Budding Romance with Budapest in Winter

In many ways, Budapest is a divided city.  Not only is it divided by the Danube River into Buda on the west and Pest on the east but its climate is divided as well, which is described as a transitional climate. 

Basically, it is midway between the continental climate of the Great Plain and the sub-Mediterranean weather of the surrounding areas. In layman's terms, the winter season is relatively short with unpredictable days swinging from snow storms to warm weather to freezing cold.  In short, be prepared for surprises in the weather. 

It's a good thing then that you have booked your holiday apartment in advance through the Internet.  Otherwise, you might have extreme difficulty in finding room in the city once caught in a snow storm. 

Where Christmas is Christmas

Despite these small inconveniences, however, Budapest is one of the better places in Europe to be in during Christmas.  After all, only in Budapest can you find the most charming Christmas market in the entire continent, which boasts of stalls selling handcrafted folk art items with exquisite craftsmanship. 

Add in the live entertainment by the puppeteers as well as the folk singers and dancers and you will have the best Christmas outside of home.  Well, if you can take in the crowd, that is, but that is part of the appeal of the Christmas market.  And of course, don't forget the delightful desserts offered by the many confectioneries in the city.  Be sure to bring home bags of these sweet treats for munching at your holiday apartment.

For a truly Budapest winter,  visit the Margitsziget (Margaret Island).  It is situated in the middle of the Danube complete with its own landscaped parks, a small zoo, a Music Well and a Music Fountain. 

An interesting twist to the Christmas tradition is the snowmen, which are definitely more creative in Budapest.  You can add crowns and badges to the traditional buttons and stick arms.  And don't miss the fireworks over the Danube to usher in the New Year.

A winter Christmas should be accompanied by ice skating.  In Budapest, this is very possible with the open air ice-skating rink at the City Park.  Or you can always take in all of Budapest with a ride on the LibegÅ‘ski lift!

How the Body and Soul are Warmed Over

Lest you think that the good things in life in Budapest happen only outdoors, you will find another side of winter.  You can enter any of the warm cafés in the city that offers not just a toasty atmosphere but food to warm the body and the soul as well.  Enjoy hot mulled wine or coffee or tea with your tower cake.

You should also wallow in the warmth of the abundant thermal water spas in the city.  You can choose from 123 springs with water temperature ranging from 14 to 96 degrees Celsius.  Just choose which of the spas suit your quest for warmth during the icy cold winter days and wallow in the waters all day long, if you want to. 

You will have a budding romance with Budapest if you perchance to visit during the winter season.  You will most probably come back in the summers and see a different side to the city.

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