Budapest Winter Vacation Tips

Here are some recommendations regarding what to do and see on a Budapest winter vacation.

Browse our Budapest Winter Holiday Guide:

Winter Accommodations in Budapest
Christmas Programs in Budapest
New Year's Eve & New Year's Day
Sightseeing in Winter
Evening Programs
Ice-skating
More Winter Events, Programs

Where To Stay During Your Budapest Winter Vacation?

The best thing about visiting Budapest in winter is that you get an extra night for free as part of the Budapest Winter Invitation campaign launched by Hungary's National Tourist Office. Around 90 Budapest hotels participate in this special offer from 1st November 2011 till 31st March 2012.

Look for Budapest Hotel Deals, compare prices and read travelers' reviews at Hotelscombined.com. 

TIP #1 Stay at a spa hotel to indulge during your Budapest winter holiday. Budapest is the city of healing waters and apart from Spa & Wellness Hotels that offer special treatments based on healing waters many other Budapest hotels have spa and wellness facilities.

The newest spa center is the Aquaworld Budapest that opened on 5th December 2008 in the northern part of the city along the M0 motorway ring at the Pest head of the Megyeri Bridge. The huge establishment is said to be the largest water theme park in Europe.

Other Great Hotels in Budapest with Spa Facilities

Ramada Plaza Budapest *****
Address: Árpád fejedelem útja 94., III.district

Ramada Plaza Budapest is situated near the Buda side of Árpád Bridge facing Margaret Island (Margitsziget). The Thermal Spa Complex of this modern city hotel offers several ways of relaxation for a winter holiday.

Apart from spa hotels there are the thermal baths of Budapest where you can spend a couple of rejuvenating hours. A great romantic palace hotel is the New York Palace Boscolo Hotel in the centre of Budapest with numerous amenities, including a hip spa center, cigar room and the famous New York Cafe downstairs.

The Four Seasons Gresham Palace is another top-rated luxury hotel in Budapest offering splendid view, excellent service and great rooms.

See other Five-Star Budapest Hotels and browse our list of 4-star Budapest Hotels.

We also reviewed some of the Best Hotels in Budapest City Centre. A downtown hotel is ideal if you want to be able to reach all the important sights and attractions by walk.

See also some of the best Romantic Hotels in Budapest.

If you prefer to have your place of your own rent an apartment preferably in Budapest's centre so that everything will be within easy reach.

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Sightseeing During Your Budapest Winter Vacation

Most of the important historic and cultural sights of Budapest can be explored on foot if you plan it well. For example you can devote half a day to the Castle District in Buda, enjoy the fine view, visit one of the museums housed in the Royal Palace, or taste fine wines in the historic Faust Wine Cellar.

A good way of seeing the must-see monuments of the city is by planning the sightseeing based on Budapest's World Heritage Sites.

If you're interested in Jewish history and monuments include a Jewish heritage tour in your sightseeing program.

For further help to plan your winter holiday see also our guide to Sightseeing in Budapest, Top Budapest Attractions, and Budapest in One Day.

If the weather is not nice for walking use Budapest's extensive public transport system including the 3 metro lines.

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Cruise on the Danube

For sightseeing in winter I highly recommend a Cruise on the Danube. You'll not only see some of the most significant sights standing on the two riverbanks (Hungarian Parliament, Gellért Hill, Chain Bridge), but you'll be on a nice warm ship. During a Lunch & Cruise starting at 14.00 you'll be treated to a 3-course buffet lunch.

To plan your sightseeing see also our page about Budapest City Centre.

Tips For the Evenings - Budapest Winter Vacation

Night river cruise, concerts, wine tasting, night clubbing - just a few good program tips for a night out in the Hungarian capital.

On another evening of your stay you can have a delicious meal in one of the many Budapest restaurants, or you can sample great wines produced by the best Hungarian wine producers from Villány, Szekszárd, Tokaj, Eger and from other lesser known wine growing areas of Hungary.

For some cultural entertainment visit one of the Folklore shows performed by talented Hungarian folk artists.

The Duna Palota in downtown Budapest (Zrínyi utca 5., V. district) regularly hosts Classical Music Concerts performed by the Danube Symphony Orchestra and the Danube Chamber Orchestra.

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Christmas Time in Budapest

If you time your visit to Budapest during the Christmas season the city will definitely enchant you. Streets, shop windows adorned with festive lights add magical beauty to the city, diverting your attention from the cold, dreary November-December weather.

Budapest's Christmas Market on Vörösmarty Square has become one of the most popular Xmas fairs in Central Europe where you can get cool gifts for your loved ones, sip hot mulled wine and nibble Hungarian pastries (Kürtös kalács, a cylinder like pastry baked on the spot, is a must) and other snacks. The programs of the Christmas market allow you to get a glimpse into Hungary's folk culture. Craftsmen sell their authentic artworks in more than 100 wooden stalls.

An Advent Calendar is usually displayed in the windows of the Gerbeaud Coffee House and at 17.00 every day between 1st-24th December festive chime play announces the opening of a new window in the calendar.

There'll be Christmas markets at other spots within Budapest: perhaps the one at Liszt Ferenc Square (trams 4, 6 Oktogon, or M3 metro Opera station) offers the same festive atmosphere than the main Xmas fair at Vörösmarty tér.

Christmas Program for Kids in Budapest

The Fairy Tale City of Christmas in front of the Parliament Building at Kossuth tér (M2, Kossuth tér station) is the country's official Christmas event offering various programs for children and the whole family.

A huge Christmas Tree stands in the middle of the square. It is a beautiful 40-old and 17.5 high spruce tree adorned with colorful balas and festive lighting. The Santa Claus and the jacks wait for the children daily in the Santa Claus House.

Opening hours:

Weekdays: 12 AM - 8 PM

Weekends: 10 AM - 8 PM

Santa’s Residence: weekdays 4 PM - 7 PM; weekends: 10 AM - 8 PM

Programs

• Visit the Hungarian Santa Claus in his residence Load up on holiday treats and presents at our Christmas Fair
• Send Christmas cards at our Winter Post Office with special holiday stamps
• Taste Hungarian food and drinks of the season and the fresh-baked cakes of our special Christmas train

Weekend programs

• Join folk dance shows or simply enjoy the fire-eaters’ performances
• Watch our open-air puppet shows at weekend afternoons
• Try our kids’ corner with lots of traditional Christmas games and winter fun
• Hop-on Santa’s Christmas train
  

Find out more about Hungarian Christmas Traditions. See also our guide to Opening Hours During Xmas in Budapest.

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New Year's Eve & New Year's Day Celebrations in Budapest

People in Budapest love to party especially on the last day of the year. A range of New Year's Eve parties welcome the New Year throughout the city.

For a festive and romantic end-of year farewell carousal see our Budapest New Year's Eve party tip.

At midnight fireworks welcome 2013 at several places in downtown.

Cruise & Dinner on the Danube on New Year's Eve 31st December 2012

Celebrate the New Year on a Cruise on the Danube - Reward yourself and your family with a wonderful evening that includes: a splendid 4-course buffet dinner, live music (at 19.00 cruise) and the enchanting sights of illuminated Budapest. Reserve your ticket for the New Year's Day Cruise & Dinner : In HUF 12 000 HUF deposit (total price of ticket is 39 000 Ft/person) or in Euro 46 € (total price of ticket is 151 Euro/person) Note: You have to pay the rest of the ticket price in person (cash only) in the Duna Palota (Zrínyi Street 5, V. district) at least one day before the party. You'll receive a confirmation email after online reservation that includes all the details. Menu: Gala Dinner Menu: Hors D'oeuvre Mousse of smoked salmon tartare with cucumber dill salads and caviar, Pesto bread chips, Soup Cream of parsley root soup with Truffle oil and Mille feuille Main Course Braised duck leg in  rosemary crust with juniper berry gravy and with  apple red cabbage and potato puree Dessert Dessert specialty with Cointreau Midnight Dinner Mini stuffed cabbage with grilled sausage

New Year's Day Concerts in Budapest - 01. 01. 2013

Chamber Concert by the Danube Symphony Orchestra with Cimbalom Show on New Year's Day - Danube Palace, Budapest The beautiful Danube Palace hosts a wonderful Chamber Concert performed by the Danube Symphony Orchestra on 1st January 2013. Spend the first evening of 2013 by listening to classical music including pieces like: Hungarian Dances by Brahms, Csárdás by Monti, Blue Danube Waltz, and Radetzky March by Strauss and many more. Date: 1st January 2013., 17.30, the concert lasts about 70 minutes without intermission. Venue: Danube Palace (Duna Palota), Zrínyi utca 5., V. district Tickets: 30.35 Euro/7 900 HUF/adult, and 27.70 Euro/7 200 HUF/ student, Book your ticket in Euro Book your ticket in HUF TIP: Save money by booking the New Year's Day Chamber Concert together with a Dinner & Cruise on the Danube.

Symphony Concert by the Danube Symphony Orchestra - 01.01.2013. On New Year's day evening there'll be also a Symphony Concert in the concert hall of the Danube Palace starting at 20.00. Musical pieces by Berlioz, Erkel, Haydn, Liszt, Bartók will be performed during the 2 x 45 minute concert performed by the Danube Symphony Orchestra. Date: 1st January 2013., 20.00 Venue: Danube Palace, Zrínyi utca 5., V. district Ticket prices: Adults: 31.15 Euro/9 900 HUF/adults, Students: 27.70 Euro/8 900/students Book Your Ticket for the New Year's Day Symphony Concert: Booking in Euro Booking in HUF. TIP: Save money by booking the New Year's Day symphony Concert together with a Dinner & Cruise on the Danube. This way you pay a discount package price for the two programs saving 2.7 Euro. Symphony Concert + Cruise and Dinner at 22.00 Package Prices: In Euro: Adults: 60 Euro Students: 56,55 Euro Reserve Your Ticket in Euro. In HUF: 20 900 HUF Reserve Your Ticket in HUF.

For the Active Ones - Ice-Skating in Budapest

Go for ice skating on City Park Lake (Városligeti Műjégpálya) one of the largest and the oldest outdoor skating rinks in Europe. The rink welcomes skaters usually between mid-October and end of February. You can hire ice-skates with your passport or other personal ID.

There're a couple of other ice rinks in Budapest like the one in front of the Parliament building or another one on the rooftop of the West End Shopping Centre (opening hours: Sun-Thurs: 08.00-12.00, 13.00-17.00, 18.00-22.00, Fri-Sat: 08.00-12.00, 13.00-17.00, 18.00-24.00, admission: for adults on weekdays: 1 100 HUF, adults weekends: 1 300 HUF, children weekdays: 800 HUF, children weekends: 900 HUF).

There's also a small ice rink in the Corvin Shopping Center on the second floor ((open: 10.00-22.00 every day).

Other Winter Events in Budapest - January, February

After the program-packed, festive December Budapest in January and February might seem uninteresting. Luckily this is not the case.

Weather is usually quite chily this time of the year with some snow and temperatures below zero. Dress in layers, put on a warm coat, cap and gloves, comfy winter shoes and you're ready to enjoy Budapest in winter.

After a sightseeing program (either by walk or bus) or hunting for good winter sales (most shops and stores offer enticing discounts in the first months of the new year up to 50%-70%) in Budapest shops you can get warm in the hot pools of Budapest's thermal baths or re-energize your body and mind in a day spa.

Museums in Budapest always have exciting exhibitions, and a cold day in winter is ideal for museum hopping.

Events in January, February:

Mangalica Festival 3.-5. February 2012 is the first large-scale event of the winter with all-things of Mangalica pig (sausages, ham, cracklings) along with crafts fair, musical and children programs to enjoy for the whole family. Venue: Szabadság tér, district V., M2 metro Kossuth tér station, M3 metro Arany János utca station , tram 2 Kossuth L. tér s top (5-minute walk from each station).

Valentine's Day on 14th February is celebration of love all over the Western world and although this day was known as Bálint nap in Hungary before the mid 90ies, with some folk customs and beliefs attached to it, the commercialized version of this mid-February day became quickly wide spread. Besides the cliche box of chocolate and bunch of flowers see how you can enjoy Valentine's Day in Budapest!

Gluttonous Thursday 50% Discount in Restaurants, Cafes - 23rd February 2012

According to Catholic and folk traditions Thursday following Ash Wednesday is the last day before the 40-day Lent preceding Easter when you can eat and drink till your full. Restaurants in Budapest had seized on this opportunity and on Gluttonous Thursday you can dine and wine half-price in the participating restaurants.

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Related Pages- Budapest Winter Vacation

Luxury Budapest

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