This is how much you have to spend at Budapest’s two biggest Christmas markets
The two most famous Christmas markets of Budapest are probably the one on Vörösmarty Square and the one in front of the Basilica. Although every year, thousands of people visit the Christmas markets to get into the holiday spirit, buying anything there might not be worth it. Have a look at the prices you should expect when visiting these Christmas markets!
Drinks at the Vörösmarty Square Christmas market
The Vörösmarty Square Christmas market has been selected as the 21st best in the world. This year, the market is called Classic Xmas. The organisers do not only offer Christmas atmosphere, but visitors can follow the matches of the World Championships as well, writes Index. As for the prices, one can get 3 dl mulled wine for HUF 1,200 (EUR 2,92), the flavored version for HUF 1,500 (EUR 3,65). Punch costs the same, HUF 1,200 (EUR 2,92), while hot chocolate with whipped cream is HUF 1,500 (EUR 3,65). You can also order hot chocolate with Baileys for HUF 3,300 (EUR 8,02).
If you would like to drink beer, you can choose between tap beer for HUF 1,500 (EUR 3,65) and Heineken for HUF 1,200 (EUR 2,92). In addition, short drinks of 4 cl are available between HUF 1,800 (EUR 4,38) and HUF 2,500 (EUR 6,08). However, if you prefer to drink mineral water, half a liter costs HUF 700 (EUR 1,70) and Coca-Cola products cost HUF 900 (EUR 2,19).
Food at the Vörösmarty Square Christmas market
If you want to grab a bite at the Chistmas market, you have to dig deep in your pocket! You can eat stuffed cabbage on Vörösmarty Square for HUF 4,500 (EUR 10,94) and a selection of premium sausages for HUF 5,000 (EUR 12,15). Goulash soup is HUF 4,500 (EUR 10,94) with bread, but without bread, it is much less, HUF 3,500 (EUR 8,51). As a tourist, you might want to try the Hungarian lángos. On Vörösmarty Square, you have to pay HUF 2,000 (EUR 4,86) for the simple lángos and lángos with cheese and sour cream is HUF 2,800 (EUR 6,81). Another Hungarian specialty, kürtőskalács (trumpet cake) is HUF 2,200 (EUR 5,35), or HUF 2,600 (EUR 6,32).
Christmas at the Basilica
The prices are similarly high at the Chritmas market on St. Stephen’s Square. You can keep yourself warm with mulled wine for HUF 1,200 (EUR 2,92), or hot tea (3 deciliter) for HUF 1,000 (EUR 2,43). Moreover, punch is HUF 1,500 (EUR 3,65), Belgian hot chocolate is HUF 2,400 (EUR 5,83).
Food is not cheap here, either. Pork brassos, chicken breast with grilled vegetables and chicken with paprika are all sold at HUF 4,500 (EUR 10,94)/portion. Beef stew costs HUF 5,500 (EUR 13,37), deer stew HUF 6,000 (EUR 14,58). Here, you must pay a little bit more for stuffed cabbage, which is HUF 4,800 (EUR 11,67).
Here are some more food prices:
- giant Wiener schnitzel HUF 5,500 (EUR 13,37)
- grilled sausage with bread and mustard HUF 3,900 (EUR 9,48)/piece
- sandwiches and hot dogs HUF 5,500 (EUR 13,37)
At the Basilica, they offer both draft and canned beer for HUF 1,200 (EUR 2,92), and 4 cl pálinka for HUF 2,300 (EUR 5,59).
Read alsoPHOTOS: Budapest’s City Park Ice Rink chosen one of the world’s best
Source: Index, DNH
You don’t HAVE to spend ANYTHING at the Christmas markets … unless you’ve got children with you! A smart traveller will look around the markets, then go to a warm, clean place a few hundred metres away. You can find a lot of much better places, selling much better quality refreshments at much better prices.