Budapest’s winter crowd-pleaser is back. The Ski Swap at the Ferencvárosi Művelődési Központ (Ferencváros Cultural Center) opens its doors again for the 2025/2026 season, offering a wide selection of skis, snowboards, protective gear, accessories, and on-the-spot advice. Entry for buyers is free, and the venue is easy to find at 1096 Budapest, Haller u. 27. Got questions? Call by phone.
Dates and times are set for four Sundays: 2025.12.07., 2026.01.11., 2026.01.25., and 2026.02.07., each from 8:30 to 13:00, all in Budapest. The organizers reserve the right to change the schedule or program, so keep your plans flexible—and yes, call by phone if you need confirmation.
Where and when
The Ski Swap runs at the Ferencvárosi Művelődési Központ (Ferencváros Cultural Center), a popular community venue in Budapest’s District IX, within easy reach by public transport. Doors open at 8:30 and close at 13:00 on each of the four dates. Expect a mix of gear for every level: skis, snowboards, helmets, pads, goggles, and those small extras that make winter trips smoother. Advice is on hand—useful if you’re choosing between sizes, bindings, or entry-level vs. performance setups. Buyers walk in free.
Stays nearby
Planning to make a morning of it? The area is packed with budget-to-mid-range stays:
– Actor Hotel Budapest sits on the Pest side of the historic center, with easy access to downtown and the airport. Metro, bus, and tram links are close. The hotel doubles as a conference-friendly spot with naturally lit rooms that suit trainings, product shows, and receptions.
– Boulevard City Panzió is a homey guesthouse in District IX near the Danube. Its rooms occupy the upper floors of an eight-story residential building. From here, the city center is a comfortable walk, and the room types are varied enough to fit most travelers.
– Canada Hotel works well for groups, business meetings, and events. Free Wi‑Fi across the property, a spacious complimentary parking lot, and an abundant buffet breakfast included in the room rate keep it practical and straightforward.
– A friendly mid-city choice near the Corvin Quarter offers 86 comfortable rooms and 5 spacious apartments, flexible event options, and a generous breakfast. Many guests come back for the warm hospitality and those birdsong mornings in the middle of town.
– Haller Camping is a 24/7 front-desk, well-equipped, family-style campsite in a quiet park in central Budapest. Public transport is excellent day and night—museums, restaurants, thermal baths, nightlife, and historic districts are minutes away by metro or tram. Several grocery stores and a mall are just a short walk.
– Thomas Hotel Budapest, a three-star option in the center, is about a 17-minute walk from the Great Market Hall. There’s Wi‑Fi throughout and private on-site parking. Rooms come with soundproof windows and desks, some with dark wood furniture. Rudas Thermal Bath is roughly 1.2 miles away. A rich buffet breakfast is served in the mornings, and a coffee bar is on site. Nearby, Bonjour Cafe serves Hungarian dishes.
– Ibis Budapest Centrum is 165 feet from Kálvin tér metro (lines 3 and 4) and 985 feet from the Hungarian National Museum. Expect free Wi‑Fi, a garden terrace, air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms and satellite TV, plus a 24-hour bar with light bites and a wide drink list. Restaurants and cafés are steps away.
– ibis Budapest Citysouth sits between the airport and the city center (20 minutes), next to a shopping mall and opposite a metro station, making it a simple airport-access base.
– Ibis Styles Budapest City is right at the Pest end of Petőfi Bridge, with sweeping views of the Danube and Gellért Hill (Gellért-hegy).
– A four-star, airport-adjacent hotel near the Grand Boulevard rounds out the list for travelers keen to balance convenience and comfort.
Food and drink picks
There’s no shortage of quick bites, sit-down meals, or coffee within reach:
– A self-service canteen and café on Czuczor utca caters to hungry students and workers with low prices and a broad selection.
– A two-level bar hides a shelf of board games downstairs—perfect for trying something new between rounds. Right by the counter, the cocktail list runs wide.
– Burger lovers get beef and two types of chicken, plus the option to build their own. The Giga Double Decker sandwich and other hefty specials anchor the menu.
– Bohém Étterem és Rendezvényhelyszín, tucked inside Müpa (Ludwig Museum–Palace of Arts), shares a wall with one of the world’s leading concert halls. The setting is patinated and dramatic, with layered lighting, attentive service, an upscale food-and-wine list, and rich coffee. It’s not unusual to spot a celebrated soloist or conductor at nearby tables.
– On the first floor of Lurdy Ház (Lurdy House), Bőségtál Étterem serves home-style Hungarian dishes, gyros, desserts, and rotating menus at friendly prices.
– Café Intenzo Kávéház & Étterem welcomes you through its café and into a cozy dining room, with a pleasant inner terrace open from spring to autumn. Expect a daily menu, chef’s picks, and a leafy, open-courtyard feel.
– A snug café-restaurant near the Danube keeps a year-round terrace open, winter to summer.
– One of Kálvin tér’s most atmospheric restaurants offers a refreshed menu that now blends Hungarian staples with Italian specialties.
– A downtown spot on the city’s buzzy pedestrian street serves traditional Hungarian and international favorites with a wide wine list and a friendly vibe.
– B‑Közép channels camaraderie, fight, and good cheer through its décor—and backs it up with solid drinks and food.
Before you go
The organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs. When in doubt, call by phone. And remember: entry for buyers is free, doors open early, and the best finds at the Budapest Ski Swap usually go fast.
