Published: 2022.12.07
6+1 activities in Budapest in freezing cold weather
Source: Széchenyi Gyógyfürdő
Let’s admit, when the first few days of really cold and wet Autumn days arrive, when even the sun goes to bed at 4 pm, most of us just want to stay in and snuggle up with a blanket and a hot cup of tea or go to the closest restaurant and spend there hours with friends. Sometimes that is all your heart needs, however you may miss out on one of the greatest activities that may be just on the corner of your hotel in Budapest, so it is worth to know about them in advance.
1.) SPAs
Budapest is world famous of its SPAs. Hungary has the most thermal springs and SPAs in Europe, there are over 20 thermal SPAs only in Budapest. Each SPA has a different athmosphere and the thermal water has different mineral composition. Széchenyi SPA was the largest in Europe when it opened in 1913 and still is one of the largest. Its magnificent building of Renaissance Revival architecture and Baroque Revival architecture is unmissable in the Városliget park (City Park).
Another SPA, the Rudas SPA on the Buda side has both historic and ultramodern site. You can enjoy stunning views of the city straight from the rooftop jacuzzi, where you can bath at night too! However you can buy a ticket for this amazing “Night over the city” program only online and only for every Friday or Saturday evening.
It was only two example from the many SPAs in Budapest, but you can find for sure one of them which fits perfectly to your expectations.
Source: Széchenyi Gyógyfürdő
Source: Rudas Gyógyfürdő
2.) Sightseeing Bus Tours, River Cruise
There is no doubt the most comfortable and warm way to see Budapest in cold weather is through a guided guaranteed or private city tour. Our Travel Agency offers for the tourists since more than 20 years quality sightseeing tours. If you visit our Office in the downtown – in the Hotel Intercontinental***** – we can offer you many options from the regular city tours till the unique private tours. If you are interestid about out tours please visit our sortiment.
And what is more fun than a bus? A swimming bus! Yes, Duckybus as we call it rolls through the city and when reaches the shore, doesn’t get afraid, but pulls in its wheels and starts to swim on the Danube to give you another perspective of this amazing city.
3.) Ice Skating
Just a walk across Széchenyi Spa, you can find Budapest ice rink which is the largest open air ice rink in the whole CONTINENT. It is located in a breath taking setting: one side is a fairy tale like castle, (Vajdahunyad castle which was built originally as a decoration for the World Exhibition in 1908), on the other side you can even see some of the statues of Hero’s square which is the Symbol of Budapest and finally the over 120 years old baroque revival building that gives home to a café, restaurant, skate hire and events rooms. Live DJ-s and fresh boiled mulled wine and snacks ensure that even non-skaters could have a joyous time out.
4.) Restaurants or cruise ships with folklore show
If you are looking for something more stable and warm than ice, go for a restaurant table or a cruise boat where folklore entertainment are also on menu with live musicians and folk dancers while passing the greatest sights on the Danube. Hungarian musicians are world class. You can book an evening cruise dinner with us at the link below.
If you feel like trying another nation’s cuisine, there are several options: mediterranean, Asian, arabic, Indian, Persian, the list is very long just like in any world capital. Our current favourite is the new, top class Baalbek restaurant with traditional cuisine of Lebanon, where not only the fresh ingredients and lively spices but even the interior reflect the sunny mediterranean.
5.) Museums
For those with greater interest in culture and art there is a wide palette of museums in Budapest with permanent and guest exhibitions from small artists to the biggest names in art history. A great location to start your journey in City park and Heros’ square where you can find 4 museums in close vicinity. A super fun museum for kids and families is Museum of illusion with upside down and optical illusion rooms.
If you want mix a culture program with a gourmet restaurant experience, you can book by us the “Art and Gourmet” program for a saturday afternoon. This is an interesting museum visit combined with a special dinner inside the Hungarian National Museum. For more information and prices please click to the link below or call us.
6.) Music, Theatre
Liszt Ferenc Zeneakadémia – Hungarian Music Academy Budapest
This one may need planning in advance but well worth the work to book in for a show in one of the most stunning buildings in Budapest such as the impressive Opera on Andrassy street, the recently refurbished and breath taking Music Academy near Liszt Ferenc Square or the House of Music (built in 2021). House of Music is located in City Park and is completely built around and under trees as the designers did not want to hurt them, other natural elements are also reflected in the impressive design of this modern building.
Our prettiest and most popular theaters are the Vígszinház, the Nemzeti Színház, (National Theatre) and a traditional cinema that worth a visit is Uránia.
7.) Shopping
We have many large indoors malls such as Allee or Mammut, but it is worth to stroll down the shops in one of the prettiest streets in Budapest, Váci street near the Danube Corso. You can choose a souvenir, sit in for a hot chocolate, visit Hard Rock Café or pop in to a high-street or a top fashion brand here or spend a dinner in a small and cosy restaurant. A perfect time to visit this area is just before Christmas, when the street is decorated with lights and you will also be able to stop for street food, chimney cake or mulled wine breaks between the shops, especially near the Christmas stalls that are open from around mid November (near Vörösmarty square). More information on the Christmas stalls in our next blog post…
Fashion Street Budapest