As winter hits the Hungarian capital, the season’s first major snowfall has turned Normafa in the Buda Hills into a whitewashed playground, where the young at heart can carouse amid frosty scenes. Located an easy public-transport ride from town, this popular hilltop destination attracts an urban crowd all year round thanks to its panoramic views, hiking paths, cozy street-food stalls and outdoor recreation. During the colder months, this elevated city spot attracts groups of friends, couples and families for sledging, snowball fights and mulled wine.
While the snow has melted around most of Budapest, Normafa still basks in timeless wintry scenes, overlooking the blanket covering the Buda Hills as depicted in these new photos. During this past weekend, many headed up to this popular recreation ground to take in the fresh air, sledge down the slopes and pelt each other with snowballs. The small wooden kiosks atop the hill are especially busy during these colder months, selling sweet strudels, Hungarian lángos fried-dough specialties and soul-warming mulled wine. You can get there by taking bus 21 or 21A from Buda’s Széll Kálmán Square and alighting at Normafa. Meanwhile, you can admire the snowy scenes in this series of cheerful photographs:
