easter Archives - Budapest Guide

Opening times during Easter in Budapest.

Posted on April 4, 2023April 5, 2023 by Budapest Guide

Are you coming to Budapest this Easter? Are you wondering whether or not stores, museums, thermal baths, and restaurants are open? What about the river cruises? What should you expect if you come to Budapest for Easter? Will you meet closed doors, or will life be as normal?

First of all, grocery stores, restaurants, thermal baths, and museums are normally open on Sundays. But, Easter is different. Here you can read about the different important Easter days and how they influence opening times in Budapest.

Opening times during Easter in Budapest.

Opening times on Palm Sunday in Budapest.

The first day many people are curious about is Palm Sunday, the day on which Jesus came into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. This is an entirely normal Sunday, meaning grocery stores, museums, thermal baths, restaurants, and other institutions operate with their normal opening times. As a result, almost everything is open and available on this day.

Opening times on Maundy Thursday in Budapest.

Thursday is the day of the Last Supper with Jesus and his disciples. Hungary does not give much attention to this day, meaning that life goes on as normal, giving you the chance to shop in H&M, eat cake in Gerbaud, and enjoy the hot springs in the Gellert bath.

Opening times on Good Friday in Budapest.

Good Friday has been a national holiday in Budapest for some years. As a result, all grocery stores are closed, and so are fashion stores. Luckily for tourists, restaurants and museums remain open on this day, and the same is true about the thermal baths and the boats traveling up and down the river. Cinemas are also open if you want to watch a movie. On the day after, Saturday, business is back to usual, meaning you can once again go to grocery stores and fashion stores.

Opening times on Easter Sunday in Budapest.

Easter Sunday is very identical to Good Friday. In other words, grocery stores and fashion stores are closed. Besides that, most restaurants, thermal baths, river cruises, cinemas, and similar activities operate at full power due to the large number of tourists coming to Budapest to celebrate Easter.

Opening times on Easter Monday in Budapest.

Easter Monday is identical to Good Friday and Easter Sunday. You might find some 24/7 mini grocery stores open here and there, but all the big brands (Aldi, Lidl, Spar, CBA, Tesco, Auchan) are closed. This is not a day for shopping in Zara or Pull&Bear either, but if you are eager to go shopping, you should check out the Easter market which normally is open at the Vörösmarty square every day throughout Easter.

What are normal opening times like in Budapest?

On a normal day, a grocery store opens at 6.00 or 7.00 and remains open until 20.00 or 21.00. Some close earlier on Saturdays and even earlier on Sundays.
On a normal day, a clothes store opens at 10.00 and remains open until 20.00. Many fashion stores close earlier on Sundays.
Thermal baths open at 6.00 or 7.00 and remain open until somewhere between 18.00 and 22.00.
Museums often open at 10.00 and remain open until sometime between 18.00 and 20.00. Some museums are closed on Mondays.

Other programs in Budapest

Would you like to enjoy other programs in Budapest? Take a look at our Budapest calendar to find out what’s going on in Budapest while you visit the city.

Budapest Spring Market 2019

Posted on January 18, 2019February 17, 2020 by Budapest Guide

Would you like to be in Budapest for the Spring Market, also known as the Easter Market, in 2019? Here are the dates and all the information you need!

Lots of people come to Budapest for the annual Christmas markets, but not so many people know about the amazing Spring Market. But, to be honest, they are quite similar, except the fact that the temperatures are nicer in April and the weather is much nicer!

When will the Spring market be arranged in this year (since this article is out of date)? Check the Budapest calendar to find out what’s on in Budapest right now and in the coming months!

Enjoy spring and the Spring market in Budapest in 2019

At the Spring Fair/Spring Market/Easter Market you can buy lots of handmade products from Hungarian designers, and even more important, you can eat a lot of delicious food and taste real Hungarian drinks. This is a fantastic combination, making it a place loved by many, especially ladies who enjoy both shopping and eating!

Budapest Spring Fair 2019 dates

In 2019, the Spring Fair will have its grand opening on March 29th, and it will then remain open for one entire month, closing up on April 28th.

The Spring Fair is arranged at Vörösmarty square, the square located in the end of the shopping street Vaci utca, and also the final station on the second oldest metro line in all of Europe, the yellow metro line.

Are you ready for a fantastic Easter market in Budapest?

Would you like to enjoy even more programs in Budapest? Here are some programs we can warmly recommend to you!

Read the different articles, and hopefully, you will find something that sounds both interesting and cool!

We wish you a pleasant stay in Budapest and hope you will enjoy the Budapest Spring Fair in 2019!

Easter in Budapest

Posted on November 27, 2013March 17, 2015 by Budablogger

Easter is a great time of the year. It is not only a celebration of the death and the ressurection of Jesus Christ, but it is also a time to celebrate that the winter is history and summer is coming.

Budapest is a great city to visit during Easter, and here you can find some of the reasons as to why you should consider coming to the Hungarian capital to celebrate Easter here. For information about special programs taking place in Budapest during Easter, check our events calendar.

Why you should celebrate Easter in Budapest

All shops are open on every single day, except from Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
Restaurants stay open on every day during Easter
Museums can be visited every day, except from Easter Monday (this is not a 100% rule, but most museums follow this schedule)
There are lots of nice churches where you can enjoy Easter services. The most popular Easter service can be enjoyed in the St. Stephens basilica, the most beautiful church of Budapest.
Easter in Budapest also means Budapest Spring Festival. During this period you can listen to amazing concerts and shows in different venues around Budapest and you can also shop at the Spring Fair at the Vorosmarty square which is open during the entire Spring festival.
The chocolates brought by the Easter bunny is cheaper in the grocery stores in Budapest than most other cities in Europe, and much cheaper than if you buy them at Budapest Airport or any other so called „tax-free” at other airports around in Europe.
Hotels in Budapest are cheaper than in other big cities in Europe, so here you can stay in hotels with 3, 4 or 5 stars paying less than you would elsewhere.

What do Hungarians eat for Easter?

If you want to eat as a traditional Hungarian you need to get hold of a sugarbread (Kalacs), butter, ham and horseradish. If you eat those together with some freshly painted eggs you will be able to enjoy a real Hungarian Easter meal, typical for either breakfast or supper. Some families eat lamb in addition to what I have just described.

What do Hungarians do during Easter?

For Hungarian Easter does not mean any special holiday, since it only means a total of one more day off (Easter Monday). Therefore most people either stay at home or travel away to visit family, friends or relax in some wellness hotel. Those in Budapest who decide to stay at home might go for a little excursion on the Sunday or Monday, and then they normally visit either Normafa, Szentendre, Dobogoko or maybe do a day trip to Bratislava or Vienna.

[stextbox id=”warning”]On Easter Monday there is a strange tradition in Hungary to “surprise” ladies you know. You need to stand in front of them, tell them a certain poem and later pour bad perfume unto their hair. Beautiful![/stextbox]

Conclusion: Happy Easter and see you in Budapest!

Easter in Budapest

Posted on March 29, 2012November 22, 2022 by Budapest Guide

Easter is just around the corner and Budapest is waiting for you with great weather, some wind and lots of cool activities. It is often risky traveling in Easter, because you might end up at a destination where everything is closed and you can not really do anything.

In Budapest there are great activities available every day and a popular activity such as the Szechenyi Thermal Bath is ope every day throughout Easter. When it comes to shopping most shops are closed on April 8th and 9th (Sunday and Monday), but except from that they are open every day. If you are looking for shopping on April 8th and 9th, we suggest that you join us on an excursion to Szentendre.

In Szentendre all shops are open (even on April 8th and 9th) and here you will be able to combine a wonderful atmosphere with wine tasting, shopping, marzipan museum and a little guided tour. Read more about the tour here!

If you are thirsty because of the nice weather you can also come on a brewery visit on April 8th and 9th. The big wine dinner and the excursion to Etyek is also available on these days (and all other days during Easter).

Most Budapest museums are open during Easter, so if you are looking for some knowledge about a special topic, read more about the different Budapest museums. One of the best museums in Budapest, the Museum of Fine Arts is open every day during Easter.

For some Easter is not only about sightseeing, museums and excursions, but it also serves as the foundation for their lives; the belief in the birth, death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If that is you, it might be interesting to know that there are several churches where you can attend Easter services in Budapest.

In St. Stephens Basilica there is a service at 10.00 on April 8th, and there are services there at 8.30, 10.00, 12.00 and 18.00 on April 9th. This is the nicest location for an Easter service in Budapest. If you would like to attend a more charismatic church then another church has service at 10.00 on April 8th, while Calvery Chapel has services at 8.00, 10.00 and 12.00 on April 8th.

Budapest is waiting for you with amazing and wonderful Easter programs. Come join us, and enjoy the beauties of the Hungarian capital, some delicious goose liver, and a beautiful panorama on one of the many trips on the Danube.

If you are looking for information on Easter market in Budapest, click on the text. If you would like to go on a river cruise in Prague instead, click here.

Read more about Easter masses in Paris here

Easter in the light of 1001 candles

Posted on April 22, 2011June 4, 2021 by Budapest Guide

Beneath you can find information given from the Labyrinth of the Buda Castle concerning their special easter program:

Wandering in the maze lined with candles has become a tradition in the Labyrinth of Buda Castle on holidays. There are 1000 candles burning on the second day of Christmas, and 1001 candles on Easter Monday. One for a thousand.

Every year on Easter Monday between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. the mysterious halls and passages of the Labyrinth of Buda Castle can be wandered in the light of 1001 candles. There are little surprises hidden in the cave grottos: the Easter treasures of the Labyrinth.

The entrance fee is 600 HUF (children ticket) to everyone.

Labyrinth homepage – Buda Castle Labyrinth

Budapest Easter advices

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Budapest Guide

Easter services in Saint Stephens Basilica

Easter is here and larger and smaller groups use this holiday to visit Budapest. We have written a few advices to help you get the most out of your Easter here in Budapest.

1) Our guides still have spare time, so do not hesitate to contact us for a private guided tour
2) The Szechenyi Thermal Bath in the City park is open every day throughout Easter
3) Normal shops are closed Sunday and Monday, but open every other day.
4) Restaurants have normal opening times and our wineprograms are available every day
5) The nicest church in Budapest, Saint Stephens Basilica, has services Friday at 18.00, Saturday at 18.00, Sunday at 10.00, 12.00, 18.00, 19.30 and Monday at 8.00, 10.00, 12.00 and 18.00.

These were just some advices. We hope you found them useful and wish you some great days in Budapest. If you should need any help, just write us an email!