Budapest hosts one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe, and here is everything visitors need to know to plan a trip for Christmas 2023.
Christmas is a time to be festive, indulge in delicious food, and be merry whilst sipping mulled wine, and why not do this in Budapest, Hungary?
Budapest is not only a bustling city for its incredible nightlife and long-standing history. It also has an excellent Christmas Market, which is becoming more popular each year, and you need to know all about it.
While the most famous Christmas markets are located at Vörösmarty Tér in the centre of Budapest, there are plenty more to check out. You can expect over 100 stalls selling delicious food, mulled wine, and, let’s not forget, those almighty Hungarian chimney cakes.
So, if you want to plan a Christmas event like no other, perhaps the Budapest Christmas Markets might be precisely what you had in mind. Here is everything you need to know.
The World Bucket List’s top tips for visiting the Budapest Christmas Market:
- While visiting Budapest during Christmas, don’t miss out on a dip in the famous thermal baths, which are ideal when cold outside.
- A cruise on the River Danube – one of the longest rivers in Europe – is a popular activity during the Christmas period and makes for a memorable experience.
- Christmas concerts take place throughout the city, so do some planning if you want to witness an outstanding performance.
- The Budapest Nutcracker Ballet has a regular winter show, a must-see at the Hungarian State Opera House.
- The ice rink at Budapest Park is an excellent activity for all ages and is an exciting place to rent skates and glide around in front of Vajdahunyad Castle.
- Have you camera at the ready. Budapest’s incredible architecture makes it one of the most Instagrammable cities in the world.
Budapest Christmas Market 2023 – what’s in store?
Vörösmarty Tér Christmas Market
For the quintessential Christmas experience in Budapest, you will want to make your way to Vörösmarty Tér (Vörösmarty Square), where the biggest and most famous market takes place.
It is relatively easy to get here. Once you arrive at the Christmas fair, you can expect an abundance of traditional Hungarian handicrafts and delicious foods of all kinds; plus, there will be a stage for daily concerts, folklore events, and other cultural programmes.
For those travelling with young kids, you won’t want to walk past the little train which rides around the square, as this will undoubtedly add to your children’s Christmas experience.
St Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market
As well as Vörösmarty Tér, there is another big Christmas market you won’t want to miss, located at St Stephen’s Basilica. This is the city’s newest Christmas market, having begun in 2011.
While there will be similar stalls selling traditional Hungarian food and crafts, the main difference with this market is the appearance of an ice-skating rink and the backdrop of the beautiful basilica.
As well as being able to sample local foods and ice skating in the centre of the market, you will have the opportunity to soak up the magical atmosphere around you, thanks to the abundance of stunning lights.
Since people come in the evenings to witness these gorgeous lights, there are dedicated light shows displayed on the church’s façade, enhancing your festive experience.
RELATED READ: The WBL guide to the best Christmas markets in the United Kingdom.
Everything you need to know – essential information for your visit
Dates
The Budapest Christmas Markets will be held from 23 November to 31 December 2023. However, some of the city’s other markets stay open until January.
Getting there
Vörösmarty Tér is at the last stop of the yellow metro line and the end of the shopping street of Budapest, Váci Utca. St Stephen’s Basilica is located next to Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út metro station and is a short walk from Vörösmarty Tér, making it easy to visit both.
Address: Budapest, Szent István tér 1, 1051 Hungary
What to eat – sample some local delicacies
Hungary has some incredible foods to try, and there is no better time to indulge than during the festive season. Langos are a popular choice for a savoury yet hearty meal consisting of deep-fried dough covered with sour cream, garlic, and cheese.
Kürtöskalács, also known as chimney cakes, are one of the most typical sweet treats you can find in Hungary. They resemble a chimney and consist of a sweet dough coated in a range of flavour options. The best choices are cinnamon, cocoa, vanilla, or walnut.
Sausages are typical in Hungary, and if you are a meat lover, this is the best place to find some delicious sausages and some interesting meals such as chicken testicle stew and pork knuckle.
Nothing screams Christmas like chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and luckily Budapest is no stranger to roasting chestnuts; in fact, these can be found (and smelt) all over the city and are the best way to warm yourself up during those cold winter days.
MORE ON BUDAPEST: Our guide to the best Airbnbs in the city.
Notable mentions
Other Budapest Christmas Markets: If you have more time, you can also visit the markets at Gozsdu Udvar, Liszt Ferenc, Moricz Zsigmond Korter, Fö Square, and Advent Obuda in the historic Obuda (“Old Buda”) area.
Drinks: Mulled wine is hugely popular at the Budapest Christmas Markets, as is pálinka, the local fruit spirit.
Souvenirs: The markets are excellent places to buy crafts made by local people, including exclusive handmade sweets and gingerbread, ceramics, Christmas tree decorations, warm clothing, handcrafted lamps, and hand-carved wooden souvenirs.
Getting to Budapest: Budapest International Airport is located 16 km (10 miles) from the city centre, and getting to the centre is accessible via bus, train, or taxi.
Budapest Keleti is the central train station, while Nepliget is the main bus terminal, making it easy to get to from other nearby European cities.
Your questions answered about Budapest Christmas Market
In this section, we answer some of our readers’ most frequently asked questions and questions that often appear in online searches about Budapest Christmas Market.
Is Budapest good for Christmas markets?
Yes! Their Christmas markets are known to be some of the best in Europe, alongside those of Rome, and Budapest is a fantastic place to get unique handcrafted gifts and try some unique and traditional foods.
What is the most famous Christmas market in Budapest?
The most famous of the Christmas markets is the one located at Vörösmarty Tér in the heart of Budapest.
What district is the Christmas market in Budapest?
The main Christmas Markets at Vörösmarty Tér and St Stephen’s Basilica are in the city centre.
The legendary Budapest Christmas Markets are among the best on the continent for a reason, so be sure to consider this destination for Christmas 2023.
EXPLORE MORE CHRISTMAS MARKETS: Our guide to the best in France.
