The cultural capital that's at its best in winter
Start the festive season early in this great cultural capital, says James Litston.
Go now
The festive season kicks off early in Budapest. Its Christmas market (which opened last weekend) is the first in Europe to celebrate winter with colourful stalls, traditional dancing and cups of steaming forralt bor (mulled wine). It adds an attractive veneer to one of Europe’s great cultural capitals. Jet2 (jet2.com), Wizz Air (wizzair.com), easyJet (easyjet.com) and British Airways (ba.com) fly from airports nationwide.
Stay here
The five-star Corinthia Hotel Budapest (1 on the map above) in the heart of bustling Pest has the class that one expects from a grand dame hotel. Doubles from £196. With just 10 rooms, Pest-Buda (2) is a true boutique hotel with bags of character in Buda’s romantic historic centre. Doubles from £99.
Walk here
Starting at the impressive Chain Bridge (3), hike uphill (or ride the funicular) to the Castle District (4). Wander cobbled streets, admire views across the Danube and tick off landmarks such as Buda Castle: once home to Hungarian royalty.
See this
Heroes’ Square (5) was created in 1896 to commemorate Hungary’s millennium. Its monuments and museums provide a memorable backdrop to City Park (6), whose lake becomes an ice rink in winter (admission £5pp, plus £2pp for an hour’s skate hire).
Try this
A leisurely soak in mineral waters is a Budapest tradition. The city has 118 geothermal springs and numerous public baths. The grand façades and steaming pools of Szechenyi (7) (szechenyispabaths.com) are the perfect place to warm up after wintry sightseeing. Admission £16pp.
Shop here
Follow pedestrianised Vaci Street (8), the city’s major shopping thoroughfare, to Vorosmarty Square for stores spanning high street to high-end. Until Jan 1, the square hosts Budapest Christmas Fair, with more than 100 festive stalls, wine and traditional dancing.
Drink here
Szimpla Kert (9) (szimpla.eu) is Budapest’s original “ruin bar”: a bohemian, pop-up pub in a formerly derelict factory. The salvaged furnishings and fairy lights spawned many imitators, but its 400-strong list of cocktails (from £5), wines and craft beers draws a loyal following.
Eat here
Work up an appetite at the Downtown Market (10) (belvarospiac.hu/en), then bag a table at Stand 25 (stand25.hu), an informal bistro serving local dishes such as goulash soup and chicken stew with noodles. Expect to pay £15pp for lunch (three courses) or £25pp for dinner (four courses), without wine.
Off the map
Many of the showiest landmarks lie along the river. See them on a 70-minute cruise (from £11pp, legenda.hu/en/duna-bella) from Vigado Square – unless it’s so cold that the Danube ices up.
