6 Things To Do On A Winter Weekend In Budapest

My top tips for visiting Budapest in winter…

This time last year my four friends and I were packing our cases for a girl’s weekend away to Budapest in Hungary. Celebrating a 25th birthday, it was a trip full of sightseeing, partying, a LOT of walking and some dramatic situations that we can all laugh about now!

Our four nights were jam-packed and we ticked lots of the main things we wanted to see and do off our list (in spite of a few hangovers along the way). From Christmas markets to outdoor spas and all you can drink wine bars, let me tell you why you need to get winter in Budapest on your travel list…

Choosing your accommodation

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary and a vibrant hive of activity, culture and character. If you’d travelled here before 1873 you’d either be visiting Buda or Pest. Often referred to as the twin cities, the two merged in the 19th century to form Budapest. Split by the River Danube, we stayed on the ‘Pest’ side of the estuary.

I’ve linked the Airbnb that we stayed in here, but it is definitely worth shopping around. Staying in Budapest in winter is very affordable and there is still SO much to see or do, you just need to make sure you’ve packed your coat, some comfy walking shoes and warm clothing.

1. Visit the Christmas Markets at Vörösmarty Square

If you’re visiting Budapest in November or December, be sure to check out the Christmas markets for your festive fix. Colourful stalls, toasty tipples and dazzling Christmas trees fill the square.

I’d recommend taking your time and checking out all the beautiful tables, from handcrafted baubles to local pastries and lovely artwork. Take lots of forint (Hungarian currency) for splashing the cash.

2. Take a moonlit dip in the Széchenyi thermal baths

One of the largest spa baths in Europe, you cannot visit Budapest without sinking back into the naturally hot spring waters of the Széchenyi thermal baths. The magnificent, Neo-Baroque palace is home to 18 pools, all with medicinal thermal spring waters that help relieve joint illnesses and inflammations.

A popular tourist attraction, there is much to learn about the history of these epic spas. I’d definitely recommend visiting the outdoor pools during the winter months. It felt surreal to be wandering around in the freezing November night in a bikini, but nothing beats the contrast between the biting breeze and the luxuriously toasty waters.

3. Roam around Buda Castle

Magnificently perched atop Castle Hill overlooking the River Danube and the city. Check out the palace that homed Hungarian Kings since the 13th century. Originally built by order of King Béla IV to protect Hungary from a Tatar and Mongolian invasion, Buda Castle has changed dramatically over the centuries gone by. During WWII the palace was sent up in flames after an attack from the Nazi army, meaning the exteriors were reconstructed in 1966 and the interiors in 1980.

It is a fascinating part of Budapest to explore. For an unbeatable view of the city in its entirety head to the Fisherman’s Bastion, a popular tourist spot built to celebrate the 1000th anniversary of the Hungarian state. Think turrets, dramatic cityscape vistas and fairytale castle vibes.

4. Dance the night away at Szimpla Kert Ruin Bars

A labyrinth of bars, theatre shows, dancefloors and beer gardens. Szimpla Kert is an awesome place to enjoy a night out in Budapest. You’ll be greeted by a maze of rooms bustling with people, music and drinks flowing.

We only visited in the evening when we were up for a taste of the Hungarian nightlife. However there is plenty going on during the day at the ruin bars too. Grab some brunch, have a mooch around the flea markets or head to an open air cinema showing.

5. Cross the Széchenyi chain bridge

As I mentioned earlier, the River Danube splits the city between Buda and Pest (even though they aren’t technically separate cities anymore). To cross from one side to the other, head to the Széchenyi chain bridge.

When it opened in 1849 it was the first physical connection between Buda and Pest and is striking in daylight and at nightfall when the whole bridge lights up. It also has a beautiful vantage point of Buda Castle which glows a regal gold against the midnight blue skies.

6. Admire the Hungarian Parliament Building

The Hungarian Parliament Building is another sightseeing hotspot. Its striking spires, grand architecture and iconic dome shaped tower is unmissable. At night, similar to Buda Castle, the landmark is lit up in golden lights. However, the Parliament Building remains on the Pest side of the River Danube, located on Kossuth Square.

Additional tips and advice

• Beware the subway – so at the beginning of this blog post I did mention some dramas that we can now laugh about. We found ourselves in a bit of a sticky situation on the subway that thankfully didn’t escalate any further.
  
  We’d bought our tickets for a short journey and hopped on the next train. As we reached our stop, we were greeted by a rather unfriendly ticket attendant. He abruptly asked us to prove we’d paid to travel (side note: the only people he was questioning were tourists it appeared). We showed him our tickets thinking this would be the end of it. Suddenly he demanded we pay roughly £50 each (in Hungarian forint) or hand over our passports until we paid and accused us of travelling without a ticket.
  
  Turns out, in Budapest when you purchase a ticket you have to swipe it in the machines they have on the platforms to get a stamp. Without this stamp, they aren’t valid. It was an expensive train journey for us all and a lesson learnt.

• The bottomless wine restaurant – I’m not sure how ‘cultural’ this recommendation is, BUT we fell in love with an Italian restaurant called Ape Regina during our stay. Not only because it had amazing food but also because you could opt for all you can eat AND all you can drink menus. Yes, bottomless wine, you heard me correctly. A great place to start the evening!

• Pack some comfy shoes – if you’re wanting to make the most of the city and experience all the must-see sights, you’ll be on your feet a lot. Don’t ruin your Hungarian adventures with achy feet and blisters. Trainers or your comfiest walking shoes are a necessity for winter in Budapest.

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