<ul><li>Return flights from London</li><li>Regional airports available upon request</li><li>Stay 3 nights in Budapest at Marmara Hotel Budapest 4⭐</li><li>Added Benefit of Free BB</li><li>Nearby Restaurants<ul><li>I55 American Bar &amp; Restaurant</li><li>Rub and Roll</li></ul></li><li>Nearby Attractions<ul><li>Fisherman's Bastion</li><li>Olimpiai ötkarika</li></ul></li><li>Financially Protected</li></ul>

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Christmas Cheer in Budapest🎄

<h3>🎄Your Dream Christmas Getaway Awaits:</h3><ul><li>Round-trip flights to Budapest</li><li>3 nights at the luxurious 4-star Prestige Hotel Budapest</li></ul><h3>🛡️Unbelievable Deals:</h3><ul><li>Low Deposit: Secure your spot with a minimal upfront payment</li><li>Flexible Travel Dates: Choose from a wide range of dates in 2024 and 2025</li></ul><h3>💸Exclusive Perks for You:</h3><ul><li>Easy Payment Plans: Spread the cost with flexible monthly installments</li><li>NHS Discount: Save up to £25 with your NHS ID</li><li>Convenient Payment Options: Pay with Klarna, Clearpay, and more</li></ul><h3>✨Extra Excitement:&nbsp;</h3><ul><li>Nearby Restaurants<ul><li>Kisharang Étkezde</li><li>The Pointer Pub &amp; Restaurant (Bajcsy Zs. út)</li></ul></li><li>Nearby Attractions<ul><li>Love Locks Budapest</li><li>Little Princess Statue</li></ul></li></ul>

Budapest's Enchanting Christmas🎄🎅

<ul><li>In Hungary, Christmas Eve is called "Szent-este," meaning "Holy Evening." The evening is spent with family while decorating the Christmas tree.</li><li>Sometimes, only the grownups decorate the tree, so when the children see it, it's a big surprise, and they're informed that angels brought it for them!</li><li>In Hungary, gingerbread is also a traditional Christmastime food. Frequently, gingerbread is wrapped in vibrant colours and adorned with Christmas figurines.</li><li>The country has a lot to offer: delicious food, beautiful sights, and warm people.</li><li>The Christmas markets in Budapest are a must-see for visitors that want to experience the magical atmosphere of Christmas in Hungary.</li><li>They offer a fantastic opportunity to enjoy fun activities such as dancing, drinking cocoa and buying gifts for loved ones.</li><li>You can visit other cities such as Debrecen or Szeged, where many Christmas markets will give you a fantastic experience during these holidays!</li><li>In Hungary, Midnight Mass is a popular service. The majority of individuals attend church after their Christmas dinner.</li><li>On Christmas Eve, youngsters also anticipate receiving gifts under the Christmas tree. They are told that Jesus brought the offerings, often called "Jézuska," a diminutive form of "Jesus."&nbsp;</li><li>Children wait outside the room containing the Christmas tree until they hear bells ringing, at which point they may enter and find their gifts under the tree.</li><li>The Christmas markets are always open during this time and are more worth visiting with Our Holiday Vibes are Good Vibes Only!&nbsp;</li></ul>

sneak peak

<ul><li>Christmas is the holiest of the Christian holidays, and for Hungarians and Christians worldwide, it is the most important day of the year.</li><li>The "holy evening" (Szenteste) is spent by families preparing for the Christmas tree to be decorated with carefully placed candles.</li><li>Following this, the nicely wrapped presents are placed under the tree before "lighting" the candles and the sparklers. After this, the family "lights" the candles and the sparklers.</li><li>Budapest consists of Buda in the west and Pest in the east, to which the Chain Bridge connects.</li><li>The capital city of Hungary features distinctive architecture, historic spas, and, of course, beautiful Christmas markets brimming with mulled wine, folk art, and a variety of traditional handicrafts.</li><li>In contrast to most countries worldwide, December 24 is Hungary's most important day of Christmas.&nbsp;</li><li>It is a day filled with festivities: during the day, families erect and decorate their Christmas trees, sing Christmas songs, make Christmas dinners and beverages, and exchange gifts in the evening.</li><li>The most traditional Hungarian Christmas dish is halászlé, a fish soup seasoned with the country's renowned paprika, but fish is a popular choice for the evening.</li><li>The local variant of stuffed cabbage, or toltott káposzta in Hungarian, is also a favourite lunch on the day.&nbsp;</li><li>At the same time, beigli is the dessert of choice: a pastry roll typically loaded with poppy seed or walnut, but modern varieties include chestnut, almonds, and even pistachio.</li></ul>

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<ul><li>Hungary's Christmas markets are among the best places to spend your holidays.</li><li>The country's Christmas celebrations are especially festive and colourful, with plenty of lights, music and dancing.</li><li>The next best time to visit is during January or February when the weather is milder.</li><li>The city centres are filled with outdoor markets and shopping areas open until well into January.</li><li>There are also many traditional Christmas traditions to be found in Hungary, which include various types of loaves of bread, sweets and other foods.</li><li>The Hungarian diet is rich in vegetables, fruit, and meat; however, pork and poultry are not eaten during certain times, such as Advent and Lent.</li><li>Hungarian Christmas traditions involve singing carols and decorating homes with candles.</li><li>Candles are lit at midnight on December 25 to commemorate Jesus' birth; this tradition is known as 'Stille Nacht,' or 'Silent Night.'</li><li>Christmas markets have been a part of the Hungarian tradition for centuries. There are many holiday markets in Budapest, but we recommend the Szentendre Christmas Market.&nbsp;</li><li>Over 20,000 sellers sell everything from handcrafted goods to cuisine at this annual market, which has been going strong since 1885.</li><li>There are live entertainment performances and a children's area where kids can play on rides and enjoy games.</li></ul>

seasons to travel

In mid-November, Budapest's two main Christmas markets, Vorosmarty Square and Basilica, help set the mood for the holiday season. The city's original Christmas market is in the centre of Budapest, at Vorosmarty Square. Various food stands, artisan booths, and free performances may all be found here. The Basilica of Santa Maria del Monte offers all of those, as mentioned earlier, with the bonus of laser projections of Santa Claus and a giant Christmas tree onto the Basilica for ice skating.

Budapest

christmas markets

The Advent and Christmas seasons begin on Kossuth Square in Debrecen, Hungary's second-largest city and one of the country's cultural centres. Some attractions at this Hungarian Christmas market include a cheerily lit Ferris wheel, a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, and a public skating rink. A concert by a brass band and a procession of Christmassy characters have always served as the opening ceremonies for the Debrecen Christmas market. Every Sunday during the Christmas market in Debrecen, candles are lit around the Christmas tree, which is another unique and remarkable event characteristic.

Debrecen

Eger is the birthplace of the Hungarian wine known as "bull's blood." Still, over the holiday season, you should consider going there for reasons other than its history relating to wine, Baroque architecture, hot spas, and the castle. Dobó Square in Eger has been completely decked out for the holidays, demonstrating the city's enthusiasm for Christmas. Since Eger is such a popular destination during the holiday season, several tour companies now arrange excursions that combine a trip to the town's historic castle with a stop at its Christmas market.

Eger

Christmas light sculptures at Gyor's Christmas market brighten the night and chase away any gloom associated with the winter season. Széchenyi Square, the location of the Hungarian Christmas market, serves as the event's epicentre and features a Christmas tree and a Ferris wheel. Children will enjoy activities such as a live Nativity scene and a petting zoo, while adults may shop, warm up with a traditional beverage, or enjoy a concert.

Gyor

The Miskolc Christmas market features a Christmas tram as one of its attractions. Although many of the top Christmas markets in Hungary have Christmas trams or trains, the one in Miskolc has been judged to be the most beautiful in Europe for the previous few years. The winning team design is themed after gingerbread. The layout of the Christmas tram in Miskolc is updated annually, but with the amount of pressure placed on it to live up to its reputation, it is guaranteed to be impressive year after year.

Miskolc

Kossuth Square will play host to the Nyregyháza Christmas Market this year. This Christmas market is a sight to behold; it features a Ferris wheel and trees that have been imaginatively adorned. Folk art gifts and other items will be available for shoppers in addition to traditional Hungarian food specialities such as fish soup and standard drinks. The lighting of the Christmas tree signifies the beginning of the holiday season, while the weekly lighting of the advent wreath leads up to Christmas.

Nyíregyháza

The Széchenyi Square in Pecs, Hungary, plays host to the city's annual Christmas market, and a Christmas tree can be found in front of the Town Hall. The Pecs Christmas market features many intriguing aspects, including a countdown to Christmas accomplished by lighting the cathedral towers one by one on each Sunday leading up to the holiday.

Pecs

Szeged, Hungary's third-largest city, gets decked out for Christmas with its Christmas market on Dom Square and a full range of events, decorations throughout the city, a straw maze, a skating rink, and impressive light projections in this beautifully preserved southern Hungarian city. Szeged is located in the country's south.

Szeged

The Christmas celebrations in Hungary are taken to a new level in the historically significant city of Székesfehérvár. This Hungarian city celebrates the Advent and Christmas seasons with inventiveness and merriment, as seen by a model of the municipality crafted from gingerbread and the surprise-revealing windows of the Town Hall. Take a ride on the Christmas train or watch one of the many lights shows that use the historical setting.

Székesfehérvár

This Hungarian city's dancing fountain gets into the Christmas mood throughout the holiday season, as light shows illuminate the darkness of winter. Head to the Main Square, which is suitably decked for the holidays, to partake in the festivities. Suppose you're a fan of all things Christmas. Hungary may be the country for you to visit during the holiday season, whether you want to shop at traditional Christmas markets. Take pictures of Christmas trees and decorations, or take in the atmosphere created by the holiday scents, sights, and sounds of cities' Christmas celebrations. Even though Budapest is the most prominent location to visit during the Christmas season in Hungary, the other significant cities and towns throughout the country, renowned for their historical or scenic significance, are distinct and unforgettable destinations. In addition, the extended Christmas season in Hungary affords you about a month to visit this Central European nation, as the best Christmas markets and events calendars are often held from late November through December.

Szombathely

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<ul><li>There is no better time to appreciate our Hungarian heritage than the holidays.</li><li>The holiday season is a time of celebration during which family traditions have been passed down for generations.</li><li>Here are seven Hungarian customs our family is passing you this holiday season.</li><li>Traditional advent wreaths mark the countdown to Christmas in Hungary.</li><li>Four candles, signifying faith, hope, joy, and love, are set in a bed of pine branches and ribbon in these lovely Christmas centrepieces.</li><li>Each Sunday coming up to Christmas, a candle is lit, with the final being lit on szent-este or Christmas Eve.</li><li>Hungary is oozing with holiday excitement during Christmas, with several markets selling potato cakes and honey biscuits and Mikulás, the Hungarian Santa Claus, roaming the streets.</li><li>In reality, holiday customs in Hungary begin even before the festival itself.</li><li>If you are in Budapest during December, you will not want to miss the Christmas Fair and Winter Festival, which begins early in the month.</li><li>Here, you may get unique and cultural presents for every member of your extended family, as well as seasonal Hungarian dishes like cabbage rolls, beigli (a poppy seed pastry), chimney cake, and mulled wine.</li><li>During the holiday season, you should be familiar with the local customs wherever you find yourself in this little yet charismatic country.</li><li>Discover what to expect during your Christmas holiday in Hungary.</li></ul>

culture and tradition

Halászlé, often known as fisherman's soup, is a staple dish at any traditional Hungarian Christmas meal. This fish soup, made with a broth seasoned with Hungarian paprika, has a primary name. Its flavour is anything but to compensate for the country's lack of a coastline; this stew is traditionally cooked with carp and other freshwater fish. Hungarians believe the fish scales in their Christmas halászlé will bring them good fortune and the dish's deliciousness.

Traditional Hungarian fish soup "Halászlé."

The concept of cabbage as a Christmas dish does not sound appetising, but wait till you eat this dish before you make that judgement. The Hungarian cabbage packed with ground pork and rice and coated in a sauerkraut-tomato sauce is bursting with flavour and texture. In addition, bacon is added for good measure. As desired, the rolls can be either thin or thick. They will be delicious regardless of size.

Hungarian stuffed cabbage rolls

These flaky pastry pastries have a sweet and nutty core and are traditionally served around Christmas. Although they're frequently served at Christmas, please only feel you can cook them on any other day of the week. A single nibble of these treats can make you feel better. These cookies contain poppy seeds and walnuts as their fillings. Walnuts defend the home from evil, and poppy seeds represent wealth and welfare.

Authentic Hungarian Walnut Rolls

Another Hungarian cookie that you can't live without is presented here. These are flaky pastries covered in sugar and stuffed with apricots. They have a crispy, crunchy exterior and a soft, juicy interior. Every mouthful is divine. The cream cheese in the pastry crust gives it an oh-so-rich flavour. It's delicious even by itself! The combination of their tastes and textures and the sweet apricot filling make for a lovely whole.

Apricot Kolaches

Poppy seeds are used in the traditional Christmas dessert from Hungary, known as Makos Guba. It's a filling bread pudding sprinkled with crisp and nutty poppy seeds. It is a straightforward dish that only requires four ingredients. But despite how detailed it is, this dessert is fantastic. It shows that holiday meals don't have to be complicated.

Makos Guba - Hungarian Christmas dessert

The Hungarian version of the American favourite, Stefánia Szelet, is just as delicious and addicting. Forget about that. Personally, believe the addition of pancetta makes this meatloaf even better. The crust's crisp and crunchy texture and flavour are all thanks to the pancetta! Serve this meatloaf with mashed potatoes for a full meal or a salad for a light Christmas lunch.

Hungarian meatloaf

Among Hungarian sweets, zserbo szelet is by far the most well-liked. This cake, "Gerbeaud," comprises layers of yeasted dough cake, apricot walnut filling, and chocolate ganache. This sweet treat is commonly eaten around the holidays of Christmas and Easter. Because of its widespread popularity, you may find it year-round at Hungarian bakeries and cafes.

zserbo szelet

eats and treats

The magnificent Danube, which serves as the source of inspiration for countless songs, paintings, and musical scores, runs directly through the middle of Budapest. The river used to divide two cities known as Buda and Pest before 1873 when they merged into one. A Christmas River cruise along the Danube in Budapest is one of the city's most romantic. From the boat, you can see the snow-covered Fisherman's Bastion atop the hill, the massive Hungarian Parliament Building jutting out into the river, and the festive lights lining the riverfront.

Hop Aboard a Romantic River Cruise

Budapest is well-known for its many luxurious open-air bathhouses with mineral-rich hot waters heated naturally. Swimming in one may be a year-round practice in Hungary, but bathing outdoors takes on a cosier tone during the holiday season. The Széchenyi Bath is Budapest's largest and most beautiful public bathing facility; nonetheless, you must move while transitioning from the locker rooms to the outdoor baths. After that, sit and relax as you watch the snowflakes fall all around you and melt in hot water.

Go for a Steam Bath Outside in the Cold Winter Air

The Christmas markets in Budapest are like something out of a dream; they have just the right amount of kitsch and lovely authenticity. The air is filled with the warm and comforting scents of mulled wine and strudel as the sounds of Christmas songs are piped out, and log cabin booths are decorated with strings of twinkling lights. Two major Christmas markets are close to the beautifully illuminated Basilica and the oldest on Vorosmarty Square. Both of these markets are located in downtown Budapest. You can pick up some lovely local handicrafts such as Hungarian lacework and embroidery, pottery, handcrafted leather belts, and ornaments made of blown glass.

Sip Mulled Wine at a Christmas Market

One of the most well-liked things to do in Budapest during the holiday season is to bundle up, put on some mittens, and go to the old City Park to enjoy some outdoor ice skating at one of the city's many rinks. It is a glide through a Gothic winter paradise close to Heroes' Square. In the background, Vajdahunyad Castle's beautiful domes and spires provide a backdrop. Skate rental is provided from November through February at Europe's largest outdoor rink, which is open seasonally from November to February. You may get toasty with a beverage at one of Budapest's hip-ruin bars.

Glide-Out Across the Ice

With the assistance of Budapest's unique tram system, even the knee-buckling inclines on the Buda side may be traversed without any discomfort. Taking a ride on one is an excellent way to sightsee at any time of the year; however, during the winter holidays, the city's tram network is decked out with sparkling lights, making it look like a Christmas tree. Between December and January, the following tramlines are illuminated: line 2A, which runs between Jászai Mari tér and Boráros tér; line 19, which runs between Batthyány tér and Kelenfoldi Railway Station; and line no—47, which runs between Deák Ferenc tér and Móricz Zsigmond kortér. Take a journey on the Magic Bus to witness Budapest's most beautiful state.

Take a Twinkling Tram Ride

Christmas trees are decorated in Hungary on Christmas Eve. The ringing of the bell signifies that children are not permitted to see the tree unless they obtain permission from their parents. It is customary for grandparents to accompany their grandchildren on a walk while the rest of the family decorates the Christmas tree. Upon their return, the family reveals the "surprise" and claims that angels delivered it. Christmas trees in Hungary are adorned with unique and exquisite ornaments. Since the 19th century, it has been customary for Hungarians to ornament the Christmas tree with szaloncukor, a delicious fondant typically covered in chocolate and foil of a gleaming hue. Other ornaments include ornaments made of gleaming glass and handmade ornaments embroidered with traditional Hungarian designs.

Christmas Tree

entertainments

On December 13, Hungary celebrates Luca Day, the annual Winter Solstice. As the day with the shortest duration and the night with the most extended period, it was also the darkest and was traditionally connected with witches and spirits. The Luca calendar denotes the twelve days between the Winter Solstice and Christmas spent engaging in various folk practices to stave off evil. The carving of the Luca Chair is one of Hungary's most well-known holiday customs. The Luca chair, comprised of nine distinct species of wood, was to be carved by Christmas Eve. The catch: just one carving per day was authorised. Once the chair was finished, its creator would transport it to midnight mass, giving him a sufficient vantage point to see witches in the congregation. The Hungarian proverb "Készül, mint a Luca széke" or "You are preparing it as slowly as a Luca Chair!" derives from this practice.

Luca Day

Typically, after trimming the tree, a festive family meal follows. Halászlé, which translates to 'Fishermen's soup,' is a traditional Hungarian fish soup served during holiday dinners. This brilliant crimson soup is created with spicy paprika and carp and was traditionally served over an open fire by a fisherman near the Danube and Tisza. Talcott káposzta, or stuffed cabbage, is another festive delicacy. Of course, the cabbage leaves are stuffed with rice, minced pork, herbs, and paprika. These tasty buns are served with an abundance of sour cream.

Holiday Feast

Budapest's Christmas markets are a hallmark of the holiday season, with the most popular being in Vorosmarty Square. This renowned Christmas market, named one of the best in Europe, contains over 100 wooden kiosks offering traditional Hungarian handicrafts. The air is filled with folk music and the aroma of mulled wine, while open kitchens serve festive comfort foods such as nokedli dumplings, lángos, and chimney cakes. Every holiday season, the Vorosmarty Square Christmas Fair attracts thousands of tourists.

Holiday Markets

On Christmas Eve, children in the United States lay out cookies and milk for Santa Claus. On December 6, however, Hungarian children lay their shoes and boots on the window sill for Mikulás to fill with treats. On Christmas Eve, Jesus, or Jézuska, is the giver of gifts. The Hungarians adorn their Christmas trees, host feasts, and attend midnight mass the day before Christmas. Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, is also a public holiday that encourages additional family time and relaxation. Most restaurants, stores, and museums will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. It is prudent to make reservations through your hotel if you wish to dine out on the holidays.

Holiday Festivities

The main course in a traditional Hungarian Christmas lunch is typically fish soup, chicken, or pig. Typical desserts and side dishes include stuffed cabbage, poppy seed buns, and other pastries. For dessert, szaloncukor (fondant dipped in chocolate; you'll probably also see it decorating their Christmas trees) is the Hungarians' favourite sweet.

Traditional Foods

On December 6, Mikulás placed small gifts for children, such as candies or small toys, in shoes on the windowsill. In addition to the other modest gifts, some children will find switches or tree branches in their boots as a reminder to be good. Mikulas sometimes appears in the flesh to groups of youngsters, and he may wear bishop's garb or be accompanied by helpers representing good and evil. Still, he serves the same purpose as the Western Santa Claus: he keeps children's good and bad deeds worldwide. On Christmas Eve, gifts are placed beneath a decorated Christmas tree. Still, children are not permitted to enter the room until given permission by their parents, which is frequently signified by the ringing of a bell (meaning that angels or Baby Jesus have brought the tree and gifts for them). Consider wine or spirits, dolls dressed in Hungarian folk costumes, embroidered linens, or even paprika, the Hungarian national spice, as Christmas gifts from Hungary. In addition to the Christmas market, the Great Market Hall is a fantastic place to purchase gifts for family and friends.

Gift Giving

Also associated with the Luca calendar were love spells. To determine the identity of her future spouse, a single woman would write twelve names on little scraps of paper and burn one per day until Christmas. The name on the final piece of paper was thought to be that of her future husband. The first dumpling surface of the boiling water would carry the name of the woman's future spouse.

Love Spells

events and fiestas

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