Here’s my Budapest long weekend guide, featuring the best things to do in Budapest in winter, plus where to eat and where to stay with three days in Budapest, Hungary.

I was recently going through some of my Europe photos from last year and stumbled upon all the Christmas shots from Budapest. So, I thought it was definitely time to publish my guide – before the season ends and I have to wait another year 😏. From the best things to do in Budapest in winter to where I recommend you stay, here’s how I spent a winter’s long weekend in Budapest, Hungary.

General travel tips for a solo long weekend in Budapest

Getting to and around Budapest

Firstly, I got the FlixBus from Vienna to Budapest. In Budapest, I used the tram once and then the metro once. I found the metro a little confusing as there weren’t a lot of English signs, but there is staff around to point you in the right direction. When I left Budapest, I hopped on a different FlixBus and headed to Zagreb (cool city, by the way).

For fellow solo travellers visiting Budapest, I did walk around the city centre alone at night. However, there were so many people around due to the Christmas Fair that I didn’t feel unsafe or uncomfortable at all.

Here are my top tips for travelling alone in Europe and for travelling across Europe on a budget.

Where to stay in Budapest

I stayed at another Wombats Hostel in Budapest (the same hostel franchise I stayed at and recommend in both Vienna and London). Its common area wasn’t as inviting as in other Wombat hostels, but it did have a bar, cheap onsite laundry and a reasonably-priced breakfast. I stayed in a 5-bed female dorm and got lucky when the lone single bed was available when I arrived.

Check out this post for my top hostelling tips for fellow solo travellers

Things to do in Budapest in winter

1. Hop on the tram

I rode the tram when I first arrived in Budapest as a matter of convenience. But the number two tram route is said to be one of the most scenic in Europe. It’s a cheap way to see many of the city’s sights if you’re short on time as well.

2. See Central Market Hall

After I arrived in Budapest, I went looking for something to eat and somehow ran into one of my hostel dorm mates from Prague. Honestly, what are the chances when we were staying at different Budapest hostels? Anyway, I ended up walking with her to Central Market Hall (also known as Great Market Hall). To be honest, I found it to be a little underwhelming. There weren’t a lot of great food options and the souvenir stalls were quite generic. But I would visit the market if you’re looking for cheap produce.

3. Do a free walking tour

These free walking tours were the busiest I saw in Europe (even beating Dublin). There were several groups following the same route, even in winter. The tour is very comprehensive, as you check out both the Buda and Pest sides of the city. At the end of the tour, don’t miss enjoying a piece of cake or strudel from Ruszwurm while in the neighbourhood. You finish at Matthias Church and Fisherman’s Bastion, which has become an Instagram famous location. Joining a free walking tour is one of the best things to do in Budapest in winter.

4. See all the Budapest attractions

If you don’t do the free walking tour, the Budapest attractions you have to visit include the Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, St Stephen’s Basilica and Matthias Church.

5. Photograph the city at night

I’m not usually one to walk around at night alone. However, with the sunset happening so early in Budapest in winter, there were plenty of people wandering around these Budapest attractions when I took night photos at 6 pm. I highly recommend checking out the Chain Bridge and St Stephen’s Basilica at night. From the Chain Bridge, you can capture Buda Castle glowing across the Danube.

6. Warmup in a stylish cafe

When you need to warm up in Budapest, visit either Cafe Gerbeaud (one of Europe’s most traditional coffeehouses) or New York Cafe. The latter is known as one of the world’s most beautiful cafes, due to its opulent interior. It’s one of those grand European premises that have to be seen to be believed. Spending time in a cafe is also one of the top things to do alone in Budapest.

7. Visit the Christmas Fair at Vorosmarty Square

Let’s be honest: I don’t have a lot of food recommendations for Budapest because I ate a lot of meals at this wonderful Christmas Fair. There were stalls selling handmade Christmas presents and so much good food. I may have sampled some pizza, a chimney cake for breakfast one morning (breakfast of champions I say) and Langos for one or two dinners. Langos is a fried flatbread covered with garlic, cheese and sour cream. I held off on the sour cream but it was delicious 🤤. This is definitely my top recommendation for things to do in Budapest in winter.

8. Shop along Vaci Street

There are plenty of shops along this street, which is next to Vorosmarty Square. But I personally fell in love with Flying Tiger. Have you heard of this Danish store? It was my kind of place, filled with unique present ideas and cool Christmas accessories.

9. Stroll Andrassy Avenue

If you are not on a budget in Budapest, Andrassy Avenue is known as the city’s Champs Elysees. I went for a long wander up the street to Heroes Square. Two key landmarks along the way are the House of Terrors and the Opera House.

10. Visit Vajdahunyad Castle

After visiting Heroes Square, you can continue walking towards the famous Szechenyi Thermal Baths. On the way, stop and have a walk around the Vajdahunyad Castle complex. This place was a welcome surprise and another one of my top recommendations for things to do in Budapest in winter.

11. Soak in a thermal bath

Speaking of top things to do in Budapest in winter, soaking in a thermal bath is a highly-rated wintertime activity in Budapest. I felt a little uncomfortable visiting a bath while I was travelling solo in Budapest. Nonetheless, there is a whole website dedicated to baths in Budapest.

12. Have lunch at Karavan

Located in the Jewish Quarter, I loved Karavan. It made me feel like I could’ve been back in Melbourne, if it weren’t for the interesting food options like langos burgers. I had a serving of goulash in a bread bowl. Visiting Karavan is also one of the best things to do alone in Budapest.

13. Enjoy a free urban art walking tour

Oh yes, I did do two free walking tours in one long weekend in Budapest. On this urban art tour, our guide took us for a walk through the Jewish Quarter, where he explained the stories behind some of the neighbourhood’s most interesting murals and artworks. He told us how the area was known as the ghetto during World War II and street art was illegal until a City Colour Project in 2008. Now there are amazing pieces everywhere. He also pointed out some interesting ruin bars, including the infamous Szimpla Kert – also known as the world’s third-best bar. If you like street art, I highly recommend doing this tour during your Budapest long weekend.

14. Walk past Dohany Street Synagogue

While in the Jewish Quarter, I recommend walking past Dohany Street Synagogue. The largest synagogue in Europe, it was built between 1854 and 1859. The building’s Moorish Revival-style architecture is amazing. It’s also home to the city’s Jewish Museum.

15. Enjoy a burger at Market BDPST

One other meal I didn’t eat at the Christmas Fair 😉. Market BDPST was located next to my hostel and had different food options inside, like Mexican and a burger bar. Although I love tacos, I decided on a burger and didn’t regret my decision.

16. Walk along the Danube

On a rainy afternoon, I went for a peaceful walk along the Danube – from the Chain Bridge to the Parliament Building. The heartbreaking Shoes on the Danube memorial is along the way.

Other recommendations for things to do in Budapest in winter

These are the places I didn’t get to check out during my Budapest long weekend. This is due to weather or the fact I ate practically every meal at the Christmas Fair 😳.

Visit Liszt Ferenc Square

Apparently I completely missed this street as I strolled down Andrassy Avenue. But I read good things about the food at Menza and Kiado.

Check out the view

I wish the weather had cooperated a little bit more in Budapest because I heard the view from Gellert Hill was worth the hike. You can also ascend the Basilica for a different viewpoint.

Eat at these Budapest cafes and restaurants

Look, I did my research before I visited Budapest. Here are more Budapest restaurant recommendations. Pest-Buda Bistro is located near the castle and is one of Hungary’s oldest restaurants. They serve “Grandma’s homestyle Hungarian” food. If you’re not craving Hungarian, check out the French cuisine at the award-winning Comme Chez Soi or Töltő and its inventive hot dogs. Finally, The Donut Library has coffee, doughnuts and books. What more could you want? I also really need to return to Budapest just to eat, no? 🤤

Drink along Nagymezo Street

If you’re looking for cheap bars in Budapest, my sources say to visit Nagymezo Street. This isn’t necessarily one of the best things to do alone in Budapest. But if your Budapest long weekend isn’t a solo excursion, enjoy a drink for me on Nagymezo Street 😉.

I hope this list of things to do in Budapest in winter help you plan your own solo long weekend in Budapest.

Don’t let the cold deter you, as winter in Budapest equals magical Christmas markets. For more travel inspiration, here’s my entire 10-week Europe solo travel itinerary and my other favourite solo travel destinations around the world.

For more information on how I plan my travels, visit my Resources page. Plus, don’t forget to organise travel insurance.

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