It's Christmas market season in Budapest, and we've had a chance to look around two of the city's markets. It may be unusually warm for a Christmas market, but the atmosphere is great with mulled wine, langos and Hungarian pastries.
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Christmas market in Budapest
There are two major official Christmas markets in Budapest and several smaller ones. The most famous Christmas market, which is also Budapest's oldest Christmas market, is held in Vörösmarty ter Square. This square is right next to our hotel D8, not far from the Chain Bridge. So it was good to go here and have a look on our first day in Budapest.
We have heard that Budapest's Christmas market should be one of Europe's largest Christmas markets, but it did not really feel that way. However, it was very cosy and nice! As with all Christmas markets, you will find lots of local crafts as well as clothes, toys, Christmas decorations and delicacies such as sausages, honey and marmalade.
Food at Budapest's Christmas markets
We were super hungry when we arrived at the market, and there are really lots of food and drink to choose from. For example, there are huge grilled sausages, pork legs, ribs, chicken, goulash, ravioli, grilled vegetables, fried potatoes and potato pancakes.
Whoever wants to can also order typical Hungarian langos, which are made from yeast-fried dough and served with various accompaniments. If you prefer something sweet, you can try 'Chimney cake', or 'kürtőskalács' in Hungarian. This is a kind of long twisted pastry that is very popular, both among Hungarians and tourists.
We weren't sure what to order, but eventually pointed to a mixture of meat, potatoes and vegetables, and we each ordered a beer. It was nice to sit out in the sun, but we must say that the food at the market was more expensive than expected.
Prices in Hungary are generally quite low, but at the Christmas market you can expect slightly higher prices. Apparently, vendors have to pay high fees for the central locations, which they then have to charge on the prices.
Drinks at Budapest's Christmas markets
There are several different hot drinks at the Christmas markets for those who want to warm up. You will find mulled wine (glögg), punsch (hot alcoholic drink, not the same as punsch in Sweden) and a hot apple drink that is non-alcoholic. Many also sell coffee, tea and hot chocolate.
Christmas market in Budapest by night
A little later in the evening we walked past another of Budapest's Christmas markets, and we must say that it looked just as cosy when it started to get dark. In the evening we also saw that it was time for performances, with music and dance.
More market in the main market hall
If you haven't had enough of markets after a few rounds of the city's Christmas markets, you can also check out the Great Market Hall, which is located in a large, beautiful building on Fővám tér. Locals come here to buy meat, fruit and vegetables, but tourists also come here to buy delicacies and gifts to take home.
It is really interesting to browse through sausages, cheeses and fermented vegetables. If you want, you can also buy things like foie gras, marmalade, paprika spices or perhaps Hungarian tokaj wines.
More experiences in Budapest
If you visit Budapest's Christmas markets, be sure to see more of Hungary's beautiful capital. In Budapest, you can wander around in beautiful settings and experience everything from sightseeing to dining and swimming.
Attractions
For starters, Hungary's capital city offers many great things to do. places of interest. If you take the funicular up to the castle hill, you can visit Buda Castle, Matthias Church and the fabulous Fisherman's Bastion with its seven tent-shaped towers. On the Buda side is the magnificent Parliament, which is also stunningly beautiful inside. If you haven't had enough, take the metro to Heroes' Square, where you'll find the magnificent Millennium Monument.
Thermal bath
In Budapest, you can also take the opportunity to swim in one of the city's many aquatic centres. beautiful thermal baths, such as Gellertbadet or Szécsénybadet. If it's cold and blustery outside, it's perfect to pop into a warm bathing centre for some relaxation and perhaps a treatment.
Restaurants
In the evening, you can enjoy a delicious Hungarian dinner. The Hungarians know how to cook and there are plenty of good ones. restaurants in Budapest. You may want to try a restaurant with a Michelin star, as prices are more humane here than in Sweden.
Cafés and bars
If you want to take it easy, you can hang out at one of the city's many restaurants. bars and cafés. In Budapest you'll find everything from exclusive cafés in historic settings, such as the famous Café Gerbeaud or the New York Café, to relaxed 'ruin bars' housed in dilapidated apartment blocks.
Caves
If you want a slightly different experience, you can explore Budapest's caves, which extends in long winding passages under the city. Whether you prefer a walking tour or want to climb and crawl, there's a cave for you.
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Facts about Christmas markets in Budapest
- Addresses: The most popular Christmas markets are on Vörösmarty ter (Vörösmarty Square) and at St Stephen's Basilica.
- Opening hours: The Christmas markets in Budapest open at the end of November and remain open until around 23 December. After that, they may open on certain days between Christmas and New Year.
- Currency: Hungarian forint (HUF)
- Price mode: Slightly more expensive than prices in the rest of Budapest.
- Shopping: Crafts, embroidery, porcelain, Christmas decorations, clothes, assecoars, toys and delicacies.
- Food and drink: Hungarian home cooking, delicious Hungarian sausages, langos, 'chimney cakes' (kürtőskalács), hot wine and more.
Facts about Budapest
- Population: About 1.8 million (2017)
- Language: Hungarian (many, especially in service professions, also speak English)
- Neighbourhoods: Buda and Pest
Sights in Budapest
- Attractions: Castle Hill with Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, Chain Bridge, Parliament, Heroes' Square, Hungarian State Opera, the 'Shoes' monument and Memento Park.
- Churches: Matthias Church and St Stephen's Basilica
- Museums: National Museum of Hungary, House of Terror, Holocaust Memorial Centre, Hospital in the Rock Nuclear Bunker, Museum of Fine Arts and Zwack Unicum Museum.
Accommodation in Budapest
Getting around
- Walking: Many attractions and places you want to visit are close to each other, and thus within walking distance.
- Tramway: Getting around by tram is often easy (and enjoyable). For example, you can find it along the Danube in the centre of Budapest.
- Underground railwayAnother mode of transport is the metro. The metro is good for getting to certain shopping centres, for example.
- Taxi: Sometimes it is convenient to take a taxi. Note that there have been cases of tourists being cheated on the price, so feel free to let the hotel book your car.
Travelling to Budapest
- FlightsYou can fly directly from Stockholm Arlanda with Norwegian or directly from Skavsta with Wizz Air. The flight time is around 2 hours. Flights are also available from, for example, Copenhagen
- Bil: It takes just over 11 hours to drive from Rostock, Germany, in terms of pure driving time.
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Nils-Åke Hansson says:
What a Christmas market - lots of good things to buy and look at.
20 November 2019 - 8:12
Helena says:
Really! Nice Christmas market! ??
21 November 2019 - 6:48
znogge says:
What lovely Christmas markets. Unfortunately, it was not yet time when we were there but Budapest offers a lot of other things to see.
20 November 2019 - 20:24
Helena says:
Yes, absolutely! The Christmas market was just an extra little plus for us! ?
21 November 2019 - 6:49
BP says:
What delicacies! Mums I just say! This is what I meant yesterday, it's more fun to stroll around and eat "local" food. But just like the Christmas market in Gamla Stan for example, prices are higher than in shops and restaurants.
20 November 2019 - 21:11
Helena says:
Yes, but I understand what you mean! This time we have our own time both before and after the little press trip, so there will be a lot of own strolling too! ??
21 November 2019 - 6:50