by Shebs Alom*

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about Christmas in Budapest, and the Christmas Markets .

Last week, I shared with you 5 of my favorite European Christmas markets, and this week, I have another one to share with you : the Budapest Christmas Market.

Once called the “Queen of the Danube,” Budapest , the capital of Hungary, has long been the focal point of the nation and a lively cultural centre, and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

Budapest city straddles the Danube (Hungarian: Duna) River and consists of two parts, Buda and Pest, which are situated on opposite sides of the river and connected by a series of bridges.

I visited the Budapest Christmas Markets on a train journey from Vienna in December 2019, but it was SOOOOO cold that I spent most of my time there drinking hot chocolate and didn’t really appreciate the Christmas Market, so I’m really pleased to be able to share this post by guest contributor, Shebs Alom, with you!

Christmas in Budapest by Shebs Alom

Christmas in Budapest

When I think of Christmas markets, I picture mugs of brewing mulled wine, bargains to be had on homemade crafts, and Christmas tunes being played to lighten up the mood.

Not to mention being wrapped up from head to toe with freezing temperatures. It was all so different when I travelled across to Budapest a couple of years back. I didn’t think I’d see chicken testicles floating in a red tomato broth. But Budapest Christmas market is a unique place to visit, and many should consider it for this festive period. 

Christmas in Budapest

Christmas in Budapest

Firstly, after last years Christmas markets being virtual in most places around the world, and Budapest was no exception, this is the time to get out and enjoy what Budapest has to offer as it will be bigger and better than it has ever been. Supporting the local and small businesses is what will help boost the local economy as well. 

Becky, who lives in Dubai, told me about the time she went and said :

“December is definitely the time to be in Budapest to experience this lively place! I thoroughly enjoyed the warm food and drinks in the market. I felt so festive, and I said to myself I will have to make another trip to Budapest for the Christmas fair someday again in the future!.”

Becky, Dubai

The most well-known and recognised market in Budapest is Vörösmarty Square. The square is glowing with Christmas lights which are decorated on the trees and buildings. Under the lights, wooden market stalls host traditional Hungarian food with arts and crafts for people to purchase. 

Christmas in Budapest

I saw locals and tourists chat away over mulled wine or a bowl of warm goulash soup with the sounds of Hungarian folk music echoing throughout the square. Isn’t that what we all need this Christmas? Being surrounded by people who are enjoying the festive period.

That’s not all. Once you have enjoyed feasting and drinking away, you might want to enjoy a bit of ice skating. Just across from Heroes’ Square is Budapest’s City Park. Every Christmas and New Year, the park lake gets turned into an outdoor ice skating rink. Since the 19th century, ice skating has been a popular event and continues to be so today. 

A friend of mine, Mark, who has been and has ice skated, told me:

“It’s a beautiful place and a great experience. If you ever visit Budapest in wintertime, you have to ice skate as well, especially if you catch a snowy night”

Mark

He continued on to say, “The prices are low, and they allow you to bring your own skates. The rink is enormous, and the atmosphere is joyous. There’s also a castle right beside it, which makes the experience even further awe-inspiring.”

There are other markets for you to visit as well with a similar vibe. You can enjoy more festiveness at Erzsebet Square Christmas Market, only a few steps away from Vörösmarty Square.

You have the Buda Christmas Market on the Buda side, which you will have to cross the bridge for. Again, there is a very similar vibe to the Vörösmarty Square. 

Christmas in Budapest

Don’t forget to head over to the Kossuth Lajos Square, which is the most notable landmark in Budapest as it holds the Hungarian Parliament Building. I managed to see it whilst it was snowing. And there’s something extra special during the night when it’s lit up. 

If that’s not enough for you then, once you have enjoyed the markets and drunk the mulled wine, you can relax by heading over to the most prominent thermal bath in Budapest, Széchenyi Thermal Bath. It is slightly out of the city, but there is a carnival atmosphere during the festive times that I am sure you will all enjoy and cherish.  

Where to Stay

Booking.com

Final words about Christmas in Budapest

All in all, look no further than to head to Budapest for the Christmas Markets. There is a sense of happiness to be gained when you travel over for the festive period. 

I hope you enjoyed this feature about Christmas in Budapest, and have a look here for more travel inspiration.

About Shebs Alom 

Shebs is the Founder and Director of Shebs The Wanderer LTD. Graduating with a Bachelors degree in Fine art, he specialises in photography, videography, and writing. Shebs is the host of a travel podcast, ‘Take a Wander with Shebs’ which can be seen on his YouTube channel and all major podcasting platforms. Shebs also hosts his own travel show on the startup radio station, Gallivant Radio, the only dedicated travel station in Africa.

You can find him on social media at the following links:

YouTube : shebsthewanderer, Instagram : shebsthewanderer, Facebook: shebsthewanderer, Twitter : @shebsAlom and TikTok : shebsthewanderer