Last Updated on 1 month by traveldrafts
Budapest is one of our favorite European cities. It’s fun, it’s cheap, it’s beautiful! We have been to Budapest several times, and despite its popularity, you can still enjoy it, particularly in winter! From Europe’s biggest ice rink to the famous baths, here you can find all the best things to do in Budapest in Winter.
We will explore things you can only do in winter, the things you can do despite being winter, and the things that are better in winter!
But let’s start by explaining why visiting Budapest in winter is a great idea.
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Why should you visit Budapest in Winter?
We believe that Budapest is one of the best cities in the world to visit in Winter. Why? Two main reasons: Weather and crowds, but also the fact that most of the best things to do in Budapest are also great in Winter.
It doesn’t rain all that much in Budapest in Winter. Actually, it rains less in the Winter than in the Summer. Yes, it’s cold (sometimes very cold), but it isn’t too wet. In fact, February and March are two of the driest months in Budapest. This means that as long as you keep yourself warm, you can do almost everything in winter.
Budapest is very popular these days, but Winter is also the low season in Europe. So, you won’t have to endure the crowds that you get during the peak season/summer. You’ll have some places for yourself, and in others, you won’t have to be in queues for hours.
In hindsight, you’ll probably have a better travel experience in Winter than in Summer. We have done both, and now that I think of it, we enjoyed our Budapest winter trip more! Though it’s never a bad time to go to Budapest.
Things to do in Budapest in Winter
#1 Take a walking tour
One of our favorite suggestions in these big, historic cities is starting with a walking tour. A walking tour will give you an overview of the town. The guide will take you to some of the main sights, explain their importance, and tell you stories about the neighborhoods and the history of Budapest.
In Winter, there are fewer tours and much fewer tourists, making it more enjoyable. On the other hand, it will probably be very cold and even snowing, so pack some warm clothes and shoes. You can also take advantage of having a local guide and ask for tips on restaurants, bars, and other local attractions that interest you.
#2 Visit the Hungarian Parliament
The Hungarian Parliament is arguably the most famous building in Budapest, and you won’t miss it, even if you try. It’s 268 meters long and 96 meters high in the central dome. It may look familiar to you as the English Parliament inspired it.
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy it from the outside, as it’s located by the Danube and visible from most of the best lookouts in Budapest (Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion…)
Yet, what we are suggesting is visiting the interior of the Parliament. While you should do this either in Winter or Summer, it’s obviously much more inviting in winter because the nice, comfy heat will feel like heaven.
The Parliament is really a wonderful building, full of lovely details, golden ornaments, and beautiful rooms. The tour will guide you through these rooms and sights, which include the Holy Crown, the magnificent staircase, and the session room.
You should always book your visit as soon as you plan the trip. It sells out really fast, even in winter! Book your ticket online to save time and money, and ensure you have a ticket.
#3 Szechenyi thermal baths
Going to Budapest without visiting the thermal baths is inconceivable… for us! Even if you have little time, you should see the baths. In winter, we recommend the Szechenyi thermal baths, located in the city park. They are the most popular and the biggest in Europe, with 18 pools (15 indoors and three outdoors), several saunas, and steam baths.
We really enjoyed going to the baths when it’s really cold, particularly to the outdoor pools. There’s something really relaxing and fun about being in a hot pool with whirlpools with a temperature of about 0ºC.
This is one of the most crowded attractions in Budapest, but during winter, it’s far less crowded, making it even better. However, we still encourage you to buy tickets online, skip the lines, and guarantee your entry! Do you really want to go to Budapest and have to skip this?
#4 Gellert thermal baths
The Szechenyi Thermal Baths have a beautiful building, but that’s not enough to be the most attractive thermal baths in Budapest; that title goes to the Gellert thermal baths in Gellert Hotel – an exquisite, hundred-year-old Art Nouveau building.
Unless you are staying in Budapest for 3 days or more, we don’t recommend visiting both baths, as there’s plenty to see and do in the city. We think the Szechenyi is a better option in winter because the outside pools are open, and it’s so much fun to be in hot water and freezing air. Gellert Baths have closed their outdoor pools, so you can’t have that experience.
On the other hand, the building is just wonderful, and it’s easily the most beautiful thermal bath we have ever visited. Similar to the Szechenyi, it’s also a good idea to buy a skip-the-line ticket! Or if you want to have a massage, buy a skip-the-line plus massage ticket.
#5 Enjoy a Danube cruise
One of the most popular things to do in Budapest, all year round, is taking a Danube cruise. There are cruises for all tastes, times of the day, wallets, and durations. When traveling in winter, ensure you select a warm, enclosed boat.
We believe that a night cruise is your best bet. You’ll be able to see all the lights in Buda and Pest, and it’s an easy, fun, and romantic thing to do at night. There are plenty of night cruises with different themes; you can have a dinner cruise, a party cruise, or a cruise with a show. Or take in the views, enjoy the company, and maybe have a hot cappuccino to warm up during the cold winter nights.
Tip: For a very cheap cruise, consider taking one of the public transport boats to enjoy the views during the day.
#6 Ruins bars
The ruin bars are (were?) the hottest nightlife trend in Budapest a few years ago. They used to be a very local thing until tourists found them, and now every backpacker wants to go to Budapest to check out the ruins, bars ,and party all night long!
If you haven’t heard about ruin bars, the concept is simple: you take an abandoned old building (usually in the old Jewish quarter) and set up a bar in it, fill it with random flea market furniture, cool street art, and start serving alcohol. There are many of these bars, and it can be challenging to choose where to go, so you should really consider doing a pub crawl.
The ruin bars are a perfect destination for partying in Budapest, particularly in winter, with fewer tourists and more locals. It’s also a great way to warm up… in every way.
#7 St. Stephen’s Basilica
St. Stephen’s Basilica is the biggest church in Budapest and, naturally, one of its main attractions. It’s right in the center, so you can go there even if you don’t feel like it.
It is a beautiful neoclassical cathedral on the exterior, but the interior will catch your eye with sculptures, frescoes, and stained glass windows. Furthermore, you can supposedly find Saint Stephen’s mummified right hand.
Finally, the cathedral is also a great stop on those freezing days in winter! You can stop, sit, rest, enjoy the views, and warm up a bit before continuing your journey.
#8 Buda Castle and the Castle district
The Buda Castle is a very imposing building, and it’s impossible to miss. It used to be the home of the Hungarian kings, so it’s also called the Royal Palace. Today, it’s home to the National Gallery and the Budapest History Museum. Even if you aren’t planning to visit the Gallery and museum, you should check this majestic landmark up close, as it also offers beautiful views of the Pest side of the city.
In Buda, you should also take some time to wander through the old and historic streets of the Castle District. This district is very different from the rest of the city, particularly the central districts of Pest. The castle district is full of cobbled streets and small alleys. It looks and feels like a completely different place. In winter, with fewer tourists, you will almost forget that you are in one of the busiest cities in Europe.
#9 Matthias Church & Fisherman’s Bastion
Matthias Church is another great religious temple in Budapest, but it’s located in Buda, in the heart of the Castle district. It used to be the coronation spot of the Hungarian kings and hosted royal weddings. Despite undergoing several renovations, the church retains delicate turrets, beautiful exterior details, and a unique interior.
Next to the church, you’ll find the Fisherman’s Bastion, possibly the most beautiful place to take pictures in Budapest. The view of the parliament and the rest of the city is just astonishing. This lookout tower and terrace may look old and historical, but they’re relatively recent. It was only built in the 19th century. Nevertheless, it’s a mandatory stop on any visit to Budapest.
#10 Ruszwurm Confectionery
After all the walking and sightseeing in the castle district, you must rest, recharge your batteries, and probably warm up a bit. Luckily for you, the oldest (and one of the best) confectioneries in Budapest is just a few meters from Matthias Church.
Ruszwurm confectionery is very small and usually crowded during peak season, but you should be fine in winter. They are famous for their layer cakes, so this is the time to indulge your sweet tooth. We recommend starting with a warm, excellent coffee and a piece of their delicious cakes before exploring the city!
#11 Take the Millennium Underground to Heroes’ Square
This is a three-in-one! You get to do three fundamental things in Budapest all at once! The Millennium Underground railway is one of the oldest subways in the world, and it’s one of Budapest’s UNESCO heritage sites!
Built in the 19th century under Andrassy Avenue, it connects the city center with Heroes’ Square. Even today, taking this metro line is a fascinating experience. It’s old and classic. Each metro station looks like a small museum!
You should exit Heroes’ Square station and take the opportunity to appreciate Budapest’s biggest and most important square.
The millennium monument in the square celebrates many of the Hungarian Heroes, and in the center, there’s a 36-meter Corinthian column with Archangel Gabriel holding St. Stephen’s crown on top. The Heroes’ Square serves as the gate to Budapest’s city park.
#12 Vajdahunyad Castle and the City Park
In general, the city park isn’t the most attractive place to visit in Budapest in Winter. It will probably be icy, and you won’t be able to have a picnic or anything. However, one attraction that will probably catch your eye is Vajdahunyad Castle.
Initially built with cardboard and wood for the 1896 millennium celebrations, it was later rebuilt in more resistant materials, as the people of Budapest really loved it. The castle is unique, featuring four different architectural styles —Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance, and Romanesque —as a tribute to Hungarian architectural tradition.
It’s always an incredible sight, but with the snow and Christmas lights, it becomes something else in winter! It’s very charming and romantic. Plus, there’s a small Christmas market at the entrance during the Christmas market season.
#13 Ice skate in Europe’s biggest outdoor rink
You may not want to have a picnic in the park or sunbathe as you would in Summer, but during winter, the park’s boating lake freezes and becomes a giant ice rink where you can skate.
We have to be honest with you, we can’t skate. So we couldn’t really skate, but watching people have fun ice skating was incredibly enjoyable, and I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to learn a skill as much as I did then.
The rink is huge, but there’s more to it. It’s also located in a beautiful part of the city, surrounded by the park, with Vajdahunyad Castle behind and Heroes’ Square close by.
It’s also pretty cheap, costing less than 5 Euros, making it an inexpensive way to enjoy winter in Budapest. Do yourself a favor, and don’t skip this!
#14 Christmas markets
Budapest arrived late to the Christmas market scene. The first Christmas market has only been there for 20 years or so, but since then, they have been popping up like mushrooms.
Budapest’s Christmas markets are not only fun but also much cheaper than the average, offering many things to try. The smoked salmon, the delicious langos, the mulled wine, the traditional Chimney cakes, and many other things.
They are spread over the city, but the most important ones are:
- Vörösmarty Square – the biggest and oldest.
- The one in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica is also quite large, offering a great view of the light show on the Basilica.
- In front of Vajdahunyad Castle – probably the cutest and most charming
As you can see, they are located close to other destinations, making it easy to visit them all. The Christmas markets attract a large number of people to the city, making it even more vibrant. However, if you plan to visit during this time, keep in mind that it is also a peak season. Not as bad as summer, but still crowded.
#15 Great Market Hall
The market hall of Budapest is a great place to buy souvenirs and have a quick bite. It offers a wide range of cool things to buy and delicious food to eat. The prices are fair; it’s not too cheap anymore, but you won’t feel overcharged (I think). We really enjoy going to the market in Budapest.
During the Summer, the Market tends to be way too crowded with tourists. This isn’t a problem in winter so that you can explore it much more easily. Also, don’t forget to buy paprika, lots of paprika! Sweet, mild, hot, and smoked. Hungarian paprika is really something else.
Where to stay in Budapest in Winter
Budapest has a wide array of accommodations for you to choose from, so you can choose to stay in a four or 5-star, a boutique hotel, an Airbnb, or a hostel. You can, and should, take advantage of the low season to stay in Budapest at a lower price in winter. Or pay the same and stay in a better place! Even during Christmas, it’s cheaper than in the Summer.
We always advise our readers to stay close to the city centers; it more than pays off the extra cost. In winter, it’s even more critical, as you won’t have that much fun if you have to walk in the cold for 1 hour to reach the center.
That being said, people usually have to choose between staying in Buda or Pest. The actual center is in Pest, and that’s where most people stay. There you should stay in districts V, VI, and VII, which are the most central. Some of the best places to stay in these districts are:
- Wow City Hostel – Very central and popular hostel. Check prices and availability.
- Boomerang Hostel – Very well located with excellent value for money. Book here.
- Pal’s hostel and apartments – Also a good option in the city center. Check if it’s available.
Buda is probably a good option if you are on a romantic escape or not looking for parties. We really enjoyed staying at the Buda Castle Fashion Hotel.
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