We know what’s going through your mind right now: Europe? In the dead of winter? Not in a million years!
Granted, it can be unpleasantly cold, and the shorter days can wear you down after a while, but not all of Europe is depressing and moody right now: in fact, there’s one city that not only doesn’t shut down in the quiet season, it thrives in it!
With a plethora of luxury spas, stunning architecture, and a fascinating History, Budapest is one of the continent’s dreamiest winter getaways despite the freezing temperatures and the limited sunlight, and we’re more than happy to tell you why:
Budapest Is Great For Sightseeing!
For starters, Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, and it’s great for sightseeing year-round; after all, it’s not a beach destination, and its many historical landmarks look majestic irrespective of weather conditions.
Picture the Hungarian Parliament, with its distinct red dome, a neoclassical St. Stephen’s Basilica flanked by two large bell towers, an idyllic Vajdahunyad Castle perched on a lakeside, and the Fishermen’s Bastion, with fairytale-like turrets overlooking the Budapestian skyline.
Budapest as a whole is an open-air museum, with monumental churches, pedestrianized streets lined by ornate facades and cozy eateries, and medieval treasures lurking at every corner, so soon enough, the 29°F to 34°F temps start feeling like a minor inconvenience.
If it does get unpleasantly cold, however, Budapest is host to a plethora of museums and art galleries you can both take refuge in:
Some of our top picks include the House of Terror, chronicling life in the city during the communist regime, the Hospital in the Rock, a secret hospital that remained in operation during World War II, in the maze-like tunnels of Castle Hill, and the poignant Holocaust Memorial Center.
You’ll Never Get Bored During A Budapest Winter
Other than strolling a cobblestoned Castle Hill and taking in the views of snow-clad gable roofs and church spires, you can go ice skating at Europe’s biggest (and oldest) rink, just facing Vajdahunyad Castle––entry prices start at only 2,000 Hungarian forint, or roughly $5.
Winter is also perfect for indulging in some Christmas market shopping, with the one at Vörösmarty Square taking the crown for most stalls, with over 100 of them selling everything from handicrafts to traditional Hungarian delicacies.
If you’re a sweet fiend, you can’t leave without trying the Hungarian chimney cake, and don’t miss out on the local mulled wine, topped with cinnamon and spices––but perhaps you need something a little stronger to get you through the winter blues.
Well, in that case, Pálinka might just do the trick: it’s a fruit-based spirit Hungarians have been downing like water since the Middle Ages, and you’re more than welcome to join them in an assisted tasting for only $25.76.
Is Budapest One Of The Best Winter Destinations For Food?
Feel hungry yet with all that exploring?
Nothing screams winter like a generous pot of Hungarian goulash sprinkled with paprika, takeout favorite lángos, a deep-fried flatbread paired with onion, garlic, sour cream and white cheddar, or a cauldron of fisherman’s soup flavored with spices.
Hungarian cuisine is hearty and filling––perfect for boosting your energy on a particularly dreary winter day!––and there’s many a local restaurant where you can treat your taste buds.
For a memorable dining experience, with staff costumed as if they were in a 15th-century tavern, and even sword fights, head over to Sir Lancelot: there are cathedral-like stained glass windows, craft beer is served in ceramic jugs, and the meat-heavy menu leaves nothing to be desired.
For excellent wine and yummy food with a spoonful of History, the Hundred Years Old Restaurant (Százéves étterem) is the place to go: the oldest restaurant in the Pest side of town, it welcomes guests to violin performances and Hungarian gypsy music.
Looking to be truly mesmerized, as well as gorge on the most delicious breaded pork loin? Dining at the upscale New York Café feels like being invited to a 19th-century gala dinner in an opulent hall––piece of advice?
Don’t go on a strict budget.
Spas & Thermal Baths Galore
Budapest is the European capital of thermal baths, with a total of 123 hot springs running beneath the sprawling city, all emptying into world-famous spas, unique for their grandeur and stately architecture, and there’s no better season to take a warm plunge than winter.
A yellow-washed Baroque gem, Széchenyi is the most iconic of all, with mist-covered, steaming-hot pools and magnificent interior mosaics––this is the Versailles of baths, so be prepared for long wait lines and busier-than-usual spas.
Studded with glazed, aquamarine ceramics, the Art Nouveau-issued Gellért, dating back to 1918, are equally marvelous, and the outdoor thermal pools command a breathtaking view of Castle Hill across a Chain Bridge-spanned Danube.
Now, for an older venue with some History attached to it, as well as less crowding, the 16th century, octagonal-shaped Rudas is less frequented by tourists, and it’s one of a handful of surviving Ottoman bathhouses in town.
Oh, and make sure you try their 40-minute water massage service, costing only $31, or 12,000 forints.
Budapest Is An Affordable Winter Escapade
We get it. Flying abroad, especially to Europe, can come with mounting costs.
The good thing about Budapest is, besides being a world-class winter vacation, it is incredibly budget-friendly compared to other popular European capitals: for example, tourists spend $39 on average on food per day, against a wallet-wiping $78 in Paris, or $77 in London.
Getting around is just as easy and cheap: Uber rides range from as little as $5 to $12, depending on the departure point and destination, and the entire historic center is covered by an extensive metro, tram, and bus network, with a 24-hour pass costing 2,500 forints, or $6.45.
Indeed, Budget Your Trip specifies that visitors pay around $10 using local transportation daily.
As for hotels, the average price of a room in a 4-star property in downtown Budapest is $93, though it can go as low as $54 this season at the Royal Park Boutique Hotel and an equally-economical $59 at Danubius Hotel Hungaria City Center.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
