Interior View - Central Market Hall (Vásárcsarnok), Budapest, Hungary

Central Market Hall (Vásárcsarnok)

Budapest’s largest and most famous indoor market is often erroneously ascribed to Gustav Eiffel—in fact, Hungarian architect Samu Pecz created this marvel based on plans of an Eiffel-designed train station—and it’s easy to see why when you walk through the soaring three-level interior with its graceful ironwork. The ground floor is chock-full of food stands, which sell everything from homemade pastries and fresh produce to incredible varieties of meat (in lieu of a sign, one stand had a piglet hanging above its counter).

This is the famed place to shop for spices like paprika and saffron, as well as Hungarian salami and goose liver pâté (but it is a tourist, not a local, spot). Upstairs you’ll find stands selling local crafts like nesting dolls and embroidered tablecloths. The selection is overwhelming and it can get quite crowded, but it’s fun to walk through the displays, especially because vendors don’t cajole you here. In the summer, the Central Market is a wonderful place to stock up for a picnic. Walking through the market is a must.

Editors' Picks
Merchandise at Herend, Budapest, Hungary

Herend

Herend is one of Hungary’s two most famous porcelain manufactories (the other being Zsolnay), both of which were established in the 19th century and flourished during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Herend was favored by foreign courts: Queen Victoria fell in love with a large table service at the London World Exhibition of 1851 and ordered the entire set.

Herend’s hand-painted porcelain is now available everywhere from Tokyo to Los Angeles, and the price tags you’ll see in Budapest are roughly comparable to the ones back home. You may, however, be able to find special, not readily available patterns, like the decorative chinoiserie-inspired Gödöllö, at the Hungarian branches, which are all over the city.

Editors' Picks

Pintér Antik

Falk Miksa Utca, the so-called Antiques Street, which starts behind the imposing Parliament building and runs north, features an array of galleries, antiques shops and auction houses. Pintér Antik, a 20,000-square-foot gallery that carries furniture, is the most famous, but other worthwhile dealers are Studio Agram (No. 10), which specializes in 20-century applied art), and Anna Antikvitas (No. 18) for hand-embroidered antique textiles.

Editors' Picks
Dessert at Szamos Marzipan, Budapest, Hungary

Szamos Marzipan

Budapest’s first family of marzipan runs this tiny retail shop (they also own the Ruszwurm Café on Castle Hill). Look for chocolate-covered flavored marzipan in pretty gift boxes, assorted chocolate nougats, artfully made marzipan flowers and, in the summer, some of the city’s best ice cream. From Szamos it’s an easy stroll up Váci Utca to Vörösmarty Tér, a leafy square where you can sit and enjoy your sweet purchases.

Vörösmarty Christmas Market

If you’re visiting during the holiday season, don’t miss this charming old-world Christmas market where artisans sell handcrafted goods; there’s a fierce competition each year for a stall on Vörösmarty, so the items sold here, including ceramics, jewelry, toys and knitwear, are all first-rate and vetted by the Hungarian Society of Folk Arts. For a break, stop at the food stand selling steaming töki pompos, a Hungarian version of the Alsatian flammekuche, which are made fresh in a wood-fired oven.

Exterior View -  WAMP, Budapest, Hungary

WAMP

With the purpose of supporting Hungarian designers, this monthly design fair is a lively way to experience local culture and browse for one-of-a-kind souvenirs. In December, the market expands (and moves to a different location), for three weekends of festive shopping. There is also a holiday ‘gastro’ fair, featuring a selection of truffles, chocolates and wines for last-minute stocking stuffers. The fair runs one Sunday each month.

Zsolnay

Zsolnay is one of Hungary’s two most famous porcelain manufactories (the other being Herend), both of which were established in the 19th century and flourished during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Zsolnay-made tiles and decorative objects, all crafted with the company’s signature iridescent glazes, were used in many of the city’s grandest buildings, like the Gresham Palace. While Zsolnay is now not as esteemed as Herend, it offers the better value if you’re going to buy porcelain in Budapest. There are several locations throughout the city.

All Results

Filters

Indagare employees walking up stiars

Enjoy 30 Days On Us!

Start your Self Planner
membership trial today.

Unlock access to 2,000+ first-hand hotel reviews, 300+ Destination Guides and the most up-to-date travel news and inspiration.

Already a member?

Welcome back,
log in to Indagare

Not a member?

Forgot Password

Enter your email and we’ll send you a link to reset your password.

Type the first 3 letters to begin