The month of June in Budapest is full of sounds, history, a chance to relax and unique flavors. World-famous festivals and lovely garden isles are among the top 10 things you’ll love in Europe this summer.

Check out the Sziget Festival.

 The festival appears on Óbuda Island each August, but with warm-up activities in June the area becomes a major European venue for music and art. With performers from rock, EDM and world music, as well as array of installations and temporary stages, Sziget wants you to dance all night long. Ensure you take in the memorable main stage shows and seek out the Party Island areas if you enjoy some late trance or techno dancing.

Visit Buda Castle for your pleasure.

 Buda Castle was built in the 13th century on the hilltop above the river. Start your day in the courtyards and then explore the museum’s displays on medieval life. Extraordinary old Gothic altarpieces and avant-garde pictures from the 20th century are displayed at the Hungarian National Gallery nearby. Set your watch to 11:00 and you’ll see the ceremonial Changing of the Guards and a chance for a memorable picture looking out over the city’s skyline.

Soak in the Széchenyi Baths.

 You can’t call your Budapest summer perfect if you haven’t enjoyed some geothermal healings. Even when June’s sky is blue and bright, Széchenyi’s indoor and outdoor pools remain wonderfully heated. Watch residents at chess tables on the water or treat yourself to a gentle mud wrap and sauna experience. At sunset, the shimmering lampposts create a beautiful, enchanting atmosphere in the bath area.

Discover this beautiful green island.

 Come to this river isle just as its name implies: the Danube Kingdom. You might want to rent a bike or electric golf cart to see the manicured gardens, concealed remains and sparkling fountains of the grounds. Relax in the cool mist below the world’s largest musical water jet at Palatinus Aquatic Centre or take a break by dining with the fragrance of roses and ancient willows nearby. Great classical and jazz music can be heard for free at open-air concerts on the weekends.

Watch the concerts and shows at the Budapest Summer Festival.

 Between June and August, there are nightly outdoor shows in Heroes’ Square and Városliget every evening. You’ll find performances from singers of Mozart and contemporary dance professionals. People who attend the festival are pleased by the top-quality music which is still affordable since tickets generally cost less than 5 €. Carry a light jacket, just in case the air off the Danube cools down at night.

Eat some unique Hungarian dishes while traveling.

 June is full of people enjoying fresh apricots, wild mushrooms and herbs at the market. Order some goulash soup in a bread bowl at the Great Market Hall and follow this with a piece of warm chimney cake dripping with cinnamon sugar. A good choice for dinner in the Jewish Quarter is finding a family-owned restaurant and trying chicken paprikash served with soft, egg-droplet dumplings called nokedli. Drink the meal with a shot of fruit-infused pálinka or a tasty Tokaji Furmint.

Choose a Danube River cruise for your trip.

 The afternoon cruises travel by the Parliament building, as well as the elaborate Chain and Fisherman’s Bastion bridges. Book an evening cruise for intimate candlelight, lovely tunes and a fine selection of duck confit and seasonal salads. When the monuments in Budapest reflect on the river, it’s easy to see why it receives its “Queen of the Danube” title.

Check out Heroes’ Square.

 At the core of the square is the towering Millennium Monument, honoring Hungary’s history, reaching back to the Magyars and today. Once you’ve visited the statues of the seven chieftains, walk through the portico into City Park that joins Vajdahunyad Castle which showcases Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance models. It is like a living school for architecture in Hungary.

Go and see all the products offered at the Great Market Hall.

 The Grand Market is found in an 19th-century iron-and-brick building, offering foods from three different floors. At the lower level of the store, look for paprika, salami and some tasty artisanal cheeses. Go up and find a taste of lángos smothered in sour cream and cheese or enjoy stuffed cabbage. You can find beautifully embroidered linens and blown glass items on the top floor—great gifts for the summer.

Visit some of Budapest’s Ruin Bars.

 When night falls, you’ll find that old Jewish Quarter alleys are filled with original recycled designs. You’ll find ruin bars in deserted former tenement yards, decorated with assorted sofas, colorful art and old red-and-white tchotchkes. At Szimpla Kert, music combines with unusual art installations, as Instant’s rooms are set up with themed sections for drinks. Hanging out at these venues, both visitors and residents quickly become friends over new drinks.

The city’s cultural experiences, relaxation time, exciting nightlife and delicious food in June will give you a holiday full of variety. Attend Sziget, try the thermal baths and hang out in a candlelit ruin bar and you’ll soon see why people love Budapest in summer.