Shopping is fun in Budapest whether you enjoy trendy malls, markets or tiny boutiques and shops.

Perhaps the best place to get a feel for this vibrant city and set your heart on that special item brought home from Budapest is by strolling down the most famous and crowded pedestrian street, Váci utca (street), at the foot of Liberty (Szabadság) bridge. Several antique and folklore shops, galleries, designer boutiques, foreign-language book-shops, jewelry and wine-shops, restaurants, and cafés can be found here and throughout the neighboring streets.

The city's "pantry", the largest and richest indoor market in Budapest, the Grand Market Hall built in 1890 is just at the end of Vaci utca. You can find the so-called Hungaricums - paprika, brandy (pálinka), goose-liver (libamáj) and a wide variety of sausages and salamis seasoned with paprika (Gyulai, Csabai sausage, Szeged and Pick Salami).*

*Do not forget to check the customs regulations of your country.

Unique, traditional folk art items, such as ceramics, embroideries, painted eggs, dolls in folk costume, hand-painted Herend and Zsolnay porcelain, crystal and Halas lace bought at the market make great presents. Those interested in antiques and wines will not want to miss the Castle District’s small shops also selling folk art. An enormous selection of wines from the historical Hungarian wine regions is on sale at the House of Hungarian Wines. Perhaps the richest collection of antiques in Central Europe may be discovered on Falk Miksa street (runs from Szt. Istvan Blvd. to the Parliament).

If you are looking for an unusual souvenirs or a collector’s treasure, you will want to visit the Ecseri Flea Market in the 9th district on Nagykõrösi út 156. Open: 08.00-16.00 Mon-Fri, however if you’d rather browse through fashionable stores, Budapest boasts a number of  shopping malls located at major intersections and metro stations. The Westend City Center, next to Western Railway Station is a home to 400 shops, a 14-screen cinema complex, entertainment center and a huge food-court.

Buda has two new shopping complexes: The Mammut and The Mom Park. The Mammut shopping center at Széna square (along Margaret Blvd.) has more than 300 shops on 7 levels in two buildings housing several restaurants, an entertainment center, fitness facilities and a health center. The elegant Mom Park with 70 shops, a restaurant and cinema (11th district, Attila út) is the newest shopping and entertainment center of the City.

Shops are usually open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Shopping centers are open till 8 p.m. on weekdays; most centers are also open on Sundays.

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