Each country has its own traditions of holding certain holidays. And especially popular and significant is, of course, New Year... How is it celebrated in Budapest?
New Year in Budapest: what is it like?
New Year's Eve in Budapest is a very funny and noisy holiday. Although Hungary is a predominantly Catholic country, this date is remembered and respected by almost all residents. And if Christmas is considered a special day, which is usually spent with relatives and family, then the beginning of the year is celebrated in a completely different way: noisy, fun, crowded and varied. It has been and always will be: ten years ago, and in the long-coming 2016, and in 2017 and in the still distant 2018.
It is worth noting that the date of the celebration of the beginning of the year in the Catholic calendar coincides with the day of St. Sylvester, and therefore the holiday is often called Sylvester.
Features of the celebration
How is the New Year celebrated in such a wonderful city as Budapest? Fun, noisy and interesting. Unlike Christmas, which all Catholics spend with their families, the beginning of the year is considered a universal celebration, and it should gather all residents of the city and become an occasion for unrestrained fun.
Celebration traditions are rooted in ancient times and are associated with ancient pagan rites and beliefs. So, it was believed that on this night all "evil spirits" are activated. And you can scare her away with noise and positive emotions, therefore, for a long time, mass festivities with songs, dances, lights and fireworks have been organized.
Where to celebrate the New Year?
Where to go for a tourist in new year's eve? Almost everyone who was in the capital of Hungary on holidays declares that it is best to meet the beginning of the year on the street, because this is where people gather locals and visitors. It is here that all the fun is concentrated, which will certainly cheer you up and make you join the movement of the crowd, merge into it and dissolve, releasing all your emotions and opening up to new impressions.
To fully experience the holiday atmosphere, you should go to such places as Heroes' Square, Andrássy Avenue, Danube Embankment, Nyugati Square, Vatsi utca Street, Vörösmarty Square and others. In general, boldly go where there are a lot of people and cheerful voices are heard.
What happens in Budapest for a holiday?
Locals and tourists are incredibly lucky, because they will have a magnificent, bright and rich New Year's program... On the streets this night there are souvenir shops selling festive attributes. You can also see an interesting performance or performance by some artist. And more than one cheerful company will offer you to join the celebration. The apogee of the celebration is usually a stunning fireworks display that illuminates the Danube and is visible to all residents and guests of the city.
New Year's table
The treats served at the New Year's table also reflect ancient traditions. Here are some of the most popular dishes on this holiday:
- Lentils. This seemingly simple dish is one of the must-haves, as it symbolizes financial well-being and wealth.
- Pork sausages and roasted piglet are symbols of good luck. Anyone who eats such dishes will certainly be successful next year.
- A rabbit can be seen on the table. And if you taste it, then all the troubles will run away as quickly as this beast.
- The traditional dishes are cabbage rolls and cabbage soup, reminiscent of the culinary traditions of Hungary.
- Many people cook jelly.
- On New Year's Eve, almost everyone drinks champagne, which is considered a traditional festive drink.
- No less popular is another rum-based drink with the addition of many other very different components - "krumpampuli". And its use has become a real ritual and an obligatory component of many festivals.
Advantages and disadvantages
Pros of meeting the New Year in Budapest:
- New Year's Eve in Budapest is very beautiful! This city is beautiful and in common days, but on holidays it transforms and is replete with bright garlands, flashing lights and other decorations. Moreover, all the main streets are beautiful, so you can appreciate the splendor almost anywhere.
- The rich program will definitely not let you get bored, you can see a lot of interesting things: performances, performances by artists, gorgeous fireworks and much more.
- On this holiday, the whole of Budapest is immersed in fun, and it reigns everywhere, infecting everyone with a positive. Therefore, people are friendly and welcoming, they will be happy to help you and offer to share the joy of the coming of the next year.
- You will be able to immerse yourself in the stunning atmosphere typical of European countries. And also Hungary is a beautiful state with rich history, so even at normal times there is something to see.
- On the new year holidays a lot of tourists come to this city, so that, going out into the street, you can make interesting, useful or even fateful acquaintances.
- You will get new impressions and remember this New Year forever. And it's worth coming here just for this.
- The weather can be a significant disadvantage. Although the climate is rather mild and the winters are not very cold, problems can still arise. Frosts rarely come here, but thaws are quite frequent. And since the amount of precipitation can be significant, then, firstly, an increase in temperature can lead to ice. Secondly, even in the middle of winter in Hungary it may well rain, which is not very pleasant.
- If you decide in the midst of New Year's festivities to go to some restaurant or bar to warm up, refresh yourself and relax, then you probably will not be able to do this. There are a lot of tourists in the capital of Hungary these days, so there may not be enough places in such establishments, especially in the central part of the city, where all the fun is concentrated.
- The disadvantages include enough high prices... Hungary is a fairly developed European country, and the standard of living here is appropriate. So if you are a budget traveler, you may run into financial problems. And if you take into account that on New Year's Eve prices become even higher, then your expenses will be significant.
- To prevent the vagaries of the weather from catching you by surprise, first, put on comfortable shoes on a flat non-slip sole, secondly, take an umbrella or raincoat with you. And it is also advisable to dress warmly, because frosts can also spoil the mood.
- If you are planning to go to a restaurant, it is better to book a table in advance so that you will surely have enough space. Although, if luck smiles at you, then there will be no problems with this. But in bad weather, you can be left with nothing, so it's better to think over and foresee everything in advance.
- Although the crime rate in Budapest is low, and on holidays the situation on the streets of the city is controlled by the police, it is still advisable to safely hide documents and money so as not to become a victim of thieves or their own inattention or forgetfulness.
If you decide to celebrate the New Year in Budapest, all that remains is to wish you pleasant and unforgettable impressions.
The capital of Hungary is a city with an amazing history full of large-scale events, formed in ancient times from the two towns of Buda and Pest, separated by the Danube water barrier. There is one more area - the city of Obuda - the place of residence of Hungarian gypsies. Like Hungary itself, which was going through stages of complete ruin and rapid prosperity, Budapest also experienced ups and downs.
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How New Year is celebrated in Budapest
Despite the fact that many Catholics live in Budapest, the New Year is celebrated here with many people and merrily on December 31st. The meeting place for the New Year is the street. The sea of people "agitates" on the night streets and squares until the morning, Hungarian melodies, laughter and multilingual jokes sound. According to pagan Hungarian traditions, coming from ancient times, on New Year's Eve you need to have fun, dance and sing in order to scare away the "unclean forces" that are activated at this time. Therefore, the locals are trying with might and main to make noise, sing and laugh, infecting thousands of tourists who have come here with their fun. On this night squares Nyugati, Heroes, Veresmarty, Andrássy ave., Danube embankment, st. Vaciutza transforms into huge concert and dance floors.
Here, everyone feels not a lonely unhappy person, but the most fortunate lucky one who participates in the general fun and believes in future happiness. In numerous souvenir shops you can buy all kinds of amulets, talismans and other magical trinkets related to the New Year. Beautiful even on weekdays, Budapest on New Year's Eve becomes truly magical: multi-colored garlands envelop the main squares and streets with fabulous patterns, shop windows flash with thousands of neon lights in fancy ornaments - everything shines and sparkles!
Festive fireworks. A huge crowd of Budapest residents and tourists gathers on the Danube embankment in anticipation of the New Year's extravaganza - a festive fireworks. For several minutes, accompanied by joyful shouts and the slamming of champagne corks, a fantastic picture of fireworks takes place, when the whole sky is colored with rainbow figures made up of many bright lights. After that, an incendiary concert begins, in mobile cafes they offer tasty treats, the organizers invite you to take a boat trip. In such music country Like Hungary, there is a tradition - on New Year's Eve, it is imperative to arrange an opera performance in the capital's opera houses, where Hungarians go with pleasure. In addition to the opera itself, luxurious balls and festive buffets are organized here, during which you can enjoy enchanting melodies from the works of the classics. Celebrating New Years in Budapest is a fun adventure that doesn't cost as much as a trip to Paris or London, for example.
Which hotel in Budapest to choose
Almost all hotels in Budapest differ from other European hotels with a pleasant "highlight" - baths with thermal water, which are extremely rich throughout Hungary. After a trip to the winter city, isn't it a pleasure to come to the hotel and plunge into the hot healing water, warm up and relax - what bliss! When choosing a hotel, it is worth considering the presence of baths or thermal pools, a spa center (their visit is often included in the cost of living on the all-inclusive basis). Combine a bright New Year's Eve in the multifaceted Hungarian capital with wellness treatments for one price. Hotels on the hills of Buda differ in their variety - from small, modest and budget to large, luxurious and expensive. In a word, the choice of place of residence for any wallet. Stunningly beautiful surrounding landscapes, against which you can take hiking- a great addition to a rest full of entertainment.
Park Residence Budapest
Budapest
450 meters from the Hungarian State Opera House
Fabulous
3,389 reviews
Booked 19 times today
Book now
Gozsdu Court Aparthotel
Budapest
1 minute walk from Ferenc Deak Square
Fabulous
5,104 reviews
Booked 8 times today
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Roombach Hotel Budapest Center
Budapest
Opened in April 2014
Fabulous
3,269 reviews
Booked 22 times today
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Hotel Erzsbet City Center
Budapest
A few steps from the Vaci shopping street
Fabulous
2,949 reviews
Booked 27 times today
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How to spend time in Budapest on New Years
If you have already visited many places and seen a lot, being in Budapest, among the buildings of amazing architecture, it will seem to you that you have seen very little interesting things - an abundance of architectural monuments, all sorts of sculptures here are simply amazing, as well as their appearance... Visiting outstanding sights can be done before or after New Year's Eve.
Sightseeing:
- A visit to the main church - St. Stephen's Basilica is usually included in the program of all tourists who come here to venerate the holy relics of the founder of the Hungarian state. The magnificent architecture of the cathedral, magnificent altars, frescoes inside delight everyone.
- No less interesting will be the ascent to Mount Gellert, named after another saint of the Catholic enlightener Gerard of Hungary. At its top is the Citadel fortress (mid-19th century), there are also many interesting things in it.
- One of the most beautiful and grandiose buildings in the capital - the Hungarian Parliament, standing on the banks of the Danube and reflected in its waters with its delicate walls, spiers and domes - evokes admiration.
- A walk along the Danube embankment will fill you with unforgettable impressions of the architectural monuments seen, such as the majestic Royal Palace- the residence of the Hungarian kings (13th century).
- The chain bridge over the Danube - a real masterpiece of bridge building - mesmerizes with its unique appearance, especially when the rows of lanterns on its sides light up.
It is impossible to list all interesting buildings and monuments, the flow of tourists will lead you to other wonderful sights, for example, in the baths.
Participation in folk street festivities. It is noteworthy that the Hungarians call the New Year “Sylvester” differently, because 31.01 is the birthday of Saint Sylvester. This is another ode to the reason for the widespread celebration, when all night the streets and squares of the city are filled with a noisy crowd of people, having fun until the morning. Once in it, you will feel like a dear and welcome guest (Hungarians are very friendly). After the delicious pork sausages of special preparation and a glass of champagne, you can heartily laugh, dance and sing, listen to Hungarian melodies, live music. You can become a participant in the popular among tourists ceremony of overturning the giant hourglass installed in the park (near Heroes' square). At midnight, the clock, in which there is exactly one year of sand, is turned over, and they begin the countdown of the next year.
New Year's feast. If you have booked a place at a table in one of the restaurants, cafes or in your hotel, you will not be disappointed by the unusually delicious national dishes that have a certain symbolic meaning... Lentil snacks are a sign of financial wealth; a pig roasted on a spit - a symbol of good luck and success; baked rabbit "scares away" troubles, etc. Indispensable drinks - Tokay wine, champagne and "krumpampuli" - a mixture of different drinks with rum. However, the prices for this abundance are quite high.
It will be a pleasure to visit the wine cellars, where the famous Tokaj is quite inexpensive, and the authentic atmosphere simply delights. If you wish, you should visit the thermal baths every day (the huge number of tourists flopping in hot water) to stock up on energy. There is a place for shopping lovers to turn around - various souvenirs, good-quality leather clothing, all kinds of household attributes, unique alcoholic drinks are offered in huge quantities.
In the very center of Europe, guests at new year holidays meets Budapest. Immediately after Christmas, the Hungarian capital is plunging into preparations for a family celebration. People buy gifts, prepare tables. And for tourists who have chosen new year tours in Budapest, you are invited to spend a cozy and family evening. How exactly?
Family New Year in Budapest
- At night, the streets of Budapest and the Danube embankment turn into a real fairy tale with flickering lights and beautiful installations.
- Small fairs can be found in almost all central squares of the capital. For little money, you can buy valuable crafts and souvenirs.
- You should definitely book a tour of local castles in the evening - it's a little romantic and educational for the whole family, especially children.
But on the very meeting of the New Year, it is best to be in one of the central hotels or restaurants. The Hungarian tour operator "Amigo-S" is even ready to help you book a New Year tour to Budapest to the very hotel where the brightest and most interesting entertainment program is planned with performances of live bands, contests, etc. on New Year's Eve.
Also, the tour operator "Amigo-S" offers tours to Budapest for November holidays 2019 with air travel and accommodation in the best hotels.
