Shopping
Upscale shopping streets, unique antique shops, and a vast selection of Western brands at convenient Eastern European prices have made Budapest a popular shopping destination. The city is also abundant in world-famous treasures of Hungarian origin, as porcelain manufacturers Herend and Zsolnay both have a factory shop here.
gabczi/Shutterstock.comVáci Street
Budapest's primary, 1.2-km long pedestrian street is dotted with worldwide-known international brands and tiny souvenir shops, along with elegant restaurants and bars serving high-quality Hungarian and international food.
Syda Productions/Shutterstock.comGreat Market Hall
This impressive neo-Gothic building was built in 1894 to replace the expansive outdoor markets at the location. The largest market hall in Budapest is a buzzing scene of everyday life in the city, with several floors to explore: the basement area houses several fish stalls and a supermarket, the ground floor is the main area mainly occupied by grocers, and the upper floor is home to souvenir stands and street food stalls. Make sure you try 'lángos', a deep-fried dough, traditionally topped with cheese and sour cream.
GoneWithTheWind/Shutterstock.comAndrássy Avenue
Andrássy út, often referred to as Budapest's own Champs-Élysées, is an elegant tree-lined boulevard connecting the city center, Erzsébet Square, to Heroes' Square. Notable for hosting the first continental underground line in Europe, the avenue is lined with magnificent Neo-renaissance mansions and townhouses boasting intricate facades and interiors. Also recognized as one of the city's most prestigious shopping streets, it features high-end boutiques, cafés, restaurants, theaters, and embassies. Given its cultural and architectural significance, Andrássy út earned recognition as a World Heritage Site in 2002.
s4svisuals/Shutterstock.comFashion Street
The concept behind this downtown street is to provide a classy atmosphere for shopping and leisure time with friends. Its charming surroundings and central location have attracted many famous and high-quality brands of footwear, apparel, accessories, beauty products, and restaurants. You can find these all in one place, surrounded by elegant bars and the Danube just a couple of minutes away.
Impact Photography/Shutterstock.comBálna
Opened in 2013, Bálna is Budapest's contemporary answer to the adjacent Great Market Hall: it is a modern glass building resembling a whale in shape (hence the name), filled with shops, a contemporary art gallery, and several posh bars with splendid views on the riverside.
VargaA/CC BY-SA 4.0/WikimediaRetrock
Retrock is Budapest's largest vintage and designer clothing store, offering a curated collection of second-hand items and fresh creations by talented designers worldwide.
Bohbeh/Shutterstock.comWestend
Westend is Budapest's largest, multi-story shopping mall featuring a wide range of international stores from the moderately priced to the luxurious, as well as eateries, services, a cinema, and further extras such as a spectacular indoor fountain.
Pressmaster/Shutterstock.comEcseri Flea Market
No visit to Budapest is complete without some hunt for the treasures of bygone times. Although you will easily find an antique shop in any district of the city centre, the Ecseri Flea Market is well worth a short day trip. From antique furniture and vintage clothing to rare books, ceramics, and quirky collectables, Ecseri is a treasure trove for vintage enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Elena Dijour/Shutterstock.com