10 Things to Do in Budapest in Winter

Budapest winters are cold, there's no denying that. However, there are also plenty of things to do indoors, such as a tour of the opera house, visiting the Christmas markets and visiting the ruin bars, the most atmospheric at this time of year. And of course, don't forget to warm up and heal your body in one of Budapest's seasonal spas.

One of the most desirable activities in Budapest in winter is soaking in a warm thermal bath. Because they are fed by natural springs rich in calcium, magnesium and fluoride, these baths have great healing and cleansing properties. Entrance fees vary between 12 euros and 22 euros, depending on the baths and the package. The baths are open from 9 am to 7 pm every day of the week.

Among the best spas in Budapest is the Széchenyi, which has 3 heated outdoor pools. Other popular thermal baths to visit in Budapest are the Gellert, Kiraly or Lukacs Baths. Each of these has different features, some have pools with various temperatures, saunas, massages and spa treatments.

As a tip for your visit to the city, I recommend a tour of the ruin bars in December and January. At this time of year, these bars, in addition to their striking appearance and outstanding features, are a haven on cold and windy days. A wide variety of drinks and seasonal delicacies are a welcome treat.

• Szimpla Kert: it was the first ruined bar to be established in the city, and one of the most recommended places to visit on your tour of Budapest's Jewish quarters.
• Ankert: if you prefer nightlife in the city, this is located in the 6th district and offers some of the best nightlife experiences with music and entertainment.

There are over a dozen ruin bars around Budapest and they often allow special tours to let tourists experience the city while sampling some of their local wines and "unicum", Budapest's own herbal liqueur.

Budapest's City Park ice rink is by far the most famous skating destination in the region, if not Europe. Located directly opposite Vajdahunyad Castle on the edge of the city park, skaters flock to the rink every winter between late November and mid-February.

Hours are 9am to 1pm and then 5pm to 9m. Admission fees are as follows:

• Adults: 5 euros.
• Families: 11 euros (2 adults and 1 child).
• Children, students and pensioners: almost 3 euros.

First opened in 1870, this ice rink is one of the oldest and largest in Europe. However, if you go to Budapest in summer, what you will see is a large lake of water.

St. Stephen's Basilica is a beautiful building, but what is even more pleasing to the eye is the wonderful light show during the winter, especially if you visit the city in December and January. The light show takes place every half hour between 4:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

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The winter season offers the best light show experience, where religious stories and fables are recited with coloured lights and sound. The dazzling 3D animations beamed on the front of the building create an incredible optical effect.

Shopping in Budapest during the winter is a magical experience. Not only will you be able to browse the best boutiques enjoying the best discounts of the year, but you will also enjoy the Christmas spirit on the beautifully decorated boulevards. Andrassy Avenue and Fashion Street are two of the most popular shopping and tourist destinations at this time of year. Shops here are usually open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the winter months.

Stretching between Heroes' Square and Elizabeth Square, Andrassy Avenue is home to Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Burberry and Rolex, to name a few. In addition, the avenue is covered with thousands of lights and Christmas trees.

Meanwhile, on Fashion Street, there is a large selection of boutiques lining the walkway leading to Vörösmarty Square. The bustling street has become a major tourist attraction thanks to its displays and installations that help make the winter season even more special.

Nagy Vásárcsarnok (the Great Market) is one of the ideal places for a gastronomic tour of Budapest and a must-visit if you are in town during the winter season. On the first floor there are some standing counters serving traditional Hungarian dishes and wines of the time. It's hard to resist the smell of homemade food and freshly baked strudels! I recommend you order the winter specials, if you want to try authentic traditional Hungarian cuisine.

The Great Central Market is also a place to warm up, as it is always air-conditioned. And don't miss the famous lángos frying right before your eyes, although they are best eaten when visiting Budapest in summer.

The market is open from 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday, and from 6am to 3pm on Saturdays. On Sundays the market is closed.

During the winter in Budapest, mainly in December and January, special trams covered with fairy lights run through the city's most popular tourist attractions and are a real eye-catcher with their striking exterior aesthetics. They are also a great way to get around on cold nights. These trams are known as Fényvillamos and are an attraction as well as a means of transport.

If you are interested in hopping on a tram to visit the city in style, you can find these illuminated trams along the popular routes in Budapest. They start operating after 5 pm every night. A tram ticket costs around 380 HUF ( 1 euro).

Remember that this line is out of service during Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

The Hungarian State Opera opens its doors in winter for a warm evening of music and atmosphere. What better way to combat the dreary cold days than with rhythm and expressive art. Not only can you enjoy the music but you can also take a tour of the building, as it is a historic place with a lot to see.

Designed by renowned architect Miklós Ybl, the Hungarian State Opera, which was completed in 1884, remains exactly the same as when it was built over 130 years ago. The impressive building is regularly used in blockbuster films and has become an iconic national treasure. Fans of ballet and opera are attracted to this venue because of the high quality performances of shows including "The Nutcracker", "La Boheme", "Billy Elliot", "The Magic Flute" and "Tosca".

And if you are a classical music fan and want more, we also recommend you to go to the organ concert at St. Stephen's Basilica to delight yourself with pieces by composers such as Vivaldi or Beethoven.

While it may be a Christmas event in Budapest, it is still a tourist attraction if you visit the city in winter.Mulled wine, Christmas strudel, traditional dishes and handicrafts line the stalls of the Christmas markets in Vörösmarty Square and St. Stephen's Basilica.

Taking place from November to early January each season and open from 10 am to 10 pm, the markets welcome a large number of visitors from all over the world and offer an authentic Hungarian Christmas experience you will never forget.

The Vörösmarty Square market is one of the most popular in Central Europe, as well as one of the oldest in Hungary. It is famous for its traditional Hungarian foods, which include chimney cake, local sausages and a host of sweet treats to choose from over 120 stalls.

Meanwhile, the St. Stephen's Basilica Christmas market is located in front of the spectacular Basilica building, with over 160 stalls filled with cakes, sweets, handicrafts, mulled wine and traditional Christmas gifts. Admission to both markets is free.

The Budapest Carnival ("Farsang" as it is often called in Hungarian) also takes place in winter. This event always falls between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday. Therefore, if your main sightseeing plan is to see the Farsang you should visit the city in February.

The Budapest Carnival season is a festival of life, colour and merriment to be enjoyed by all, regardless of religious beliefs. For many, it has become more than just a social event, with traditional events such as Busójárás expressing the country's roots and culture, while bidding farewell to winter and enthusiastically welcoming spring.

You can also check out the "Busó" parade in Mohács without leaving Budapest. In the "Busó" men dress up in terrifying costumes using wooden masks and horns, and chase women.

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Winter in Budapest is generally considered to be from December to February, with wintry spells in November and March. The average temperature is between 1ºC and 4ºC. However, if you visit the city in January, you shouldn't be surprised if temperatures drop to -7ºC.

Like most places in Europe that experience a winter season, Budapest tends to be cold and grey in winter, with few sunny days.

From mid-December to mid-February it's not uncommon to see snow around the city.

Firstly, consider a heavy coat with a hood, or a down jacket. You'll also need woollen jumpers, long-sleeved shirts or turtlenecks, a good pair of gloves and a warm knitted or fur hat.

As people in Hungary are used to the cold, also consider packing some Budapest fashions- remember that in winter there are bargains to be had in many shops, especially if you're going to Budapest at Christmas.

Budapest has a varied and well-functioning public transport system. During the winter your best option is the metro: it has 4 lines and touches almost all the main tourist attractions.

The only exception is the Castle District, home to Buda Castle and Matthias Church, but it is also easily accessible by bus or tram.

Tram 2 is one of the best tourist lines, so be sure to use it! It will take you for a ride along the river as if you were hiking along the Danube Bend. It also offers the best views of Gellért Hill, the castle area and the Parliament.