For lovers of history and architecture, gourmets and partygoers, Budapest has everything well planned! We have established the top 10 things to do in Budapest in winter that we recommend to all wishing to soak up the magic of the Hungarian capital.

So, what is there to do in Budapest at this time of year?
Discover our selection of 10 activities to enjoy Budapest in winter!

10Discover an ‘escape game’ in the European capital that launched the concept.

escape rooms Budapest

An ‘escape game’ consists of escaping from a room within a limited time (one hour). Players must look for scattered clues in one or more pieces and solve puzzles to get out as quickly as possible before the time runs out. You can participate in teams of 2 to 8. The organizer will help you at any time (in English) with a follow-up camera. The puzzles do not rely on any one language but use signs and numbers. The first European escape game appeared in 2011 in Budapest and now there are more than twenty establishments offering several rooms.
Discover our article ‘The best escape rooms in Budapest’ on this link.

9Skate outdoors in front of Vajdahunyad Castle

Budapest in winter

From mid-November until the end of February, come and discover the ‘Városliget’ ice rink, the largest outdoor of its kind in Europe, located on the edge of the City Wood, the largest green space in the Hungarian capital with a magnificent view of Vajdahunyad Castle! You can rent skates and after this unique experience enjoy  good hot chocolate on the terrace. In short, a must-do on our top 10 things to do in Budapest in winter!

Address: Olof Palme sétány. 5, XIVth district, Pest.

8Discover the best Budapest Ruin Bar: Szimpla Kert

ruin bar Budapest Szimpla Kert

‘Szimpla Kert’ is the first Ruin Bar in Budapest, opened in 2002 in an old building once occupied by a factory. It is an iconic place of the Hungarian nightlife on several floors where you can discover, both day and night, a unique underground atmosphere and eclectic decorations. Discover each room, one more surprising than another. There is no dance floor but the big inner courtyard quickly becomes electric after 23:00.
Evening concerts and film screenings are regularly offered in the evenings.

Address: Szimpla Kert, Kazinczy u. 14, VIIth district, Pest – mapwebsite.

Note: discover our selections of the best Budapest Ruin Bars in our article, ‘Budapest Nightlife – the best Ruin Bars’ on this link and our article ‘the Szimpla Kert, the 1st ruin bar of Budapest’ on this link.

7Visit the largest synagogue in Europe

great synagogue of Budapest

The Great Synagogue of Budapest is the largest in Europe and the 2nd largest in the world. Completed in 1859 in the Moorish style, the unique structure has a capacity of 3,500 seats. In the backyard is the Hungarian Jewish Martyrs’ Memorial where  you will find the Emmanuel Memorial Tree, created by American actor, Tony Curtis and sculpted by Imre Varga.

Avoid the long queues to visit the synagogue of Budapest with skip-the-line tickets (see below). Guided visits included:

For information and Skip-the-Line tickets
for the Great Synagogue – click here

Address: The Great Synagogue, Dohány utca 2, VIIth district, Pest – map

Complete information is found in our article ‘Budapest Must-see sights’ on this link.

6Have a coffee in a historic café – Top 10 things to do in winter in Budapest

budapest_cafe_new_york

Enjoy Hungarian pastries such as ‘Rétes’ or ‘Dobos’ cake in one of Budapest’s historical cafés where time has seemed to stop. The cafés, New York, Gerbeaud and Central, will take you back to the exciting atmosphere of the 20th century where artists and writers found inspiration.
Complete information in our article ‘the historic cafés of Budapest’ on this link.

5St. Stephen’s Basilica – Top 10 things to do in winter in Budapest

Budapest in 3 days - basilica

St. Stephen’s Basilica located in downtown Pest is sumptuous and imposing. It is the largest Catholic church in Budapest completed in 1906 after 50 years of work! In the chapel of Divine Right is housed a venerated relic of the Hungarian Catholic Church, the mummified right hand of the first King of Hungary, Saint Stephen. At the top of the towers (by elevator or 370 steps), you can admire an impressive view of Pest.

Enjoy an organ or a string concert in St. Stephen’s Basilica, one of the most beautiful neo-classical buildings in Budapest. Take your pick from 3 concerts, each with 4 seating classes, to tailor your experience to your taste and budget.

Duration: about 70 minutes. Information on Classical Music Concerts in St Stephen’s Basilica
and tickets – click here

Address: ST. STEPHEN’S BASILICA, Szent István ter 1, 5th district, Pest – map – Visiting hours: from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5.45pm and on Sundays from 1pm to 5.45pm.

4Visit the Great Budapest Market Hall

great market hall budapest

In the splendid Great Market Hall in the center of Budapest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will discover Hungarian food on the ground floor the Hungarian food with all its essential specialties (paprika, foie gras, salami, wines and spirits, etc.) Upstairs you can eat at the many buffets and explore Hungarian craft stalls and souvenirs.

Address: Great market Hall, Vámház krt. 1-3, 9th district, Pest – mapwebsite.
Complete information is found in our article on ‘Must-see sightseeings’ in Budapest.

3The Neo-Gothic Parliament of Budapest

Budapest Parliament

With 18,000 m2 of space, the Budapest Parliament it is one of the largest in Europe and its Neo-Gothic façade is inspired by London’s parliament, the Palace of Westminster. 268 m long, it is composed of nearly 700 rooms and 10 courtyards. Its dome rises to 96m. A visit reveals the imposing staircase of honor, the central hall in the hexadecagon, the stained glass of Miksa Róth and also the crown of King St Stephan, the first King of Hungary, and the jewels worn by the kings since the Middle Ages.

Address: Budapest Parliament, Kossuth Lajos ter 1-3, 5th district, Pest – planwebsite.

Budapest Parliament 45-Minute Guided Tour ticket – click here

You can also admire the Hungarian Parliament from the Danube on Budapest cruises, day and night (duration 45 minutes-1h, from 9 euros)!
budapest cruise tour sightseeing

For Cruise Information in Budapest – click here

2Direction to Széchenyi Baths – Budapest in winter

budapest best baths

The Széchenyi Baths are the largest baths of Budapest, located in Pest in the “City Wood” and distinguished by its Neo-Renaissance architecture, ahuge Neo-Baroque yellow courtyard and 21 baths, all mixed. You will find 3 outdoor baths whose temperature varies between 27 and 38 ° C, 18 indoor baths whose temperature varies between 18 and 38 ° C as well as steam rooms and saunas. This Hungarian bathing tradition is a unique experience to and a must on our top 10 of things to do in Budapest in winter!

Address: Széchenyi Baths, Állatkerti krt. 9-11, XIVth district, Pest – map.

Our advise: Prepare your visit and avoid long queue (especially during school holidays, week-ends and end-of-year holidays) with skip-the-queue tickets!

for information on the Széchenyi baths and skip-the-line tickets – click her

Complete information about the Széchenyi baths and the other baths of Budapest in our article, ‘The Best Baths of Budapest’ on this link.

1Stroll in the district of Buda Castle

Budapest in 2 days

On the top of our top 10 list of things to do in Budapest in winter, discover the historic heart of the city in the Castle District, located on the Buda side, on a hill overlooking the Danube and Pest! Do not miss:

Buda Castle, the historic castle where the kings of Hungary resided and in which the Hungarian National Gallery, the Budapest History Museum and the National Library are housed.
The Matthias Church, the most famous church in the city has born witness to royal coronations. Its roofs will dazzle you with their multicolored glazed tiles. You can also enjoy a guided tour around Matthias Church and learn about its rich history:

Buda Castle District walking tour information – click here

Fishermen’s Bastion next to the Matthias church offers an exceptional panoramic view of Pest and Parliament.

Address: Szent György tér 2, 5th district, Pest – mapwebsite.

We did not include the Budapest Christmas Markets in our Top 10 things to do in Budapest in winter as they are open only from mid-November to the end of December. Find our selection of the best Christmas markets in Budapest on this link of our dedicated article.

Do not forget to check out our section, ’My travel Tips’, and our article on the ‘must-see monuments of Budapest’ while preparing your visit!