Hungary is a beautiful country with lush green mountains and the Danube River passing through it. Besides its natural beauty, Hungary is rich in culture and heritage. Tourists love visiting Hungary in winter because they say it is the perfect place to escape the everyday stress of life. Hungary is one of the most beautiful destinations with plenty to do and plenty to experience. This winter guide will have all the answers that you seek.
Top 13 Places To Visit In Hungary In Winter 2024
It tends to get very cold at night, but you can still find plenty of things to do during the day, as the weather in Hungary in winter is warm and pleasant.
After all, if someone goes on vacation, the last thing they want is to be trapped behind doors and miss out on all the fun this place has to offer.
1. Miskolctapolca: The Best Salt Water For Your Bodies
This is actually one of the best places to visit in Hungary in winter to warm up your bones during the cold days. This bath is supposed to be great for joint pain and soreness because of the salt found here. However, the salt content is much less than the usual thermal baths so that you can soak longer.
You should drop by here if you want to relax and be pampered. The natural cave is fun and you can explore it by waddling in. This place is popular because of the bath here, but there are other pools here and you can even find spa treatments here if you are in the mood of pampering. This is undoubtedly one of the most photogenic places in Hungary as well!
Also Read: Hotels In Budapest
Looking To Book An International Holiday?
2. Lake Balaton: The Most Serene Spot
Lake Balaton is a freshwater lake and one of the most popular lakes in Hungary. It has plenty of beaches, volcanic hills, and a beautiful resort town. This is a great place to soak up the warm sun during the day to combat the cold winter weather in Hungary. It isn’t a good idea to go swimming (of course), but you can go ice skating and feel like Konrad Nagy (he won the Hungary Winter Olympics) or even go ice fishing.
If you don’t have your boat, you can hire a small vessel on the spot and go sailing. If you don’t want to go out on the lake, you can relax on the beaches here or check out the hills and resorts.
3. Eger Region: A Land For Wine Lovers
If you visit Hungary and take any day trips, you will be taken to a winery to try out the wine. You can have a look at all the different vineyards and wine cellars. You can visit places like Kovacs Nimrod Winery or Sike Winery, or even the Grassi Family Cellar.
What better way to warm yourself up on a cold night than by drinking local wine? Some cellars even encourage tourism. They have special nights in their cellars where you get to drink wine, enjoy some delicious local food and dance the night away. However, you need to book a meal with the tasting in advance.
Related Posts: Hungary Nightlife
4. Aggtelek Karst: Home To Numerous Mysterious Caves
These unique cave formations are a part of the Aggtelek National Park. It forms a part of the limestone landscape. Once you enter the cave, you can find plenty of stalactites (mineral formations in the shape of pointed icicles that hang from the ceiling and water drips from them) and stalagmites (mineral formations that form upwards from the floor of the cave they create from the dripping of the water from the stalactite and are usually pointed or flat). There are also beautifully formed rocks here.
5. Dohany Street Synagogue: The Largest Of Its Kind
This synagogue is the largest one other than the one in Israel. This place is a must-visit if you want to learn about the past of Hungary. The synagogue was bombed during the Second World War and was later restored during the 1990s.
If you visit the garden here, you can find a beautiful weeping willow that is a memorial ground and has the names of some Jews of Budapest who died or went missing during the war. There is also a heartfelt memorial of a Swedish diplomat who was brave enough to save the lives of hundreds of Jews in Budapest. It would be advisable to carry a smaller bag when you visit because they are cautious of tourists.
Related Posts: Trips From Budapest
Planning your holiday but confused about where to go? These travel stories help you find your best trip ever!
6. Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens: Get Closer To Nature
This zoo is one of the oldest in the world. It has over 1,000 different species of animals. People usually come here to see the Komodo dragons and the wombats, although there are plenty of other animals here, like polar bears, red pandas, and big cats.
The aquariums have plenty of different fish and sea life. There are also life-sized models of whales and other skeletal remains. The zoo has different species categories, and the botanical garden has beautiful Eastern flora and fauna. There is also a chicken farm with young chickens where you can care for them and learn how to domesticate animals.
7. Esztergom Basilica: The Tallest Building Of Hungary
This cathedral is one of the largest and tallest buildings in Hungary. It is supposed to portray the Virgin Mary, as she was assumed to be in heaven. You can see a massive painting here, done on a single piece of canvas by Girolama Michelangelo Grigoletti.
If you visit here, you will be able to see many different and beautiful art pieces. The Panorama Hall is worth visiting, too. Other features of this beautiful basilica include an Old Egyptian crypt and plenty of Tuscan-style motifs. If you visit during the day, you can get a stunning view of the Danube River bend and the nearby park, which makes visiting Hungary worth it in winter.
Related Posts: Hotels In Hungary
8. Festetics Palace: The Baroque Style Structure
This palace is a masterpiece in Baroque style. It has been rebuilt and renovated plenty of times and finally reached its glory. If you visit, you can see the form that was there in the 1800s. You can explore the architecture, interior decoration and the adored palace library, which has over 86,000 items. The palace is enclosed by a nature park filled with beautiful flower beds, ponds, fountains, and statues. Many of the statues are more than a hundred years old. There are plenty of carriages and coaches, but they are only for the observation. You can find the Helikon Museum inside, one of Hungary’s best museums.
9. Hortobagy National Park: The Hungarian Wildlife
This is one of the best things to do in Hungary in winter, as the sun will be out during the day. The beautiful landscape here consists of forests, rivers, plains and green mountains. There is plenty of flora and fauna, and you can see a lot of Hungarian wildlife, such as horses, water buffalo, and grey Hungarian cattle. You may also be able to spot birds like the red-footed falcon, stone curlews and much more. The nine-holed Bridge is what makes this park iconic. It is a stone arch bridge that was once the longest until 1921.
Related Posts: Places To Visit In Hungary
10. Margaret Island: A Land Of Weeping Willows
This Island is beautiful, with plenty of colourful flowers and weeping willows. But what makes it so popular is the Centennial Memorial, the Water Tower, the Japanese Garden, and the sports parks. If you find the time, check out the ruins of the 13th-century Franciscan church.
If you have time on your hands, you can check that out. If you spend the day here, you certainly won’t regret it. It is a great way to escape from your stressful life, as there are many beautiful and exciting things to see and learn. You can also find a lot of delicious food and great music here.
11. Lillafured: The Base Of Bukk National Park
Image Source
The best way to enjoy Hungary’s winters is by conquering one of the most beautiful hidden jewels of the country. The Bukk mountains are considered as one of the most stunning places sitting on the floors of Hungary, and Lillafured has been tagged as the best spot for a base of Bukk National Park more than once.
This National Park is a must-visit because it houses breathtakingly amazing natural wonders, including freshwater lakes and lush green dense forests. The forests are home to some of the most impeccable hiking trails in Hungary, which offer travellers cherishable experiences.
Related Posts: Things To Do In Hungary
12. Hortobagy Plains: Home For Hungarian Cowboys
Image Source
Imagine witnessing the various hues of yellow and orange as the sun sets during the Hungary winters. Hortobagy is one of the plainest plains one has ever seen and thus gives travelers a chance to witness the earth’s natural process in the most beautiful way possible. Hortobagy is renowned for one of the most iconic sunsets in the entire world. Being home to unique flora, fauna, and various Hungarian cowboys, this destination has something exciting hidden in its kitty!
13. Siofok: The Day Clubs Are A Thing Here
Who said that one can enjoy dancing the hearts out in a club only during the night? Siofok in Hungary is one destination that boasts and promotes the day clubs like they are true. This charming and colourful town is located on the southern coast of the famous Lake Balaton and has plenty to offer.
This town is home to one of the most popular holiday resorts, which hosts around 200,000 travellers every summer. When visiting Siofok, one should visit the Villa Jokai and the Museum of Egg to add that extra touch to the vacation and not miss out on any Hungarian experience!
You May Also Like To Read: Festivals In Hungary
In winter, the temperature in Hungary can range from 5 degrees Celsius to 0 degrees Celsius. Hungary is a must-visit place. Plan your trip to Hungary to experience all it offers during the holiday season. Whether you are a seasoned traveller or a newbie, Athens has a lot of things to offer.
For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hungary In Winter
Which is the best time of year to go to Hungary?
The best time to visit Hungary is from March to May and from September to November.
Does it snow in Hungary in January?
Yes, January is usually the coldest month of the year in Hungary with temperatures dropping down between -5 degrees Celsius to 0 degree Celsius. There is snowfall every winter but the snow melts away in just a few days.
Is Budapest good in winter?
Budapest looks magical in winter. If one wishes to experience snowfall and cool weather, they should certainly visit the city.
How cold is Hungary in the winter?
Winter in Hungary experiences extremely chilly weather. The temperature during these months can fall down to as below as -5 degrees Celsius.
Does it snow in Hungary in December?
In Hungary, December is extremely cold. However, it majorly snows in the month of January.
Is Hungary expensive?
Travelling to Hungary can turn out to be slightly more expensive than other countries located in the Eastern region of Europe.
How cold is Hungary in December?
Hungary in December experiences the temperature around 1 degree Celsius.
Looking To Book A Holiday Package?
People Also Read:
Winter In Turkey Winter In Egypt Montreal In Winter
As a Travel Content Writer, I live to conquer the world of globetrotting with words. With my unquenchable thirst for storytelling, I believe that my words will inspire you to travel around the world’s breathtaking landscapes. As for me, I am an unapologetic selenophile, who loves to wander around in a starry night!
