Are you visiting Budapest in winter? Enjoying the Christmas and the beautiful festive markets?
Are you exploring the Hungarian capital and feel uncertain about what the winter months, events, Christmas opening times are in Budapest?
We believe that Budapest is magical, fun, loveable, and exciting in the cold and snowy December and January months, despite the fact that the weather can be freezing, the sunset is too early, and we miss the fantastic summer terraces and breezy late walks.
Frequently asked questions about Christmas in Budapest, and many helpful answers.
Budapest Winter Weather Overview
Winter in Budapest is chilly, with average temperatures between -1°C and 5°C (30-41°F) including Christmas and New Year’s time too.
Snowfall is possible, creating a magical atmosphere, especially in the hills, the Castle Hill or the Buda Hills with Normafa, but rain and wind are also common (see our country guide below for European travellers).
Be prepared for frosty mornings and brisk evenings.
Sunset Hours and Their Impact
Sunset in December and early January happens around 4:00 PM, leaving only about eight hours of daylight. This impacts sightseeing and outdoor activities like walking tours, Segway rides, and bike rentals.
Traveler Tips:
Start Early: Begin tours around 9 AM to make the most of the daylight.
Enjoy After-Dark Activities: Many key attractions like Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, and Parliament are stunningly lit at night.
Visit Cozy Spots: Explore the city’s thermal baths, cafes, or take evening cruises on the Danube.
Booking Tours in Winter Essential Booking Tips
- Book in Advance: Christmas is a busy season, so book tours and tickets ahead.
- Choose Heated Options: Consider bus tours or indoor museum tours.
- Guided Walks: Bundle up and take a historical walking tour through the festive streets.
Best Winter Tours:
Evening Cruises: Opt for heated boats offering mulled wine and city views.
Walking Tours: Historical tours of Castle Hill or Pest’s Christmas markets.
Bike & Segway Rentals: Available but best reserved for milder winter days.
A Cold Weather Preparation
Weather Apps: Use local weather apps for up-to-date forecasts.
Layered Clothing: Thermal base layers, sweaters, and waterproof jackets.
Accessories: Warm hats, scarves, gloves, and insulated boots.
Christmas at Buda Castle
Cozy Experiences & Indoor Activities
Cafes & Pastry Shops: Try coffee at New York Café or cakes at Gerbeaud.
Thermal Baths: Relax at Széchenyi, Gellért, or Rudas Baths.
Wine Tastings: Enjoy Hungarian wines in cozy wine cellars.
Museums & Galleries: Visit the Hungarian National Museum, House of Terror, or art galleries.
Europe-Specific Traveler Advice
By Region
Europe-Specific Traveler Advice
By Region:
Northern Europe (Scandinavia, UK, Ireland):
- Used to cold but bring extra windproof gear.
- Expect milder winters than back home, but prepare for Budapest’s wind chill.
Western Europe (France, Spain, Italy):
- Winter in Budapest is much colder than home.
- Bring warm, waterproof clothing and embrace winter traditions.
Central & Eastern Europe (Poland, Czechia, Austria):
- Similar winter climate, but Budapest’s thermal baths are a unique experience.
- Pack for chilly evenings when exploring Christmas markets.
Southern Europe (Greece, Portugal, Malta):
- Budapest’s winter might be colder than expected.
- Layer up and enjoy cozy indoor experiences like wine tasting and museum tours.
Australia & New Zealand:
- Expect a Cold Surprise: Unlike the summer season back home, Budapest’s winter is chilly and sometimes snowy.
- Pack Wisely: Bring insulated jackets, thermal wear, and winter boots.
- Explore Seasonal Fun: Experience snow-covered streets, Christmas markets, and thermal spas.
Asia (Japan, China, Southeast Asia):
- Winter Reality Check: Budapest will be much colder than most Asian destinations.
- Stay Warm: Invest in thermal layers, heavy coats, and waterproof boots.
- Discover Local Traditions: Enjoy festive Christmas decorations, concerts, and seasonal foods.
The Americas (North & South America):
- North America (USA, Canada):
- Similar Winter Experience: Canadians and Northern US travelers will find the climate familiar, though Budapest’s wind can feel intense.
- Plan for Festivities: Christmas markets, ice skating, and night cruises are must-dos.
- South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile):
- Big Climate Change: Expect a major contrast from the summer season back home.
- Bundle Up: Pack winter gear, including warm coats, gloves, and scarves.
- Explore Unique Culture: Enjoy mulled wine, Hungarian folklore events, and festive lights.
What can I buy as a Christmas gift in Budapest?
There are many gifts you can take home from Budapest from your Christmas visit or winter holiday in Hungary. Some of the Hungarian Christmas gifts or souvenirs from Budapest could easily be bought at any of the Christmas fairs in Budapest, e.g. handcrafted bags, jewels, Christmas mugs, or handmade Christmas tree decor, traditional Hungarian chocolates, like the Christmas fondant candy in Hungary (szaloncukor), a roll of Beigli (sweet cake roll with walnut, poppyseed or chestnut, from the best Budapest confectioneries), etc. You can also visit the Budapest Central Market (not open during the Christmas holidays and on Sundays), or take a look at the Budapest Shopping Map for more ideas and information.
Hungarian Christmas Main Courses
The traditional Hungarian Christmas dish is stuffed cabbage, made with a filling of ground pork, rice (or barley), and spices, wrapped in sour cabbage leaves and layered with sauerkraut.
In recent years, turkey dishes are on many Hungarian Xmas tables. The turkey dishes are made in all forms, so there is no classic Christmas turkey dish in Hungary (and it is in fact just a more recently spreading ‘healthy’ Christmas option in the last few decades). But one trend can be observed: Hungarian housewives prefer to make and serve the Christmas turkey only in parts, rather than a huge big bird. For instance, you can get stuffed turkey breast, or fried turkey thighs, etc.
Hungarian Christmas Soups
Most Hungarians buy their annual carp for the Christmas holidays. Carp is a river fish that gives the basis of the Hungarian fish soup.
Mind you, many Hungarians may not eat fish soup or carp throughout the year, just at Christmas to keep the family traditions live. And not everyone in the family loves fish soup, it is quite a big divider among family members in fact.
Another traditional soup at Xmas is wine soup (sounds like gluhwein / mulled wine, right?), and the less widespread yummy chestnut soup.
Hungarian Christmas Desserts
In Hungary, beigli is the traditional Christmas pastry, typically a roll filled with walnut, poppyseed cream, or chestnut. Some versions include sultanas, while others don’t. The fillings may be flavored with rum or rum essence. Beigli is very sweet and keeps well, often eaten through January. By Christmas, bakeries and supermarkets are stocked with beigli, and visiting multiple family members can mean eating more than your fair share of beigli and other festive dishes like stuffed cabbage. Beigli will mainly appeal to you if you have a sweet tooth, cut a thin slice and try it for yourself. If you buy it in Hungary, try one of the best confectioneries in Budapest.
Many housewives also make gingerbread cakes, or other cakes and pastries. In our family for instance gerbeaud cake is traditional (Zserbó sutemeny).
What are the Hungarian Christmas traditions like?
Hungarians usually spend all the Christmas with their families and friends. On Dec 24, after 2pm locals rush home to put up the Christmas tree, do the last minute Christmas wrapping, get changed in smart clothes for Christmas Eve, or take the last buses and trains to another town, village where the Christmas family get together takes place. This means that the city of Budapest gets quiet by around 4-5pm, which is least noticeable in downtown Budapest, in Districts 5, 6 and 7 (found on maps as District V, VI, VII).
As children are already at home on Christmas holidays, mums usually also take their Christmas holidays out. The decoration of the Christmas tree is usually done on Dec 24 in the morning. It is not customary in Hungary to put up the Christmas tree weeks or days before Christmas Eve. Most people buy their Christmas trees on the markets (special fir tree markets sprung up in Budapest, and all over Hungary), but recently more and more are switching to the more environment and wallet friendly artificial Christmas trees. Besides traditional Christmas decorations, like Christ balls, Xmas lights, Hungarians decorate the trees with a special Christmas candy called Szaloncukor, which is a chocolate covered bonbon / fondant. The families get together at about 5-6pm on Christmas Eve to celebrate the evening together with singing, swapping Christmas gifts, chatting over the Christmas dinner table packed with the traditional Christmas foods in Hungary.
Opening Hours of Budapest Attractions at Christmas
While the Christmas holidays are relatively quiet in Budapest, we would not say that everything is all too quiet. Especially less and less so in the last few years, as if the western Christmas customs were slowly forming the traditional ways Hungarians celebrate Xmas. As a tourist you may expect to face modified opening hours on Dec 24, 25, 26 and Dec 31. Otherwise regular opening hours apply.
Restaurants: Budapest Christmas Opening Hours in Restaurants
Museums: Budapest Christmas Opening hours in Museums
Baths: Budapest Christmas Opening hours in Baths
Attractions: Budapest Christmas Opening hours in the top Budapest attractions
Shops & Markets: Budapest Shops Christmas Opening hours
Christmas Eve Budapest Events
December 24 in Budapest: On Dec 24 Christmas Eve it is not easy to find things to do in the evening. Of course you can always enjoy a bit of sightseeing walking by the river Danube, or up in the Buda Castle (the courtyards are not closed, even though the castle buildings are), but after 1-2 hours of walking in the cold winter weather it is nice to know where you can retreat with pleasure.
Christmas Day Events:
- Nutcracker ballet at the Budapest Opera House
- Christmas Markets in Budapest – the last shows, concerts, and the last crafts sales
Evening Events on Dec 24
- Christmas Eve Dinner Cruise: a romantic 1.5 hour river cruise in Budapest on Xmas Eve with buffet dinner, drinks, live music, charming Christmas lights which make the city itself a giant Christmas present and glittering treasure box. Charming sights.
- Midnight Mass at St Stephens Basilica
- Midnight Mass at Matthias Church