BUDAPEST CHRISTMAS MARKET

Located in Eastern Europe, Budapest is well connected to cities such as Vienna and Bratislava. Budapest is a quick trip from both of these cities making it a popular stop on a trip to Eastern Europe. Buses and trains between these cities are quick and frequent. As far as buses go, I’ve found FlixBus and RegioJet to be reliable throughout my European travels. If you’re traveling between multiple countries I recommend relying on public transportation rather than renting a car. Budapest is also a popular stop on a River Cruise through the Danube.

The Christmas Market in Budapest generally begins mid to end of November. The best part about the market is it runs through December into the New Year. Throughout this time, the booths are open daily from 10 am until late in the evening. The hours vary on Christmas Eve , Christmas, New Years Eve, and New Years Day. The markets are open the majority of the day however, opening and closing times may differ. Meaning, you’ll have plenty of time to see the market in all it’s glory!

• Market Dates 2023: November 17th, 2023 – January 1st, 2024

If you’re headed to Budapest to experience the Christmas Markets, spend at least three days in the city. There is quite a lot to do in Budapest but three days is plenty of time to go sightseeing while also soaking in the markets. At one point, Budapest was considered two cities separated by the Danube River. Budapest became the new capital in 1873 with Buda and Pest uniting. With that, the majority of sightseeing spreads between Buda and Pest whereas most Christmas Markets are on the Pest side. The best time to see the markets is in the evening since the entire city glows from the Christmas lights. Not to mention, admiring the lights and decorations with a warm drink is pure bliss. If you want to visit cities outside of Budapest, add a fourth day to your itinerary.

There are a handful of markets in the city however, there are two main markets that cannot be missed! Located on the Pest side of Budapest, they are the heart of the Christmas Markets. As such, they are festive, constantly bustling with activities. The market is full with people enjoying a little holiday cheer with friends and family. With only two main markets in town, you will have plenty of time to soak in the magic of both markets!

St. Stephens’s Basilica: The most recognizable market in Budapest is at St. Stephens’s Basilica. The courtyard of the Basilica turns into a winter wonderland as the market fills the open space. The market wraps around the ice skating rink which is at the center of the courtyard. The rink is perfect for kids as it is pretty small. As one of the biggest markets in Budapest, you will find all the staples! It’s a great spot to get into the Christmas Spirit with 3D light shows displayed against the Basilica daily.

Vörösmarty Square: The oldest, largest, and most popular market in Budapest is set up in Vörösmarty Square. Located at the center of the shopping district, the market is busy at all hours of the day. You can pair your holiday shopping with the market as many booths sell handmade crafts. With over 100 booths at the market, there is a variety of food and drink offered! There are free concerts almost daily so you will undoubtedly feel the joy of Christmas!

Ice Skating: Located near the Vajdahunyad Castle, the main ice skating rink is a bit of a trek from St. Stephen’s Basilica. While it is a little far, the rink is unbelievable! It is also close to a few sights such as Hero’s Square, Vajadahunyad Castle, and Szechenyi Bath so you can pair sight seeing with a skate session. If you like ice skating, it is a can not miss! It’s absolutely huge giving you plenty of room to skate even on a crowded night! As I mentioned, the rink at St. Stephen’s Basilica is tiny so if you want to skate I recommend going to the rink near Vajadahunyad Castle. The opening and closing hours of the rink vary throughout the season so check the website for full details.

While I have touched on the most popular markets, there are handful of smaller markets scattered around town. A few of the smaller markets are near Vörösmarty Square such as the market along Deák Ferenc. There is also a small Christmas Market set up across from the Central Market Hall.

Most of the food at the Christmas Market in Budapest is traditional Hungarian. I love this because it allows you to enjoy the market while also experiencing traditional food. It is heavily meat based so if you are a meat eater, you are in luck. One of the unique things about the market in Budapest is there is a mix between small and large booths at the market. The smaller booths sell everything from fresh potato chips to handmade trinkets whereas the larger booths generally serve meat dishes. But lets discuss the staples of a Hungarian Christmas Market!

BBQ: As I mentioned, there are a ton of options when it comes to meat. Each market has a handful of large booths serving items off the grill. Grilled sausage is among the most popular items as well as pulled pork. The portions are gigantic so head to the grill if you have an appetite.

Goulash: Possibly the most famous Hungarian dish is Goulash. Similar to beef stew, it is hearty and flavorful. At the Christmas Market it is generally served in a bread bowl, ideal for a cold winter day!

Lángos: Lángos is a traditional and extremely popular dish in Hungary. Made from deep fried dough and topped with sour cream, most people find Lángos irresistible! At the Christmas Market, you can top Lángos with cheese, garlic, salami and a handful of other toppings.

Potato pancake: Most booths selling Lángos also sell potato pancakes. Similar to Lángos, potato pancakes are generally topped with sour cream and a few toppings of your choice.

Forralt Bor (Hot Wine): While hot wine is a staple at every Christmas Market, Budapest has a lot of options. You will find traditional forralt bor made with red wine and a variety of spices. In addition to traditional hot wine, there is also hot wine with strawberries, blueberries, or a variety of other fruits. Give one of these a try to warm yourself up on a cold winter night!

Kürtőskalács (Chimney Cake): While Chimney Cakes are popular at many Christmas Markets, Hungary is actually the founder of this sweet treat. In my opinion, no one makes a Chimney Cake quite like Hungarians. Made from rolled dough cooked over fire, they are delicious! Luckily, at the market they are always served fresh off the grill making them taste even better. As a bonus – of course, they are gigantic! My husband and I would get one to share and could not finish it!

The Christmas Market in Budapest is considered one of the most affordable in Europe. However, one of my biggest gripes with the Christmas Market in Budapest is the pricing. I found the market to be fairly expensive in comparison to other markets I have visited. With that said, the portions are absolutely gigantic which is likely why it is so expensive. While the portions match the pricing, I prefer smaller less expensive portions. I enjoy tasting a handful of dishes rather than stuffing myself to the brim on one. But, if you like big portions, you will be set!

Here is the pricing for a few popular items:

For your reference, as of December 2019: 300 Hungarian Forint = 1 USD

• Ice Skating (Large rink – full day cost) – 1000 -1500 Forint (weekdays) & 1500 – 2000 Forint (weekends) Skate Rental: 2500 Forint
• Large Bratwurst – 3000 Forint
• Most items from the grill – 2500 – 3500 Forint
• Langos – 1000 Forint
• Mulled Wine – 900 Forint
• Chimney Cake – 1500 Forint

The best part about Budapest during the holidays is visiting the Óbuda Christmas Market. Óbuda is honestly the reason I fell in love with spending part of the holiday season in Budapest. Since Óbuda is about a 40 minute walk from most sites in Budapest, I wanted to keep it separate.

The market differs from those in Budapest as it is cozy filled with small town charm. The booths at the market are small yet trendy selling all the classics! A few of the booths were even set up in a trailer (like below)! The Christmas Market itself is decent size complete with an ice skating rink and stage. It is more of a locals scene, as it feels a world away from crowds and tourists. As a bonus, the prices are slightly less so you get more bang for your buck!

Getting There: Luckily, getting to Óbuda is a breeze. If you like walking, it is not a bad walk from Budapest as there is a lot to see along the way. However, on a cold night, I definitely recommend utilizing public transportation. To reach the Christmas Market in Óbuda from Pest take the M2 from Deák Ferenc tér to Batthyány tér (Buda side). From here take the H5 to Szentlélek tér. It is easy and inexpensive! We asked a local for directions and she was so helpful!

I absolutely loved the Christmas Market in Budapest! There is so much variety offered between the traditional market at the Basilica and the cozy market in Óbuda. The lighting in Budapest during the holiday season is spectacular! I have never seen anything like it. The city glows at night allowing you to feel the magic of Christmas. Nothing gets you into the holiday spirit more than a bustling city filled with holiday cheer.

If you’re traveling to Europe in the winter, the following Christmas Markets are some of the best in the region!

• Vienna Christmas Market
• Prague Christmas Market
• Bratislava Christmas Market

Safe Travels,

Sarah :)