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10 Things to do in Budapest for Christmas

The city of Budapest is beautiful throughout the season but it shines the most during the festive season. In December, Budapest is all about beautiful decorations, twinkling lights, eating good food and soaking in thermal baths. Therefore this means that one is guaranteed a good time when they visit the city as the atmosphere puts someone in a festive mood.

Therefore, this article will explore the ten things a tourist can do during the holiday season in Budapest so that they can get the most out of the experience.  Furthermore, the Christmas season in the city is a good way for someone to unwind and step away from their normal routine.

1. Visit the Christmas market

European Christmas holidays feature Christmas markets that give the shopper variety of options. However, Budapest Christmas markets are known to be better than the rest. The markets features mulled wine and an array of dishes and arts and craft stalls.

The Christmas markets usually start in November till January and it attracts a lot of people who want to experience an authentic Hungarian Christmas season.

2. Visit the St. Stephen Basilica

When visiting the city, one should ensure that they watch the sunset at the famous St  Stephen Basilica. The Basilica has a panoramic lookout tower on top of it that is not well known but one of the most beautiful activities to partake in.

The tower is open throughout the year from 10 am to 4:30 pm. From the lookout tower, one can see the beautiful Christmas markets below.

3. Soak in a thermal bath

Budapest is famed for its public bathhouses where locals and tourists can soak in their medicinal waters. There are a lot of bathhouses in the city that gives the ones in Istanbul a run for their money. Furthermore, the bathhouses come n handy when one wants to warm up from the colder temperatures experienced outside.

The most notable ones are the Széchenyi Baths which feature elegant yellow buildings and open-air pools. One interesting fact about the baths is that they are open daily even on Christmas day which means that one can find the time that is ideal for them and visit the famed bathhouses.

4. Try the traditional Hungarian food

When one visits Budapest, then they need to try the traditional Hungarian food. Hungarian food is usually heavy and thus makes it perfect for the cold weather and makes one feel warm. One can mix it up and try restaurant and street food so that one can get an authentic taste of the staple food in Budapest.

One of the popular food is the Goulash which is meat and potato soup that is flavoured with paprika. The dish is one of the most classic food and thus available in most Hungarian restaurants. One should also try lángos which is a flatbread that is filled with a variety of ingredients like cheese, sausages and sour cream.

5. Go ice skating

There is an ice skating rink under the castle and it is considered to be one of the oldest and most beautiful ones in Middle Europe. The rink which is known as the Városligetice rink is located next to Heroes Square below the Vajdahunyad Castle.

The ice rink is usually packed with hundreds of people who want to experience holiday cheer. Adults can enjoy some mulled wine which seems to be a  staple Christmas drink in the European region.

6. Visit the Hungarian State Opera House

The opera which was designed by MiklósYbl was completed in 1884. The opera house is still the same way it was when it was constructed more than 120 years ago. The building is usually used to screen blockbuster films and thus it has become a national treasure.

The opera house gets so many visitors from across the world who want to see the magnificent building. Furthermore, a trip to the opera will leave a memorable experience for the tourists as it is a unique feature.

7. Go to Budapest ruin bars

The ruin bars are a unique concept that is popular in Budapest. They deliver interesting and distinctive locations that are ideal for getting a drink and exploring the city at the same time. There are various old buildings that have been transformed into restaurants and bars and they serve fairly affordable food and drinks throughout the year.

The first ruin bar to be established was the SzimplaKert which is located in the Jewish quarter. Several others have popped up and they even offer themed nights which makes it ideal for people who want to experience new things. During the Christmas season, they offer discounted prices for food and drinks which makes it even more popular.

8. Visit the Andrassy Avenue and Fashion Street

Shopping in this city during the festive season is a magical experience. The city features the finest boutiques with great selections that will guarantee to put the shopper in a festive mood. Fashion Street and Andrassy Avenue are the most popular shopping destination for both locals and tourists.

Andrassy Avenue is usually covered with lights and thus makes for a beautiful sight. Meanwhile, on Fashion Street, there are many boutiques that ensure that one has a pick of where they want to go shopping.

9. Go Christmas shopping

The appeal of Christmas usually lies in the cheer and the presents that one gets on Christmas day. Budapest does not disappoint when it comes to shopping in that it has a great selection of places where one can get their holiday presents.

With affordable prices on most things sold, people who are on a tight budget get a chance to join in the holiday cheer and also buy something.

10. Walk around the Buda Castle

One can walk around the magnificent Buda Castle that overlooks the Danube river when they visit the city. The castle features seasonal exhibitions and art galleries inside the main castle where one can spend their time exploring the art.

This will give them a deeper insight into the cultural heritage of the city. There is no entrance fee to the castle and therefore, even when one is on a tight budget one can still experience the magnificent sights.