8 Things to Do in Budapest this Winter

Budapest is amazing to visit any time of the year, but there is something magical about visiting Hungary’s capital in the winter. From quaint Christmas markets with delicious foods, to warm thermal baths, Budapest is perfect for any food lover or city explorer! It’s cheap, full of things to do and will surely become one of your top European destinations!

1. Make your taste buds dance at a Christmas Market

Hot, mulled wine. That’s all you need to know. End of blog. Seriously though, the mulled wine in unreal and the perfect thing to warm your hands as you visit other market stalls and taste local delicacies.

Many ‘Christmas’ markets in Europe close around Christmas, but in Budapest they stay around for longer, up until the beginning of January.

Where can you find these Christmas markets?

Around Vörösmarty Square
Near St. Stephen’s Basilica
At the bottom of Vajdahunyad Castle in Budapest’s City Park

From left to right: chocolate truffles, mulled wine, xmas market at the Basilica, Hungarian cabbage rolls

2. Relax in the thermal baths

There are several thermal baths to choose from in Budapest. There are two main reasons for this; one: geography and two: history.

Budapest is situated on a geological fault line, it’s where the Buda hills meet the plains and this is what causes all the thermal springs. As history would have it, in the 1500s there was a lot of influence from the Turkish conquest, so more Hammam style baths popped up.

Nowadays, there are plenty of baths to choose from on your visit. If you go with the two most popular, the Széchenyi Baths and Gellért Baths, make sure you book online in advance and prepare yourself for a party (there are LOTS of people). Alternatively, you could check out ones more regularly frequented by locals like Rudas or Dandár.

3. Explore a fairy tale castle at the Fisherman’s Bastion

This is ONE of my favourite places to explore and take photos in Budapest- and it’s FREE! It’s an Instagrammer’s dream! Going early will help you get the place all to yourself. Situated in the Buda Castle area, it looks like a true fairy tale.

4. Walk to the top of Budapest

Gellért Hill boasts insane views of the city and is a refreshing change to the bustling city center. Walking up the hill you’ll pass a waterfall and eventually reach the top. The Citadel Lookout point is a great option to see the city but as you walk further into the park you’ll see there are tons of places to enjoy Budapest’s beauty.

My suggestion is to wait for the sun to go down and see Buda Castle light up. It’s absolutely stunning!

5. Unforgettable mouth-watering hummus

Hummus. Creamy, tasty and sprinkled with Hungarian paprika. This dish is my most memorable part of visiting Budapest. I swear there was a hummus bar around every corner and I ate it every day. If you like hummus even a little, you’ve got to try it.

6. Hit up a ‘Ruin Bar’

Ruin bars got their name from exactly that - ruins. It started in the early 2000s, in the Jewish Quarter where there were many abandoned, run down buildings. Szimpla Kert is known as the father of this now popular concept. He was originally seeking a cheap place to drink and hangout with friends when he got the entrepreneurial idea to turn a building into a bar. He and his friends worked with the space and added furniture and decorations to make it special. And that’s how Ruin Bars were born.

Now they can be found throughout the city. It’s definitely worth visiting a few.

7. Lace up your skates and glide on one of Europe’s largest skating rinks

Have you ever gone ice skating in front of an iconic castle? Well, Budapest is your chance! It’s the perfect outdoor winter activity. I love skating but I think I love people watching even more! Located in the City Park (Városligeti Műjégpálya) you can ice skate, then have a warm coffee or tea while taking in the beautiful scene from Vajdahunyad Castle.

You can book online here and even see how busy it is at the moment.

8. Wander through Central Market Hall and beyond

Start early for this one and enjoy the smells, tastes, and souvenirs they have at Central Market Hall. From there wander the streets and get lost in the holiday spirit - just don’t forget to bundle up! Truly, I think this is one of the BEST things to do, give yourself a few hours to just immerse yourself in the city and see what adventures you can find!

Budapest is one of my favourite European cities and I hope this little guide will help enjoy your visit and live your own adventures!

Looking for another great European city to visit this winter? Check out my YouTube video on Prague below!