Budapest in winter: the best activities to do in the Hungarian capital

The beauty of the Danube changes with the seasons, and Budapest is one of those cities that should be visited twice: in the summer and in the winter. In addition to it’s busy life, the city is well-renowned for its capacity to distinguish itself through its imposing and eclectic architecture. Some activities to do in December make the discovery of Hungary’s capital even more attractive.

Here are 10 activities to do in Budapest in wintertime.

Stroll through one of the 6 Christmas markets

In Budapest, Christmas markets are part of the local agenda. The city does not do things half way as it hosts no less than six major venues in the different districts. The best way to jump from one Christmas market to another is definitely by bike!

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The Christmas markets contribute to creating a magical atmosphere by accentuating  the architecture of the Hungarian capital. On the program: mulled wine, local gastronomy, and a lot of nice handmade things to buy. Wooden chalets of local craftsmen are waiting for you as well as many culinary chalets where you can taste Hungarian specialties. Entertainment, concerts and children’s activities are organized every day around these places.

If you don’t have the time to visit the six of them, we recommend you head to the two main ones, located 5 min by bike from each other. The one at Vörösmarty square and the other one at Saint Stephen’s basilica. Ideally, visit them during the day and at night to experience two atmospheres, especially to see the Christmas lights by night. You will definitely remember the light shows illuminating the façade of Saint Stephen’s Basilica. The magical projections take place every 30 minutes, between 16:30 and 22:00. This Christmas market was ranked by the English magazine Time Out among the 5 most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe! Read more about the best Christmas markets in Europe like Berlin, Copenhagen or Amsterdam.

Get scared in an escape room

You have probably heard about escape rooms, which consists of you managing to escape from a room in a limited time by solving puzzles. But have you ever tried it once? If not, Budapest is the perfect location to do so, the first escape room was invented in the Hungarian capital. Escape rooms are a fun indoor activity to do with friends when winter hits the city. Normally, there can be up to 8 players in the rooms and the organizer can help you find the clues at any time thanks to camera tracking. Luckily, the scenarios are not based on any language but usually use signs, numbers and logic. Escape rooms have become more and more popular with over 20 establishments offering several rooms. Some places are based on themes, such as Locked Room Budapest or Mystic Room and its « Chamber of Pharaoh ».

Skate on one of the largest ice rinks in the world

From mid-November until the end of February, come and experience the Városliget ice rink, Europe’s largest outdoor ice rink. It is located at the edge of the City Woods, the biggest green space in Budapest with a magnificent view of the Vajdahunyad Castle. You can rent skates here and show off your skills to hundreds of locals and visitors. When the trees are white with snow, ice skating represents an active and entertaining activity. After this unique experience, what about enjoying a tasty hot chocolate on the terrace of its café?

Have a coffee in a traditional coffee shop

The city is full of cafés, each one more authentic than the other. Some have become real institutions and will take you back to the bustling atmosphere of the 20th century where artists and writers found inspiration, like Gerbeaud café and Central café. Others are more confident and frequented only by locals, who know the good places to find excellent cakes for a few euros. Try Walzer café and their amazing « Rétes cakes », a classic Hungarian pastry or at Café Frei. Taste local pastries is an absolute must-do in Budapest! You can even jump from one café to another by bike!

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Visit the Great Covered Market

The splendid Grand Market right in the center of Budapest is sure to meet your expectations. On the ground floor, you will find Hungarian food and its unavoidable specialties (paprika, foie gras, salamis, wines and spirits, etc.). If you are more curious about Hungarian handicrafts and souvenirs, climb the stairs with a hot beverage in hand and discover dozens of stands. Creativity and quality are truly the keywords regarding this place, as only fair trade and local products are allowed to be sold there. During wintertime, the municipality used to decorate the indoor arches and columns with long Christmas lights. Something to be discovered, it’s like entering a parallel world.

Visit the Parliament of Budapest

There is a high chance that one of the first images you will see when you search for Budapest online will be the massive Parliament. It is no wonder that with its 18,000 m² and 700 rooms, the Hungarian Parliament is the largest parliament in Europe. The 268 meters long neo-Gothic style façade is inspired by the London Parliament, the Palace of Westminster. A visit to the Parliament will allow you to discover the imposing main staircase, the central hendecagonal hall, the stained glass windows and the crown of King St. Stephen, 1st King of Hungary. You will also be able to admire jewels worn by the kings of Hungary since the Middle Ages. Last but not least, in clear weather, dare to climb up to the dome that reaches 96 meters high; you will have an unbeatable panoramic view of the two sides of the city, Buda and Pest.

Take a bath in Széchenyi gyógyfürdő

The Széchenyi Baths are the largest of the four thermal baths in Budapest and one of the largest bathing centers in Europe. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the Széchenyi Baths are part of the neo-renaissance monuments of Budapest. They offer a seductive spectacle: the blue of the water blends perfectly with the pale yellow color of the facades.

The thermal baths include numerous pools dedicated to health and relaxing treatments: 10 indoor thermal pools, 3 indoor cooling pools, 2 outdoor relaxation pools, 1 outdoor thermal water pool, 3 balneotherapy pools for medical treatments and multiple sauna rooms. In winter, the steam coming from the large outdoor swimming heated up to 38°C gives even more magic to the place. Just  like the Christmas markets in Germany, these baths are a meeting point for the locals to socialize. Don’t be surprised by the chess players, absorbed as much by the warm water as by their game. This Hungarian bathing tradition is a unique experience and a must-do in our top things to do in Budapest in winter!

Walk in the Buda district

Budapest was originally divided into two separate cities: Buda and Pest. Even though they belong to the same municipality, the areas kept their different identities. A good way to experience it, is to hop on a Donkey bike and reach Buda district on the Liberty Bridge. Here, you will discover the historical heart of the city, with its imposing castle district that dominates the Danube and Pest.

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Around Buda Castle, where the kings of Hungary resided, visit the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum or the National Library. The Fishermen’s Bastion, next to Matthias Church, offers an exceptional panoramic view of Pest and the Parliament. It regularly hosts numerous concerts in its unique setting.

Try the local food

Food trucks, restaurants, fast food,Budapest is full of ways to eat. If some dishes don’t look like much, we still recommend you to try them, especially the Goulash soup (with beef, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, paprika) and the lángos (a kind of round bread baked in oil with fresh cream and grated cheese). For all foodies, Karavan street food should be on your itinerary. As for liquids, the country also offers you something to warm you up during a visit in the winter: a little golden wine (Tokaji), a brandy (Pálinka) and/or a Hungarian liqueur (Unicum). Cheers! Here are some addresses that are worth a check:

•         The ruin bars with the famous Szimpla, not to be missed under any circumstances, day or night: arrive early, it’s crowded.
•         Try a beer bar at Élesztőház.
•         Eat a tasty burger at Zing or a fine dish at Spiler Bistrot.
•         Join a party at Akvárium Klub or Instant-Fogas komplexum.

Celebrate New year’s eve in Budapest

Every year, Budapest hosts an impressive fireworks display at midnight to mark the New year. To admire the show, head to one of the bridges over the Danube or climb up to Buda district, from where you will overhang the Hungarian capital. One of the best experiences remains a dinner cruise along the illuminated Danube on the 31st of December, as you will pass the city’s most beautiful monuments. For festive events, we advise you to go to Vajdahunyadvár or Vörösmarty Square. Note that New Year’s Eve celebrations usually last 3 days and start on the evening of the 30th, so you will have time to discover at least some of the outdoor activities and concerts organized by the city! Budapest is also the city of ballets and operas. The famous Danube Symphony Orchestra performs at the Danube Palace. For an original New Year’s Eve in Budapest, the orchestra offers an emblematic repertoire known to all music lovers such as the Hungarian Dances by Brahms, the Blue Danube Waltz or the Radetzky March by Strauss.