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The 10 best ways to spend the winter holidays in Budapest
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Hungary is often referred to as the ‘heart of Europe’, and it will surely make your heart tender and joyful if you visit the heart of Hungary, Budapest. When it comes to December and Central-Eastern Europe, the first city that pops into mind might be Vienna, but let us assure you that the Christmas fairs and events are just as lovely in Budapest too.
If you need more reasons to visit Budapest, then Travel Pulse’s compilation of the best holiday programmes in the Hungarian capital city will come in handy.
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Christmas fairs
There are numerous Christmas fairs set up in Budapest, usually in close proximity to each other; take for example the fair in front of the magnificent St. Stephen’s Basilica and the market at Vörösmarty Square. Interested in more? We have a few suggestions for you to check out if you would like to get in a Christmassy mood and would also like to get to know Hungarian folk traditions while sipping on a mulled wine.
photo: www.facebook.com/adventiunnepabazilikanal/
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Delicious treats
If you have a sweet tooth and/or are keen on trying special desserts, then we suggest trying the chimney cake, a traditional Hungarian cake, specific to Szeklerland – it is crunchy on the outside (coated in either walnut, chocolate, coconut, sugar, sprinkles and many other things) and irresistibly soft on the inside.
Another traditional cake that is never missing from the Christmas table in Hungarian homes is the bejgli, a rolled sweet bread filled with minced walnut or poppy seed.
photo: www.facebook.com/VitézKürtős
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Become a master of ice skating
The ice rink at the City Park is not an ordinary one; after all, the park’s lake serves as a skating rink during the winter chills. On top of this, the rink has a scenic setting, as you will find the Vajdahunyad Castle behind it. This way, your holiday photos will be extra special.
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Warm up your bones at the thermal baths
After a long tour in Budapest, you really deserve to sit back and relax in a hot tub, for which the various spas of Budapest are just the thing. The Széchenyi Bath is not only one of the largest hot spring spas in Europe, but it is also lavishly decorated, so both your body and mind will be thankful for this experience. Did we mention that it is open even on Christmas day?
Or you could consider dipping in the waters of the Lukács Bath, which is open on every Saturday,
where even spa parties are organised, proving that baths can be colourful and fun – brought to you by popular DJs, a laser show and a cocktail bar.
If you still have no idea where to spend the New Year, then one of these parties might be the right choice for you.
If you would like to breathe in healing steams and history at the same time, the Rudas Thermal Bath is just for you. What makes the Rudas Bath so special? First, it has a long history, since it was a medieval Turkish spa. Second, it is open until 4 in the morning on Fridays and Saturdays, so if you are horribly jetlagged, you can give your body a refreshing rest here. There is an outdoor swimming pool on top, from where you can watch the lights playing on the Pest side of the city, as well as on the Elizabeth and Liberty bridges at night.
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A festive ride on public transport
During the holiday season, some trams, buses and trolleys get dressed up for Christmas: they are decorated with enchanting fairy lights (consisting of 40 thousand colourful blinking LED lights) which make them look like they have arrived right from the North Pole, from Santa. The Christmas tram serves until the 6th of January. Tram 2, one of Europe’s most beautiful tramlines, will become a Christmas tram too, so you can enjoy a view of the sights on the Danube bank by taking it.
There is, however, a lesser-known Santa speciality, the Santa Claus Train, the former Hungarian Pioneer Railway. It allows you to explore the Buda Hills while listening to Christmas carols and watching dance performances just outside the station.
