I’ve always dreamed of Christmas time in Europe. Having grown up in California, snow was a four letter word that seemed so foreign, especially if it was falling from the sky. I went on a trip to Europe last December, specifically Budapest, Austria, Bratislava, and Munich, for a week to meet my boyfriend and experience the Christmas markets I had heard so much about and seen on social media.
We started the journey in Budapest and stayed in an Airbnb near the city center. Linked Here
I got in fairly late into the night after a transfer in Munich and took public transportation from the airport to the city center. The 100E Aiport Service bus ended up costing only 2,200 HUF or 5-6 euros and I purchased my ticket right outside the airport after picking up my luggage. After talking with a local, this ended up being the most cost efficient and comfortable way to travel from the airport to the city center with the bus making stops at Kalvin Square, Astoria, and Deak Ferenc Square every 7 – 10 minutes during the day, and every 30 – 40 minutes between midnight and 3 am. It took about 45 mins to get from the airport to the city center.
After checking into the Airbnb and getting into warmer clothing, we checked out a Christmas market nearby at Vörösmarty Square (Vörösmarty tér) in the heart of district 5 for some food. Decorated with beautiful lights and picturesque stalls with clouds of delicious smelling steam wafting from the stalls, it was truly a sight.
We bought a pork Lángos to share which consisted of a deep fried Hungarian flat bread with stewed pork and it was made fresh before our eyes. Topping the meal off with a chimney cake or Kürtőskalács coated in cinnamon and nuts and a cup of mulled wine, it was the perfect start to our European Christmas market adventure.
I will say the market seemed to close a lot earlier than expected, which I felt was the outcome of Covid regulations with most stalls closing around 9pm. Just make sure you plan to have extra time to make sure you can enjoy the market and account for comfy shoes because most sitting areas will be covered in rain or snow!