Christmas is not all about Father Christmas and children – is it a time for them? Of course, but does that give them the right to be the only ones to enjoy it? Not at all, so let’s make the most of Christmas. 

Because even if you are an adult, you still have the same enthusiasm and desire to have fun, to surprise and to let yourself be surprised. 

If you are in Budapest at this time of year, you are in luck. The Hungarian capital is not all about beautiful spas. The Pearl of the Danube is an interesting, lively and cosmopolitan place. 

In addition to all this, there is a special and magical atmosphere at Christmas time thanks, among other things, to its Christmas markets. Let’s go on a route to discover the best ones, so put on your Christmas hat and let’s hit the streets. 

Christmas Markets in Budapest

St. Stephen’s basilica Christmas market

We start in the heart of the city centre. Next to St. Stephen’s Basilica, one of Budapest’s most emblematic monuments. Here you will find one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the world. 

But don’t take our word for it. It is not a personal opinion, it is a fact. It has been named several times, specifically in 2019, 2021 and 2023, as the Best European Christmas Market. The differentiating factors to place it as the best are, basically, its beauty, lighting, location and organisation. 

That’s why we put it as the first, it should be the first stop on your route. Is it the biggest? No, but it is the most beautiful. Year after year, it welcomes visitors from mid-November until the end of the year.

As well as enjoying the atmosphere, stop by St Stephen’s Basilica Christmas market for a nice souvenir, from handmade Christmas decorations to toys. 

There’s a programme of activities for all the family, from skating for children to light shows in the basilica square. A place where you can spend hours. And spending so much time there, the question becomes obvious; what can you eat?

Here you have everything you need to savour the best of local gastronomy and Christmas specialities. Try the typical lángos, fried bread with cream and cheese, a nice hot plate of goulash, stuffed cabbage, chimney cake for dessert and don’t forget to eat the traditional lentils on January 1st.

Vörösmarty square Christmas market

We continue in style, we set off in search of one of the most important Christmas markets in both the city and the country. 

This popular market is held in the central Vörösmarty Square and lasts from mid-November to 1 January. The square also hosts other events throughout the year, and is home to some of Budapest’s best-known cafés and restaurants, such as Café Gerbeaud. 

Among its stalls you can find all the Christmas decorations you can imagine and plenty of gifts to take home. But let’s live in the moment and the now. After visiting everything, you’re sure to be dying to try some of the food they sell. Or all of it.

Lángos, goulash, halászlé or Fishermen’s Soup, which is a paprika-based fish soup. Paprika is the star spice in Hungarian cuisine and you will find it in many dishes. After your trip to Budapest you will miss paprika, we warn you right now. 

And if you’re already full and can’t eat any more, it’s time for dessert. Kurtoskalacs, known as chimney cake, flódni or strudel.

Erzsébet square Christmas market

No need to take a long walk to our next Christmas market. A short stroll away from Vörösmarty Square, we arrive at one of the most beautiful and cosy Christmas markets in the whole country; Erzsébet Square Christmas market. 

Stroll among handmade clothes, Christmas decorations, and dozens of souvenirs from your Budapest getaway. And if, by any chance, you’re still a little hungry, don’t worry, you’ve got all the traditional and Christmas treats you can imagine, plus typical market food such as pulled pork and sausages. 

And to wash it all down, we recommend ordering a hot drink such as coffee, tea or wine. Yes, you read that right, if you haven’t tried the typical winter mulled wine, now is the time to do it.

Advent Óbudán 

We now leave the most central and touristic area of Budapest. The city is made up of three areas; Óbuda, the old city, Buda and Pest. This flea market is located in the first, Óbuda, a more residential and quiet area of the Hungarian capital. 

In Fő Square, Fő tér, you will find few tourists, and many locals who want to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere without the crowds of tourists. 

There is a programme of activities for the whole family, as well as plenty of handmade items to decorate your home or take home as souvenirs. 

Of course, it goes without saying that there’s plenty of Christmas food around to get your strength back for the way home; mulled wine, forralt bor, töltött káposzta, which is stuffed cabbage, grilled meats and desserts such as chimney cake, a kind of Apple strudel called almás rétes, and much more.

Other smaller Christmas markets can be found in Liszt Ferenc square, Gozsdu Udvar, in the Jewish quarter or The Advent Festival in Városháza park.

Accommodation in Budapest

Stay in the most beautiful boutique guest house in Budapest; Giselle Vintage Doubles, its façade is a true work of art and its interior and food match the beauty of its exterior. 

A few steps away from one of the most important bridges in Budapest; Erzsébet híd. Stay in Pest with Buda at your feet.