Budapest is a great city to visit all year round, including winter, which lasts for about three months between December and February. The weather can be chilly, but if you have enough warm clothes and a good pair of shoes or boots, then you should be good to go.
Depending on when you’re coming to Budapest, you should check out the Christmas markets and you can also sign up for a Christmas Market tour to visit the best markets, to learn about Hungarian Christmas traditions and to sample the best seasonal foods and drinks, including mulled wine.
You could also get tickets to the Opera or enjoy the beautiful Nutcracker performance.
Going to the baths during the cold winter months is a must-do activity and many locals also enjoy soaking in the hot thermal water when it’s cold outside.
You can enjoy winter sports on the hilly Buda side, such as sledding or even skiing if you go up to Normafa, which is only about 30 minutes from the city center by public transport. If you want to stay closer to the center, you can also take a walk on Gellért Hill. To get more tips on things to do in Budapest during winter time, click for our blog post with the top 9 activities.