Top things to do in Budapest at Christmas time include exploring festive markets and holiday lights, as well as seeing some of their historic sights.

Budapest is a city in Eastern Europe with two distinct sides, Buda and Pest, separated by the Danube River but seamlessly connected to create one incredible destination, especially magical during Christmas time.

Buda, on the western bank, is the hilly, quieter side of the city, rich in history and old-world charm.

It is home to Buda Castle, the Fisherman’s Bastion, and the Matthias Church, all offering stunning views of the river and the twinkling lights of Pest across the way.

During Christmas, Buda’s cobblestone streets and historic landmarks exude a warmth, making it a perfect place to explore at a leisurely pace.

Pest, on the eastern side, is the vibrant, bustling heart of the city, where you’ll find grand boulevards, lively Christmas markets, and iconic landmarks like Parliament and St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Pest offers the excitement of Christmas shopping, light displays, and the energy of Budapest’s café culture.

Together, Buda and Pest create a city full of contrasts and surprises, perfect for enjoying a holiday getaway.

Whether you’re wandering the historic streets of Buda or soaking in the festive spirit of Pest, there’s something for everyone in Budapest.

In a rush?

But First: The Little Details

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Budapest can easily be included in a Christmas Market itinerary that also includes Vienna and Bratislava.

The temperatures will be crisp but not freezing yet which is perfect weather for all the walking you will be doing in this Eastern European city.

For our 2019 European Christmas Market vacation, we flew into Vienna and explored that beautiful city for 4 nights before taking the train to Bratislava for two nights.

Then we continued on to Budapest for 3 nights allowing two full days to explore this historical city.

It made for a lovely holiday experience ;).

We flew back to San Diego from Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) on Lufthansa Airlines with a layover in Frankfurt.

We found both the Budapest airport and train station very easy to navigate with signs in Hungarian and English.

Alternatively, you could also easily visit Budapest and Zagreb, Croatia in the same itinerary as they are only a 6 hour train ride apart.

Visit the Christmas Markets

St Stephen’s Basilica Market

Our favorite market in Budapest, the Christmas market at St. Stephen’s Basilica is filled with twinkling lights, local crafts, and delicious holiday treats.

It’s the perfect spot to sip hot mulled wine and enjoy a chimney cake with the stunning basilica as a backdrop.

Vörösmarty Square Market

The Vörösmarty Christmas Market is filled with charming wooden stalls offering handmade gifts.

With its live performances and tasty chimney cakes and other Hungarian specialities, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the magic of Christmas in the heart of the city.

Stay at Four Seasons Gresham Palace

Four Seasons Gresham Palace was our homebase for our four nights in Budapest at Christmas time and what a treat that was!

Right in the heart of the city with breathtaking views of the Danube River and the Chain Bridge, this beautifully restored Art Nouveau hotel provides an elegant atmosphere with breathtaking luxuriousness.

If you just can’t fit this splurge worthy property into your trip budget, be sure to at least pop into the lobby to see their festive decor for the season.

Explore Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle

The first photos I had ever seen of Budapest on Instagram were of Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle.

It is what put this fantastic city on my bucket list.

Then ultimately deciding to see this destination on one of our annual European Christmas vacations was one of best parts about finally seeing this city!

I.E. if you can visit this city during its most magical season of late November through December, you will find it to be one of your favorite Eastern European cities for sure :).

Admire Matthias Church

Matthias Church is a stunning Gothic-style Roman Catholic church located in the heart of Budapest’s Castle District, known for its colorful tiled roof and intricate details.

Inside, the church is filled with beautiful frescoes, making it a must-see during your Christmas visit to Budapest.

Shop on Váci Street

Shopping on Váci Street in Budapest during Christmas is a festive experience, with beautifully decorated shop windows and twinkling lights.

You’ll find a mix of international brands, local boutiques, and charming cafes, perfect for an evening stroll and people watching ;).

Find the Best Viewpoints of the House of Parliament

Here are our favorites that we found of this stunning riverside landmark with its Gothic architecture and beautifully lit facade at night.

Walking down hill from Fisherman’s Bastion and Buda Castle

Lajos Kossuth Square

Across the Danube River

From the Széchenyi Chain Bridge

You can also do a 45 minute tour of the House of Parliament interior – buy tickets here.

Walk Across Széchenyi Chain Bridge

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge, completed in 1849, is the oldest and most iconic bridge connecting Buda and Pest across the Danube River.

With its stunning architecture and twinkling Christmas lights, it becomes even more magical during the holiday season, offering beautiful views of Budapest’s illuminated skyline.

Visit Hospital in the Rock Bunker Museum

The Hospital in the Rock Bunker Museum is an underground facility that was used as a secret emergency hospital and nuclear bunker during World War II and the Cold War.

You can explore its fascinating history through exhibits showcasing medical equipment, wartime stories, and life in the bunker.

Stroll Around the Hungarian National Gallery

The Hungarian National Gallery, located in the Buda Castle, is home to an impressive collection of Hungarian art spanning centuries.

With beautiful paintings, sculptures, and exhibits that showcase the rich cultural history of Hungary, if you are an art lover, this is the place for you in Budapest.

Truth be told, my husband and I are not big art fans or museum goers when we travel. I guess you could blame this on our lack of attention span for the topic of art.

If a city has a well known piece of art that we know is a must see ~ ahem Mona Lisa in Paris ~ then of course we will put that on our itinerary.

Otherwise, we will usually just admire the architecture of the art museum from the outside as we did for this impressive gallery ;).

Interestingly enough, the photos above were taken around 4:45pm so be aware of how early you lose daylight in Budapest in the winters ;0.

Walk Through Heroes Square

Heroes’ Square is a grand, iconic landmark built to celebrate Hungary’s 1,000-year history, featuring statues of important historical figures and national leaders.

At the center stands the Millennium Monument, symbolizing the country’s rich cultural heritage and strength.

You will need to walk either by or through this square to get to the Castle of Vajdahunyad mentioned below!

Visit the Castle of Vajdahunyad

Located in peaceful City Park, the Castle of Vajdahunyad is a beautiful, fairy-tale-like building that houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture.

Even if this museum topic does not interest you, it is still a beautiful interior worth the minimal entrance fee.

At Christmas time and winter, there is also a massive ice skating rink right outside the Castle that would be a festive activity to participate in if you like to ice skate (not my cup of tea but I do think I am in the minority for this ;0).

Reflect at Shoes on the Danube Bank

Not shying away from it’s tragic history, the Shoes on the Danube Bank is a moving memorial in Budapest, honoring the thousands of Jewish people who were tragically shot into the river by the Nazis during World War II.

The iron shoes represent the victims who were forced to remove their shoes before they were killed, a solemn reminder of this heartbreaking chapter in Budapest history.

Sit in a Bathtub at a Ruin Bar

Budapest’s ruin bars are trendy pubs set in abandoned buildings and courtyards, offering a unique, quirky atmosphere filled with mismatched furniture and art.

They began in the early 2000s as a way to breathe new life into neglected spaces, and today they’re a popular spot for both locals and tourists.

We stopped by the most iconic of all the ruin bars, Szimpla Kert (find it on the map above!) for a quick drink and exploration of this fascinating cultural idea ;).

Just a heads up about the bathtubs though – they are quite popular and there are not that many of them so you may have to wait quite a while to actually sit in one! We were not that patient but it was fun to observe…

Eat at New York Cafe

Besides the quaint Christmas markets, getting brunch at New York Cafe is probably my favorite activity we did while in Budapest!

It is often referred to as the “most beautiful café in the world” and boasts a stunning interior adorned with ornate frescoes and elegant chandeliers.

Established in 1894, this historic café has been a beloved gathering spot for writers, artists, and intellectuals.

I am not sure if there was anyone of the sort there at the same time as us but nonetheless I highly suggest making a dining reservation here for whatever meal will fit into your schedule as soon as you start making your trip plans!

Ride the Christmas Tram

Adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, the Christmas tram is a Budapest tradition nightly from 4-9pm from December 1st to January 1st.

Some say tram route no. 2 is the prettiest with its route along the Danube River on the Pest side of Budapest however a quick ride on any of the festive cars would be a magical holiday experience!

Eat at Great Market Hall

Great Market Hall, or Nagyvásárcsarnok, is Budapest’s largest and oldest indoor market, originally opened in 1897.

With its stunning exterior architecture, it has been a hub for local produce, meats, and artisanal goods for over a century.

Get a quick bite to eat here or just wander the stalls looking at the local products.

What to Wear in Budapest at Christmas Time

In December, Budapest experiences cold weather, with temperatures often ranging from 28°F to 41°F (-2°C to 5°C), and has been known to have an occasional snowfall or even a blizzard as they had in early December 2023!

To stay warm while exploring the festive markets and sights, be sure to wear layered clothing, a cozy coat, warm socks with your good walking shoes, and accessories like scarves and gloves.

For our 2019 visit, we had warmer temps in the 40’s and only sunny skies which made our layers extra helpful for when we were doing a lot of walking and got fairly warm ;0.

Once the sun goes down (which it does early around 4pm), you will definitely need those warmer clothes!

I absolutely love this red coat and this festive red scarf that I found for our European Christmas market trip to Munich last year :).

Our Eastern Europe Christmas Market Itinerary

DAY 1 | Fly San Diego to Vienna via Frankfurt on Lufthansa Airlines

DAY 2 | Arrive Vienna 2pm | Stay at Steigenberger Hotel

DAY 3 | Visit Vienna Christmas Markets | Do an afternoon Flytographer photo shoot

DAY 4 | Vienna

DAY 5 | Vienna

DAY 6 | Train to Bratislava 11:15a-12:22pm | Stay at Marrols Boutique Hotel

DAY 7 | Bratislava

DAY 8 | Train to Budapest 12p-2:30p | Stay at Four Seasons Gresham Palace

DAY 9 | Budapest

DAY 10 | Budapest

DAY 11 | Fly Budapest to San Diego via Frankfurt on Lufthansa Airlines

I hope you found this post with the top things to do in Budapest at Christmas time helpful in planning your own incredible time in this awe inspiring corner of the world.

A Christmas market trip in Eastern Europe is the perfect way to start your holiday season and get in the spirit ;).

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Oh Christmas isn’t just a day,

It’s a frame of mind.

~ Miracle on 34th Street

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Have a wonderful day my friend! I hope something makes you smile today ;).