Sziget Festival

Sziget Festival is Europe's answer to Burning Man meets Glastonbury — a week-long celebration on Óbudai-sziget (Old Buda Island) in the middle of the Danube in Budapest. It is consistently voted one of Europe's best festivals, blending huge headliners with circus acts, theater, art installations, and a community vibe that is hard to match. With 500,000 attendees across 7 days and 60+ stages, Sziget is massive but never feels overwhelming. The island setting creates a self-contained world. You camp on-site, eat at food trucks from 30+ countries, and lose track of what day it is. August in Budapest means hot days (30°C+) and warm nights. The Danube is right there but swimming is not recommended. There are showers and basic amenities in the camping zones. Getting there: Budapest Ferenc Liszt Airport (BUD) is 30 minutes from the city center. The island is accessible via a bridge from central Budapest — take the metro to Batthyány tér then walk or bus. Pro tip: The weekly pass is dramatically better value than day tickets. Bring a tent, sleeping bag, and flip-flops for the showers. The Luminarium (inflatable light sculpture) is a must-visit.