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Grocery market- Photo by Nelson Wong on Unsplash
10 Unmissable Markets for Shopping in Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is a huge global city in Hungary with strengths in commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education and entertainment.
Being the ninth largest city in the European Union, it does not come as a surprise then that it is a hub of so many activities and a centre of integrated cultures.
Now, there are so many markets you will spot in Budapest. Whether it’s for grocery shopping, cloth shopping or just random shopping in different markets selling different items, Budapest will certainly offer you a wide range of choices.
Here are some of the markets in Budapest you will hardly miss. They will provide everything you need.
1. Budapest Central Market Hall (the Great Market Hall)
Budapest Great Hall Market- Author; Dd-ang2s- Wikimedia
The Great Market Hall in Budapest was built in 1897 and it is the most beautiful and largest of all Budapest market halls.
The market hall is not only ‘Great’ in its size but is also great in other aspects. Most importantly the market is central, thus why it is also called the Central Market Hall due to both its location and the volume of trade that take place here on a daily basis. It is only a 5 min walk from the city centre.
If you love fresh goods, people watching, shopping, photo opportunities, or just sightseeing in amazing places, then you will definitely enjoy visiting Great Market Hall.
Come rain or sunshine, the Great Market Hall is a great option, and definitely one of the top Budapest attractions according to many Budapest guides.
You can get all sorts of goods at Great Market and these range from fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fantastic salamis, pickles, and fresh fish to Hungarian paprika, Tokaj wines, various souvenirs, bags, clothes, pans and pots, home-style meals and many more.
FYI: If you want to avoid crowds, do not get up so early to get to the market. This is because housewives and many other local market goers, in general, do the early morning shopping until about 8-9 am from Monday to Friday.
Also, Budapest weekend getaways are quite popular among tourists so Saturdays, in general, are usually quite busier.
Practical information:
Address: Budapest, Vámház krt. 1-3, 1093 Hungary
Phone: +36 1 366 3300
Open Hours: 6.00 am to 6.00 pm
2. Lehel Market
Lehel Market, Budapest- Author; Jorge Franganillo- Wikimedia
A little less formal than Central Market and also open every day of the week, Lehel is packed with fresh Hungarian produce.
The market takes place in the city’s 13th district, in a hall that’s difficult to miss as it is so conspicuous.
As described by many articles, it is an eccentric hotchpotch of structures, the facade looks like it’s been borrowed from a Greek temple and painted bright yellow.
Inside the market, visitors will find locals stocking up on organic essentials, a huge selection of kolbász (sausages), honey, fruit and vegetables. Take the opportunity to sit down and people-watch after your shopping in one of the cafés upstairs.
Lehel Market Hall is one of the lesser-known market halls in Budapest among tourists.
Even though this market is not so attractive and very popular among tourists and visitors in Budapest, it has its perks that you should definitely check out. If you are looking for a non-touristy place in Budapest, this is a good place.
FYI: Lehel Market Hall is closed on national holidays and public holidays in Hungary.
Practical information:
Address: Budapest, Váci út 9-15, 1134 Hungary
Phone: +36 1 288 6895
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 6.00 am to 6.00 pm
3. Ecseri Flea Market
A Flea Market- Image by Kyrios Kyriakos from Pixabay
A sprawling flea market just outside the city centre, Ecseri Flea Market draws in tourists and tour groups from out of town.
During the week, it’s a mere shadow of its weekend self. Arrive on Saturday, and everything imaginable is peddled at this eclectic bazaar.
They have antique furniture and porcelain, old records, piles of books, plenty of artwork, vintage war paraphernalia, clothes and jewellery, and toys. The list is actually endless. So choose your time wisely.
Actually, to have fun, just come with time and a treasure hunter kind of attitude, as there’s no limit to what you could leave with.
Bargaining is mandatory at Ecseri. This is so that you can get what you like for at least 10-20% less, sometimes even 50% less. This famous Hungarian market attracts hundreds of tourists every day.
It’s quite an exciting place with interesting people. Saturday is the day to go since not all stalls are open every day of the week.
P.S: Make sure to take cash with you. There are no ATMs here. You may easily get stuck when trying to make a transaction if you do not have some cash with you.
Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Nagykőrösi út 156, 1194 Hungary
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 8am-4pm; Sat: 8am-3pm; Sun: 8am-1pm
4. Anker’t Vegan Sunday Market
Vegetable market- Image by photosforyou from Pixabay
Anker’t is another popular ruin bar that hosts its own market which takes place once a month throughout the year.
The market stocks everything vegan, from juices, cakes, dips and burgers to handcrafted soaps and beauty products.
Part-market, part-community event, during the day there are open discussions and even cookery classes where visitors can try whipping up some delicious health-conscious treats.
5. WAMP Design Market
Clothing Market- Image by meineresterampe from Pixabay
Taking place at least one Sunday each month, this market brings together Hungary’s most exciting emerging designers.
As a meeting place for young creatives, WAMP provides over a hundred local talents with a platform to show off their latest works.
Visitors are provided with an opportunity to purchase special pieces, from jewellery and clothing to homeware and furniture.
The fair turns Christmas-themed over the first three Sundays of December where they offer all manner of festive gastro and design delights.
FYI: Always keep an eye on the website for fair dates and locations as they’re released.
The seventh season of the Wamp Design Market gets underway this year. Around 150 designers from Austria and abroad will offer their hand-made items, including delightful jewellery, fashionable bags, attractive accessories, designer toys, art and much more besides.
A high-quality art and cultural objects can be purchased for affordable prices. And there’s no shortage of food at the Wamp Design Market either.
Practical information:
Address: Budapest, Fővám tér 11-12, 1093 Hungary
Opening Hours: Opens every Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 5.00pm
6. Gouba Bazaar
Jewelry market- Photo by Rohan Reddy on Unsplash
Just off Király Utca, this street is famous for its art and design boutiques. Every Sunday, this vibrant and entertaining hub hosts the popular Gouba Bazaar.
From spring through autumn, the market brings together myriad stall owners who showcase a wide range of curios including rare antiques, local art, jewellery and one-of-a-kind homeware.
To make it even more exciting, live music plays throughout the day, performed by local musicians.
Visitors will find a multi-faceted and rich selection of products almost nowhere (else) to be seen.
You can even find products of popular artists like: Vácz Anna, Picassino Design, Michigan Gyurmaékszerek, Nemez Ilda, Gipszkorszak Játszóház
Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Király u. 13, 1068 Hungary
7. Szimpla Farmers’ Market
Olympia Farmers Market- Author; Mattsjc- Wikimedia
Szimpla Kert is certainly worth a visit. They provide local honey and jams, cheeses, fruit and vegetables, baked goods and spices.
Best of all, you’ll be well-placed to grab a table for the Szimpla brunch, where visitors can pile their plates high from a buffet that has colourful artisanal produce sold at the market downstairs.
The Farmers Market in Szimpla Kert has become a phenomenon in its 10 years of operation. The market and its 30-40 sellers attract thousands of customers every Sunday.
Every seller at the market is a real first producer, who brings what they grew and made with their own hands week by week.
Moreover, the market is not just a place for buying food, it’s a real social meeting point. They have live music every Sunday. Besides their favourite jazz-world music and folk bands they usually allow themselves to venture into other styles of music too.
You can even leave your kids at the children’s program while you are shopping since their animators are always prepared to entertain them according to the season.
Further, non-profit organizations have some space in the Civic Area, thus, you can easily join workshops, games and courses and learn more about the actual participant of the Common Cauldron.
Every week, the representatives of a different non-profit organization cook from the ingredients that are available at the market at their Common Cauldron events. They usually make a vegetarian and meat dish.
Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Kazinczy u. 14, 1075 Hungary
Opening Hours- Sundays, 9.00 am to 2.00 pm
8. Fehérvári Street Market
Street market- Image by Simon from Pixabay
At Fehérvári Street Market, beautiful blooms line the aisles of the ground floor in serried ranks of vivid colour.
It’s very much a local market, with sprays of carnations, chrysanthemums, poppies and peonies coming in at astonishingly low prices.
After browsing the blousy bouquets on offer, you should definitely head upstairs to the produce stalls and refuel with a steaming bowl of halászlé.
Just to give a bit of information no one will tell you, the best fruit and vegetable stands are on the first floor.
The market is fully covered which is very beneficial in case of bad weather. However, this kind of takes away the traditional open-air market atmosphere. Fehervari is however highly recommended because of the fantastic flowers you will find there.
Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Kőrösy József u. 7-9, 1117 Hungary
Phone: +36 1 273 3144
Opening Hours: Monday, 6.30 am – 5.00pm; Tuesday to Friday, 6.30 am- 6.00 pm; Saturday, 6.30 am to 3.00 pm
9. Advent Feast
Advent Market in Zagreb- Author; Branko Radovanović- Wikimedia
Budapest’s Christmas market, that is, the Advent Feast at the Basilica, has won awards for its enthusiastic approach to the festive season.
There are usually light shows and stalls selling handmade stocking fillers and unique gifts. Glide out across the ice rink to perfect your pirouettes or sit back and watch the action with a cup of hot mulled wine.
Further, it usually features a photo exhibition, an ice rink, a selfie spot, a 3D light show projected onto the facade of St Stephen’s Basilica and around 100 arts and crafts and culinary exhibitors.
Practical Information:
Address: Budapest, Szent István tér 1, 1051 Hungary
Phone: +36 1 311 0839
10. Downtown Market
Market in Budapest- Photo by Krisztian Tabori on Unsplash
Downtown Market celebrates Budapest’s foodie scene. Alongside the farmers’ market, which is piled high with fresh produce, is a busy flank of stalls specialising in Hungarian cuisine.
Here, you will find Mangalica, langós, stuffed cabbage and lecsó sausage all featured on the menus. So, go ahead and pull up a stool at A Séf utcája, a pet project of Hungarian chef Lajos Bíró, for a gourmet sausage sandwich.
This 19th-century Downtown Market Hall is also one of the greatest historical market palaces in Budapest.
The marketplace can be visited individually too, but it is highly recommended that you first do a booking with a Guided Market Hall Tour, where the English-speaking professional guide will show you the best stand with the most delicious food and drink tasting options.
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