Hungary: Budapest in winter. A trip to Hungary (Budapest) in winter. Thermal springs - baths in winter in hungary

Travel time: February 1-13, 2015. We did not regret that we went in winter - the weather was good, the grass was green, there were many sunny days.

Flight cost : very cheap if you take it in advance (16,738 rubles for two round-trip) with wizz air - a cheap airline where you have to pay extra for everything (luggage, large hand luggage etc.).

Residence: for 12 days 17100 rub. (1175 rubles per day plus site fee). The apartment is booked on airbnb - the site has been checked more than once, the apartment has reviews. Choosing, we noticed that it is fashionable for them to have a bed on the second level - under the ceiling. We decided to see what it's like. We also looked at the presence of wireless Internet (to communicate with the house, plan routes for the next day) and seating in addition to the bed. We took an apartment closer to the center, but it turned out that the terrain was also important. The city is located on the river and one of the banks (Buda) is high - we took an apartment there, and it turned out that we often went uphill, which could have been avoided if we had taken an apartment in the lower part of the city (Pest).

Honey. insurance: 1321 r. for two in Tinkoff. They took it online and just printed out the papers - it came up for a visa.

Visa: 35 euros per person plus 2600 rubles. for the visa service fee. I had to go to Moscow. All documents can be given by one relative, but the original (and a copy) of the document of kinship (marriage certificate) is required.
Pre-purchased a three-day card Budapest map (Budapest card, 4074 r. for two) [hereinafter referred to as “card"] - when buying online, there was a discount on it. Unfortunately, there are few places with free access to it, mostly small discounts, but for the sake of free travel it’s very good to take it (although there is a travel card and separately).

Car rental: 8500 r. for 4 days plus 35.56 euros for driving on motorways (toll roads). 900 euros were blocked for the duration of the lease, but returned on time. The car was booked in Enterprise. There are also local car rental companies there, but they have very negative reviews (eg they take extra money for minor scratches). Gasoline cost at that time 85 rubles. liter and 1200 km. we spent about 7000 r.
Business lunches - about 300 rubles. The average check per person when ordering local cuisine and alcohol is 1000 - 1500 rubles.
In the end, it didn't come cheap. Tickets to museums and excursions - from 500 rubles.
But we were very pleased, because Budapest is a beautiful European city, with good weather, helpful people who speak English. And plus a great bonus - THERMAL SPRINGS.

There is a free tour in Budapest however, in English. More:http://www.triptobudapest.hu/v2/tours/the-original-tour/ . Recommended to go! We learned a lot about the history of the city and the country, and also got our bearings in the city. At the end of the tour, the guide asks if we would like to give some money. The tour guides are excellent, so you can give. There are two separate free tours on the map - in Buda and Pest.

Public transport website - set the addresses of the place of departure and arrival and the route is drawn on the map indicating the transport, final and intermediate stops:http://www.bkk.hu/en/timetables/ . The cost of 1 journey is 80 rubles. But all the main attractions are within walking distance - we recommend walking. For trips, it is better to take travel cards for a day or a couple of days.

Briefly about the sights and our impressions about them:

1. Fisherman's Bastion - very beautiful building and SUPER view of the city day and night!


2. Historical Museum - free with a map, nothing special, but the palace in Buda, in which this museum is located, is worth a stroll.


3. Hungarian National Gallery A must for art lovers! Located in the same palace as the Historical Museum in Buda.


4. Matthias Cathedral - the outside is very beautiful, inside were not.


5. labyrinth - it's worth going, but take a flashlight!


6. Funicular - expensive and no discount card.


7. Parliament - there are 2 daily excursions in Russian - worth going, although expensive - 1000 rubles. from a person.


8. St. Stephen's Basilica - Worth a visit, a walk, a look. We also went to an organ concert - nothing special.


9. Opera theatre - you can go inside and see how beautiful it is for free.


10. Great synagogue - we entered the territory for free, looked in, but did not go inside - there is a fee.


11. Adrasi street - You can take a walk.


12. Miniversum (mini layout Railway and towns "from Hungary to Austria") - we really liked it, it is interesting for both adults and children


13. House of Terror - we were not touched, and without an audio guide (for an additional fee) there is nothing to do there - there are very few worthwhile exhibits.


14. Heroes Square - it is interesting, if with a history and explanation (on a map tour they take them there, they tell).


15. Varoshliget - beauty! Inside the Museum of Agriculture - the entrance is expensive.


16. Grave of Gul Baba - a kind of building, and around very picturesque residential quarters. You can look there on the way to the St. Lucas bath, which is free with a card.


17. margarita island Nothing special, not worth your time.


18. Mount Gellert - stunning views, but you should not go to the Citadel on it. It is worth climbing the mountain only if you have extra time.


19. Cave Church in Mount Gellert - funny, but expensive.


20. statue park - few statues, not very picturesque and far to get.


21. Museum of retro cars - Yes Yes Yes! A huge number of chic American cars! You can take pictures. Far from the center.


22. Oceanarium and tripikarium - small and nothing special. Far from the center.


23. Samlekhedi and Palveldi caves - very picturesque caves, worth a visit! If you buy a ticket to visit both at once, it will turn out cheaper, and between them - 20 minutes on foot.


24. Cafe with cats (Budapest, Damjanich utca 38, 1071) - you can drop in after visiting the Széchenyi baths. The cafe is like an anti-cafe - pay to be there and get tea and a piece of cake. Only four lazy but responsive cats.

Trip around Hungary
We rented a car and traveled in 4 directions. In the morning we left in the evening and returned to Budapest. You can leave the car near the house for free from 18:00 to 8:00 (this is not everywhere, check with the locals), there were also free places on the river embankment.
Having a navigator, drive in the address "tourinform” of the corresponding city, you come there. You pay for parking - all parking lots are paid and the fine for violation is large! Come inTurinformpoint, ask for any information in Russian/English (maps, brochures), ask what to visit in the city and after 10 minutes you have a clear plan where to go!
We highly recommend visiting the following cities:

North of Budapest:

1. Szentendre (tourinform address: 2000 Szentendre, Dumtsa Jenő u. 22) - a pretty town with the most famous Marzipan Museum, perhaps worth a visit!


2. Visegrad (tourinform address: 2025 Visegrád, Fő Street 81) - a picturesque but small castle high on a mountain. Very beautiful view of the Danube River and the surrounding area from the walls of the castle.


3. Esztergom (Address of the Basilica: 2500, Esztergom, Szent István tér 1) - a giant cathedral, an excellent view of the beautiful city and the river, on the bridge-border with Slovakia. And also to the Slovak city. The border is open and you can cross.

1. Eger (the addresstourinform: 3300, Eger, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Endre 9) - a beautiful fortress on a hill in the city center, walked along the walls. On the outskirts of the city, the Valley of Beautiful Women (Kulacs Csárda Panzió,) - a place where representatives of wine estates come to sell products - we tried and bought Hungarian wine (sold on tap).


2. Miskolc (the addresstourinform: 3525 Miskolc, Városház tér 13) - the city itself is not very interesting, but the Barlangfürdő bath in the suburbs of MISKOLTS-TAPOLC (http://www.thermal.hu/miskolc-tapolca/ ) is well worth a visit! It's a bath in a cave!

To the west from Budapest (in the direction of Lake Balaton):

1. Tapolca (the addresstourinform: 8300, Tapolca, Fő tér 17) - a city with a lake underground - you can ride a boat (http://www.tavasbarlang.hu/index.php/en ) - an unforgettable experience! Before that, though, you will have to walk around the museum (a la local history) - a good museum, and the film is shown in 3D, but the visit time in total increases to an hour (of which 20 minutes by boat). In the same city there is also a beautiful lake with an old water mill.


2. Keszthely (the addresstourinform: 8360, Keszthely, Kossuth Lajos u. 30) - a city on the shore of Lake Balaton, where it is most convenient to approach the shore and touch the water, admire the lake and ducks.


3. Heviz (the addresstourinform: 8380, Hévíz, Rákóczi utca 2) - town and bathing lake! A small thermal lake, where the water temperature is 24C in winter. An indoor swimming pool was built on the shore of the lake and a park spread out - very beautiful!

1. Gyor (the addresstourinform: 9021, Győr, Baross Gábor út 21) is just a city where you can get around all the sights in 1 hour.


2. Sopron (the addresstourinform: 9400, Sopron, Liszt Ferenc utca 1) - you can climb the old fire lookout tower and admire the charming old town. You can walk along the old fortress walls. Nice, but nothing special.

1. goulash soup ( Gulyas leves- they read "gouyash") - delicious meat soup, a lot of meat, large portions


2. Goulash


3. Fish soup ( Halasz leves) - they usually bring it in a bowler hat and with a ladle, you put it on yourself, very tasty


4. Fried goose liver ( Rantott libamajszeletek, Libamaj) - a la foie gras, delicious, but expensive


5. Pancakes ( Palacsinta) - they are pancakes in Africa pancakes


6. Lecho ( Lesco) - no meat, often a lot of cards in this dish, and very tasty


7. Langos - their "fast food" is a dough fried in oil with a diameter of 20 cm and a thickness of 1.5 cm, on which they put the filling as desired - we recommend just sprinkle with cheese!


8. splash a drink is a must


9. Tokay ( Tokaji) - buy in any stores, try it, very tasty wine.

Many tourists say that they like to visit Hungary in winter. At this time of the year, the weather is not as severe as in our northern country, and seeing Budapest, painted with New Year's lights, is a special pleasure.

Hungarian climate

Due to the geographical location of the country (the center of Europe), the climate here is temperate continental. The mountains of the Alps and the Carpathians protect the state from all sides from the influence of cold winds.

The hottest days come, of course, in the summer. The temperature reaches +27°C. In spring, these values ​​are slightly lower, but still it gets warmer here much faster than in Russia.

Autumn differs from ours in less rainfall and indulges residents with moderate warmth. The beach season is still in September. And only November becomes rainy.

But the winter weather is a real gift not only for tourists, but also for all local residents. The temperature in Hungary rarely drops below -1°C in winter. Little snow falls, and even if the high humidity starts to feel cold, frequent thaws quickly correct the situation.

Temperature in Hungary in winter

All this makes the Hungarian winter almost a continuation of autumn and creates favorable conditions for the New Year holidays.

New Year holidays in Hungary

Weather in Hungary for New Year very comfortable. Therefore, many spend it on the street: skating, walking around the city, meeting with friends.

During the New Year holidays, the capital is decorated with festive lights, fairs are held, and holiday discounts are offered in shops. The heart of "old Europe" is transformed and strikes with its fabulous atmosphere.

New Year holidays in Hungary are celebrated according to local traditions. As in all Catholic Europe, Christmas Eve here falls on January 25th. Christmas trees are decorated with colorful balls and sweets called "salontsukor". They are chocolate-covered sweets.

Christmas is traditionally a family holiday. All relatives gather at the table, the main dish of which is Christmas carp. A few scales, peeled from this fish, are put in wallets. According to local beliefs, they will bring wealth and prosperity to their owner.

On the eve of New Year's Eve, according to an old Hungarian tradition, it is customary to burn straw effigies of a goat. This symbolizes getting rid of the problems of the old year.

If you are in Budapest on the night of December 31st, don't miss the fireworks and fireworks that take place closer to midnight. You can see them from the banks of the Danube or from a ship that cruises along the river that night to give its passengers the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent spectacle to the fullest.

On winter holidays, be sure to visit the thermal baths, which are located in the center of the Budapest City Park. Where else can you swim in winter?

Varosliget Park is a great place to spend winter holidays. Here you can have a great rest with your children: skating rinks, several cozy cafes, a botanical garden and a zoo are open.

Nearby there are many that acquire special beauty in winter (for example, Vajdahunyad Castle). Nearby is the famous restaurant Gundel, where you can warm up after a walk and try original Hungarian dishes from the famous chefs of Budapest.

Ski resorts

Although the mountains in Hungary are not very high, tourists still come here with pleasure to go skiing.

Popular ski resorts Hungary are Matra, Magas Hill, Bükk and Nograd. The last track is the only place where international competitions are held. And the slopes of Matra (146 m high) will delight children with a specially equipped descent for sleds.

For Hungarians, goulash is the crown national food, and depending on the density and ingredients, this dish can be either the first or the second course. The soup is called “Gulyas leves” and is a fragrant stew with a fair amount of melt-in-your-mouth meat, topped with dumplings (balls of dough), flavored with spices and paprika, and served with a slice of wheat bread freshly removed from the oven. The form of serving adds color to an unusual and hearty dish - waiters often bring goulash soup in beautiful clay pots. In addition, the national cuisine is also famous for goulash as a second dish, of which there are several varieties. The name of the stew is "Porkolt". As a rule, for the preparation of goulash, tender meat is taken - beef, pork or lamb, which is fried and stewed in a dressing of onions, tomatoes, paprika and aromatic herbs. Hungarian chefs and vegetarians did not ignore them, inventing something special for them - "Gomba porkolt" - mushroom goulash.

3. Relax at Lake Balaton

Balaton is rightly called the "Hungarian Sea", because millions of vacationers come here in the form of an alternative sea ​​tours. Thanks to the mild climate, the abundance of adjacent forests and warm water, Balaton is a real sunny paradise for beach lovers. In addition to traditional entertainment on the lake, you can do water sports(sailing and surfing), as well as take part in equestrian competitions, go fishing or admire the local wild "inhabitants" - herons, geese and swans. The beach season at Balaton begins with the onset of May days and ends in late autumn. However, the winter lake also captivates the eye with its splendor, hiding behind a lacy blanket of ice and as if hiding its waters from the winter cold.

4. Climb Mount Gellert

Mount Gellert is one of the most striking sights of both Budapest and Hungary. The mountain received its name as a sign of respect for Saint Gellert, who was the spiritual mentor of the King of Hungary - Istvan, and also baptized the Hungarian people. However, he was subsequently punished in a terrible way - he was placed in a barrel studded with nails and lowered from the mountain into the waters of the Danube. Therefore, the mountain was named after the bishop, and later, in memory of him, a monument to St. Gellert was built on the slopes. By the way, on the mountain you will find a memorial to Istvan himself, as well as the "Monument of Freedom". The mountain is dotted with parks and adorned with a waterfall, but that's not all. Tourists from all over the world are climbing observation deck Gellert mountains in order to admire the beauties of the Hungarian capital from above. They say that it is from this place that the view of Budapest opens up simply amazing. Try it too!

5. Ride the oldest metro on the continent and the longest tram on the planet

You may be surprised, but the first metro in Europe opened in Hungary. Moreover, the stations of the yellow line "M1" in Budapest today look exactly the same as a hundred years ago, and on "Deák tér" you have the opportunity to look into the Hungarian Metropolitan Museum - "Millennium Underground". In addition, you will be amazed that tickets are punched in the metropolitan metro.

As for the trams, you will need lines 6 and 4 in Budapest, which are up to 54 meters long, thus making them world famous. By the way, these metropolitan trams are not only the longest on the planet, but also the busiest, because tourists, trying to get in touch with the world history of transport, often use the services of hospitable fifty-year-old trailers. Movement along the picturesque banks of the Danube enhance the impression of the trip.

6. Enjoy real wine

First of all, try the local famous "Tokay" - its taste is breathtaking and makes even the most sophisticated winemakers from all over the planet ask for more. Why be surprised? Hungary is the mother of Tokay wine! Where can you find this wine? Perhaps everywhere - all the wine lists of restaurants are decorated with this type of wine, all wine cellars and factories offer tasting and sale of "Tokay". Other varieties of wines - Sopron, Villan and Eger - have proven themselves excellently. The most colorful place for wine tasting is the legendary "Valley of Beauties" in the city of Eger, where more than 200 wine cellars are collected, offering tourists the best wines of Hungary and generously treating travelers with real goulash. Do not forget about the local "Bull's Blood", which is actually equated to the elixir of courage, because after drinking this wine, the soldiers defended Eger before the Turks, although the number of enemies was 40 times greater than the defenders.

7. Conquer the Danube on a boat

The Danube River is the pride of the Hungarians, as well as the Volga for the Russians. In addition, it is rather an international pride, because the length of the river reaches almost 3000 km and flows or is considered the border of 10 countries, and the Danube drainage basin is present in 9 more states. Agree, the river is a legend - you just want to get in touch with it! It offers tourists regular flights of local ships of different comfort and exciting content. You can take an evening sightseeing tour of the Danube while enjoying a glass of wine, or book a trip with a whole entertainment complex, including a banquet, live music, performances by artists and animators.

8. Rejuvenate at Lake Heviz

If Balaton is the largest freshwater lake in Europe, then Heviz is the largest warm water lake. You can swim here at any time - even in a fierce cold, wrapped in openwork clouds of steam above the water. In Heviz, not only water is healing, but also a multi-meter layer of silt at the bottom of the lake. It is said that many people make pilgrimages here, trying to regain youth or stop old age. It should be noted that all visiting vacationers are invariably satisfied with the result and impressions of a holiday on Heviz, because this is incomparable with anything. There is such a powerful thermal spring under the lake that the water in Heviz changes every 28 hours, and the temperature never (even in winter) drops below +26-28°C. Rough vegetation in the form of the dazzling beauty of tropical lilies on the surface of Heviz brings the final note to the euphoria of being here.

9. Visit the Marzipan Museum

Marzipan is a sweet made from almonds and sugar, but in Hungary the production of this confectionery was turned into an art form, constructing paintings, figures and other masterpieces from such simple components. There are 5 Marzipan Museums in Hungary - in Szentendre (the most famous), Budapest, Eger, Keszthely, Pecs. The expositions are dazzling, to some extent jewelry work of creation. In the halls you can admire full-length figures of celebrities, for example, Michael Jackson, a map of Hungary, the Parliament of the capital, heroes of films and cartoons and other fascinating sweet exhibits. Each museum has a confectionery shop where you can enjoy the taste of marzipans and buy your favorite items for gifts to loved ones upon returning home.

10. Visit the Polovtsian village of Holloko

Can you visit the past? In Hungary, yes. The village of Hollokyo (translated into Russian as the Raven Stone) is a journey into the past, living a calm measured life until today, despite the millions of curious eyes of tourists. The history of the village goes back to the 13th century, 67 local buildings are considered architectural monuments. Holloko is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is an open-air ethnographic exposition, living the daily village life. About 400 residents live here, doing their usual business (woodcarving, pottery, embroidery, animal husbandry, work in the garden and garden) under the general observation of the guests of the settlement, which adds color to visiting this ancient place.

Night Budapest is an unforgettable sight. Illumination immerses the city in a special atmosphere of the Middle Ages. According to tourists, the most fascinating view of Budapest at night opens from the deck of a boat or a floating bus plying the Danube. A scattering of skillfully illuminated bridges, the outlines of majestic buildings, fresh air and the soothing sound of river water - all this plunges the guests of the capital into an atmosphere of magical mood with a feeling of being in the medieval past.

12. Buy colorful local souvenirs

Few people know that Hungary is the birthplace of the Rubik's Cube and ballpoint pen. But these world-famous things were invented by local nuggets - the sculptor Rubik and the journalist Biro. Therefore, in the form of a souvenir from Hungary, you can buy an unusual wooden handle with a painting or a puzzle in national packaging. In addition, Hungary is rich in porcelain, black ceramics, wooden souvenirs and hand-embroidered items. Also, do not forget about the local excellent wines, the miraculous Unicum balm, marzipans that captivate the eye and the national spice - paprika, which is sold both ground and crushed, and in the form of colorful clusters.

A separate topic is the saturated flea markets of Budapest: a real storehouse of historical monuments and antiques, where you can buy items and decorations that breathe antiquity.

Hungary is an interesting country with a colorful culture, picturesque beauties, healing natural gifts, a fascinating history and a rich architectural heritage. The above tips will help you feel the country to its secret depths.

Winter in Hungary is quite short and relatively warm. The influence of the Carpathian Mountains, holding back cold air currents from the north and northeast, affects. Open to warm air currents from the west and northwest in winter, Hungary differs from countries located to the east with higher temperatures. The average temperature in January does not fall below minus 1°. In the mountainous regions of the north-eastern part it is a little colder - up to minus 4 °. Usually the passage of cold fronts is accompanied by heavy snowfalls, although such phenomena are quite rare. A stable snow cover can last from 30 to 40 days, but it does not always form on the plains. In mountainous areas, winter is colder, more precipitation falls, the mountains are covered with snow for all three months (December, January, February). Frosts are possible from November to April.

The Danube is especially beautiful in winter, which during this period is especially abundant and powerful. Only sometimes, when the air temperature reaches record low temperatures, the river is covered with a thin crust of ice.

thermal springs

During the period of snowfalls and frosts, the Hungarian nature is under the warm patronage of thermal springs. There are a lot of them in Hungary, about 1300 - different in temperature, chemical composition and healing properties of waters, persistently making their way to the surface from the depths of geological faults. More than a hundred such sources are located in the area of ​​​​the Hungarian capital - the city of Budapest. The largest and most famous balneological resorts in Hungary are located in the area of ​​​​Lake Balaton and Lake Heviz, on the basis of the thermal healing springs of the Margaret Island, as well as near Mount Gellert, near Miskol-Lillafüred, and in Alfeld (Hajduszoboszlo). Particularly unique in this regard, Fr. Heviz, whose waters even in the most severe frosts warm up to a temperature of +23 - +24 ° C. In winter, the lake is hidden in a cloud of thick steam formed as a result of a sharp temperature drop.

Winter Budapest

In winter, the Hungarian capital is transformed into a sea of ​​bright lights and garlands. At this time of the year, the famous Christmas markets take place here. In the very center of the city, another fabulous city appears for several months, with numerous shopping arcades and concert venues. Here you can buy various souvenirs, Christmas sweets, decorations, or simply find yourself in a whirlwind of traditional folk festivals, various attractions, see performances of nativity scenes and puppet theaters.

Active winter holidays

Holidays in Hungary in winter are full of romance and vivid impressions. The best place for ski slopes, the Matra mountain range is considered. Snow lies here for up to a hundred days, which is ideal for winter sports enthusiasts. Interesting for winter holiday ski slopes on the slopes of the Bukk massif. Resorts and recreation centers in the mountains are equipped with cozy wooden houses, from the terraces of which magnificent views of the surrounding mountain landscapes open up.

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