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New Year's Eve in Budapest: Three Venues with Panoramic Views in the Buda Castle District
New Year's Eve at Buda Castle: a set-menu dinner at the restaurant, an igloo for up to 40 guests in the Hanging Garden, or the private Library Room with its own panoramic terrace.
Updated: November 2, 2026
Aranybástya is hosting a New Year’s Eve and New Year’s celebration on December 31, 2026, featuring a set menu at the Lónyay-Hatvany Villa in Buda Castle. Following last year’s sold-out celebration, this year’s New Year’s Eve program will take place in three different spaces: the restaurant’s dining area, the igloo in the Hanging Garden—which can accommodate up to 40 guests—and the Library Room with its own terrace will all be open for the evening. High above Budapest, these venues—each with its own distinct character—evoke the experience of high-society hospitality.
Where should we celebrate New Year's Eve in Budapest if the view matters?
For a New Year’s Eve with a panoramic view, the “ Lónyay-Hatvany ” villa—located about 300 meters as the crow flies from the Fisherman’s Bastion—provides the backdrop in Buda Castle. In the evening, the terraces offer views of the illuminated city: below, the Chain Bridge (0.5 km) spans the Danube; on the opposite bank, the Parliament Building (1.1 km) and St. Stephen’s Basilica; and to the north, the silhouette of Margaret Island comes into view. The choice between the three venues depends solely on the size of your group and your desire for a private setting.
- Restaurant, set-menu dinner: for groups, couples, families, and small groups of friends; a newsletter will notify you when reservations open.
- Hanging Garden, large igloo: up to 40 people; for larger groups of friends or corporate New Year's Eve parties, based on a custom quote.
- Library Room with a private terrace: Seats 30 at round tables, 24 at a long table, or 50 for a standing reception; available for private events or corporate New Year’s Eve parties based on a customized quote.
New Year's Eve dinner at the restaurant, with a set menu
The New Year’s Eve dinner in the restaurant area, surrounded by two terraces, is primarily intended for couples, families, and small groups of friends on this festive evening. Details of the set menu for the 2026 event, prices, and the exact schedule for the evening will be posted soon on the New Year’s Eve page atAranybástya . We will send a newsletter notification when reservations officially open; however, subscribing to the newsletter does not constitute a table reservation.
Igloo in the Függőkert: New Year's Eve party for companies or friends for up to 40 people
A New Year’s Eve celebration for a larger group of colleagues or an evening with a wider circle of friends can be hosted in the heated igloo at Függőkert in the Buda Castle District, ensuring that the experience of upscale hospitality remains undiminished even during the cooler hours. From this space, the city lights are clearly visible, and a group of up to 40 people can comfortably gather inside on the last night of the year. Renting the igloo in December requires a custom quote, and although reservations can be finalized no earlier than three weeks before the event, we are already accepting requests for quotes.
Library Room: Private New Year's Eve Party with a Private Panoramic Terrace
Groups seeking a more intimate celebration are welcomed by the 140-square-meter Library Room on the villa’s third floor, which features its own panoramic terrace. With its fireplace, fine wood paneling, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, the room evokes the classic upper-class salons. The layout of the space adapts to the occasion: it can accommodate 30 guests at round tables, 24 at a long table, or 50 for a standing reception. The separate entrance on Hunyadi János út is completely independent of the restaurant, allowing for a quiet arrival, while the restaurant’s own terrace offers a panoramic view of Budapest stretching from the Chain Bridge, past the Parliament Building, all the way to Margaret Island.
Will the fireworks on New Year's Eve be visible from Aranybástyából?
According to a Budapest municipal ordinance that took effect in December 2025, the use of Class 2 and Class 3 fireworks is prohibited in most of Budapest—including within a 50-meter radius of residential buildings—on both December 31 and January 1. Although the August 20 fireworks display over the Danube is visible from the terrace, on New Year’s Eve, the illuminated Parliament Building, the Chain Bridge, and the river provide the festive backdrop. As for the fireworks that light up the sky over the city at midnight, they are a bonus—not part of any pre-announced program.
For more information on the regulations: Telex, December 31, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Year's Eve Aranybástyában
How much does the New Year's Eve dinner cost at Aranybástyában?
Aranybástya will soon publish the details and prices of the 2026 holiday set menu on its New Year’s Eve page. The Függőkert igloo and the private Library Room, which are designed for larger groups, can only be reserved based on a custom quote.
When can I make a reservation for New Year's Eve?
The official opening of New Year’s Eve table reservations will be announced in a timely manner to subscribers via the Aranybástya newsletter. For the more intimate venues—namely, the Igloo and the Library Hall—it will be possible to submit individual requests for quotes even before then.
How many people can Aranybástyában accommodate on New Year's Eve?
Lónyay-Hatvany Villa offers a variety of spaces: smaller groups can gather for the evening in the restaurant area at Aranybástya . The Függőkert igloo can accommodate up to 40 guests, while the Library Room can host 30 guests at round tables, 24 at a long table, or 50 guests for a standing reception.
Is it possible to hold a company New Year's Eve party at Aranybástyában?
Aranybástya offers two separate venues in the Buda Castle for hosting an elegant corporate New Year’s Eve celebration. The igloo in the Hanging Garden can accommodate up to 40 guests, and the Library Hall has its own separate entrance; however, both venues can only be reserved by submitting a customized request for a quote in advance.
Is it warm in the igloo on New Year's Eve?
The igloo at Aranybástya offers guests a climate-controlled space. However, the indoor temperature is also influenced by the outdoor weather on the last night of the year.
Where is Aranybástya located?
Aranybástya , located at 1 Csónak Street, 1015 Budapest, in the Buda Castle District, welcomes visitors. The Lónyay-Hatvany Villa, which houses the restaurant and event spaces, rises above the Danube approximately 300 meters as the crow flies from the Fisherman’s Bastion.
Which location is the company interested in?
Details about the New Year's Eve event and newsletter sign-up · Request a quote for Iglura or the Library Hall