Budapest, the Hungarian capital, is the union of two districts, Buda on the west bank of the Danube, and Pest on the east, giving the city its unique flavor. Famous for its thermal baths, the city comes to life with its youthful atmosphere, pulsating nightlife, world-class classical music scene, and legendary ruin bars.
Budapest is the perfect juxtaposition of old-time charm and modernization. Surrender to the city and it is sure to leave you mesmerized with its rich culture, unique architecture, and satiating delicacies.
Budapest in November
November is a great time to visit Budapest, weather and crowd-wise. It is the perfect time to layer up your warm clothes and head out on a stroll around the city, to admire the magnificient sights and enjoy the city's attractions, without battling long lines. Since November is shoulder season in Budapest, you can enjoy additional discounts and deals on your stays and city attractions.
As Budapest gears up for Christmas in November, there are other festive celebrations too. The feast day of St. Martin on November 11 is a great time to dine out and enjoy the traditional duck/goose paired with Hungarian wine.
Budapest Weather in November
Budapest in November is chilly with average temperatures lurking at 5°C - a maximum of 7°C and a minimum of 2°C. The air is brittle and clear, with an average of 8 hours of sunshine/day. Moderate amounts of rainfall and snowfall are expected during the month.
Budapest in November: Things to do
1
Danube River Cruise
The Danube is Europe’s second longest river, flowing through ten countries. By hopping on a river cruise, you will have the pleasure of viewing many sights unique to this city, such as the Széchenyi Chain Bridge, the Elisabeth Bridge, the Hungarian Parliament and Margaret Island, a tranquil getaway in the middle of the Danube river.
November Timings
Depends on chosen cruise
Danube,
Hungary
Getting There ›
2
Gellért Thermal Bath
One of the most popular and iconic thermal baths in Budapest, the Gellért Thermal Bath is located on the Buda side of the Danube River, at the foot of the Gellért Hill. A great place to relax and rejuvenate, the Gellért Thermal Bath has 10 pools in total, including indoor and outdoor pools, saunas, and steam rooms. The pool is naturally heated, rich in minerals, and is considered to have healing properties.
With the outdoors being chilly, November is the perfect time to cozy up and relax in the warm thermal baths.
November Timings
Daily timings: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sauna and steam rooms: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Budapest, Kelenhegyi út 4, 1118
Hungary
Getting There ›
3
Guided Tour of Buda
The best way to explore the city is by opting for a guided tour. Going on a tour saves you the trouble of having to choose between which attractions you want to see, and gives you the added benefit of a guide explaining each attraction. Some of the attractions covered in the tours are the Buda Castle, Fisherman's Bastion, Matthias Church, Margaret Bridge, and Castle District.
November Timings
Guided Walking Tours: Daily @ 10:00 AM
2-Hour Free Walking Guided Tour: Daily @ 2:30 PM
Buda, Budapest
Hungary
Getting There ›
4
Guided Tour of Pest
If Buda has all the ancient landmarks, Pest is where Hungary’s more recent history took place! The walking tour takes you away from the crowded tour buses to give you an up close and personal view of Budapest's beautiful architecture, 19th century buildings, and hidden alleyways. The tour through Pest will take you through iconic landmarks like St. Stephen’s Basilica, Hungarian Parliament Building, Liberty Square and House of Hungarian Art Nouveau, all of them built in the past century.
November Timings
Guided Tours starts daily at 10:00 AM
Pest, Budapest
Hungary
Getting There ›
5
Budapest Parliament Tour
The Hungarian Parliament building, also known as the Parliament of Budapest, is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary and is a stunning view. A well-known landmark in Hungary, the building was constructed in Gothic-revival style in 1904, on the banks of the Danube and is currently the world's third-largest Parliament building (after the Romanian and Argentinian Parliaments). With its interiors just as magnificent as its external architecture, the Budapest Parliament Building is a must-visit on your November trip to Budapest.
November Timings
Monday – Sunday: 08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Budapest, Kossuth Lajos tér 1-3, 1055
Hungary
Getting There ›
7
Danube Bend Tour
The Danube Bend is a part of the river surrounded by hills, nestled with the villages of Esztergom, Visegrád, and Szentendre. Esztergom used to be the capital of Hungary, and is still the centre of the Catholic Church. Visegrád offers panoramic views of the Danube valley and Szentendre is a small baroque city built on medieval ruins, located at the gate of the Bend. The tour will take you by bus to the Bend and return by boat from Szentendre to Budapest.
November Timings
Daily @ 9:00 AM
Budapest,
Hungary
Getting There ›
7
Budapest Food Tour
Budapest is a city with a rich culinary history and there's no better way to experience it than on a food tour. On ypical Budapest food tour, you'll visit a variety of local restaurants and shops to sample some of the city's most iconic dishes including Lángos (a deep-fried dough flatbread), Goulash (stew made with beef), Dobos cake (layered sponge cake filled with buttercream and chocolate ganache), amongst others. If reading this list got you drooling, then Budapest should definitely be on your travel bucket list this November! Budapest’s restaurants offer many dishes that are unique to the season, making the tour special in November.
8
Budapest Segway Tour
The Segway Tour offers a fun alternative to tour the city. Glide your way from one attraction to the other as you explore the city’s attractions. Starting from the neo-Renaissance Hungarian State Opera House, you will roll through the city centre seeing sights such as the Vörösmarty Square, the Danube Promenade and the fabulous Széchenyi Chain Bridge. You will also take a look at Liberty Square and the city’s largest cathedral, the St Stephen’s Basilica.
Budapest in November: Events to look out for
Boris Brejcha in Concert 2023
November 11, 2023
Welcome one of the most popular techno artists in the world to Budapest! Boris Brejcha, a German DJ and producer is performing in Budapest Arena and it'll definitely be a memorable experience. His live performances are best known for their elaborate visuals and creating an immersive experience.
Christmas Fair at Vörösmarty Square
November 18-December 31, 2023
One of the most popular and festive Christmas markets in Budapest, the Vörösmarty Square Christmas Fair, features a variety of stalls selling food, drinks and crafts. It also features live music and dance performances throughout the day. To experience the festive atmosphere of Budapest during the holiday season, visit the fair and buy Christmas gifts for your loved ones.
Budapest in November: 3-day itinerary
If you're visiting Budapest in November and are looking for an itinerary that you can simply adapt, here's our handcrafted 3-day itinerary. You can also take a look at our 2-day and 1-day itineraries to visiting Budapest.
Budapest essentials in November
LanguageHungarian
Time zoneGMT+2
Country Code+36
Socket Type C & F
CurrencyHungarian Forints (HUF)
Where to Stay in Budapest in November
Budapest is generally an affordable city to visit and stay in. Check out these places you can stay in depending on your budget.
- Luxury - The Corinthia Hotel Budapest is one of the grandest and most romantic hotels in the city. The hotel is centrally located in Pest and provides easy access to all the main attractions and the train station.
- Mid-Range - The Continental Hotel Budapest offers an elegant and cozy stay and is located within close proximity to some of Budapest’s popular attractions and landmarks, with the Dohany Street Synagogue, train station and Elizabeth Bridge only a brief walk away.
- Budget - Located in the center of Budapest is Gozsdu Court Aparthotel, an apartment-style hotel which offers easy access to Budapest’s best sightseeing areas, with the Hungarian State Opera House only a short walk away.
- Hostels - Maverick City Lodge is walking distance to many of the city’s attractions and offers beds in a shared dormitory, as well as private rooms.
Budapest in November: Must-try delicacies
Halászlé is basically Hungarian Fisherman’s Soup. It is similar to fish paprikash, but with more water. It is usually made from carp caught in the river Danube, and gets its spiciness and red color from the traditional paprika powder. You can try this soup in many places in Budapest, for example at Horgásztanya Restaurant.
Goulash is one of the most famous Hungarian dishes. It is a thin broth or stew made from chunks of beef, onions, tomatoes, and peppers. It is usually served with fresh white bread and chopped hot paprika on the side. Some places replace beef with pork or chicken in the dish. We recommend that you eat goulash at Baltazar Budapest.
Chicken paprikash has everything that characterises Hungarian cuisine: paprika, pepper, onion, garlic, green pepper, tomato, meat, and sour cream. This creamy dish is made by simmering the chicken meat for over an hour. Traditionally it is served with egg dumplings called nokedli. You can try this at Paprika Jancsi.
Stuffed cabbage is a popular dish across eastern Europe. The Hungarian version is made with cooked cabbage leaves stuffed with ground pork and beef, rice, tomatoes and sauerkraut, and flavored with paprika. When in Budapest, you should try this dish at Százéves Restaurant.
The sponge cake is one of the most famous Hungarian desserts. This dessert is a trifle made with three different flavoured sponge cakes, cream, raisins, walnuts and chocolate sauce. You can taste this delectable dessert at Gundel amongst many other joints.
Tips for visiting Budapest in November
- Christmas markets open up in mid-November, making this an ideal time to buy gifts! Vörösmarty Square is among the best and the largest Christmas markets.
- Get ready to party indoors due to the chilly outdoor weather in November.
- The thermal baths are that much more enjoyable in the cold weather, so be sure to make the most of it.
- November 11 is St. Martin’s Day in Hungary (Márton nap). It's a traditional feast day celebrated by tasting the new wine and eating goose. Throughout November many restaurants offer special St. Martin’s Day dishes and winemakers provide tastings of their first new wines.
Month-by-month guide to visiting Budapest
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