Váci utca and its surrounding avenues tempt the tourists with
familiar high-street and designer names but bargain buys are to be
found at Nagy Vásárcsarnok (the Central Market Hall), 9th
district, Fovám tér. The Central Market Hall of Budapest is an
imposing three-storey structure that first opened in 1897 and now
draws 30,000 shoppers daily. On the ground floor of the Great
Market Hall you can buy strings of paprika, pots of pickles and
plum jam, goose liver and salami. There is also a supermarket to
stock up on Tokaj wines, Pálinka (cherry, apricot or plum brandy)
and bitter, black Zwack Unicum. Upstairs, there is a choice of
Kalocsa and Matyó hand-embroidered tablecloths, Zsolnay and
Herendi porcelain, glittering beaded necklaces and traditional folk
costumes. The Central Market Hall is open Mon-Fri 07:00-1700 and
Sat 06:00-14:00 (closed Sun).
Flea-markets are fun places to find all kinds of treasures. The
Budapest Flea Market (Bolhapiac) in Petofi Csarnok, Varosliget is a
busy little place on most weekends (8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.). One can
always find almost everything on this market, even antiques.
Entrance fee: 100 HUF. Address: 1134 Budapest, Csángó u. 28.
Perhaps the best place for shoppers to haggle for folk costumes
and communist relics is Ecseri Piac market, 10th district,
Nagykorösi út 156, open Monday to Saturday 07:00-14:00.
Budapest’s antiques largely consist of Hapsburg-style furniture but
are cheaper than in Vienna. The traditional antiques quarter lies
around Falk Miksa utca. Antique shops can also be found in the
Castle District and on the Váci utca. Hungarian music is another
good buy. Classical record label Hungaroton offer CDs of the great
Hungarian musicians for at least half the price.
Standard shop opening hours are Monday to Friday 10:00-18:
00 and Saturday 10:00-13:00. Department stores usually open at
10:00, while groceries, bakeries and supermarkets are open 07:00-
20:00. Many shops open until 20:00 or 21:00 on Thursdays. Shops
are closed on Sundays, except shopping malls. Each district has at
least one 24-hour store. Many small shops close for summer in late
July and August and almost everything shuts on public holidays.
Sales tax (ÁFA) of 20% (12% for food, some medical supplies,
books, newspapers and hotel rooms) is included in the price and
can be reclaimed by visitors purchasing goods worth HU Ft 50,000
or more. A receipt and VAT-refund application form must be
presented to customs on leaving the country.
Useful Links:
familiar high-street and designer names but bargain buys are to be
found at Nagy Vásárcsarnok (the Central Market Hall), 9th
district, Fovám tér. The Central Market Hall of Budapest is an
imposing three-storey structure that first opened in 1897 and now
draws 30,000 shoppers daily. On the ground floor of the Great
Market Hall you can buy strings of paprika, pots of pickles and
plum jam, goose liver and salami. There is also a supermarket to
stock up on Tokaj wines, Pálinka (cherry, apricot or plum brandy)
and bitter, black Zwack Unicum. Upstairs, there is a choice of
Kalocsa and Matyó hand-embroidered tablecloths, Zsolnay and
Herendi porcelain, glittering beaded necklaces and traditional folk
costumes. The Central Market Hall is open Mon-Fri 07:00-1700 and
Sat 06:00-14:00 (closed Sun).
Flea-markets are fun places to find all kinds of treasures. The
Budapest Flea Market (Bolhapiac) in Petofi Csarnok, Varosliget is a
busy little place on most weekends (8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.). One can
always find almost everything on this market, even antiques.
Entrance fee: 100 HUF. Address: 1134 Budapest, Csángó u. 28.
Perhaps the best place for shoppers to haggle for folk costumes
and communist relics is Ecseri Piac market, 10th district,
Nagykorösi út 156, open Monday to Saturday 07:00-14:00.
Budapest’s antiques largely consist of Hapsburg-style furniture but
are cheaper than in Vienna. The traditional antiques quarter lies
around Falk Miksa utca. Antique shops can also be found in the
Castle District and on the Váci utca. Hungarian music is another
good buy. Classical record label Hungaroton offer CDs of the great
Hungarian musicians for at least half the price.
Standard shop opening hours are Monday to Friday 10:00-18:
00 and Saturday 10:00-13:00. Department stores usually open at
10:00, while groceries, bakeries and supermarkets are open 07:00-
20:00. Many shops open until 20:00 or 21:00 on Thursdays. Shops
are closed on Sundays, except shopping malls. Each district has at
least one 24-hour store. Many small shops close for summer in late
July and August and almost everything shuts on public holidays.
Sales tax (ÁFA) of 20% (12% for food, some medical supplies,
books, newspapers and hotel rooms) is included in the price and
can be reclaimed by visitors purchasing goods worth HU Ft 50,000
or more. A receipt and VAT-refund application form must be
presented to customs on leaving the country.
Useful Links:
- Campona (XXII District, South Western Buda shopping mall)
- Duna Plaza (IV District, the Oldest Plaza in Northern Pest)
- Lurdy Haz (IX District, Southern Pest, shopping mall)
- Mammut (II District, Buda's biggest and most centrally-located
shopping mall)
- MOM Park - (XI District, Buda's latest development)
- Polus Center - (XV District, Eastern Pest)
home > Expatriate activities > Budapest Guide > shopping in Budapest
| "I like life. It's something to do." - Ronnie Shakes |
Shopping in Budapest
| Expatriate Organizations | Expatriate Churches | Expatriate Schools | Expatriate Events | Young People |
What to do in Budapest | What to see in Budapest | Daytrips | Budapest for Kids | Rainy days | Emergency
Pretty much anything you can think of is available in Budapest.
People of all sizes can find clothes and shoes in Budapest. Also, by Western European standards, tailor made items
are not that expensive in Hungary.
Grocery stores most expats in Budapest shop at: Match, Kaisers, CBA, Plus, Profi and Groby are among the biggest
grocery stores. You can find them everywhere in the country. Tesco (found in shopping centers) is even open around
the clock.
People of all sizes can find clothes and shoes in Budapest. Also, by Western European standards, tailor made items
are not that expensive in Hungary.
Grocery stores most expats in Budapest shop at: Match, Kaisers, CBA, Plus, Profi and Groby are among the biggest
grocery stores. You can find them everywhere in the country. Tesco (found in shopping centers) is even open around
the clock.
Household Items, furnishings:
You can find special shops for
individual items, but the large stores
listed below (found in shopping
centers) tend to carry everything in
one place. They are generally open
from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m:
You can find special shops for
individual items, but the large stores
listed below (found in shopping
centers) tend to carry everything in
one place. They are generally open
from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m:
- IKEA
- Kika
- Praktiker
- Bricostore
- Baumax
- Cora
- Auchan
- Tesco (open around the clock)
| Your path to find page: Vaci utca, Vaci street, Great Market Hall, Central Market Hall, paprika, pickles, goose liver, salami, Tokaj wine, palinka, Zwack Unicum, kalocsa, Matyo, hand embroidered, Zsolnay, Herendi, porcelain, folk costumes, communist relics, Ecseri, antiques, antique shops, Hungarian music, Hungaroton, Hungarian musicians, shop open hours |
Budapest, Hungary
Culture & Relocation Resources
Culture & Relocation Resources
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - BUDAPEST - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
