Finally, it is December, and Christmas is coming. Everywhere is wonderfully decorated with Christmas trees, lights, garlands, and if you are lucky enough – it is snowy outside. So, where is the best place in the city to feel the Christmas spirit? At the Christmas market, of course, and as we know, some of the best Christmas markets are in Central Europe. So now I will guide you to one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe – the Advent Bazilika (Adventi Ünnep a Bazilikánál) – the Advent Feast at the Basilica in Budapest. Read below what you can expect there and why it is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

How to get to the Advent Bazilika Christmas Market

Transportation

One of the most spectacular fairs in Europe (yes, that’s true! Advent Bazilika was awarded the best Christmas market in Europe this year!) is open for the 11th time at St. Stephan’s square in Budapest for a month from the end of November to the 1st of January. The entrance is free, but visitors must have valid immune (COVID) certificates checked by the fair staff at the entrances.

If you are traveling from the Budapest Airport – take bus 100E to bus stop Deak Ferenc ter and walk around 5 min to the Basilica (900 HUF ticket price). Other buses going to the area are 105, 178, 9, 914, 931, 950, trolleybuses 72, trams 47, 48, and 49 (regular single ticket price is 350 HUF/bought from the bus driver – 450 HUF). The nearest metro station is Bajcsy-Zsilinszky ut. So it is pretty easy to get to the Advent Bazilika Christmas market from everywhere.

Here you can find more information about the public transport in Budapest.

Opening hours:

Monday – Thursday: 11 AM – 9 PM 

Friday – Sunday: 11 AM – 10 PM

Christmas:

24.12.2021 (Friday): 11 AM – 3 PM 

25-26.12.2021 (Saturday-Sunday): 11 AM – 8 PM

New Year’s Eve:

31.12.2021 (Friday): 11 AM – 10 PM

At the Christmas Market, you have the option to pay cash or by card. But better be prepared with HUF because it is more expensive if you pay in EUR.

What to do at the Advent Bazilika Christmas Market

Is there a Christmas Market in the town where you live? Do you like it? I live in Sofia (Bulgaria), and yes, we have a beautiful Christmas market (Weihnachstmarkt) in the city center. But it is definitely smaller than the one I visited in Budapest. The Advent Bazilika offers you a fantastic atmosphere with different attractions, exhibitions, and entertaining programs so you can spend a lovely time with your friends, family, or colleagues.

During the fair, you will find a photo exhibition, an ice rink around the tall Christmas tree in front of the Basilica, a selfie automat, a sleight, and a light show projected to the facade of the Basilica. In the evening you can enjoy a Christmas light show every 30 minutes. Look at the facade of the Basilica, where the 3D light show presents a new story every day. 

Surprise your loved ones with craftsmen’s products. You will find plenty of modern artists at the fair, offering a vast range of beautiful products. There is a stand with ceramics and Christmas decorations. Walk around, and you will see excellent Hungarian leather goods. You will find belts, backpacks, wallets, jewels, gloves, etc. There are also handmade unique felt jewelry, bags, hats, and other felt accessories. Check the interesting works like wreaths, garlands, Christmas decorations, 100% essential oils, door decorations. At the Advent Feast, it is easy to find a lovely small gift for you or your friends and family.

What to eat at the Christmas Market in Budapest

In addition to the craftsmen exhibitors, unique culinary stands await visitors as well. Here you will find classic fair foods, street food, bbq dishes, and traditional Hungarian dishes. 

What I like about the Advent Bazilika Christmas Market in Budapest is that you have plenty of choices of traditional Hungarian dishes. It is one of my favorite things to do when in a new country: I love tasting local food, and here you can find some delicious traditional options.

Try Langos – a traditional fried flatbread (we have a similar one in Bulgaria called Mekitsa). You can eat it sweet with chocolate or jam, or the most popular choice – with sour cream, grated cheese, and garlic. I tried it as an afternoon breakfast – big enough before dining and very delicious (price around 2000 HUF).

Are you a meat lover? Sausages and salami made out of pork and Mangalitsa pig, duck delicacies, goose, smoked meats, pulled pork, bacon, leaver, paste, and other meaty delights can be found here. Try the three main kinds of traditional sausages in Hungary: the Kolbasz (with lots of paprika) and two types of Hurka (pork liver and pork blood). Make a sandwich with sausage, salad, sauces, and french fries, and you have a delicious dinner. 

Try the traditional stuffed cabbage dish with sauerkraut, filled with pork and rice or duck meat. 

You can take your dish served over a potato pancake – they look good but are not my favorite choice (actually, I think they are a bit greasy). 

Try also roasted goose thigh or whole pig roasted on a skewer over an open fire.

Or if you prefer a soup to warm up on a cold day – goulash is a perfect choice. It’s made of beef and paprika, and you can take it in a bread bowl as well.

Prices for the main dishes vary from 4000 – 6000 HUF. So, yes, they are a bit expensive, but it is a Christmas Market, and you get a relatively big portion for that money.

Accompany your traditional Hungarian dish with mulled wine, and you have an excellent dinner. Everywhere you can find mulled wine, punch with different flavors, Baileys cocktails, and tea with the traditional Hungarian drink – Palinka (a strong fruit brandy). Prices vary between 900 – 1500 HUF. My favorite choice was the DiVino stand in front of the Basilica (a cup of hot red wine for 900 HUF). There are also non-alcoholic hot beverages, such as hot chocolate and coffee.

One of my favorite locations on the market is the Chimney cake shop. You can choose your chimney cake with different flavors (pastry baked over charcoal, caramelized on the outside). Try vanilla, cocoa, or cinnamon cake, and add hazelnut cream, extra toppings, and decorations. Really the perfect dessert after your traditional Hungarian dinner at the Advent Bazilika Christmas market. 

You also have various strudel kinds to choose from or the Hungarian Jewish cake – Flodni (walnut, poppyseed, apple, and plum jam). Many kiosks are selling roasted chestnuts too. Or you can take some traditional marzipan bonbons also as a gift from Budapest for your friends. 

So if you are in Budapest in December, enjoy a lovely evening with your friends at the Advent Bazilika while listening to Christmas carols or the gospel choir. Let the holiday spirit enchant you.

Have you ever visited the Advent Bazilika in Budapest? Or where is your favorite Christmas Market? Share with me in the comments below 🙂 

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