Please sign in to post.

Budapest Christmas Market

The Vorosmarty ter and Basilica Markets are open and I visited today.

I was worried that the new management would not hold the same standards as the old management. I have been to markets in Germany, Slovakia and Romania and was disappointed by the extent of imported junk. In the past all vendors in Budapest had to submit there products months in advance for approval. I didn't know what the new management would do. Good news, everything was locally produced crafts, no imports.

The Basilica market did have some commercial sponsors and while that was a bit disappointing maybe the revenue pays for the the light shows and takes the financial burden off the local tradesmen and helps with their profitability. Wasn't terrible.

In general the markets are equivalent to the ones in the past that have received so many accolades and awards.

Crowds seem a bit lighter than the past which makes them very pleasant.

I only visited during the day. I will be here 3 more weeks so I saved the evening for another day. The difference between day and night is pretty stark. Good thing is sunset is about 5pm LOL.

All that being said, here are my snap shots. Watch for the evening photos (in a few days).

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ai7Zk-szxfTJivgZNnTUG4HHktos8A?e=xISguv

The link is only good for a week,

The official site for the Basilica Market, but the main market on Vorosmarty ter is now run by the same group and 5 min walk away so I suspect the dates are the same: https://adventbazilika.hu/en

AND some more markets: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/more-markets-in-budapest-for-christmas-and-the-rest-of-the-year

Posted by
4256 posts

Lovely pictures James. Thanks for sharing. Too late for us this year but I a trying to push for next winter. My my husband loves the beach so he wants to go in September. We’ll see.

Posted by
343 posts

Thanks for the update. We arrive in Budapest on the 24th of December and depart on the 28th. How much of the Markets will still be open?

Posted by
5293 posts

Wish I were there!

The food looks delicious, and there are some great looking.things!

Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos!

Enjoy!

Posted by
15781 posts

Well, if you can wait until next Thursday for your evening visit, I will let you have the pleasure (?) of my company. Do some of the vendors take credit cards? I started packing yesterday.

Lovely Christmas tree in front of the Basilica. Is there also a creche?

Posted by
20175 posts

One good thing came out of the new ownership; a unified payment system. They all take credit cards, but some apparently don't take cash.

The system they have set up, at least at the food vendors, starts with a prompt for a tip. I explained that according to the RS Travel Forum, to leave you a tip would be insulting to you ......

As in past years more than half were speaking Hungarian which is nice ... makes it feel more "real" then English and German made up the next largest group which is surprising since Germany is known for markets ......

CHANI, see you Thursday ............

Posted by
175 posts

Thanks for the photos! Will look forward to seeing some more. We plan on going next Thanksgiving and Budapest will be one on our list to visit. Since it sounds like you have visited several markets and countries can you recommend others to see where a train ride is not more than 3 hrs or so away?
I am thinking Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, Slovakia and then get to Munich to come home. Does that make sense?
Thanks and have a great time!

Posted by
20175 posts

For markets Slovakia was sort of disappointing, but it's been a few years. It is also a bit bleak in the winter and I'm not a huge fan of Bratislava but if you are in Vienna and have some free time, it's worth the day. Slovakia in warmer weather is one of Europe's best kept secrets, love it.

You got it right I think, Budapest, Vienna and Salzburg are well worth tge effort. The market in Pecs is also getting good reviews the past few years before COVID.

Oh, add Lviv to the list. Great Christmas vibe, markets. Magical this time of year.

Posted by
1022 posts

Thanks James…. We leave tomorrow for market cruise on Danube. We will be in Budapest Dec 1 to Dec 4.

Kim

Posted by
15781 posts

James, to clarify, I arrive next week Thursday, as in not this week Thursday, but the Thursday after this week Thursday.

Kim, 🙋‍♀️we'll be there at the same time. I arrive in the morning on the 1st and leave on the 6th. PM me if you want to meet to roam the markets together or get a drink or . . . Often the best part of a trip is meeting other forum members - like Mr.E.

Posted by
10599 posts

Great photos! I’m seeing a Christmas Market trip in my future.

Posted by
1022 posts

Chain - that sounds good. I will pm you later as we get closer. Wifi on ship, yay. After we disembark from the Amawaterways, we are staying at the Budapest Marriott.

Drinks, food and shopping woot hoot!

Kim

Posted by
15781 posts

Good location, Kim. I'm staying near the Opera House (and close to my favorite wine bar 🍷🍷😵, but nothing's far away in Budapest.

Posted by
985 posts

Wonderful pictures, James. I've seen dough wrapped around a hot dog and cooked over campfire but have never seen bread wrapped around a big cylinder and cooked over coals. What do they stuff it with? And what is the purple filling in the little pastry pockets? Cabbage? Fruit? I loved the wooden trivets and would have snapped up a few of those!
I really needed a smile today. Thank you for sharing, and I look forward to seeing more!

Posted by
4811 posts

Chimney cakes are amazing. Just had one in October…. I saw them in Krakow also - and in Prague, we had them filled with ice cream or apple pie filling or equally delectable fillings! ❤️

Posted by
985 posts

Oh my, those chimney cakes look so good. I think I'd want to try every flavor! Thanks for answering.