Budapest is a beautiful European city, the capital of Hungary, and in some ways it is similar to the cities of neighboring Austria and the Czech Republic. But shopping in Budapest is much more attractive and profitable, and unique souvenirs are found at every step. Once in Budapest, be sure to explore not only the large malls and major markets, but also small shops and shops, because the most interesting things can be found in them.
Shopping in Budapest - Features
Historically, the city is divided into two parts - the old one called Buda and the new one, which bears the name Pest. In the old part there are more small shops and antique shops, and in the new abundance of large and modern shopping centers. Shops here literally pass one into another.
The currency in Hungary is the forint, but most stores accept euro besides it, but at a rate lower than the official one by about 10 or even 20%. Almost all stores accept cards.
Please note that on Sunday, as experienced travelers report, stores usually open a little later than the rest of the day, and close earlier, around 18 pm. There are also features of the shops on Sunday. By the decision of the local parliament, many of them are closed on this day and in order to buy everything you need, do not plan large or important purchases on Sunday, do not forget about it, planning to make shopping in Budapest.
Reviews of tourists remind about the possibility of a tax refund. If you buy goods worth more than 50 thousand forints (a little more than 160 euros), you can return part of the funds using the tax free system. You can get a tax refund already at home, after crossing the border, and you need to declare this in the store at the time of purchase and be sure to save all checks. Shops that return VAT (and it is 27% in Hungary!) Are marked with a tax refund sign.
What to buy
Not a single trip abroad is complete without the purchase of souvenirs. Recently, tourists are trying to bring as a gift not commonplace magnets and key rings, but something really reflecting the spirit of the country. And the first thing that comes to mind is gastronomic souvenirs. Hungarian cuisine is very tasty, diverse and its most important symbol besides goulash is aromatic salami and paprika. There are several dozen types of salami, and paprika can be bought both in the form of a bunch of peppers and in the dried form as a spice.
Local Tokai wines and fruit tinctures called palinka are also good, as well as the legendary Unicum herbal balm, which helps in the treatment of colds.
Hungary is also the birthplace of the Rubik's Cube, it’s a sin not to buy this puzzle as a gift for a lover to take his hands and head. Of the more significant souvenirs - local porcelain and ceramics and textile products with embroidery. Good quality and natural cosmetics, and at very attractive prices.
If you want to replenish your wardrobe, then, according to tourists, all the most famous world brands are represented in Budapest, there is also our own production, leather goods are especially valued - shoes, bags, haberdashery will diversify your shopping in Budapest. The reviews, however, suggest that if their quality is up to par, then the models are an amateur and are far behind fashion trends.
Shopping centers
The West End shopping center is the largest in Eastern Europe . On three floors there are 500 points selling clothes, cosmetics, gifts, interior items, goods for children, as well as cafes and restaurants. For gastronomic souvenirs, head to the large Match supermarket on the ground floor.
Near the other station, Keleti, the second most important mall Arena Plaza was built. In fact, it is not much different from West End, the same world brands of the middle price segment, as well as local clothing departments.
If you have time to head to the outskirts of Buda, visit the Campona Shopping Center, a popular spot for locals. Here, in addition to shopping, you can have fun visiting the aquarium.
Boutiques
All the main brand boutiques in the city are located in the center of Pest, the most important shopping places:
- Pedestrian street Vaci.
- Prospect Andrássy, more precisely, its very beginning.
- Deak Street.
There are many monobrand boutiques of world famous brands - Gucci, Burberry, Hugo Boss, Escada, MaxMara, Louis Vuitton, Cavalli. Prices are comparable to Russian, but it makes sense to come in the sales season to make shopping in Budapest profitable.
Outlets
If you can’t afford the expensive world premium boutiques with new collections, but you want to dress in designer clothes, visit local outlets. They, as usual in European cities, are located on the outskirts. The largest and most noteworthy are the Gloutlet and the Premier Outlets Center.
The latter is built on the principle of an outlet village - this is when separate pavilions of different brands are located on a large territory, and the space between them is filled with pedestrian streets, fountains, recreation areas and cafes. Shopping in Budapest in such an outlet is a pleasure. Moreover, during sales, prices for many products are reduced to 90%.
Markets
The most famous and ancient market of Budapest is Central. It is located in the very center and is not only a place where you can buy food and souvenirs, but also a monument of antiquity. A beautiful building with a turret and a tiled roof was built by a student of Eiffel himself in the late 19th century. In addition to porcelain dolls, balms, paprika and wine, here you can buy other gastronomic specialties, without which shopping in Hungary is not complete:
- Budapest is famous for delicacies, and on the ground floor of the market you can buy dozens of salami from the sharp “winter” mold with a white coating to spicy and fragrant juniper; pork sausages debreceners; the most tender meat pastes.
- In the basement, look for the famous Colonial Shop with crustacean spices from around the world. Here you can buy the famous rosemary oil and spicy Hungarian rolls, just baked in a local bakery, as well as mushrooms grown here, too, in huge aquariums.
- On the mezzanine, you can try the local cuisine and desserts, completing a good coffee in Budapest in a cafe with standing tables, or buy souvenirs, for example, in the shop with the Ellak signboard they sell more than just dolls, puppeteers from a professional clan with two hundred years of experience work here.
Other markets in Budapest, although less interesting, also offer good local products and souvenirs. Look for the Hold útca Market next to the Parliament Building, the Klauzal tér Market in the heart of the Jewish Quarter or the modern tourist market Rakoczi tér Market.
Where to buy antiques
To buy antique knick-knacks or quite expensive antiques, go to Miksa Falk Street, there are dozens of real antique shops full of antique porcelain dolls in velvet dresses, lace curtains and tablecloths, paintings, antique dishes, furniture and handmade carpets. Some shops also work as museums, so even if you are not going to buy anything, just come to look at the windows.
By the way, in the Montparnasse Gallery store you can buy French furniture from the Art Deco era, and in Nagyhazi Gallery you can buy a picture or a carpet at auction.
Also, be sure to visit the Esceri flea market, here is the best shopping in Budapest for lovers of antiquities - hundreds of sellers laid out their treasures on an area of several hectares. Many things can be bought for very modest money. Such souvenirs are much more interesting than modern factory ones.
Where to find the best souvenirs
If you want to buy special local-made items besides products, pay attention to the Rothschild Brand Shop, which sells Herend Hungarian porcelain, which Budapest is famous for. Shopping here will be a particular pleasure, because this brand is known all over the world, each item is made and painted by hand, and such a gift, although not cheap, is especially valuable.
In the Folkart store you can buy national souvenirs - dolls, ceramics, lace, but of the highest quality and handmade. And if you have already bought a stick, then in the store A Magyar Palinka Haza you can find glasses for it and choose a couple more varieties of the drink for sample. Do not forget about the clothes of local designers, it is presented in the Latomas store.