Budapest is full of fashion and souvenir shops, so I’ve listed seven of the main shopping areas. I have left out the main shopping malls, as they are easy enough to find if needs be and don’t tend to offer too much cultural experience!
1. Central Market Hall
Also known as the Great Market Hall and officially opened in 1987 after a fire had destroyed part of the construction in 1986, Budapest’s Central Market Hall is the place to go for sightseers on a time limit. The stalls on the first floor offer fresh local produce, both meats and vegetables, whilst the second floor stalls hold all the traditional souvenirs. You can also find stall that produce traditional dishes and beers, so if you’re tired after a hectic day souvenir shopping you can relax and watch over the day-to-day business of the market hall.
2. Deák Ferenc Tér
All main lines of the Budapest metro (excluding the brand new M4) pass through Deák Ferenc making it a busy crossroads both above and below ground. Located near the edge of the busy Jewish District, the outside souvenir and food market stals make it a great place to grab lunch and a beer and hang out with friends!
3. Vaci Utca
Beginning at Vörösmarty Square and ending at the Central Market Hall, Vaci Utca is the main shopping street in Budapest. The whole street is pedestrianized, and lined with beautiful buildings, although these days most of the shops are catered to tourists, rather than locals. As you make your way along the street, stop off at one of the kitsch cafes or take a seet in one of the many squares.
4. WAMP – Wasárnapi Művész Piac
For those fashion-savvy travelers, WAMP is a market to showcase the upcoming fashion scene of Hungary, filled with designers showing their newest collections. Usually held on the first Sunday of every month, it runs from 11am to 7pm at Erzsébet Tér. Take a look at their website wamp.hu for precise dates!
5. Esceri Flea Market – 156 Nagykorosi ut 1194
Like all flea markets worldwide, Esceri is a melting pot of fabulous ancient finds mixed in with someone else’s junk. Hours can be spent wandering around the eclectic items on off by the Hungarian stall owners, and even longer could potentially be spent on practicing your haggling skills! Open from 8am-4pm on weekdays, the best day to go is a Saturday when it’s open until 3pm as that’s when most vendors sell their wares.
6. Andrassy Avenue
Andrassy Avenue is a shamelessly expensive street, offering the likes of Gucci, Louis Vutton, and Armani dotted between the world heritage sites. It is a budget traveller’s window shopping paradise, but take a look down some of the small side streets lining the Avenue for smaller and cheaper boutique stores!
7. BP Shop!
Even though the BP Shop is one shop and not a general district, I had to include it! Avoid their store in the mall, and head straight to their flagship store on Wesselényi utca in the Jewish District. Most souvenirs in town are far cheaper than anything from the BP brand, but they are small nick nacks that you’ll never use again. The BP Shop has a street/skate style and offers awesome caps & t shirts branded with BDPST in cool color combinations and large glittery letters!
Happy Shopping!
Lots of love,
