Why Budapest is the trendy European city to get away at Christmas

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• Festivities The European Capital of Christmas is the Madrid town of Torrejón de Ardoz

There are several

that are repeated every year at this time and you have to respect yes or yes. The first consists of watching, at least once, one of the (many) films that television does not stop repeating about the adventures of the famous Sissi, the omnipresent Austro-Hungarian empress whose image creeps through the city in the form of

, palaces, streets and cakes.

Second Christmas rule: don't eat chicken on New Year's Eve.

If not, bad luck all year.

Much better lentils (they attract money) or pork.

And goose, very popular in these parts.

The 12 grapes thing is not fashionable either.

They prefer to sing the national anthem to the rhythm of the bells and, later, watch the

that fly over the

, perched on the banks of the Danube and one of the architectural landmarks of the Magyar city.

The flea market of the Basilica of San Esteban.

It is clear that saying goodbye to the year contemplating such a fully illuminated giant is a Christmas staple of this city divided in two by the Danube:

(the historical, aristocratic, calm area) and

(more modern, commercial and bustling).

Having dinner cruising the river in a transparent bubble boat is, precisely, another of the New Year's Eve proposals with the most followers.

Also noteworthy is the Ball of Saint Sylvester, the gala dinner at the

the best in Budapest (and in all of Hungary), and the

at the Opera, whose superb Italian Renaissance-style building was a personal commission. of Francisco José I himself, husband of the appellant Sissi.

Food stalls in the street markets of Budapest SHUTTERSTOCK

But if there is an essential during the month of December, it is the outdoor Christmas markets.

They are open all day, but his thing is to come when the evening falls to see them illuminated.

Among the most prominent are those of St. Stephen's Basilica, Városházao Park or

with its 20-meter high tree and its sound and light show.

In all of them one can indulge in a culinary feast based on traditional Hungarian (street) cuisine.

Read XXL-size sausages,

(here, with paprika), lángos (a kind of fried donut to which grated cheese or ham is added) or

, sweet in the form of a roll with

seeds

.

To drink, there is no doubt: mulled wine.

Hall with Christmas decorations of the A&O chain hotel.

The culinary stalls share space with other wooden ones for gifts from Santa Claus.

From

(yes, they are Russian, but they are everywhere ...) to embroidery, porcelain or Rubik's cubes, because their author was born in Budapest.

THE CITY FROM THE ROOFS

It is time to go up to a rooftop to contemplate the Christmas lights of the city from up there.

The

, a historic Belle Époque building declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and converted into a

, is a good place.

The one at the Marriott next to the river, another.

Inside the Central Market during the festivities SHUTTERSTOCK

Both are perfect to stay, but those looking for something cheaper in a central location can opt for

the Berlin chain that is revolutionizing Europe with designer stays and affordable rates.

Not surprisingly, their motto is

or "everyone can travel," explains Andrei Bota, director of the Budapest shoot.

"The aim is to offer

" he adds from the 24-hour bar, one of the hallmarks of the 39

establishments

spread over 23 cities on the Old Continent, from Vienna to Prague or Amsterdam.

'Everyone can travel', the motto of the A&O chain.

The one in the Hungarian capital opened a year ago on an

the VIII district (Budapest has 23 in total) of which it preserves original elements such as the tiled floors and the bright central courtyard.

"We are targeting young people, but also businessmen,

," says Bota.

Hence, there are single, double, family and shared rooms from just 15 euros depending on demand.

Regarding expansion plans,

are among the next A&O targets.

Széchenyi thermal baths SHUTTERSTOCK

A few minutes walk away is the

passage

, another of the key places for the gifts of Kings with a more artisanal and independent stamp than in the markets.

Here you can find paintings, cameras or old books,

handmade

, designer lamps ...

THE ELYSEAN FIELDS OF BUDAPEST

The route continues along the iconic

"the equivalent of the Champs-Elysées in Budapest and a clear memory of imperial Vienna," says Melinda Csonka, guide for the agency specialized in city tours, Cityrama.

Lit from top to bottom, it's time to see its restaurants,

in all their glory.

The open-air markets are a classic at this time of the year SHUTTERSTOCK

The tour can continue in the

with its art deco stamp and its

local

such as salami,

or paprika.

To conclude, you cannot miss a dip in one of the thermal baths that dot the city, such as

Diving in its waters at a minimum of 40 degrees while the thermometer is touching five (at most) and it is starting to snow is priceless ...

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