# 10 Things Worth Doing in Budapest in Winter > We've rounded up the 10 best winter activities in Budapest: Christmas markets, thermal baths and the magical atmosphere of Hungary's capital. Start planning. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/10-veshchei-kotore-stoyt-sdelat-v-budapeshte-zymoi/ - Language: en - Published: 2025-11-21 - Categories: Culture, Historic Sites, Tours, Hungary, Food & Drinks, Relaxation --- Budapest is fast becoming one of Europe's leading travel destinations, especially in winter, when the Hungarian capital truly comes to life. With its cozy winter mood and romantic architectural gems, Budapest looks like the set of a classic Christmas movie. Rich in culture and steeped in tradition, winter here not only feels like a fairytale, it looks like one too. A wealth of seasonal delights draws visitors from all over the world to the "Pearl of the Danube", all chasing a magical getaway. Its Christmas markets and open-air ice rinks help create the perfect winter wonderland, while the local spas and thermal baths offer a one-of-a-kind way to bathe outdoors. Here are the top 10 things to do in Budapest in winter: ## 1. Christmas Markets ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-181-1-2025.jpg) Central European Christmas markets are the stuff of many a traveler's dreams, but Budapest's offerings are a cut above the rest. Mulled wine, Christmas strudel, traditional dishes and arts and crafts line the stalls at both Vorosmarty Square and the Christmas market beside St. Stephen's Basilica. Running from November to early January each season, the markets draw huge crowds from around the world and deliver a genuine Hungarian Christmas experience you'll never forget. The Vorosmarty Square market is one of the most popular in Central Europe, as well as one of the oldest in Hungary. Known for its traditional Hungarian fare, including langos, chimney cake and local sausages, you'll have plenty of treats to choose from across more than 120 stalls. The Christmas market by St. Stephen's Basilica, meanwhile, sits in front of the striking Basilica building, with over 160 stalls brimming with cakes, sweets, arts and crafts, mulled wine and traditional Christmas gifts. Entry to both markets is free. Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market, Budapest, Vorosmarty ter, 1051 Hungary; +36 1 438 8080. Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. St. Stephen's Basilica Christmas Market, Budapest, Szent Istvan ter 1, 1051 Hungary. Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ## 2. City Park Ice Rink Budapest's City Park Ice Rink is easily the most famous skating spot in the region, if not in all of Europe. Set right in front of Vajdahunyad Castle on the edge of City Park, skaters flock to the rink every winter from late November to mid-February. First opened in 1870, this is one of the oldest and largest ice rinks in Europe. In summer it fills with water and serves as a boating lake for tourists who fancy a spin in a pedal boat while soaking up the sun. Just a short walk from Heroes' Square and the Szechenyi Baths, the City Park rink is the perfect way to round off a day of sightseeing before you unwind in the nearby spas. Admission: 1,000 forints ($3.50) for children, students and seniors, 1,500 forints ($5.25) for adults and 3,500 forints ($12.30) for families (two adults and one child). Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. City Park Ice Rink, Budapest, Olof Palme setany 5, 1146 Hungary; +36 1 363 2673 ## 3. The Basilica Light Show St. Stephen's Basilica is a genuinely beautiful piece of architecture, but what makes it even more of a treat for the eyes is the dazzling light show staged there throughout the year. The winter season offers the best light show experience, with religious stories and parables told through colorful lights and an accompanying soundtrack. Breathtaking 3D animations are projected onto the building's facade, often creating the illusion that it's moving or crumbling. Jaw-dropping and inventive, catching the Basilica light show is a must when visiting Budapest. The light show runs every half hour from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the winter months. ## 4. Spas and Thermal Baths ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-181-2-2025.jpg) Budapest has more than earned its nickname as the "City of Spas", thanks to its 118 natural thermal springs that deliver 70 million liters of healing water every day to more than a dozen spas. The Turkish baths here are stunningly beautiful and known the world over for their relaxing and therapeutic properties. Taking a dip in the famous Szechenyi Baths in winter is an experience like no other. Stepping from one of the 10 indoor pools into the open-air bathing area is an unforgettable, and surprisingly pleasant, jolt for the body. More than a dozen thermal baths and spas, including the Rudas Baths, Gellert Baths, Lukacs Baths, Kiraly Baths, Csaszar Baths and Palatinus Baths, feature saunas, steam rooms and massage rooms, with a range of treatments available on request. ## 5. The Hungarian State Opera House ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-181-3-2025.jpg) Designed by the renowned architect Miklos Ybl and completed in 1884, the Hungarian State Opera House remains exactly as it was when built more than 130 years ago. The striking building is regularly used in blockbuster films and has become an iconic national treasure. Every year, thousands of visitors come to Budapest to take in the incredible beauty of the opera house, and the lucky ones manage to snag a ticket to a performance. Fans of both ballet and opera are drawn to this venue by the high quality of productions such as "The Nutcracker", "La Boheme", "Billy Elliot", "The Magic Flute" and "Tosca". The Opera House is currently closed for a major renovation, but tours of this remarkable building are still available. ## 6. The Christmas Light Tram ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-181-4-2025.jpg) Covered in more than 39,000 lights, Budapest's Christmas "light tram", or Fenyvillamos, runs across the city from 5 p.m. every day throughout December and into early January. A quirky and unusual sight, it's a surefire way for visitors to get into the Christmas spirit while taking in Budapest's landmarks during the winter months. The 50-year-old Ganz UV tram mainly runs along tram line 2, but it also travels along other lines in different parts of the city. No special tickets are needed to ride the tram; standard tickets are valid. There's no service on Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve. Tram tickets cost 380 forints (about $1.35) ## 7. A Danube River Cruise ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-181-5-2025.jpg) The Danube stretches through the heart of Europe from Germany to the Black Sea, and Budapest is one of the key stops along its route. Hugely popular in both the summer and winter months, tourists from all over the world take to the water to see landmarks such as the Parliament building, Buda Castle, the Liberty Statue and Margaret Island, all visible from the river. If you're only in Budapest for a few days, the best way to get to know the city is on one of the winter Danube cruises, which last a few hours and run from one end of Budapest to the other. Day and evening cruises are available, and prices vary depending on the package you choose. The most expensive include a three-course lunch or dinner with drinks, while the cheaper options come as a straightforward sightseeing tour. Ticket prices start at roughly 3,800 forints ($13.50) ## 8. Ruin Bars ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-181-6-2025.jpg) Budapest's ruin bars offer fun and unique spots that are perfect for grabbing a drink while soaking up the city at the same time. Various abandoned buildings and open spaces have been transformed into bars and restaurants serving food and drinks at reasonable prices all year round. Szimpla Kert in the Jewish Quarter was the first ruin bar to open in the city, while Ankert in the 6th district hosts themed nights throughout the week. More than a dozen ruin bars are scattered around Budapest, and special tours are often organized, letting revelers get to know the city while sampling local wines and Unicum, an herbal liqueur. The winter season is an especially memorable time to hit the ruin bars, with discounted drinks and seasonal delicacies to kick off the festive season in style. ## 9. Andrassy Avenue and Fashion Street ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-181-7-2025.jpg) Shopping in Budapest in winter is a magical experience. Not only can you browse the finest boutiques, but you'll also soak up the Christmas spirit along beautifully decorated boulevards. Andrassy Avenue and Fashion Street are two of the most popular shopping and tourist destinations at any time of year. Stretching between Heroes' Square and Elizabeth Square, Andrassy Avenue is home to Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Rolex, to name just a few. Draped in thousands of lights, the tree-lined avenue comes alive in the winter months, offering plenty of Christmas sights. Fashion Street, meanwhile, boasts a wide selection of boutiques lined along the walkway leading to Vorosmarty Square. The bustling street has become a huge tourist attraction thanks to its displays and installations, which help make the winter season even more special. Shops here are typically open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the winter months. ## 10. Buda Castle and Varkert Bazaar ![](https://test.langandtrip.com.ua/wp-content/uploads/de_import_uploads/june-article-image-181-8-2025.jpg) Buda Castle and Varkert Bazaar are the jewels in Budapest's crown. The famous Buda Castle is a mighty, beautiful and imposing building that towers over the city, while the Castle Garden, or Varkert Bazaar, blends art and nature with a selection of bars and restaurants and space for outdoor events. Both venues host concerts, literary events, and theater and ballet productions all year round, but the winter season is the highlight thanks to the Christmas advent calendar. Throughout December, the castle grounds play host to performances by local poets, authors, actors and ballet dancers. Nathan Kay is a traveling freelance journalist with more than 15 years of experience in print and online journalism. His interests lie in technology, news and travel.