While everyone seems to be hoofing it to Europe for the summer months, visiting in winter holds its own kind of magic—and trust me when I say that traveling to Budapest in winter feels like stepping into a real-life fairytale.
We decided to plan our trip to Budapest in winter specifically to visit the Christmas markets, but whether you’re visiting during Christmas or not, this is a city that still shines (or dare I say *sparkles*) this time of year.
Between warming up in the city’s historic thermal baths and cozy cafes, to watching snow fall over the Danube River, there’s a lot to do in Budapest in the winter—and in the colder months, it all comes with an extra air of romance! Read on for all the best things to do on a trip to Budapest in winter.
What to Expect When Visiting Budapest in Winter
Why visit Budapest in winter?
There is no shortage of indoor activities in Budapest (like visiting the opera house, exploring the ruin bars, the Hungarian National Gallery and St. Stephen’s Basilica).
However, some of the city’s best activities like visiting the thermal baths and Fisherman’s Bastion are even more charming with a fresh dusting of snow.
What is considered winter in Budapest?
Weather-wise, Budapest has four distinct seasons and December, January, and February are considered the winter months.
How cold does it get in Budapest in winter?
It gets cold, but maybe not as cold as you think. The average temperatures range anywhere from 26° lows to highs of about 43° Fahrenheit, staying pretty consistently cold from December through February.
What do I need to pack for Budapest in winter?
As you might imagine, you’re going to want to bring warm clothes and all the winter accessories like a hat, gloves/mittens, a scarf, and boots. You’ll also want to pack your bathing suit and some flip flops if you’re planning to visit the thermal baths.
What’s the best way to get around Budapest during the winter?
If you’re not planning to venture outside of the city, there’s no need to rent a car as Budapest is a walkable city with an excellent public transportation system including the subway, tram, bus, taxi or ride-share apps.
When we visited, Uber wasn’t available in Budapest, but it looks like it’s now relaunched! Plus, there’s also a great ride-sharing app called Bolt that we used constantly.
What is the best month to visit Budapest in winter?
If you’ve never witnessed Christmas markets in Europe, then visiting during the holidays is an unforgettable experience. Too see the Christmas markets, head to Budapest in late November or early December (to avoid holiday closures).
Otherwise, plan your visit in January and February after the Christmas markets close, when crowds have dissipated and you’ll be able to find better deals on flights, hotels, and activities.
Budapest Winter: Where to Stay During the Winter Months
Keep in mind that the city of Budapest is split by the Danube River with one side considered “Buda” and the other “Pest.” Almost all of the activities you’ll want to do will likely be on the East side of the river, or the Pest side.
For that reason I’ve only included hotels below that are on this side of the Danube.
Best Budapest Hotels Close to the Christmas Markets
If you want to be within a 10 minute walk to the top Budapest Christmas Markets, these are the hotels to book.
- $$$: Aria Hotel Budapest
- $$$: Ritz-Carlton Budapest
- $$: Kempinski Hotel Corvinus
- $$: Verno House
- $: Three Corners Downtown Hotel
- $: Stories Boutique Hotel
Best Budapest Hotels by the Danube River
If you prefer something close to the Danube River, these are two great options.
Best Hotels by Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter is known for its hip restaurants, Ruin bars and great nightlife. If you want to prioritize this area during your itinerary, then these hotels will help you easily navigate the area.
Best Budapest Budget Hotels in Budapest
Just looking for an affordable place to stay? These hotels and hostels are the perfect blend of design, comfort and affordability.
Best Things to do in Budapest in Winter
Warm up in the The Thermal Baths
Budapest is known for its thermal baths and if you’re visiting Budapest in winter, participating in this age-old tradition is the perfect way to warm up when the temperatures drop.
The baths can get crazy crowded and feel a bit touristy, but since it’s such an iconic thing to do in Budapest, we didn’t want to miss this one.
We visited both the Széchenyi Baths and Gellért Baths and both were completely different experiences, so it’s worth it to visit several if you have time during your trip.
Here’s a little breakdown of the top baths to visit.
Széchenyi Baths
Széchenyi Baths is one of the largest baths in all of Europe and it’s the most famous one in Budapest. If you’ve seen photos or Reels on the baths in Budapest, then it’s likely been this one.
Széchenyi is huge, with 18 baths and 10 saunas to choose from. It’s located in a beautiful, historic yellow building and all the baths are filled with natural hot spring water so both the inside and outside baths are toasty-warm all year round.
There are some cold baths too though, so make sure not to jump into those by accident in winter!
Highly recommend visiting on a week day first thing in the morning to avoid crowds and booking your tickets in advance to skip the long queues when you arrive!
Gellért Baths
A famous Art Nouveau thermal bath that’s part of Hotel Gellért, Gellert Baths is a hit with design-lovers who will swoon over the architecture and intricate tile work here.
This bath is located just over the Danube on the Buda side of the city, so it’s a perfect itinerary add-on if you’re out visiting Fisherman’s Bastion.
I found this bath to be more beautiful than the Széchenyi Baths personally. Also, keep in mind that Gellért’s outdoor baths are closed in winter so this is a fully indoor experience—ideal if you don’t like running between indoor and outdoor pools and freezing your butt off!
Grab advance tickets here to skip the lines.
Rudas Thermal Bath
Another stunning thermal bath to add to your Budapest winter bucket list, Rudas Thermal Bath features both historic baths as well as a modern panoramic rooftop pool with amazing views of the city and Danube River.
Go in the day to soak while taking in some of the best views of Budapest, or choose their calming night bathing option when they reopen the baths between 10 pm and 3 am.
Grab advance tickets here or book the experience inclusive of a 3-course dinner.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to pack your own flip flops and towels for the baths. We were shocked at the prices for cheap flip flops and towels for purchase, so bring your own to save yourself some money on the experience.
Explore the Christmas Markets
If you’re in Budapest from mid-November to early January, exploring the world-famous Christmas markets should be on the top of your list.
Here you can stroll through tons of cute wooden stalls to shop for gifts while indulging in Hungarian holiday classics like mulled wine and chimney cake.
Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market: This is Budapest’s longest-standing and most well-known market with over 100 stalls to explore.
From local handicrafts and food stalls, you’ll stay plenty busy here tasting all the special holiday treats, and taking in all the festive decorations. It’ll honestly make you feel like you’re in an old-fashioned Christmas movie.
St Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market: Located right in front of St Stephen’s Basilica, one of the biggest churches in Hungary, this Christmas market has over 100 stalls set up around a central ice skating rink.
With a massive Christmas tree backdropped by the basilica, this has to be one of the prettiest Christmas markets in all of Europe. It’s definitely worth coming here both during the day and at night, to take in the basilica light show that happens nightly every half hour during winter.
Both markets are open from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily and admission is free. They’re also located within walking distance from one another so you can hit them both easily in one day.
Get the Best Views of the City from Fisherman’s Bastion
It’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city because the views simply can’t be beat.
Fisherman’s Bastion is located on the Buda side of the city, and it’s an old fortress famous for its turrets and for spires.
While exploring the fortress, you’ll get unparalleled views of the Danube River, Budapest skyline and Parliament building, making it one of the best things to do in Budapest at either sunrise or sunset.
If you want to beat the crowds, sunrise is a great time to go but make sure to dress warmly!
There’s no charge to visit the lower terraces but there’s a small fee to visit the upper towers. During the holiday season they have a Christmas Market up here too, that only add to the charm.
Book a Romantic Candlelit Dinner Cruise on the Danube
The Danube is the river that cuts right through the heart of Budapest and it’s 100% worth going on an evening river cruise to take in the amazing views you’ll get from the water. If you’re traveling as a couple this is also one of the most romantic things to do in Budapest.
This Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise is two and a half hours long and is one of the top rated dinner cruises in Budapest featuring a 4-course meal while local Hungarian musicians serenade you with a live performance.
If that wasn’t enough, you’ll get to take in some of the city’s most beautiful sights illuminated at night.
Try Chimney Cake
Is it even a trip to Budapest in winter if you leave without trying Kürtőskalács, a.k.a. chimney cake? This cozy, steaming dessert is a Hungarian classic and the perfect treat to enjoy in wintertime.
It’s a sweet dough that’s shaped into a hollow cylinder and baked outside over a charcoal fire. If you’re lucky enough to get one hot off the fire, it’ll be steaming when they hand it to you so it looks like a little chimney.
You can have your chimney cake coated in toppings like vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, walnut, or coconut.
Chimney cake is sold all over the city and you’ll find it in various markets and stalls and at the Christmas Markets as well.
Book a Michelin Star Meal at Essência
This is one meal that my husband and I still talk about a year later, and it’s a must for top tier Michelin star dining at a surprisingly affordable price.
Essência is a Hungarian/Portuguese fusion restaurant run by a couple who’ve melded their home country’s cuisines into one incredible dining experience.
The menu is creatively broken up into three tasting options: 1. All Hungarian, 2. All Portuguese, or 3. The Mix, and let me tell you, it is one of the most incredible meals I’ve had in a long time. A Michelin Star well deserved.
Go Ice Skating at City Park
Looking for a nostalgic winter activity to do in Budapest? City Park Ice Rink takes it to the next level. First of all, it’s huge—one of the largest (and oldest) ice rinks in all of Europe. Plus, it’s super picturesque being located right in front of Vajdahunyad Castle.
City Park Ice Rink is open for public skating in both the morning and evening but feels extra magical at night with the castle all lit up as your backdrop.
Fun Fact: In the summer months they turn the rink into a pond and you can rent little boats to cruise around on.
Eat at Twentysix
They call it “The Greenest Restaurant in Hungary” and it’s not an exaggeration. Twentysix is a trendy, spacious restaurant/bar/shop/yoga studio/event space that will make you feel like you’re dining in a greenhouse.
Their Mediterranean menu is delicious and perfect for sharing with options like shakshuka, avocado toast, mezze dips and green smoothies. It’s the perfect spot to get some tropical vibes when you need to warm up and take a little break from Budapest in winter.
If you’re headed there for lunch, don’t miss ordering the sauteed chili shrimps with cherry tomatoes.
Light Art Museum
On a rainy night during our trip, we decided to check out the Light Art Museum in downtown Budapest on a whim. To our surprise, it ended up being one of our favorite activities the entire trip.
This unique concept museum is the world’s first museum dedicated entirely to showcasing light art.
All of the artwork here is centered around unique uses of—you guessed it—light, and walking around the galleries is a truly immersive experience that is pretty much guaranteed to give you some fun content for Instagram.
If you’re someone who loves modern, contemporary and psychedelic art, then you’ll love this one!
Sunset Drinks at Leo Rooftop Budapest
After a chilly day of sightseeing, cozy up at the Sky Bar at Leo Rooftop Budapest located in the Hotel Clark Budapest.
This rooftop bar features amazing views of the city skyline overlooking the Széchenyi Chain Bridge and the Hungarian Parliament Building. For the full experience, I recommend ordering a cocktail and arriving just before sunset to witness the city skyline transform from daytime to romantically lit up.
Cozy Up with a Coffee at Párisi Passage
Need to warm up with a coffee post Christmas Markets excursion? Head to Párisi Passage Café, an architectural beauty that offers a classic European coffeehouse experience. It’s the perfect place to rest up and refuel along your Budapest winter itinerary.
The coffee shop is located in the iconic Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest which was the original home of Budapest’s first luxury department store in the early 20th century.
When it was renovated and turned into the hotel and restaurant/café, they preserved as many of the original design details as possible so it feels both historic and fresh.
Psst: Lines are typically shorter here than at New York Café down the street (and the prices are better too).
Grab Lunch at “the Most Beautiful Café in the World”
It’s pretty bold to call yourself the “Most Beautiful Café in the World,” but the New York Café at the Anantara New York Palace Hotel (where we stayed) might just live up to the name.
The cafe is located inside a gorgeous historic building that’s been around since 1894 and in its early days was a popular spot for writers and artists to gather.
It fell into disrepair over the years but was brought back to its former, extravagant, Italian-Renaissance-style glory in the early 2000s when it was completely restored.
Now open for coffee, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this spot is quite the place for a breakfast or lunch that will make you feel like you’re European royalty.
Important to note: The line is almost ALWAYS down the block to get in. We were actually able to bypass the lines because we stayed at Anantara during our trip, and I would highly recommend this stunning hotel anyway. Something to consider if New York Cafe is high on your list!
Try Local Hungarian Cuisine
Goulash, Chicken Paprikash, and Lángos, need I say more? One of the best parts about traveling to different parts of the world is sampling the local cuisine, and Hungary is a country that doesn’t disappoint in that department.
In general, Hungarian food is hearty and heavy on meat, dairy, and the country’s most popular spice: paprika.
If you want to get a good sampling of some of the local cuisine, head over to Central Market Hall where you can try all sorts of Hungarian specialties.
We also loved the food stalls at Karaván Street Food which is an outdoor food court that serves both Hungarian and international cuisines (note that they close from mid-January through March).
If you’re hitting the Christmas Markets, they’ll also have plenty of food stalls there, and I have to give another mention to chimney cake because it is a must-try if you’re in Budapest in wintertime.
Lastly, if you’re looking for a good local food rec, Barack és Szilva is a lovely, cozy restaurant serving traditional Hungarian dishes with a mix of Italian, French and Jewish cuisine as well.
Visit a Ruin Bar
Ruin bars/ruin pubs are one of the highlights of the nightlife scene in Budapest and you have to visit one while you’re in town—even if just for one cocktail.
What is a “ruin bar” you ask? They’re basically quirky, hip bars that popped up in former abandoned buildings/unused outdoor spaces in the Jewish Quarter, and they’re definitely unlike any other bars you’ve been to.
Szimpla Kert is the OG ruin bar so you should definitely make a stop there. Mazel Tov is fun too and people seem to love the food in general, although we didn’t enjoy it as much as we were expecting to.
A lot of Budapest’s ruin bars are clustered in the same area, so make a night of it and do some ruin-bar-hopping! There are often discounted drinks when visiting in the winter months too as an added bonus.
Warm Up on a Wine Tour
When all else fails and you’ve run out of things to do in Budapest in winter, head on out to wine country to explore a different side of Hungarian culture.
This half-day wine tasting tour has amazing reviews and will take you out to the Etyek wine region known for its white and sparkling wines. Once there, you’ll visit a few family-run wine cellars and sample the local vino. Transportation and a two-course Hungarian meal is included in your ticket price.
Enjoy the Holiday Decorations on Fashion Street
Fashion Street is a really popular shopping street in Budapest that leads to the Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market, and some of the high-end shops in the area go all out with Christmas lights and decor.
Even if you’re not planning on doing any actual shopping, it’s worth strolling up and down the street to take in all the elaborate holiday displays. Plus, it’s close to the Christmas markets so it’s easy to hit up both in one night.
Did this post inspire you to visit Budapest in winter? Let me know in the comments!
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Budapest looks magical in winter! Great list of things to do.