First Time Visit: One Perfect Week of Christmas and Cultural Immersion in Budapest

• Food and wine tour: Be sure to take a food tour on your first or second day to discover all the must-try dishes of your trip! Taste Hungary offers an exceptional, in-depth tour that begins at the Central Market Hall. It includes stops at a local lunch spot, a traditional coffee house and a Hungarian wine tasting to cap it all off. There is so much to try, and it is all delicious. Definitely a must-do on your trip!

• Walking tour: I highly recommend a walking tour when visiting Budapest, because there is so much to learn. The city has thousands of years of fascinating history that you may have not learned about. Our guide with Taste Hungary was so knowledgable and we truly experienced every corner of the city.

• Wine tasting at Taste Hungary: Hungarian wine is not well-known as most of it stays in the country, but it is a high-quality and delicious wine. Head to the cellar at Taste Hungary for a fun and interactive wine tasting to learn more.

• St Stephen's Basilica: Make sure you buy tickets in advance to visit this beautiful and historic church.

• Christmas markets: If you are lucky enough to visit over Christmas time, make sure to visit the charming Christmas Markets. There are four main ones you can visit at (Vörösmarty Square, Fashion Street, Erzsébet Square, St. Stephen’s Basilica).

• Cruise on the Danube: Whether you are having dinner with a show or just a one-hour champagne ride, an evening cruise on the Danube is a must-do, especially for a view of the Parliament building. We had a great NYE cruise that involved a three-course meal and unlimited wine, but also a traditional show, live music, a raffle, a DJ and fireworks!

• City Park: Talk a walk through the beautiful City Park. You can picnic or grab lunch in the summer!

• Buda Castle: Spend a whole day on the Buda Castle Side. There is so much so explore — Fishermans Bastian, Matthias Church, Buda History Museum, Hospital in the Rock and the Labyrinth Cave Museum. Save some time to just walk around the walls and enjoy the views. You can even catch a concert at the Vakert Bazar!

• Thermal baths: Budapest is famously known for its thermal baths. While it was not my favorite thing in Budapest, I had a great time! We visited Széchenyi Thermal Bath, which is the largest complex. I highly recommend booking a private room, which we did. It comes with a couples massage, drinks, a private changing room and a place to relax. Then you can head straight outside and into the warm, relaxing baths. The inside of the complex can get crowded and is not the nicest or most relaxing. I highly recommend going first thing in the morning to beat as many of the crowds as possible.

• Hungarian State Opera House: Take a public guided tour of the Hungarian State Opera House. Then buy tickets to see the opera or ballet for that night and marvel in the beauty and history.

Day trips

• We were not able to visit, but I highly recommend a trip to Szentendre. Easily accessible by train, it is a cute and charming town to spend the day in.

In general, reservations are a must for both restaurants in Budapest as many are very small.

• Tati Farm to Table: This is a MUST on your trip to Budapest. The food is fresh, local and traditional. Truly the best meal of the entire trip if you want a glimpse of delicious Hungarian Food.

• Kis Piac: Small, intimate and local restaurant with only a few tables. The food is delicious and very traditional.

• Deryne: If you want someplace with more modern vibes and and a cool atmosphere, this is a great option. Food is nothing spectacular, but the experience is cool and cocktails and bread are amazing.

• Ruin Bars: These are always on everyones list to visit. We saw them on our walking tour, but the lines to get in were so long that it would have taken hours to get in. Just be warned for your trip if you are planning to stop in.

• Centrál Grand Cafe & Bar: A traditional coffee house with historic cakes and a line that is not wrapped around the corner.