The Winter Wonderland of Hungary

Advent atmosphere and Advent fairs are not only held in Budapest, almost every rural town or village has fair and activities. Some places offer it just for a weekend and some places organise it through the whole Advent season. There is a famously intimate Advent atmosphere in DEBRECEN, EGER, SZEGED, PÉCS and SOPRON, for example – but also in SZENTENDRE, near the capital city. These cities are even more beautiful with their festive lights illuminated, so you shouldn’t miss them in winter either. The Advent activities and decorations in the small villages around Lake Balaton are particularly interesting as you look around with a glass of mulled wine or a seasonal delicacy. Half a year before you might have been lying under a parasol, with a cold drink and a corn on the cob!

Even though the temperature can drop below freezing outside, in the Hungarian capital it is also possible to enjoy a hot bath under the winter sky. The city boasts numerous historic spas where you can warm your body and soul, and most of them are located in magnificent buildings that are hundreds of years old.

When the chill settles in there is nothing better than taking a dip in steaming hot water to soothe yourself both physically and mentally. One of the most popular places to enjoy such a refreshing bath at is Széchenyi Thermal Bath, which can be found in the City Park, with its steam chambers, saunas and 22 pools. Here you can submerge in the enormous and quite spectacular outdoor pool in freezing weather as well, since it is open all year round, welcoming guests with its steady 38°C/101°F thermal water. The stunning architecture, the majestic statues and decoration of the building are also not to be missed, but the real speciality of the place is the spectacle of chess players in the pool, a sight that has inspired many photographers.

Another beautiful place to take a dip at is the 450-year-old building of the Rudas Thermal Bath. It is even possible to bathe here at night on Fridays and Saturdays, and you can also relax in its unique rooftop pool while admiring the gorgeous panoramic view over Gellért Hill, the Danube and the Pest side of the city. Gellért Thermal Bath is located in a breathtaking building of Art Nouveau architecture, where you can soak in the indoor thermal baths under ceilings decorated with colourful mosaics.

Veli bej Spa is the largest Turkish Bath in the city welcoming visitors with 5 pools, saunas and various services. You will also find Lukács Thermal Bath in Buda. This establishment offers a complete spectrum of medical treatments and wellness facilities, as well as a steam room and a chamber with walls covered in Himalayan salt that improves respiration. The hot spring of the thermal bath is rich in calcium, magnesium, fluoride ions, hydrogen carbonate, sulphate, sodium and chloride, which can help treating health problems such as joint disorders or neuralgia, among many others. One of the largest indoor water theme parks in Europe, Aquaworld offers numerous swimming pools and waterslides for those arriving with family or those who seek more adventures, throughout the whole year.

If you are cold from walking around all day, there are many coffeehouses throughout the whole city where you can warm up while enjoying a steaming hot beverage. Many of these places offer a variety of artisan coffees or gourmet hot chocolate specialities, while cosy teahouses welcome you with colourful beanbags and fluffy pillows in imaginative interiors dressed in vibrant hues, as well as a wide selection of teas.

Visitors to Budapest should definitely not miss out on the experience of taking a walk along the Danube – the beautiful banks from Gellért Hill to Margaret Bridge have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you are lucky enough to catch a snowfall while you are in the city, you can also wander around in the hills of Buda. Normafa is one of the must-see places here, not only because of its spectacular view over Budapest but also because it is one of the favourite sledding spots for local families. You can enjoy the merry atmosphere and the sight of children riding on sleds in the snow, with dogs running around, or sledding down the hill yourself if you are up for it.