Easter or a visit to its museums, with other more modern and lively plans. Shall we start?

During the third week of April, approximately, the Budapest Art Week takes place in Budapest. Take advantage of this opportunity if you are travelling during these dates, because you will be able to visit 50 cultural sites, such as museums, at a lower price, as you can access all of them with the same ticket (starting at around 17 €).

Indeed, the best museums in Budapest lower their entrance fees during the city's Art Week. It is the perfect occasion to see them, although I warn you that many other people like you will want to do it, so buy your tickets in advance and go during off-peak hours. In any case, here are some of my recommendations.

• Museum of Fine Arts: The Szépmüvészeti Múzeum is one of the most visited. Its collection includes paintings by Picasso, Cézanne and El Greco. There are also several objects from Ancient Rome, Greece and, above all, Egypt. It also impresses with its neoclassical architecture.
• Hungarian National Museum: In the Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum you can learn first-hand about the history of Hungary from its birth until 1990. Although the building is beautiful on the outside, the most interesting part of the museum is inside, full of columns, marble sculptures and paintings on the walls and ceilings. However, its richness lies in its collection.
• Budapest History Museum: If you feel like learning about history, pay a visit to the Budapesti Történeti Múzeum located in the Buda Castle, which you can also visit with a guided tour. The tour is an experience where you can see underground ruins, recreations of traditional Hungarian houses and typical, everyday objects of Hungarian culture.
• Pálinka Museum in Budapest: Located in the centre of Budapest, this museum will immerse you in the tradition and history of Hungarian fruit brandy. You will also have the opportunity to taste the brew and learn about the process of making it with a professional guide if you book a guided tour of the Pálinka Museum.

If you have been to Budapest in winter you know that going to the spas is not always pleasant. Even if the water temperature stays warm in the pools, getting out of them and going for a towel leaves your body freezing. With the arrival of good weather and temperatures above 14°C, April is the perfect month to relax in one of Budapest's best spas without getting cold.

There is a reason why Budapest has been the City of Spas since 1934, as it has more than a hundred springs (artificial and natural) from which millions of litres of thermal water gush forth every day. In short, this is a luxury you can't miss during your trip. What's more, in April the temperature outside is the same as that of the water in the hot springs, which reaches 80ºC. There are many to choose from, but here are my recommendations.

Széchenyi Spa

Booking tickets for the Széchenyi Spa is a must. It is one of the largest in Europe, and it is not surprising considering that it has 15 pools. Plus, it's housed in a neo-Gothic building that makes the visit even more incredible. Here you can book a massage, play chess in the pool or simply relax in its thermal waters, which are always hot even when the cool of the night arrives in the city.

Beyond the size of its facilities, the best thing about Széchenyi is its maintenance. Although it receives many visitors throughout the day, it is always clean. On the other hand, it is open almost all day long, from 6 a.m. to approximately 10 p.m. at night, so you can make the most of your ticket. The value for money, approximately €37 for a day pass, is unbeatable.

Other options are the Gellert Spa, one of Budapest's oldest and most famous spas, whose facilities are somewhat outdated and the entrance fee is €18; and the Rudas Spa, which was built by the Ottomans over 450 years ago and is one of the most beautiful spas in the city, priced at around €12, but since its inception has been open to men and women are now only allowed in at weekends.

Booking a Danube cruise is always a good idea if you're in Budapest, but when the spring light arrives, the plan is even better. The fine weather means you can get out on deck to see the buildings as they appear before your eyes. Add to this a guide to explain everything and a refreshment (or a glass of cava) and you'll have little doubt as to whether or not to join in.

The Danube has witnessed how Budapest has grown and developed into the city it is today. During the itinerary, you will be able to see such emblematic places as the Parliament or the Matthias Church, as well as passing under such famous bridges as the Elizabeth, Margaret and Chain Bridges. There are several options available:

• Danube cruise in Budapest, from £14.
• Night cruise on the Danube in Budapest, from £19.
• Cruise with pizza and open bar in Budapest, from £36.
• Budapest dinner cruise with live music, from £62.

The panoramic views are incredible at any time of day, but if you want to make the ride even more special, my advice is to book a night cruise on the Danube. Why? Because seeing the city lit up at nightfall is magical. Plus, if you don't mind paying extra, you can also enjoy an on-board area while you get to know Budapest from the waters of the river.

There's a place just thirty minutes from Budapest that you can't miss. Add to your bucket list a guided tour of Sisi's Godollo Palace, the second largest Baroque castle in the world, but it's especially famous for having been the residence of the Hungarian monarchy, including Sissi, the queen who so endeared herself to her subjects. Beyond that, its spectacular gardens stand out. In April, when the flowers are out, they look even more beautiful.

Visiting the Gödöllo Palace is the best way to understand what the Hungarian Empire was all about. Its main façade, with its ramparts, has been restored and is rich in history, as is its interior, which often houses temporary exhibitions. During a tour of its rooms you will be able to understand how Sissi and her husband Franz Joseph lived, as well as discovering some of the secrets of this palace, which has often been compared to Versailles.

Before you leave, remember to set aside time to stroll around the 26 hectares of parkland that surrounds it. Designed in the English style, it was declared a Nature Reserve in 1998. It is home to one of Sissi's favourite places for horse riding: the Avenue of Almond Trees. If you go in April, you will be able to see the blossoms and make this ride even more special.

Budapest is clearly a cosmopolitan city with a lot to offer, but if you want to escape the hustle and bustle, I recommend booking an excursion to Szentendre, just 20 minutes from the capital. It's a pretty and picturesque town that you can reach by car or boat.

Szentendre is a very international town, as during the Ottoman invasion in the 15th century it was home to Greeks, Bosnians, Serbs... Today there are still shops serving food from these places, and even a Serbian church.

This village is one of the most beautiful in Hungary, which is perhaps why it was the destination of so many post-impressionist artists during the 19th and 20th centuries. Its narrow, colourful streets, lined with rococo-style houses, are made for strolling in fine spring weather. When you feel like taking a break, sit down for a drink on one of the terraces, which will be open in April.

April sees the start of the nightly pool parties. Every Saturday, the best electronic music, accompanied by a light and colour show, sets the rhythm at the Sparty. This night-time party takes place in the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, which is filled with young people, electronic music and disco lights.

Along with booking a party tour of Budapest's ruin pubs, the Sparty is one of the many things to do at night in Budapest, which is why it attracts thousands of people every year. The party lasts about four hours and the atmosphere is spectacular, especially when the jugglers make their appearance. Fire, lights, DJs...

The original idea came from a group of friends who wanted to combine the tradition of Budapest with modern electronic music. Be careful, it is an event that, although it is held every week, has many followers, so I recommend you to buy your tickets in advance if you don't want to miss this party.

More than half a million Hungarian Jews died during World War II. Every April 16 the city remembers them through solemn gatherings in schools and other public spaces. The main event usually takes place at the Holocaust Memorial Centre in Budapest, where concerts are organised.

On 16 April 1944, ghettos began to be built in Hungary, from where Jews were later transferred to concentration camps. This fact is part of the city's history, so I recommend you get to know the city a little better during the anniversary of this event. To do so, nothing like booking a guided tour of Budapest or, more specifically, a tour of Budapest's Jewish Quarter.

No, you don't have to go to Japan to see the spectacle of the cherry blossoms. Budapest in April is just as wonderful a destination, especially if you visit the Füvészkert Botanical Garden. In addition to the plants and flowers that remain all year round, during the cherry blossom season you can stroll among Japanese-inspired stalls, take an origami workshop or attend a calligraphy exhibition.

During this cherry blossom festival, you can see the delicate lilac blossoms, but there's much more.

In April, the Füvészkert Botanical Garden looks like something out of Japan. One of my favourite plans is to stroll around the different stalls, look at the amazing origami figures and then sit on the lawn for a picnic or have a nice green tea with Japanese pastries. If you want something more lively, you can always try your hand at being a samurai and learn to shoot the kyudo bow.

Is there anything better than welcoming spring? Yes, there is, in Budapest. The most colourful season of the year arrives all over the world, that's for sure, but in Budapest it is celebrated as an event because they organise the Spring Festival, in which art blooms at the same time as spring thanks to the exhibitions, events and activities that take place during the first days of April.

The artistic world is the main protagonist and there are several plans that you can make. In total, there are some 200 events spread over 60 stages. There is something for everyone, from ballet and opera to jazz and folklore. And they are usually held in the open air. The price depends on the particular show, but the average is around €13 each, and you can buy them on their website once the full programme is announced.

Although you'll find a bit of everything, my advice is to go for the more traditional shows, where Hungarian folklore is the main protagonist. Of course, listening to a good classical concert is always a great plan, but since you are in the capital of Hungary, I recommend you to discover its culture and talents in spring.

Easter in Budapest is a big event in April, so make sure you make a note of all the things to do. The best thing is that you can enjoy traditional events, such as Easter eggs, in a unique setting. You can also take part in other events, such as the large market that is organised every year.

The Easter Fair

It's never a bad time to go to Vörösmarty Square, where a craft market is held every April. In each hut you can discover the creations of local artists and, if you want, buy something from them to take home a nice (and unique) souvenir of your trip to Budapest. If you feel like getting creative, you can sign up for a workshop and make a piece of your own.

The most typical items at this market are undoubtedly the Easter eggs. Painting them is part of the Hungarian tradition, as they symbolise eternal life. Nowadays, different styles and colours are mixed, resulting in beautiful pieces.

Easter food

Both at the Easter market and in the restaurants of Budapest, you will notice that they serve a lot of stews, as they are traditional at Easter time. The most popular dish is langos, a potato-based cake made with cheese, garlic and sour cream.

The most delicious dishes are the desserts, including marzipan, gingerbread and Kürtőskalács, a sweet baked cake. To accompany all this food, there's nothing like a glass of wine or a craft beer. If you don't want to miss out on anything and savour the best of traditional food, I recommend booking a gastronomic tour of Budapest.

The tradition of Hollókő

Just an hour away from Budapest is Hollókő, a village where a very traditional and unique Hungarian Easter event takes place. The men and boys of this place dedicate themselves to throwing buckets of cold water on women and girls. This pagan rite was related to fertility, hence it was the male suitors who sprinkled water on young girls of marriageable age and baby-bearing age. Today it no longer has this courtship significance, but it has been maintained as a festival.

It's a somewhat chaotic celebration and you may end up wet, but it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so I recommend a trip from Budapest to see it.

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There are numerous things to see and do in Budapest throughout the year, but you're right to go in April. Spring has not only arrived, it's settled in, so temperatures reach 18°C and, in contrast, rain is forecast to fall after just three days. The minimum temperature is usually 11°C, so take some warm clothes for the cooler evenings.

The weather is a bit dry, but it's nice to be able to enjoy the outdoors, take a bike tour of Budapest and not feel like the day ends at 5pm, as it does in the winter months. By contrast, in April, there are more than thirteen hours of daylight a day.

Although the peak season in Budapest comes in summer, April is a busy month for tourists. Why is that? You can feel that the good weather has arrived and, in addition, this month coincides with important dates, such as the Easter holidays, which attract many visitors.

What does this mean? It is better to book your hotel and flights in advance, as well as tickets for museums or excursions you want to do. On the other hand, keep in mind that prices will be a bit higher, but not to the extent that they are during the summer months.

Are you all set for your trip to Budapest in April? I hope my tips will serve as a guide and that you will enjoy your trip to the fullest.