If you’re looking for a weekend getaway outside Ukraine, Hungary is a brilliant choice for a winter trip. Budapest offers a wealth of things to do, including sightseeing, thermal baths, seasonal events and indoor attractions. Travelling by international coach is also a great way to reach the capital without having to book flights, allowing you to devote your entire weekend to exploring the city. You can buy coach tickets on the website Compass Group, you can start planning your weekend: here’s what to see and try in Budapest in winter.
1. Explore Budapest’s Christmas markets
If you’re travelling in late November or December, the Christmas markets will be one of Budapest’s main seasonal attractions. One of the city’s most famous markets is traditionally held in Veresmarty Square, and you can also pop into Advent market near St Stephen’s Basilica. Visitors can browse handmade souvenirs, sample Hungarian street food and traditional sweets, and enjoy seasonal performances and decorations. These places are also relatively close to the city centre, so they’re easy to include in a short weekend itinerary.
2. Visit the thermal baths in Budapest
Winter is a wonderful time to visit Budapest’s famous thermal baths. The city has several historic baths:
- The Sečeni Baths are one of the largest thermal complexes in Europe
- The Gellért Baths are renowned for their historic Art Nouveau interiors.
Open-air thermal pools are particularly appealing when it’s cold outside, as they allow visitors to relax whilst enjoying the unique experiences Budapest has to offer. A visit to the thermal baths can also be a pleasant break after a long coach journey from Ukraine.
3. Take a stroll through the historic centre of Budapest and visit Buda Castle
Even A winter weekend in Budapest wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its main attractions. You can take a stroll around the Buda Castle area, visit St Matthias’s Church and the Fishermen’s Bastion, and admire the views of the Hungarian Parliament Building, which stands on the opposite bank of the Danube. On the Pest side, the Parliament building, St Stephen’s Basilica and the Chain Bridge are all nearby. As winter days are shorter, by focusing on the sights in the central districts, you’ll be able to see more without spending too much time travelling between places.
4. Take a trip to Lake Balaton
If you have a little more time than just a weekend and would like to get away from Budapest for a day, Lake Balaton can offer you a different kind of winter break. The lake and the surrounding towns are much quieter outside the summer season. For example, Balatonfüred is famous for its promenade, historic buildings and spa traditions.
However, if you’ve come from Ukraine for just two days, it would be more practical to stay in Budapest, as travelling such a long distance would add unnecessary time to your itinerary. If you’re travelling outside the Christmas season, you can swap the markets for museums, cafés or other indoor cultural attractions.
When planning a winter weekend trip from Ukraine, bear in mind the duration of the coach journey, as well as how much time you’ll have in Hungary. Travelling by night bus will allow you to arrive in Budapest in the morning and start sightseeing straight away, without wasting a whole day on the journey.
