Hungary in December

Christmas markets at Vörösmarty tér and the Basilica; closures on 24–26 December.

December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• MayGreatOne of the best months; outdoor terraces open.
• JuneGreatWarm, long days; Balaton season opens.
• SeptemberGreatBest month overall: wine harvest, warm days, fewer crowds.
• OctoberGreatAutumn colour, wine festivals; 23 October holiday.

• Budapest and the north · Budapest, Danube Bend, Eger, Tokajcool

  Hot summers (35 °C (95 °F) spells) and cold, foggy winters; spring and autumn are best.Hot summers (95 °F (35 °C) spells) and cold, foggy winters; spring and autumn are best.

• Lake Balaton · Siófok, Tihany, Keszthely, Badacsonycool

  Swimming season June–August; many resorts shut from October to April.

• Great Plain and south · Szeged, Pécs, Hortobágycool

  The sunniest, hottest part of the country; Pécs has a milder, Mediterranean touch.

• Central Hungary: Budapest and Pest County · Danube valley and the hills around itcold

  Continental: July and August often 30 °C (86 °F)+, January around 0 °C (32 °F). May, June, September and early October are the walking months; the Buda hills and Pilis hold mud after rain.Continental: July and August often 86 °F (30 °C)+, January around 32 °F (0 °C). May, June, September and early October are the walking months; the Buda hills and Pilis hold mud after rain.

• Central Transdanubia: Central Transdanubia · Fejér, Veszprém and Komárom-Esztergom countiescool

  Continental; July–August can pass 30 °C (86 °F), winters are cold and grey. May, June and September are the walking months.Continental; July–August can pass 86 °F (30 °C), winters are cold and grey. May, June and September are the walking months.

• Lake Balaton: Lake Balaton · Both shorescold

  Water is warmest late July to mid-August; the lake is shallow, so yesterday's air temperature is a fair guide to today's water. Storms arrive fast in June–August.

• Northern Great Plain: Great Plain · Debrecen, Hortobágy, Nyíregyháza, Szolnokcold

  Continental and dry: hot summers (30 °C (86 °F)+), cold winters, and the steppe wind year-round. May–June and September are the comfortable windows.Continental and dry: hot summers (86 °F (30 °C)+), cold winters, and the steppe wind year-round. May–June and September are the comfortable windows.

• Northern Hungary: Eger / Miskolc basin · Heves and Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén lowlandscold

  July and August reach 30 °C (86 °F)+; the Bükk and Zemplén hills run 3–5 °C (5–9 °F) cooler and hold morning mist. January nights fall below -5 °C (23 °F).July and August reach 86 °F (30 °C)+; the Bükk and Zemplén hills run 5–9 °F (3–5 °C) cooler and hold morning mist. January nights fall below 23 °F (-5 °C).

• Northern Hungary: Zemplén and Tokaj hills · northeast, along the Slovak bordercold

  Harvest (szüret) runs late August to October and is the busiest cellar season; autumn here is long and dry.

• Southern Great Plain: Southern Great Plain · Szeged, Kecskemét, Baja, Gyulacold

  Continental: cold winters, hot dry summers. May–June and September are the comfortable months; July–August is 30–35 °C (86–95 °F). The region is Hungary's driest, so rain rarely ruins a day.Continental: cold winters, hot dry summers. May–June and September are the comfortable months; July–August is 86–95 °F (30–35 °C). The region is Hungary's driest, so rain rarely ruins a day.

• Southern Transdanubia: Pécs and the Mecsek · hills and basin in the centre of the regioncool

  Warmest and driest part of Hungary; the Mecsek hills take the edge off July heat. May, June, September and early October are the walking months.

• Southern Transdanubia: Harkány / Hévíz spa belt · south border and the north-west edgecool

  Thermal water is open year-round, but outdoor pools and the surrounding guesthouse trade peak July–August.

• Western Transdanubia: Győr / Sopron plain · northern half of the regioncold

  Continental: warm summers around 28 °C (82 °F), cold winters near freezing; May–June and September are the best walking months.Continental: warm summers around 82 °F (28 °C), cold winters near freezing; May–June and September are the best walking months.

• Western Transdanubia: Őrség and Kőszeg hills · western border hillscold

  Cooler and wetter than the plain; spring and early autumn are the reliable windows.

• Bácsalmás4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Balassagyarmat3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Balatonfüred4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Balatonszemes4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Balmazújváros3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Biatorbágy4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Budakeszi4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Budaörs2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Bugac4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Cegléd4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Celldömölk3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Csenger2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
• Debrecen3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Dég4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Délegyháza3 °C (37 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Dunakeszi4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Dunaújváros5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Edelény2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Eger3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Előszállás3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Encs2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Érd4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Esztergom4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Fonyód4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Füzesabony5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Gödöllő3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Gönc2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 8 rain days
• Gyenesdiás4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Győr4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Harkány4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Hévíz4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Hollókő2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Isaszeg4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Jászberény3 °C (37 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Kazincbarcika3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Kecskemét4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Keszthely4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Kiskunfélegyháza5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
• Kiskunhalas4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Kisvárda3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Komlóska4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Körmend3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Kőszeg4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Lenti4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Letenye4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Lillafüred5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Marcali5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain days
• Martonvásár4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Mátészalka2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
• Mezőkövesd3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Mezőtúr3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Miskolc2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Mohács4 °C (39 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 8 rain days
• Monor3 °C (37 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Mosonmagyaróvár4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Nagykanizsa4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Nagykőrös3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Nyíregyháza2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Nyírtass4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Ócsa4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Ózd2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 7 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 7 rain days
• Pacsa4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Pannonhalma4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Pápa4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Pécs4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Pilisvörösvár4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Pomáz3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Putnok2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Ráckeve4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Rétság3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Salgótarján3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 11 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 11 rain days
• Sárospatak2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
• Sátoraljaújhely2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Siófok4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Soltvadkert3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Sopron4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Sümeg3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Szada3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Százhalombatta4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Szeged4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Székesfehérvár4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Szekszárd4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Szentendre4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Szentgotthárd4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
• Szerencs3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 10 rain days
• Szigetbecse5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Szigethalom4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Szigetszentmiklós5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Szigetújfalu4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Szob3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Szolnok3.4 °C (38 °F) / -1.9 °C (29 °F), 8 rain days38 °F (3.4 °C) / 29 °F (-1.9 °C), 8 rain days
• Szombathely4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Taksony5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Tapolca4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Tiszafüred3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Tokaj5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Törökbálint4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Túrkeve4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Vác4 °C (39 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
• Várpalota5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 10 rain days
• Verőce4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Veszprém3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Visegrád4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Vonyarcvashegy4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
• Záhony2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 12 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 12 rain days
• Zalaegerszeg3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Zalakaros4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Zalalövő4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Zalaszentgrót4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days
• Zirc4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
• Zsámbék4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 7 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas big impact

  24–26 Dec

  Shops close early on the 24th and on 25–26; many restaurants shut.

• Christmas markets

  Budapest

  Vörösmarty tér and the Basilica square fill with stalls from late November; evenings are the busiest.

Crowds · Hungary

High

Prices · Hungary

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Hungary, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Budapest

  Cold; Christmas markets.