Budapest in January: Weather & 15 Best Things to Do (2025)

PLANNING A TRIP TO BUDAPEST IN JANUARY?

I’ve got you covered! I’m originally from Budapest and while January is the coldest month of the year in Budapest, there are still some many things to do.

January is low season in Budapest. The average temperature is between -2.7 to 2 °C (27-36 °F), and you have the highest chance for snow in Budapest in January.

January is a good time to visit Budapest if you want to visit at a time when it is quiet in the city, there are not many tourists, and want to see the city in snow.

The best things to do in Budapest in January is to chill in the warm thermal baths, go ice-skating, try Hungarian food, go on a river cruise on the Danube, and see the main attractions in snow.

Here is everything you need to know about visiting Budapest in January, including the weather, what to wear, and best things to do!

Budapest Weather in January

January is winter season in Budapest and it is the coldest time of the year. The weather is characterized as cold, gloomy and little daylight.

There is still sunlight during the day, but generally, it starts to turn dark around 4 pm in the afternoon.

There is good central heating in Budapest, so once you are inside your hotel or accommodation, you can warm up your place using the heater.

When you are outside, just make sure to dress in layers, wear a warm winter coat, hat, gloves and boots and you will be fine.

Budapest Temperature in January

The average temperature in Budapest in January is between -2.7 to 2 °C (27-36 °F).

There is also a high chance for snow in January, so make sure to follow the weather updates.

Does it Snow in Budapest in January?

Yes, there is a high chance for snow in Budapest in January but it is not guaranteed.

Winter in Budapest runs from December to February, and the likelihood for snow is the highest between January and February. It can sometimes even snow in March, so weather patterns can be unpredictable.

The 15 Best Things to Do in Budapest in January

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2. GO ON A BOAT CRUISE

A boat cruise on the River Danube is one of the best ways to see Budapest.

A river cruise is a great activity all year round and the best time to go is in the evening to see the city decorated with lights.

Some of the Danube River Cruises include dinner, drinks and live music. Usually, when you sign up for a cruise, you can decide which type of cruise you’d like to go on.

In January, it is too cold to stay on the outer decks for too long, but inside the ship it will be warm and cozy.

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3. TRY HUNGARIAN FOOD

Hungarian cuisine is mostly famous for goulash and paprika. However, it is so much more than that, and while you are in Budapest, you should try as many Hungarian delicacies as possible.

Some of the most popular Hungarian dishes are:

• Goulash soup
• Lángos (deep fried dough with sour cream. It’s more like a snack)
• Chimney cake (dessert)
• Pörkölt (beef stew)
• Hortobágyi palacsinta (crepe filled with meat)
• Cherry soup
• Stuffed cabbage

You can also check out a local Hungarian market that sell Hungarian delicacies, such as salami, wine, and spices.

The best market to shop at is the Central Market Hall, where many Hungarians do their weekly shopping.

Visiting the Central Market Hall is one of the unique things to do in Budapest as you can see what a Hungarian market is like, and you can try many different Hungarian delicacies.

There are also food tours in Budapest where you can join with other travellers and explore the best Hungarian dishes with a guide!

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4. GO SIGHTSEEING

Budapest is famous for its beautiful architecture and the River Danube splitting the city into two sides: Pest and Buda.

Exploring the historic buildings is one of the best things to do in Budapest! If you visit Budapest in January, you may even get to see all the sights in snow.

There are also less tourists, so it is a great time to explore the city.

Many of the historic buildings are located along the River Danube and the buildings are nicely decorated with lights in the evenings.

5. RIDE THE TRAM LINE 2

Budapest has a good network of trams for getting around the city. Tram Line 2 is great to explore and see the city.

Tram Line 2 starts from the Parliament and goes along the River Danube overlooking beautiful sights. It passes many tourist attractions and famous bridges.

As Tram 2 goes along the river, you also get to see over to the attractions on the Buda side of the city, such as the Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, and the Citadella.

Pro Tip: In case you visit Budapest in December, many trams (including Tram Line 2) are decorated with Christmas lights for the holidays. It’s like Christmas trams that take you along the city!

6. HAVE FUN AT THE RUIN BARS

Budapest is known for its nightlife, with many pubs and bars in the city centre. January is a quiet time in Budapest, but the bars and pubs still have many parties and events going on.

Budapest is famous for its “ruin bars” that are bars made with unique design. The ruin bars have a unique atmosphere with funny furniture, like bathtubs for chairs, or even furniture stuck to the ceiling.

Some of the best ruin bars in Budapest are Szimpla Kert and Instant.

7. SEE THE LIGHT SHOW AT LUMINA PARK

There is a light show in Lumina Park which is really magical in the winter.

Lumina Park is located on Margaret Island in central Budapest, and it can be easily accessed by public transport. If your accommodation is in central Budapest, you can even walk there.

The park is usually open from the end of October until the beginning of March each year.

It has over 200 installations not only for light, but also sound and videos. It is a great place to visit with friends and family and you can easily spend around here 1.5-2 hours

8. GO ICE-SKATING

There are many ice-skating rinks set up in Budapest during the winter and the best one is at the City Park.

The City Park is located just behind the Heroes’ Square in central Budapest. There is a small lake in the City Park where you can go boating in the summertime.

In the winter, they turn the lake into an ice-skating rink and it is one of the biggest ice skating rinks in Budapest.

Ice-skating is pretty fun and even if you are a beginner or haven’t gone ice skating for a long time, you can just skate slowly on the outer side of the rink.

9. WATCH A PLAY AT THE OPERA

The Hungarian State Opera is the perfect place to see a play in Budapest. There are usually famous plays on all around the year, such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake or Aida.

You should book the tickets well in advance as the tickets sell out pretty fast.

The ticket to a ballet shows, such as The Nutcracker costs around HUF 17,000-45,000 (USD 45-115), depending on the type of seat you book.

10. SEE BUDAPEST IN SNOW

Budapest is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It has iconic architecture, and there is also the River Danube, which makes the city beautiful at any time of the year.

What is special about Budapest in January is that you can see all the historic sites and attractions in snow with not many tourists around.

Some of the most famous places to visit in Budapest are the Fisherman’s Bastion, Buda Castle, Parliament, Heroes’ Square and the St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Even if you have just one day in Budapest, you should check out the main attractions in the city. If you are lucky to see them in the snow, it will be extra special.

11. SEE A MUSEUM EXHIBITION

Budapest is full of great museums, so if you like to visit art exhibitions or want to learn about the history of Hungary, there are many museums to choose from.

The museums are open all year around, with some permanent exhibitions, and some temporary exhibitions that change from time to time.

Some of the best museums in Budapest are:

• Museum of Fine Arts
• Museum of Ethnography (‘Néprajzi Múzeum’ in Hungarian)
• House of Terror
• Hall of Arts (or Palace of Arts, it is called ‘Műcsarnok‘ in Hungarian)
• Ludwig Museum

12. GO ON A WALKING TOUR

January is the coldest month in Budapest but if you dress in warm layers, you will still enjoy being outdoors.

Budapest is a walkable city and there are many attractions in the city centre that are close to each other.

A walking tour is one of the best ways to explore a new place, even in the winter. The coldest it usually gets in Budapest in January is -2.7 °C (27 °F), and while it is cold, if you dress in layers, you will withstand the cold.

There are different options for walking tours in Budapest, such as visiting the Buda Castle, St. Stephen’s Basilica or the Parliament. They usually last between 1.5-4 hours, and cost USD 10-70.

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13. GO SKIING

Hungary does not have high mountains, but there are hilly areas near Budapest that have ski slopes set up during the winter.

Some of the best places to go skiing near Budapest is in Kékestető, Eplény, Mátraszentistván, Dobogókő and Visegrád. They can be accessed easily from Budapest and are great options for a day trip even if you just want to escape the city and be in the nature.

14. GO ON A DAY TRIP TO SZENTENDRE

Szentendre is located 22 km from Budapest and they are connected by regular public transport.

Szentendre is a small town and it is famous for its cobbled streets, architecture, churches and museums. It is a great place for a day trip from Budapest if you want to explore a small town near Budapest.

There is good public transport from Budapest to Szentendre. You can take a HEV train from Batthyány tér (Budapest) to Szentendre if you want to go by public transport. If you prefer to go by taxi, there are many taxis in Budapest.

15. VISIT LAKE BALATON

Lake Balaton is the biggest lake in Hungary and it is a popular destination for Hungarians in the summer. It is 592 km² big and there are many villages along the lake where you can book accommodation.

The January is low season at Lake Balaton and not many people visit during that time. Sometimes, the temperature is so cold that the water freezes. As the water is very cold, it is not recommended to swim in the water in January.

Nevertheless, Balaton is a beautiful view during winter and provides a relaxing escape from Budapest.

If you want to go on some hikes, be in the nature and just relax with a good book, Balaton is a great escape in the winter.

Tips for Visiting Budapest in January

What to Wear in Budapest in January

The average temperature in Budapest in January is between -2.7 to 2 °C (27-36 °F). If it snows, it can get even colder, so make sure to follow the weather updates.

January is the coldest time of the year in Budapest, you should pack warm winter clothes for your trip.

If you are visiting Budapest in January, you should dress in layers to stay warm and pack items such as a winter coat, boots, hat, gloves and scarf.

Public Transport in Budapest

The public transport in Budapest is well-connected and is an affordable way to get around the city.

The main modes of transport include the metro lines, buses, HÉV trains, trolley buses and there is even a public boat!

The younger people speak good English in Hungary, so if you need directions, you can always ask someone.

Sometimes there can be delays in transport when it snows in Budapest, but transport is still functioning even if it snows.

Taxis in Budapest

If you want some comfort or save time, you can also get a taxi in Budapest. There are four taxi companies in Budapest: City Taxi, Fő Taxi, Uber and Bolt.

All the taxi companies in Budapest are regulated under the same rules and fare. Even Uber and Bolt have the same taxi fares as the other Hungarian taxi companies.

Nevertheless, Uber and Bolt is easy to use through their apps. If you already have Uber or Bolt app downloaded on your phone, just log into the app once you are in Budapest and the location will update automatically.

Walking in Budapest

Budapest is a walkable city and there are many tourist attractions in close walking distance to each other.

January is cold in Budapest, but if you dress in warm layers, you will enjoy being out and about in Budapest.

Some of the best places to explore on foot in Budapest are:

• Route 1: Deák Ferenc tér – St. Stephen’s Basilica – Shoes on the River Danube – Parliament – Margaret Island
• Route 2: Deák Ferenc tér – cross the Chain Bridge (Széchenyi Lánchíd/Bridge) – take the Funicular to Buda Castle – Buda Castle – Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church
• Route 3: Fisherman’s Bastion/Matthias Church – Buda Castle – Gellért Hill/Citadella – Gellért Thermal Bath
• Route 4: Opera – House of Terror – Heroes’ Square – City Park + Vajdahunyad Castle – Széchenyi Thermal Bath

Holidays in Budapest in January

New Year’s Day (1 January)

1 January is a national holiday in Hungary, and usually people are just at home relaxing or recovering from the night before.

In Hungary, there is a tradition to eat lentil soup on 1 January. The belief is that if you eat lentil soup on this day, then it will bring you luck for the new year ahead.

FAQs: Budapest in January: Weather & Best Things to Do

What’s it like to visit Budapest in January?

January is the coldest month of the year, with possible snow. Most tourists come during the Christmas holidays and then in January and february it becomes less busy in Budapest.

January may be low season in Budapest but there are still so many things to do in the city.

The best things to do in Budapest in January is to chill in the warm thermal baths, go ice-skating, try Hungarian food, go on a river cruise on the Danube, and see the main attractions in snow.

Is it good to go to Budapest in January?

January is a good time to visit Budapest if you want to visit at a time when it is quiet in the city, there are not many tourists, and want to see the city in snow.

What is the weather like in Budapest in January?

January is winter season in Budapest and it is the coldest time of the year. The average temperature in Budapest in January is between -2.7 to 2 °C (27-36 °F).

The weather is characterized as cold, gloomy and little daylight. There is still sunlight during the day, but generally, it starts to turn dark around 4 pm in the afternoon.

What is the coldest month in Budapest?

The coldest month in Budapest is January, when the average temperatures drops to -2.7 to 2 °C (27-36 °F).

How is the Budapest nightlife in January?

Budapest might be cold and quiet in January but the nightlife is still on!

There are many bars in the city centre of Budapest – especially the Pest side. You will find that there are still many parties and events happening even in January.

Conclusion

January is the coldest month of the year in Budapest, there are still some many things to do.

January is low season in Budapest. The average temperature is between -2.7 to 2 °C (27-36 °F), and you have the highest chance for snow in Budapest in January.

January is a good time to visit Budapest if you want to visit at a time when it is quiet in the city, there are not many tourists, and want to see the city in snow.

The best things to do in Budapest in January is to chill in the warm thermal baths, go ice-skating, try Hungarian food, go on a river cruise on the Danube, and see the main attractions in snow.

If you are visiting Budapest in January, you should pack warm winter clothes for your trip.

You should wear layers to stay warm during winter in Budapest and pack items such as a winter coat, boots, hat, gloves and scarf.