Hotels Near Budapest Christmas Markets: A City Guide for a Budapest Christmas Markets Holiday Detailing the Best Hotels in Budapest for Christmas Markets, Plus the Best Budapest Christmas Markets
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Get Ready for a Budapest Xmas…
Mulled wine in souvenir mugs, outdoor ice skating in view of a massive Christmas tree, and all the local meats, pastries, and other delicacies we can imagine…
We’re gearing up for a cozy, Christmas-market-filled Budapest Christmas, and we think you should too! This guide has all you need to know to plan your own Budapest Christmas break, from the best markets, a Budapest Christmas market map, a listing of hotels near Budapest Christmas markets, and more.
We hope it helps, and you have a great time in our adopted city!
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Table of Contents: What You’ll Find in This Post
- A List of Budapest Christmas Markets, including what makes them special, and need to know info like dates and times.
- Vorosmarty Square Budapest Christmas Market
- Deák Ferenc / Fashion Street Christmas Market
- Városháza Park Christmas Market
- St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market
- Erzsébet tér Christmas Market
- Terézváros/Jókai tér Christmas Market
- Gozsdu Christmas & Király Central Passage Market
- Várkert Castle Garden Bazaar
- Bálna (Whale) Building Christmas Market
- WAMP Design Fair (Christmas Edition)
- Óbuda Christmas Market
- A Budapest Christmas Market Map, so you can get a feeling for where all the festivities take place and plan your stay.
A List of Budapest Christmas Markets
Budapest actually has several Christmas markets, with the biggest and most popular among them being quite close to each other in the city centre; if you stay at one of Budapest’s many city centre hotels, you’ll be able to see the most popular and impressive Budapest Christmas markets on foot, without ever stepping foot on public transit. While there are a few Christmas markets in Buda, most of them are across the river in Pest, in and around the city centre.
The two main Christmas markets are held in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica and at Vörösmarty tér/ Vaci Utca. Near both of these markets (which are about a 5-minute walk from one another), there are also several smaller markets. Further away, you can also find more local Christmas markets that you may want to check out for an off-the-beaten-path Budapest Christmas market experience, as well as some niche markets serving special interests and themes (i.e., a local designers’ market).
Here’s an overview of Budapest’s Christmas markets, and you can also jump straight to our Budapest Christmas market map.
Vorosmarty Square Budapest Christmas Market
Budapest’s Vorosmarty Christmas Market is one of the most central and most famous, located at Vörösmarty tér on Vaci Utca in the city centre. Unlike many European Christmas markets, which open at the end of November, the Vorosmarty Christmas Fair opens in mid-November, meaning you can enjoy some Christmas market cheer, even if you don’t plan on visiting Budapest in December! The market is a mix of food and crafts/decorations. The Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market is open November 10 to December 31, 2017, and is open daily from 10am, closing at 9pm Monday to Thursday, and at 10pm on Fridays and weekends. Hours will likely be limited on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years’ Eve.
Hotels Near Budapest Christmas Markets – Vörösmarty tér Market: Kempinski Hotel Corvinus (2-minute walk) I The Ritz Carlton (3-minute walk) I Hotel Zenit Budapest Palace (4-minute walk) I Budapest Marriott Hotel (4-minute walk)
Deák Ferenc Street Market
Technically a separate and distinct Christmas market from the Vorosmarty Square market, in practice they bleed together. Filling the pedestrian street between Deák Ferenc square and Vorosmarty Square. 2017 dates and times have yet to be published, but we’ll update this as soon as possible.
Hotels Near Budapest Christmas Markets – Deák Ferenc Christmas Market: Kempinski Hotel Corvinus (1-minute walk) I The Ritz Carlton (1-minute walk) I Hotel Zenit Budapest Palace (4-minute walk) I Budapest Marriott Hotel (4-minute walk)
Városháza Park Christmas Market
Billed more as a ‘winter festival’ than a Christmas market, Városháza Park is a one-to-two-minute walk from Deák Ferenc metro stop. This market is open from November 17 to December 27, 2017, running Sundays to Thursdays from 10am to 10pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 9pm. Special hours on Christmas Eve (10am to 2pm) and Christmas Day/Boxing Day (noon to 6pm).
Hotels Near Budapest Christmas Markets – Városháza Park Market: Carat Boutique Hotel (3-minute walk) I Kempinski Hotel Corvinus (5-minute walk) I The Ritz Carlton (5-minute walk) I Promenade City Hotel (6-minute walk) I La Prima Fashion Hotel (7-minute walk)
Budapest Basilica Christmas Market
The Budapest Christmas market with the most spectacular setting, this market opens November 24, 2017, and is open until January 2, 2018. What makes this Budapest Christmas market special, other than the setting in front of the Basilica (which, apparently, is one of the most photographed buildings in the world), is the events and extras, including a skating rink, daily light mapping on the Basilica just after dusk each day. ….If you can’t wait until November 24, you can see a full list of the vendors on the official website. In 2017, the Basilica Christmas market will also be eco-conscious, with food vendors only offering biodegradable cups, plates and cutlery. It will also extend along Zrínyi St., with street food vendors lining the pedestrian walk down to Szechenyi István tér. The market is open 11:30am to 8pm, Monday to Thursday; 11:30am to 10:30pm on Friday; 10am to 10pm on Saturday; and 10am to 8pm on Sunday. Special hours are in effect right around the holidays, as follows: Dec. 24: 10am to 2pm; Dec. 25 and Dec. 26 10am to 8pm; Dec. 31 10am to 10pm.
Hotels Near Budapest Christmas Markets – Basilica Christmas Market: Aria Hotel Budapest (1-minute walk) I Kempinski Hotel Corvinus (4-minute walk) I The Ritz Carlton (4-minute walk) I Prestige Hotel Budapest (6-minute walk) I Iberostar Grand (5-minute walk) I Hotel Moments (5-minute walk)
Erzsébet tér Christmas Market
While we haven’t found specific dates for the Elizabeth Square Christmas Market this year, we expect there will be at least something set up in the pretty large square that is home to the Budapest Eye ferris wheel. Typically around holidays, some of the wide walking paths through the square fill up with wooden huts and vendors selling crafts and food, and we expect this Christmas season will be no different. It’s easy to cut through Erzsébet tér when walking between the Vorosmarty Square Christmas market and the Basilica Christmas market, so it’s worth stopping by even if it’s small. We’ll update with hours and dates as soon as available.
Hotels Near Budapest Christmas Markets – Erzsébet tér Christmas Market: Kempinski Hotel Corvinus (2-minute walk) I The Ritz Carlton (2-minute walk) I Aria Hotel Budapest (3-minute walk) I Carat Boutique Hotel (4-minute walk) I Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge (4-minute walk) I Intercontinental Budapest (5-minute walk) I Hotel Moments (6-minute walk)
Terézváros/Jókai tér Christmas Market
If the Vorosmarty and Basilica Christmas markets are too big and busy for you, the Jókai tér market might be a good fit. Located one block from the Okotogon along a small and surprisingly quiet street, the Jókai tér Christmas market runs from November 24 to December 23, 2017. Official website (in Hungarian).
Hotels Near Budapest Christmas Markets – Jókai tér Christmas Market: Radisson Blu (6-minute walk) I K+K Hotel Opera (7-minute walk) I Casati Budapest Superior (7-minute walk) I Corinthia Hotel (7-minute walk) I Hotel Moments (8-minute walk)
Gozsdu Christmas & Király Street Central Passage Christmas Market
Gozsdu Court is a pass-through that runs between Király Street and Dob Street, and is full of bars and restaurants. Throughout the year, you can browse the weekend flea/craft markets that happen here, but in December the hours extend and the market turns festive! This year, the market runs December 1 to 24. Hours are from noon until 7pm Wednesday to Friday, and from 10am until 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The market doesn’t run on Mondays and Tuesdays, but Gozsdu Court is still open those days!
Across the street and towards Deák Ferenc, we expect the Király Central Passage will also have a Christmas market this year on several weekends, but we’ve been unable to find specific details. However, since it’s a short walk from Gozsdu, it’s worth mentioning. If it happens, expect to find crafts, accessories, and clothing by small, independent makers, and small snacks. I would expect it will be only open on weekends, and we’ll update this section if we learn more.
Hotels Near Budapest Christmas Markets – Gozsdu Christmas Market: Carat Boutique Hotel (3-minute walk) I Roombach Hotel (4-minute walk) I Hotel Moments (5-minute walk) I Kempinski Hotel Corvinus (7-minute walk) I The Ritz Carlton (7-minute walk) I K+K Hotel Opera (9-minute walk)
Várkert Castle Garden Bazaar Christmas Market
On the Buda side of the city, at the base of Castle Hill, you’ll find the Castle Garden Christmas Fair, which is a great option for kids and families. While the exact dates and times have yet to be posted for 2017, last year the fair was open from the end of November until Christmas Eve, and included crafts (for purchase), concerts, an ice rink, food, and a children’s program. 2017 dates and times are not yet posted, but we’ll update when this information becomes available.
Hotels Near Budapest Christmas Markets – Castle Gardens Christmas Market: Lanchid 19 Design Hotel (3-minute walk) I Hotel Orion Várkert (4-minute walk) I Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge (15-minute walk) I Intercontinental Budapest (15-minute walk)
Bálna (Whale) Building Christmas Market
We’ve confirmed with Bálna that they will have a Christmas fair this year, but they’ve yet to announce the details. The Bálna, for those who don’t know, is known in English as “the Whale Building.” Located at Fővám tér, a short walk from the Great Market Hall, the Whale building has a great terrace with nice views over the Danube, and has a few popular bars that fill up in nice weather.
Hotels Near Budapest Christmas Markets – Whale Building Christmas Market: Estilo Fashion Hotel (6-minute walk) I Bohem Art Hotel (8-minute walk) I Three Corners Hotel Art (8-minute walk)
WAMP Design Fair (Christmas Edition)
An indoor fair meant for shopping, rather than wandering and eating, the WAMP fairs showcase a collection of location designers. The Christmas-themed fairs will be held December 3, 10, and 17 in 2017, in the Millenáris B building, a short walk from Széll Kálmán tér metro and tram stop. Entry is 500 HUF per person. For more information, check out the WAMP website.
There aren’t a lot of great hotel options near Széll Kálmán tér (it’s a residential area), but it’s easy to get there from the Pest city centre, by either the red metro (line 2) or the 4/6 tram. From the Castle District, you can get Széll Kálmán tér on bus 16, 16A or 116.
Óbuda Christmas Market
If you want to visit a Budapest Christmas market with a non-touristy and small town feel, jump on public transit and take the 20-minute ride or so to Fő tér in Óbuda (Old Buda). While there’s nothing particular different here from what you’ll find in the city centre, you can expect a quainter and quieter version of a Budapest Christmas market, with fewer crowds. Last year, the Óbuda market started on November 31, with 2017 dates TBD.
As with the WAMP Design Fair, there aren’t a lot of great hotel options in Óbuda, so we’d suggest staying in Pest city centre, and taking public transit. From Deák Ferenc tér, take the M2 (red) to Batthyány tér, and then switch to the H5 suburban rail 4 stops to Szentlélek tér. From there, it’s a short walk.
Budapest Christmas Markets Map
We’ve plotted all of the main Budapest Christmas markets on the map below. As you can see from the map, most of Budapest’s Christmas markets are held on the Pest side of the city, and in the city centre. The most popular markets, including Budapest’s Vorosmarty Christmas Market and the Christmas market at St. Stephen’s Basilica, are very close to one another, making it easy to walk between them. There are other small markets in the vicinity as well.
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