We used to say a winter wonderland when we see a beautiful place covered in snow, but what word or words should we use when we see the Christmas markets in Hungary? It might be a winter fairytale, that comes to your mind first. If you want to drink mulled wine, eat some true Hungarian snack, search for an authentic gift, or just to have a chimney cake at Christmas time, you shall visit the most beautiful Christmas fairs, that can be found in the Hungarian capital and two other country towns. In the consciousness of this, please let me show you those, that in my opinion, you will be eager to visit year after year.
Celebration at St. Stephen Basilica in Budapest
On the 23rd of November, the 8th Advent Fair at St. Stephen's Square in Budapest was opened to celebrate this year's Christmas holidays at the ninth most impressive Christmas event in Europe - according to European Best Destinations' poll. In addition to the endless sorts of delicacies, warm drinks and ferial concerts, the Christmas light paintings cover the monumental facade of the Basilica in the evenings. Beyond the magical sight, there is a skating rink in the middle of the Christmas market, which can be used for free.
St. Stephen's Basilica
Budapest, Szent István tér 1., 1051 Hongrie
St. Stephen's Square
Budapest, Szent István tér 1, 1051 MagyarországLive for the moment at Vörösmarty Square in Budapest
If you have been to Budapest once or twice in winter, you have already heard of the Christmas market at Vörösmarty Square. I dare to say, it must be one of the biggest and most beautiful ones in Europe. It's situated right in the middle of Budapest, and to get there, you have to go through the city's fashion street. Here, you can also secure your beloved ones' Christmas gifts, if you haven’t done it before. As I wrote, the fair itself is truly breathtaking, no doubt. However, the prices are pretty high though, therefore you have to bring a considerable amount of money if you are about to arrive with an empty stomach and want to have sufficient.
Vörösmarty Square
Budapest, Vörösmarty tér, MagyarországSzentendre’s festive downtown
The historic town centre of Szentendre is dressed in festive decorations at Christmas time since the beginning of December. An Advent fair, outdoor events, varied art programs and exhibitions await the visitors. On Sunday afternoons at the four Advent weekends, the solemn candlelights get lit on the huge Advent wreath that encompasses the whole main square. After that, the priests of Szentendre say the prayers, while you can be enchanted by the beautiful light painting on the town hall. All of this you can feel in Szentendre's festive downtown, which is a truly fabulous riverside-town anyway.
Szentendre
Szentendre, 2000 Magyarország
Fő tér/Main Square
Szentendre, 2000 MagyarországSzombathely’s impressive Christmas Market
Although it is not in Budapest and is not even close to the Hungarian capital, Szombathely’s Christmas Market was chosen the most impressive rural fair of my country. If you would like to avoid the immense crowd and nervousness, you should definitely visit this very fair. It's obviously smaller than the ones in Budapest, but there are still a lot of options to eat and drink some. I'm pretty sure, that you will find here what you are looking for in a Christmas market.
Szombathely
Szombathely, Magyarország
Christmas Fair Szombathely
Szombathely, Statue of Holy Trinity, 9700 MagyarországWell, this was my recommendation on fairs, in case you will spend your holidays in Hungary that awaits you with a real winter fairytale, but wherever you will be at Christmas, I would like to wish you and your family a lovely one!
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Vivi Bencze
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