Holiday Markets & Old World Charm: A 9-Day Winter Itinerary for Budapest, Salzburg & Prague

Following our late-morning arrival, we settled in, grabbed a quick bite, and headed straight to the Széchenyi Thermal Baths to soothe our muscles after a long flight. (Széchenyi is Budapest’s most famous bath, and therefore can get crowded at peak times, but its location is unbeatable.) The contrast between the warm water and the crisp air was invigorating, and after our soak, we left feeling completely rejuvenated and ready to explore.

We then took a short stroll over to Heroes’ Square, one of the city’s iconic landmarks. The square features the Millennium Monument, with statues of Hungary’s most important leaders and the central column, which is usually topped by the Archangel Gabriel. (It is currently being restored offsite.) Heroes’ Square is not only historically significant, but also visually stunning as it is surrounded by the impressive buildings that house the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hall of Art. From here, it is just a short walk into City Park, where you can enjoy a Christmas Market and ice skating on one of the largest outdoor ice skating rinks in Europe!

We started day two with a "Culinary and Wine Walk," which ended up being one of the highlights of the trip. Our guide was fantastic and introduced us to local eats we definitely wouldn’t have found on our own. We wandered through the Great Market Hall, sampling bites from several vendors—the lángos was our hands-down favorite! From there, we ventured out to a few hidden gems around the city before wrapping things up with a wine tasting in a cozy cellar.

After the tour, we headed to the Christmas market near St. Stephen’s Basilica, soaking in all the festive vibes since we were still full from our tour. We ended the day with an evening cruise along the Danube—bottomless prosecco included! Cruising past the Parliament building lit up at night was absolutely stunning and the perfect way to close out the day.

This morning was all about exploring the Buda side of the city. We started with a stroll along the riverfront, taking in the views and pausing at the Shoes on the Danube memorial—a moving tribute that took our breath away. From there, we crossed the bridge and rode the funicular up to Buda Castle. We wandered the cobblestone streets and visited the Christmas market at Matthias Church, enjoying some holiday treats while taking in the incredible Gothic architecture.

In the afternoon, we headed back to the Pest side to explore the Jewish Quarter. We visited the impressive Dohany Street Synagogue before stopping in for a drink at Szimpla Kert, Budapest’s most famous ruin bar. The bar is housed in a series of abandoned buildings and courtyards, filled with quirky, vintage décor. It is really a unique spot that is worth checking out. Afterwards, we headed right next door to Karaván, a popular outdoor street food spot. We grabbed a few bites from different vendors—perfect for sharing—and enjoyed a casual dinner as we wrapped up our day.

This morning, we hopped on a train to Salzburg. We booked our tickets ahead with reserved seats, which I highly recommend to make the journey stress-free. It was a relaxing 5-hour ride that we spent chatting about our stay in Budapest, watching the scenery roll by, and even squeezing in a little nap to recharge.

We spent the late afternoon wandering Salzburg’s Old City. We opted for another casual dinner consisting of a mix of treats at the Christmas Market. Our favorite was the Bosna—a grilled sausage in a soft roll, topped with onions and a curry-spiced mustard sauce. It was the perfect warm, savory snack to enjoy while taking in the atmosphere.

A trip to Salzburg wouldn’t be complete without some kind of tribute to The Sound of Music! Since I grew up loving the movie—yes, I’m aging myself!—we decided on a private tour, which allowed us to visit some lesser-known spots with ease. Our guide was fantastic—sharing fun facts, showing video clips of our locations from the movie, and of course, encouraging plenty of singing along.

Because we had a private guide, we also arranged a visit to Hallstatt in the afternoon. This charming alpine village did not disappoint—the pastel-colored houses along the lake, the misty mountains in the background, and the picturesque streets looked like a postcard. If you can fit it into your itinerary, Hallstatt is absolutely worth a visit!

After several busy days of sightseeing, today we slowed down a little to enjoy the local culture. We had a fantastic experience at the Adelwiesse Cooking School, learning how to make strudel and traditional Christmas cookies. It was hands-on, fun, and of course, delicious!

In the afternoon, we headed to Augustiner Bräu Kloster Mülln, a historic monastery brewery that’s been making beer since the 1600's. We enjoyed our drinks alongside locals at the long communal tables—everyone was so friendly and welcoming! There is also a small food hall at the brewery, where we sampled some local dishes for a light afternoon snack.

Keeping with our slower pace, we wandered the city streets for a while before finishing the day with a relaxed dinner at Wirtshaus zum Zirkelwirt. The authentic Austrian food and service were outstanding, making it the perfect way to round out our time in Salzburg.

Onto the Czech Republic! Since we wanted to explore a little bit on our way to Prague, we arranged a private transfer that allowed us to stop for a few hours in the quaint village of Český Krumlov. We wandered the winding streets, explored the castle, and even stopped for some homemade gingerbread, a traditional local holiday treat!

By late afternoon, we arrived in Prague, giving us plenty of time to wander Old Town and soak in the festive atmosphere before settling in for a cozy dinner at Restaurace Mincovna. The restaurant is right next to Old Town Square, where large crowds visit the city’s busiest Christmas Market. However, inside the buzz of the square felt miles away, and we enjoyed a relaxing, and delicious, meal.

We spent our morning exploring Old Town, New Town, and the Jewish Quarter, soaking in the mix of architectural styles and winding, historic streets that make Prague so magical. Later in the afternoon, we made our way to the Charles Bridge to catch a special December tradition where each lantern is lit by hand at dusk. The lamplighter was dressed in a long cloak and traditional costume, which really made us feel like we had stepped back in time.

That evening, we went on a food and drink tour, which took us to several local spots tucked away in side streets. The food ranged from hearty Czech specialties to decadent sweet treats, paired with options of local beers and mulled wine. We had a fun group and a lot of laughs!

We started out the morning by heading up to the Castle District to explore before the crowds arrived. The streets were quiet, and it was such a pleasure to wander through the historic squares, admire the stunning architecture, and take in sweeping views of the city below. From there, we made our way down Nerudova Street toward Mala Strana (the Lesser Town) and spent the afternoon doing one of my favorite things—aimless wandering. For me, there is nothing better than getting lost in the streets of a city, discovering little shops, hidden courtyards, and charming cafes tucked around every corner. Of course, there are a few popular spots you don’t want to miss in this area, like the Lennon Wall with its ever-changing graffiti, Kampa Island with its riverside charm, and St. Nicholas’ Church in the main square, with its impressive interior.

After a full day of sightseeing and strolling, we wrapped up our trip with some relaxation at the NH Collection Prague Carlo IV Spa, getting massages followed by a warm water soak. Over dinner that evening, we reflected on all the incredible sights, tastes, and experiences from our journey. And we’re ready to plan the next one!