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Are you visiting Budapest in the winter? You must visit the Budapest Christmas Market! Perfect Christmas feeling and some mulled wine are waiting for you!
Unlike many other Christmas fairs, the ones in Budapest are outstanding, as the focus is mainly on authentic Hungarian folk art, handicrafts and traditional Hungarian cuisine. There are food and drink stalls as well as numerous craft stalls. You can have steaming mulled wine while walking around in the winter cold, enjoying the wide range of wooden toys, woolen hats and countless items reflecting rich Hungarian culture. This city is magical all year round, but the holiday season makes it more attracting with all the lights and the charming atmosphere of the historical districts and streets.
There are many smaller fairs across the city but the most popular and world famous Budapest Christmas Market is the one you find in Vörösmarty square, located downtown. If you are wondering what to do in Budapest before or during the holidays, visiting it would be an excellent idea. You can easily access the fair by public transport but if you really want to get in the Christmas mood, I’d suggest taking tram 2 which is all lit up for the season. It is called the light tram or the Christmas tram. Get off at either Eötvös square or VÃgadó square and walk a few minutes. Other options include M1 (Millenium Underground – yellow line). You need to get off right at Vörösmarty square. This is the most direct option.
I’d say the best time to visit is after the dark as it really looks more festive with all the lights and also mulled wine somehow tastes better later in the day. Visiting times vary depending on the different days of the week, but it is mostly open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is different for the craft stalls and the food stalls but you can download exact opening times here. It opened on the 9th November 2018 and will close 1st January 2019. Entry is free of charge.
During the opening times of this Budapest Christmas Market different types of street artists will entertain you. There are many concerts on the little stage where folk music and traditional shows are on play from afternoon to evening even on weekdays. You can enjoy different kinds of traditional Hungarian delicacies whether you crave for something sweet or salty, you will find something delicious. If you are looking for other fun things to do in Budapest in December, a walk on the bank of the Danube either before or after visiting the market might be a good idea and as a family you could enjoy catching a breathtaking view on the Buda side with the Buda Castle all lit up. The kids can drink hot tea and eat most Hungarian kids’ favorite Kürtőskalács (Chimney Cake) while walking around the area.
Some drinks are more traditional at the market than others. Let’s talk about mulled wine first. It is made with red wine and characteristic spices, sometimes even raisins are used in it. There are non-alcoholic versions, too but in the winter cold that little alcohol can give you a little warmth. In some places it is also called ‘Krampampuli’ but originally the difference is that Krampampuli is lit on fire for a short time. Then there is good old ‘pálinka’ which is a traditional fruit brandy in Europe. They are real beasts so try them but be careful with them.
Hungary is famous for its cuisine. Just think of Goulash. And it’s just a small glimpse of the gourmet nation we are. There are so many other, less well-known delicacies. Let me mention some. ‘Erős Pista’, made from Hungarian paprika is just as hot and just as popular as chili. Langalló/kenyérlángos/tökipompos are different names for the same food that is basically the Hungarian pizza. Then there is the strudel. Filled with either salty or sweet fillings, it is one of the most popular desserts of every fair but you can try them at many restaurants as well. If you like sweet things, another must try is Kürtőskalács (chimney cake) that I already mentioned.
Traditionally baked over fire, it looks like a chimney and in winter in the cold as you get it fresh, the steam coming out looks like smoke coming out of the chimney. Do not miss it during your stay. Kids especially love it.
We’ve all been there, we’ve all seen it. Going in crowded places with kids can be a nightmare. Especially if you are in a foreign city, the weather is cold and you would like to enjoy your time but it seems impossible. This is exactly why we are here. We can provide you with the proper stroller, a footmuff to keep the cold out, a personal guide if you wish, and even a photographer for the perfect family photoshoots. From our rental service you can get different travel strollers (check out our range of selection). If you want a personal tour guide who will make sure you are at the right place at the right time, check out our Hello Tourist Service and book your family-friendly guide. If you’ve always dreamed of having magazine-like pictures of your family, Lottirose can give you the chance. In the beautiful surroundings of the Budapest Christmas Market (or any other location) you can enjoy our Lovely Memories Service in which a professional photographer will accompany you. This way you can focus on your loved ones but will still have the perfect memories that include pictures of the whole family.
I mentioned some of the best things to do in Budapest in December but there is still much more fun! Budapest is the city of spas and on a cold winter night there is nothing more romantic or special to do than sitting outside in one of the thermal pools in one of the baths (if it is snowing it is an unforgettable experience). If you are not very keen on sitting in the bath, you can take a cruise on the Danube and catch a glimpse of all the astonishing buildings you can see on both sides of the river. There are sightseeing cruises but also dinner cruises. They are definitely worth a try. You can find the calendar for some of these cruises here. During the summer it gets dark too late but in this season you can see the city lit up as early as 5 p.m. If you are in no way attracted to water, you can always catch a concert as Budapest has numerous Christmas concerts from classical to Gypsy salon and from folk to modern music.
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Due to technical reasons, we are not open on 23rd November.
Thank you for your understanding!
All the best,
Team of Lottirose