Budapest Holiday Hours 2025: What Travelers Need to Know

Planning a winter trip to Budapest and wondering what’s actually open during the holidays? (Short answer: not everything, but enough to keep you warm, fed, and entertained.) Budapest Holiday Hours 2025 can feel confusing at first — but with the right planning, the city remains warm, walkable, and wonderfully festive. From thermal baths to Christmas markets, Budapest Holiday Hours 2025 still allow plenty to see and do.

To save you from guessing (or standing in front of a locked door with a chimney cake in hand), here’s our updated and traveler‑friendly guide to Budapest Holiday Hours 2025, covering December 24, 25, 26, 31, and January 1.

Grab a hot wine, scroll on, and plan like a local.

December 24 – Christmas Eve

Budapest works half a day, celebrates all night. A half‑day city with full holiday spirit

Shops
Most shops close early, usually around noon.
• Christmas markets at Vörösmarty Square and St. Stephen’s Basilica: 10:00–14:00
• Some 24/7 convenience stores remain open

Museums & Parliament
All museums and Parliament are closed

Thermal Baths (yes, you’re lucky)

• Széchenyi Thermal Baths: 7:00-13:00
• Lukács Thermal Baths: 7:00-13:00
• Rudas Thermal Baths: 6:00-13:00

Other Attractions

• Zoo: morning hours only
• Opera House: no tours  
• Ice Skating Rink in Budapest City Park: closed
• Central Market Hall: 6:00- 13:00

Churches & Synagogues (Midnight Mass is the big event)

• Matthias Church: no midnight mass – the church is closed for visitors. 
• St. Stephen’s Basilica : midnight mass – the church is open and free to all visitors
• Dohány Street Grand Synagogue: closed

Public Transport
Runs on a Sunday schedule until late afternoon, then night buses take over

No Christmas trams and buses.

December 25 – Christmas Day

A calm day during Budapest Holiday Hours 2025. Quiet streets, cozy vibes, thermal bath heaven

Shops
Almost everything is closed, including malls (except cinemas).
• Christmas markets reopen with reduced hours: 12:00-18:00
• 24/7 shops still save the day

Museums & Parliament
Closed

Thermal Baths
Open all day — this is one of the best bath days of the year

• Széchenyi Thermal Baths: 10:00-20:00
• Lukács Thermal Baths: 10:00-20:00
• Rudas Thermal Baths: 10:00-20:00

Other Attractions

• Zoo: shortened hours
• Opera House: limited guided tours
• Ice Skating Rink in Budapest City Park: 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-21:00
• Central Market Hall: closed

Churches, Synagogues
Open for Christmas services; visiting hours are limited

• Matthias Church: 10:00 latin mass – the church is closed for visitors.
• St. Stephen’s Basilica : 16:00 english mass – the church is open and free to all visitors 13:00-17:45
• Dohany street Grand Synagogue: closed

Public Transport
Sunday schedule

December 26 – Boxing Day

The city slowly returns to life under Budapest Holiday Hours 2025.

Shops
Most shops remain closed; cinemas operate
Christmas markets open:12:00-18:00

Museums

• Museum of Fine Arts: 9:00– 18:00  partly open
• National Gallery: 9:00 – 16:00 
• National Museum: closed
• House of Terror Museum: closed
• Parliament:closed
• Rock Hospital Museum: 10.00-19:00
• Holocaust Memorial Center: closed

Thermal Baths
All major baths are open with normal or near‑normal hours

• Széchenyi Thermal Baths: 10:00-20:00
• Lukács Thermal Baths: 10:00-20:00
• Rudas Thermal Baths: 10:00-20:00

Other Attractions

 

• Zoo: open with shorter hours
• Opera House tours resume
• Ice Skating Rink in Budapest City Park: 10:00-14:00 and 16:00-21:00
• Central Market Hall: closed

Churches & Synagogues
Many reopen for visitors

• Matthias Church: 13:15-17:00 open to visitors
• St. Stephen’s Basilica :13:00-17:45  the church is open and free to all visitors
• Dohány street Grand Synagogues: open 10:00-18.00

Public Transport
Sunday schedule

December 31 – New Year’s Eve

Half‑day sightseeing, full‑night celebrating

Shops
Open mostly until early afternoon
Christmas markets stay open late into the night: 11:00-13:00

Museums & Parliament
Open shortened hours —

• Museum of Fine Arts: 10.00 – 12:00  partly open
• National Gallery: 10:00 – 16:00 
• National Museum: 10.00-14:00
• House of Terror Museum: 10:00 -15:00
• Parliament: 8 AM – 2 PM (all tickets are sold).
• Rock Hospital Museum: 10.00-19:00
• Holocaust Memorial Center: closed

Thermal Baths
Open during the day, close earlier than usual

• Széchenyi Thermal Baths: 8:00-18:00
• Lukács Thermal Baths: 7:00-18:00
• Rudas Thermal Baths: 6:00-18:00 ; 21:00-03:00

Other Attractions
• Zoo: closes early
• Opera House: limited tours
• Central Market Hall: closing early in the afternoon

Churches & Synagogues
Mostly open during the day

Public Transport
Night buses run all night — no need to rush home before midnight

 

January 1 – New Year’s Day

A slow morning and warm pools define the final day of Budapest Holiday Hours 2025.

Shops
Closed (except convenience stores)

Museums
Some reopen from midday, others stay closed

Thermal Baths
Open — ideal for curing last night’s celebrations

• Széchenyi Thermal Baths: 10:00-20:00
• Lukács Thermal Baths: 8:00-20:00
• Rudas Thermal Baths: 10:00-20:00

Other Attractions
• Zoo: open with reduced hours
• Opera House tours available
• Central Market Hall: closed

Churches & Synagogues

 

• Matthias Church: Open to visitors from 1 PM – 5 PM; Mass at 6 PM.
• St. Stephen’s Basilica: Free entrance from 1 PM – 5:45 PM; Mass at 6 PM.
• Dohány Street Grand Synagogue: Open 10 AM – 6 PM.

Public Transport
Sunday schedule

Holiday FAQ (Quick Answers for Smart Travelers)

Are free walking tours available during Christmas and New Year’s?

Yes! We run our free tours throughout the holidays, except on December 24 at 2:30 pm, and on December 25 and January 1 at 10:30 am. It’s one of the easiest ways to explore the city when museums are closed.

Is Christmas or New Year’s better for sightseeing?
Christmas is calm, atmospheric, and perfect for walking. New Year’s Eve is louder, busier, and party-focused.

What’s always open when everything else is closed?
Thermal baths, convenience stores, cafés, and the city itself — Budapest never really shuts down.

Do I need reservations?
For December 31: absolutely yes (restaurants, baths, tours). For Christmas days: usually no.

Final Tips from Locals 😉

• Christmas is calm and quiet — New Year’s Eve is lively and crowded
  • Restaurants book out fast around December 31
  • Thermal baths are your best holiday backup plan
  • Our free walking tours still run  — a great way to learn the city without worrying about opening hours

We wish you a cozy, festive, and stress‑free holiday in Budapest.
And if you see locals walking fast with bags on December 24 — don’t worry, that’s just last‑minute bejgli panic.

Happy holidays and see you in Budapest! 

---