February has sashayed in, bringing along extra hours of daylight, the prospect of snow, and banging events. From bath parties and winter hikes to the Budapest Independent Film Festival and the Valentine's Express, we have rounded up 15 ways to make the most out of the last winter month.
1/15
Warm up with colourful drinks
Beat those winter blues with a cup of rainbow-coloured hot drink at one of Budapest's brilliant cafés. A beetroot latte at Madal, a Golden Milk at nor/ma grand or a Salted caramel dark chocolate with whipped cream and caramel topping at Ahoy! will not only brighten your Instagram feed but your mood too. We have rounded up the best winter drinks in Budapest in this article.
2/15
Go on a hike in or around Budapest
Now you know where to find hot drinks to heat you up after a walk outside, so a hike is due. Budapest and its surroundings offer surprising routes, stunning views and fun experiences, such as visiting the Wildlife park in Budakeszi, climbing up to Elizabeth Lookout or descending deep into Pál-völgyi Cave. See our favourite destinations here.
3/15
Go ice skating one last time
Not to be dramatic, but winter is almost over, so this is the last chance to enjoy some al fresco ice skating. Budapest has some pretty amazing outdoor rinks: Csepel Ice Park, which is a local favourite and a hidden gem, has just extended its opening time until 12 February. And you can draw figure eights backdropped by the magical Vajdahunyad Castle even longer as the City Park Ice Rink will stay open until the end of the month.
4/15
Enjoy the snow at Normafa
The weather conditions are finally ideal for enjoying snow up in the Buda hills. Normafa, a top-notch hiking destination with amazing views, is also more tempting now as part of its slopes got covered in snow. The snow might be partly artificial (made by snow cannons), but it allows visitors to go sledding or cross-country skiing. The conditions might change anytime, so always check their Facebook page for updates.
5/15
Visit Lumina Park
A magical light exhibition took over Margaret Island's Palatinus Open-Air Baths for the autumn-winter season. You can wander around in the special light and sound-filled fairytale land of Lumina Park until the end of February to catch a glimpse of its illuminated castles, kangaroos and elephants.
6/15
Join the Grand Budapest Bath Party
The Széchenyi Baths is one of Budapest's most popular thermal baths and one of Europe's best spas. It is worth a visit any time of the year and day, but in February Saturday nights are getting some pizzazz. A party series, called the Grand Budapest Bath Party (or Sparty), kicks off on February 11th to bring electronic dance music and a mind-blowing visual experience while you party in the pools. Get tickets here.
7/15
Celebrate Farsang with doughnuts
Doughnuts are an essential part of Hungarian carnivals (Farsang is between 6 January and 23 February this year), which means you are not only allowed but encouraged to eat these sweet, syrup-glazed desserts if the carnival season finds you in Budapest. Head to The Box Donut, La Donuteria, Cream Donutbar, Badass Coffee & Donut, Bomboloni, or Joe&Fredo and treat yourself for the sake of the tradition.
8/15
Cosy up in an igloo
Rooftop views of Budapest are just as spectacular in the winter as in the summer. You can test this at the Intermezzo Restaurant & Roof Terrace on the top of Hotel President or Andrássy Avenue's 360 Bar. Wrap yourself in a blanket, sip a hot tea or a cocktail and munch your way through snacks in one of the heated igloos, overlooking sights such as St Stephen's Basilica or the Buda Castle. If you wish to stay closer to the ground, you can cosy up in one of the bubbles of City Park's BalloonBar. You might not see the roof tiles of the surrounding houses from here, but you will have a pretty good view of the city's relatively new attraction, the Balloon.
9/15
Visit the Makers' Market Budapest
The Makers' Market Budapest is a monthly fair, where you can get your hands on contemporary, artsy and designer products made by Hungarian designers. While at it, you can also chat with them and learn more about the items, which can also make a beautiful present for Valentine's Day. Their upcoming event is on February 12th (2 pm - 9 pm), and apart from stocking up on super cool designer goodies, you can also join workshops. Create a mini garden, a picture of mosaics, or bracelets, while vibing to live music, played by a DJ. Later, as a special treat, the Hungarian band Platon Karataev will take the stage (get tickets here).
More info here.
10/15
See a movie for free at the Budapest Independent Film Festival 2023
The Budapest Independent Film Festival 2023 (BIFF) returns to Kino Café Cinema between 9-10 February with a diverse programme. 15 films of different genres will be screened, aiming to showcase emerging talents and address social issues. The BIFF 2023 selection runs the gamut of fiction and documentary films, shorts, animated films and music videos. Many of this year’s films have premiered or screened at international film festivals, while others will be seened at BIFF for the first time. All films will be screened in English or with English subtitles.
See the programme here and collect your free tickets at Kino Café.
11/15
Visit the El Greco exhibition before it closes
We have said it before, and we are saying it again: a comprehensive exhibition of El Greco's oeuvre is on show at the Museum of Fine Arts, and you should see it before its finissage on February 19th. The exhibition aims to provide a broad overview of the oeuvre of one of the most outstanding masters in the history of European art, the Spanish-Cretan El Greco. So expect such famous paintings as The Baptism of Christ from the Prado in Madrid, St Louis, King of France, with a Page from the Louvre in Paris, Christ driving the Traders from the Temple from the National Gallery in London.
More info here.
12/15
See the Star Wars exhibition
If you are pining for something lighter than Mannerism, you can opt for the Star Wars exhibition. The Travelling Galaxy, consisting of pieces from a private collection, displays hundreds of authentic maquettes, models and life-sized puppets familiar from the films (mainly from the original trilogy). The exhibition is for all ages, and according to the plans, you can visit the current collection until the end of March 2023.
You can book tickets here, but until then, have a sneak peek here.
13/15
Have a romantic dinner on Valentine's Day
It is the time of the year when one starts looking up fancy and romantic restaurants in the hope of a Valentine's Day well spent. As the date is fast approaching, we are backing you up with some of our favourites. Bobo Restaurant, Déryné Bisztró, and Aranybástya are all high on romantic vibes, but you can see a longer list here.
14/15
Hop on the Valentine's Express
If a simple dinner won't cut it this Valentine's Day, try a special ride on the Children's Railway! Rumbling through Szépjuhászné, János Hill, Normafa, and Hűvösvölgy, you can expect quite a romantic journey, complemented by champagne and snacks, then dinner on the way. The trip will take 1,5 hours, and the train will pass through an almost 200-metre-long horseshoe-shaped tunnel. Legend has it that all horseshoe-shaped gifts given on Valentine's Day strengthen relationships. The rides start at 5 pm and 7 pm.
More info and tickets here.
15/15
Head to the zoo in the winter cold
Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden is typically a summer destination, but who says you can't visit its charming residents in winter? You can even spot the newest resident Ricardo, the collared anteater. None of the animals at the Zoo hibernates, so visiting them is a great way to spend even a colder day from 9 am to 4 pm from Monday to Sunday. Then head to the Main Playground at the City Park or fly up into the clouds in the BalloonFly. Find more things to do with kids here.
