New Year’s Eve bookings are already buzzing, and demand for Christmas is also on the rise, writes Turizmus.com. “The trend is the same as in previous years, i.e. New Year’s Eve is the first to be saturated, followed by Christmas and then the days between the two holidays,” said Orsolya Gonda, head of the Szallas.hu sales team. 

She also added that quite a few wellness hotels are already full for the holidays, and Advent weekends are also in demand in city hotels.

Based on Szallas.hu‘s booking data, more people book wellness offers during this time of year, and are looking for special holiday packages and programs, as well as higher quality services – all of which contribute to the popularity of hotels. Almost half of all bookings in December are for hotels on the booking site.

Guesthouses accounted for 15 percent of bookings and bed and breakfasts for 12 percent. The pre-booking period will be replaced by last-minute bookings, which could further increase the number of full stays.

According to information from Szallas.hu‘s hotel partners, most of them were able to raise their prices for the holiday period compared to last year, but for the rest of December they can only sell their rooms at below last year’s prices.

Based on the total pre-bookings, the average price per person per night is HUF 16,000 (EUR 42) in December, which is 17 percent more than in the same period last year. This is HUF 24,800 (EUR 65) for hotels, HUF 9,300 (EUR 24) for apartments, and HUF 9,900 (EUR 26) for guest houses.

In addition to relaxation, Advent activities are also attracting guests.

After the capital, Eger, Szeged, Pécs, Hévíz, Gyula, Debrecen, Hajdúszoboszló, Zalakaros, and Sopron top the list of the most popular destinations for December travelers. All of them offer colorful Advent festivities, Christmas fairs, ice-skating, and a village atmosphere. Of course, spas and wellness hotels are also popular, as are gastronomic events. Lodging providers also try to please guests, with many places offering mulled wine, punch, live music evenings, Christmas tree decorations and gingerbread making during the Advent period.

Here are the top domestic destinations in December 2023:

1. Budapest

Photo: Facebook/BKK – Budapesti Közlekedési Központ

2. Eger (northern Hungary)

Photo via Facebook/Hotel Korona Eger Wellness, Rendezvény és Borszálloda

3. Szeged (southern Hungary)

Photo via Facebook/Dronair

4. Pécs (southern Hungary)

Photo via Facebook/Sz. B. Photos

5. Hévíz (western Hungary)

Photo via Facebook/HÉVÍZ Turisztikai Egyesület

6. Gyula (southeastern Hungary)

Photo: Facebook / Gyulai Almásy-kastély Látogatóközpont

7. Debrecen (eastern Hungary)

Photo via Facebook/Debrecen 

8. Hajdúszoboszló (eastern Hungary, near Debrecen)

Photo via Facebook/Hajdúszoboszló 

9. Zalakaros (western Hungary)

Photo via Facebook/Hunguest Hotel Freya Zalakaros

10. Sopron (northwestern Hungary)

Photo via Facebook/Sopron Advent

Main photo: Thermal Hotel Visegrád****superior