Christmas time in the Hungarian capital is incredibly lively and there are many traditions and activities to take part in Advent. Magical winter markets, hot thermal baths and Christmas events, there’s plenty to do this festive season. Walk under a million twinkling fairy lights, stroll from vendor to vendor with a nice glass of mulled wine in hand and try the famous shortbread or poppy seed strudel.
There is no better place to get in the mood in Budapest than the Christmas markets. Located in the heart of the city center, the two most famous in Hungary are located in Vyrossmart Square and in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The markets invite visitors to a magical world where everything revolves around Christmas. The stalls are filled with tempting sweets and handicrafts. The aroma of mulled wine and ginger wafts through the air, and all you need is a glass of wine or chocolate to warm you up.
Ice skating enthusiasts can skate on beautifully lit ice rinks all over Budapest. The most famous is Varosliget, located at the foot of the imposing baroque castle of Vajdahunyad, also the largest in Europe, and gliding under the stars in the evening is an unforgettable experience. After skiing, the best choice is to walk around the castle while tasting roasted chestnuts.
After a long walk in the freezing cold, it never hurts to rest. Budapest is world famous for its spas because the water is naturally warm at the surface and therefore provides exceptional thermal springs. The Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Budapest’s largest thermal baths, are worth a visit, as are the Rudas Thermal Baths at the foot of Gellert Hill, whose hot rooftop pool offers stunning views of the city. Also in the same place are the Gellert Baths, which are also very popular for their Art Nouveau architecture and decoration. Winter is definitely the perfect time to visit one of Budapest’s spas and rejuvenate for the festive season.
The capital of Hungary does not let you get bored at night either. When Christmas is celebrated, many immediately think Nutcracker. There’s no better feeling this time of year than seeing a beautiful performance and getting into the holiday spirit to the stirring music of Tchaikovsky. in Budapest, Nutcracker presented in a luxurious, recently renovated opera house. This makes the experience even more wonderful in this unique environment. To finish off the day, you can take a ride on the glittering Christmas trams. These are circulating in the big cities of Hungary, they start at night and work with decorative lights that will delight young and old.
Outside of Budapest, you’ll also find great destinations to get into the party spirit. The Szeged Christmas Market is held every year in Dom Square, where you can taste the famous fish soup, a typical Hungarian Christmas dish. Visitors are invited to join Debrecen’s celebrations, where for three consecutive Sundays they can attend performances, listen to concerts and enjoy the city’s light shows, as well as watch the traditional candle-lighting ceremony.
Christmas isn’t just about us, it’s also about our loved ones. If you want to shop for Christmas gifts in Budapest, there are many shops with Hungarian designs and traditional crafts waiting to be explored, offering you unique and high-quality products to give for the holidays.
Source: Le Figaro
