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I’ve recently come back from a three week stint in Europe, visiting my boyfriend and doing a bit of skiing in the French Alps. Even though I’ve spent a winter and a half in Budapest before, I was a bit apprehensive about going in the middle of January. The last time I was there during winter in 2012, January and February winter brought with it massive snow storms and -20 degree weather. Not exactly ideal conditions to be visiting.
In reality, it wasn’t that bad and I had a great time exploring the city. Here’s why:
Weather
Would you believe this is the beginning of February?!
The weather might be a strange reason to be in Budapest in the winter, but hear me out. I lucked out and had a couple of gloriously beautiful days, along with a couple of rainy and miserable days. They weren’t without some biting cold winds though. Taking your hand out of your glove for a couple seconds meant instantly frozen fingers. However, I think it is a lot more pleasant to be wandering around outside in the cold than in the 35-degree heat that you get in the summer in Budapest. Plus, when you get too cold, there are plenty of cafes and bars around the city to warm up in with a cup of mulled wine (or something stronger if you desire).
Cool Cafes
What a beautiful place for a cafe
Speaking of cafes, Budapest in the winter is the perfect time to be cafe hopping. There are so many interesting places to check out like the cafe set in a beautiful room in the middle of a book store or perhaps the Japanese influenced Cat Cafe. During the day a lot of ruin bars turn into cafes and seeing them during the day is a completely different experience. If coffee isn’t your thing, order lemonade. I don’t know what Hungarians do that makes it so tasty, but they make good lemonade.
Minimal Tourists
So empty!
I did a lot more of the conventional tourist activities on my visit this time around. Everywhere I went, there were minimal tourists. The city felt much emptier compared to the hustle and bustle of the spring and summer. My visit to the Synagogue, Europe’s largest, was very quiet. There were only a handful of people in the building and there was no one else on my tour (included in the price). Just me and the tour guide. A similar thing happened at the Parliament building – I didn’t have to purchase tickets ahead of time and the group I was with was very small.
Take Advantage of the Baths
Ready for relaxation?
Budapest is known as the city of baths. It is built above a lot of thermal water and winter is the best time to take advantage of it all. I spent a morning soaking in the baths of Gellert and it was heaven. Nothing warms you up from the inside out than sitting in a pool of 38-degree water. Even a day later, I could still feel the relaxation seeping through my bones and muscles. Thinking of heading to the baths yourself? Be sure to read my 9 tips to make your trip effortless.
Authenticity
Is this the real Budapest?
Visiting Budapest in the winter lends a sense of authenticity to the city. Without the mass influx of people visiting, it is just you, a couple others and the locals. You really get to see the city – the real Budapest, without the razzle and dazzle that comes with summer and beautiful weather, to distract you. You see the grit, you see the good and the bad and you see what makes the city tick.
Where to Stay
Heading to Budapest and looking for a place to stay? Because I lived there or stayed with friends, I haven’t stayed in these places myself, but I have recommended visiting friends and family these places and no complaints so far. Please consider booking your Budapest accommodations through the included links. There are no additional costs for you and it helps support this website. Here are my top picks for where to stay:
- Wombats City Hostel Budapest (1061 Budapest, Kiraly u. 20., Hungary) – This is a budget friendly option right in the centre of the city. Easy walking distance to a variety of attractions in Pest. I’ve also stayed in their other locations in Vienna and Berlin and enjoyed my time in both. Check out reviews and book your stay at Booking.com or Tripadvisor.com.
- Nova Apartments (Akacfa utca 26, Budapest 1072, Hungary) – I lived across from these apartments for about a year and would get visitors to book here for convenience. Turns out, they all enjoyed the experience and found the location convenient to many sights and attractions. The apartments are spacious and come with a kitchen. Check out reviews and book your stay at Booking.com or Tripadvisor.com.
Do you like traveling in the winter? Why or why not?
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I have to admit that I was dubious about your suggestion based on the title of your post, but you won me over. It does seem like a great city to visit anytime (even in the winter!). The bath looks heavenly.
Yay! It does seen counter intuitive to be traveling in the winter, but it’s quite nice.
It looks amazing! We are not that far from there in the grand scheme of things, we must visit soon! 🙂
Yes! Time for a visit 🙂
I totally agree with you – I’ve been to Budapest a couple of times in the winter and it’s jusut magical. Plus, I can’t stand going to the thermal baths when it’s so hot – so much better when you can run through the freezing cold into the lovely hot water 🙂
I went once to the baths in the summer. It felt warmer outside the water than it did in! Very strange experience for sure.
I’m developing a strong desire to visit Budapest thanks to your blog. I’ve been there couple of times but many years ago. And it is really close to home, so there should be no excuse for not going. Anyway, I prefer any other time of the year to travel but winter. If the weather is bad, even photos don’t come nice 🙂
I decided to enjoy some Sunday travel today! Budapest is defintely on my bucket list; I just know I would love it – and I’ll take it any time I can get it, winter/summer or anything in between! I know what you mean about a place feeling more authentic without the tourists. My husband and I honeymooned in Italy in November 1996; part of the honeymoon was in Amalfi, Italy – talk about deserted! We were the only guests in our lovely hotel – Luna Convento; and only when the staff would hear our footsteps on route to the dining room, would they appear, and then tell us what they had in mind for our meal or ask what we were in the mood for. We never saw a menu (or prices), but had the most wonderful meals and devoted attention. It was so cool, especially for a honeymoon. Plus, being alone in our 700+ year old former monastery was incredibly romantic!
Wow, sounds like you had a fantastic and authentic experience in Italy!
I’ve wanted to go to Budapest for ages – and your post makes it look lovely! Even (or perhaps especially) in winter. One to look into for next year….:)
I hope you get a chance to go! It’s a beautiful city.
Visiting in the off-season is really the best! You can be a tourist without getting annoyed by tourists =) This is a great list.
So true! What a great way of putting it.
I’d also gladly re-visit Budapest anytime of the year.
http://soloworldtour.com/878/budapest
I like to travel in the off season but have never traveled during the winter. I’ve been thinking about starting to however and your post just validated why – less people everywhere 🙂
Yes! It’s definitely a good time to go. Not to mention accommodation is usually more inexpensive.
I love the less tourists part and all the baths!
The baths are the best in the winter!
Ooh – those baths almost make it seem worth it. And I do like going places in the off season. I hate crowds! But I don’t like winter travel as much, because I always have to fight the temptation to stay inside.
You’re so right. Trying to get out the door each day was the toughest part!
I loved Budapest, I want to go in the winter! I had hoped to go this year, but my friends and I didn’t make it. Maybe next year.
I hope you get a chance to go!
We absolutely loved Budapest and would gladly return at any time of year! Great post!
You had me at “minimal tourists”, but those baths look amazing!
Everywhere = no tourists! Baths included 😀
I was in Budapest for the first time in January and love it!! It’s definitely a good time to visit in the winter! 🙂
I hope you enjoyed your visit!
Much as I dread winters, they do add a certain charm to places. Beautiful post.
Definitely, you see another side of the city.
I am used to the heat, so I think anything below 10 C is too cold for me. Other than that, all your other reasons sound very attractive. I would much rather visit a place when it’s not as touristy and feels more real. I’m thinking of Budapest for the summer, so I’ve added this to my Pinterest board so you can inspire me.
I prefer moderate temperatures. I don’t think I could survive if the weather is at a constant 30+! You’ll certainly enjoy Budapest in the summer then – it gets pretty hot!
We went to Budapest in winter 2009, if I wasn’t sick with a cold I think I would have enjoyed it more, but I must say the cafes were great, the baths too and lovely restaurants!
Traveling with a cold is never fun. Hopefully you still made the best of it and enjoyed your time!
Booking marking!!! I would love love to see Budapest and to cater to my low budget I think winter getaways are great as the cities are not as busy as the summer peak periods.
Budapest is definitely a budget destination. Lots of things to do and all fairly affordable.
Once I saw the picture of the baths I was sold. Looks like a very fun and interesting place to visit!
The baths are amazing! So worth the visit.
I loved my week in Budapest, and have always said I wanted to go back. Especially to go back to the baths… ahhh those baths!
The baths are HEAVEN
I really don’t like winter, but I have to admit… you make some really good point! 🙂
I was in Budapest in summer and well… you can probably imagine how it was trying to see anything. Will keep your advice in mind for the next time!
Budapest in the summer is intense. Its so hot and too many people. A good time to visit is April / May and September. The weather is still nice and there are relatively less people compared to the summer months.
Funny, you posted this on my birthday when I was in Budapest! I went there FOR my birthday because I thought it would be a really unique city to be in. I agree about the weather – it was so sunny when I was there! I would love to go back and spend a bit more time there. Great post!
Thanks Alyssa! Happy belated birthday 🙂 I hope Budapest treated you well and that you’ll be back one day.
What’s great is that during the winter, the prices of hotels dip a lot. I paid in the 20’s for hotels that could cost 60-70 EUR per night!
It was awesome!
Still: it can be terribly cold, so you can forget long strolls on the streets. Bad weather is quite frequent and some of the hotel rooms have no heating – I had a terrible experience with some hotels back then… phew!
But the city is fantastic!
Yesssss it can be so bitterly cold in the winters. You need to be prepared, but the fortunate part is that there are so many great coffee shops to warm up in when necessary.
What hotel had no heat? I grew up in Budapest, lived there until age 29… and never heard of an unheated anything there!
I entirely agree with your all your reasons to visit Budapest in winter… and all the other European cities by this token. Summer, spring and early fall are a killer in Europe. I’ve spent two months in Budapest about 10 years ago, when we bought our apartment there and I remember enjoying the city like a local. No tourists, no crowds (it was too cold!), no long lines.
Summers in Budapest are brutal. I lived through a couple of them and it was no fun. I much prefer Budapest in the winter even though it does get ridiculously cold at times.
Summers in Budapest are brutal. I lived through a couple of them and it was no fun. I much prefer Budapest in the winter even though it does get ridiculously cold at times.
Hello, nice post on Budapest. We have been there (also in winter) and just wrote a review on the best activities.