Christmas in Budapest

Name: Christmas in Budapest
Brand: Newmarket Holidays
SKU: 99484

Join us for a wonderful Christmas in the heart of Hungary’s beautiful capital.

The stunning, romantic ‘Pearl of the Danube’ is a festive delight with its traditional markets. The largest and oldest of which takes place in Pest’s central Vörösmarty tér, incorporating an ice rink and laser show, adding to the atmosphere of one of Europe’s most appealing cities. A guided city tour allows you to take in the historic highlights, as does a cruise down the Danube, with a Christmas lunch, and an optional visit to the Pálinka Museum promises an equally merry experience.

A square in Budapest at Christmas, in the front, a 'Budapest' sign, with a Christmas tree with lights and red baubles behind. Behind this, lit up decorations with hanging baubles, strung across the square.

Enjoy five nights in stylish Budapest

High angle shot of Széchenyi Chain Bridge, going over the Danube River at night time. With a view of the Pest side, the Parliament building in the distance

Take in the city from the River Danube on a magical river cruise

Low angle shot of a large christmas tree covered in red lights, with gold fairy lights strung out of it. Lit up St. Stephen's Basilica behind it.

Free time to explore Budapest and its Christmas markets under your own steam

High angle shot of long street, full of people and stalls. Leading down to the forefront of the image, to the busy square with a red Christmas tree in the centre, with gold lights trailing out of it.

Explore both sides of the city, Buda and Pest

Meet your tour manager at the airport and transfer to your hotel.

Dependent upon your arrival time, you may wish to head out and enjoy a first exploration of the ‘twin city’ that straddles the Danube. There are a host of bars, cafés and restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets, all exuding traditional Christmastime warmth and welcome.

Dinner will then be served back at the hotel’s restaurant this evening.

After breakfast, you’ll join your tour manager for a guided city tour of Budapest by coach and foot. This introduction will bring to life the major sights, including Buda’s Castle Hill, home to the former Royal Palace, the Castle district’s maze of winding streets, Mátyás church, and the Fisherman’s Bastion, with its views across to Pest on the opposite shore.

Bustling, stylish Pest, with its sweeping boulevards, elegant stores, and the Belváros old town, is a hive of designer stores, coffee houses, patisseries, and restaurants, many found along Váci utca, the pedestrianised main shopping street.

Lunch can be enjoyed at your leisure with some free time afterwards to traverse the traditional Christmas markets on Vörösmarty tér, the central square, and in front of St Stephen’s Basilica. Wooden pavilions offer handcrafted gifts, and the aromas of mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and traditional Hungarian pastries hang in the air.

In the evening, you’ll have a festive dinner at a local restaurant.

Merry Christmas! Embrace a free morning after breakfast at your own pace, perhaps soaking up the joyous atmosphere by taking a leisurely stroll in City Park or Heroes’ Square, close to your hotel.

In the afternoon, you’ll gain a different perspective of the city by taking to the Danube for a river cruise. You’ll make the short walk from the hotel to the boat, then sit back and enjoy the ride along one of Europe’s most iconic waterways. A very memorable Christmas feast will be served onboard as you pass by some of Budapest’s best-known sights, including the imposing Gothic Revival-style parliament and Castle Hill.

Later in the day, you’ll relax back on land, with the option of returning to Vörösmarty tér to take in the scents and delights of Budapest’s Christmas markets while picking up a final souvenir.

A Christmas dinner will then be enjoyed back at the hotel alongside your fellow travellers.

Have breakfast and another day at leisure or join an optional visit to Szentendre, a town located just north of Budapest on the Danube River. Striking baroque architecture, multi-coloured houses, and cobbled streets make this pretty town, with an artistic community, a delightful place to visit. You can wander around its main square, Fő Tér, and the numerous art galleries, museums, and workshops. Towards the end of this morning's Szentendre tour, stop at a traditional local bakery for a cake-making demonstration and your chance to try an authentic Hungarian chimney cake.

After some free time exploring and lunch, you’ll return to Budapest and visit the Zwack Unicum Museum, which showcases the vibrant history and modern production of one of Budapest's most renowned herbal liqueurs. Starting with an introductory film, outlining the origins of this family-run distillery, you'll then get a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into the alcohol's production with a guided tour of the old distillery. Head down into the barrel cellar where you'll enjoy four Unicum tastings and have exclusive access to the Trezor XO branch, which houses the distillery's bespoke French wine liqueur barrels. At the end of your tour, why not pick up a bottle of the famous spirit from the museum's gift shop?

This evening will be at your leisure, and you can find somewhere for your last dinner.

View of skyline of Buda, from Pest. With lit up buildings including two churches with spiked turrets.

Five nights’ bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star Hotel Lion’s Garden, Budapest
Included city tour of Buda and Pest
Welcome drink and dinner at the hotel on Day One
Included river cruise on the Danube
Christmas Eve dinner in a local restaurant
Traditional three-course Christmas Dinner at a local restaurant
Return flights to Budapest
Coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
One piece of hold luggage per person

Hotel Lions Garden, Budapest Budapest, HungaryThis hotel is located in Budapest’s peaceful diplomatic quarter opposite a 100-year-old Dominican church, on the outskirts of the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Please note: The MS Hemera offers simple cruising and passengers should be aware that the emphasis aboard is on enjoying stunning surroundings in the company of a few like-minded, newfound friends. Do not expect a full range of modern comforts, but instead enjoy the chance to be ‘Wi-Fi-free’ while aboard. At the captain’s discretion it may be necessary to alter the order of the itinerary on your holiday. Passages will always be made under motor engine.

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.

Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.

Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you arrive (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").

Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.

The EES scheme commenced on the 12th October 2025, and the phased implementation will last until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, EES will be fully operational at all EU borders. - the latest information can be found at https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr

EES is a new digital border management system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of most European countries. Once introduced, when you go through passport control on arrival, as well as producing your passport for checking, you will also have your photograph taken and fingerprints scanned. The system will register your entry on arrival and your exit when departing. You will only need to do this on your first entry into Europe after the scheme starts.

For those travelling via Eurostar, there is a dual British and French/Belgian border in operational at St Pancras International. Therefore the EES system will be in place at the station, you will not need to be checked again on arrival at the other side. For further information please visit the https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/planning-and-booking-a-holiday/upcoming-changes-travel-europe here.

Please note: Irish passport holders or British Passport holders with an EU residency are currently excluded.

Following the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, changes have been planned which affect the eligibility of citizens of the United Kingdom to have visa free travel to the EU. ETIAS travel authorisation is a new entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of the European Union and Schengen counties.

The ETIAS system is not live yet - the latest information can be found at www.etias.com. We recommend keeping yourself updated on the planned commencement date and, once live (and if applicable to you), apply for your ETIAS in good time prior to travel.

Newmarket Holidays will not be able to undertake ETIAS applications on your behalf, so have instead instructed the services of the Travel Visa Company to provide help, should you need it. You can find more information about this service here.

Please note: ETIAS will not be required for UK citizens travelling on our UK and Ireland tours.

Christmas in Budapest

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