Five large market halls
replaced the open-air markets at the turn of the 19th-20th century, following the Western European tendency. They all have similar architecture: cast iron structure, spacious interior.
Visiting one of the numerous Markets in Budapest is a must if you want to get the feel of everyday life in the city. The vegetable and fruit markets sell fresh fruits, vegetables, bakery, dairy products, honey and other food products all the year round. Due to the favourable climate, Hungary produces tasty fruits and vegetables that you can buy in the markets at a reasonable price.
There are many reasons why you should visit a couple, if not all the markets during a visit to Budapest. After all they have the real produce not the sort of stuff you find in supermarkets. You can buy authentic Hungarian souvenirs, wines and spirits. Eat freshly cooked foods such as langos, a deep fried Hungarian pastry or hot sausages and black pudding with fresh bread and mustard or just to watch how Hungarians do there everyday shopping.
Markets are busy places, so an advantage for pickpockets, so beware. To avoid crowds visit the markets on Mondays as fewer people go shopping on the first day of the week
All markets are closed on Sunday, except Batthyany Ter Market
The most impressive and largest market in Budapest. It is worth a visit just to admire the architecture. You can get almost everything you require in its three levels, so, if you have limited time for shopping visit the Great Market Hall.
Open: Mon: 06-17.00, Tue-Fri 06.00-18.00, Sat: 06.00-15.00, Sun: Closed
Fővám tér, district IX., Pest end of Liberty Bridge.
Market in Hold utca
Not a lot of people are aware of the fact that there is a market, hidden from the tourists’ eyes in Hold utca, “hold” meaning moon. You can find the delicious goods of the countryside (milk, cheese not the superficial ones in the stores) and fresh vegetables and fruits. It is also possible to have an Hungarian meal here if you like traditional Hungarian cuisine with a lot of fat.
Amazingly the building has the exact same style as the Nuygati railway station.
Open: Mon: 6.30-17.00, Tue-Fri 6.30, Sat 6.30-14.00
Hold utca 13., V. district,
Hunyadi Tér Market
Go to Hunyadi Ter Market for the very best in home grown produce. Pay very few forints for a garlic, carrots, cabbage, and potatoes, all home grown, absolutely delicious and very cheap. You will find a friendly, cheerful atmosphere, where only Hungarian is spoken, but you can trust that the change they take from your hand is a minimal amount for the quality of the goods they offer.
District VI, just off Andrassy Boulavard. Open every Wednesday
Rákóczi tér Market
The large blue columns of the market hall reach for the sky. It seems to be the smaller brother of the big market hall at Fővám square.
Architecturally the building fits into the surrounding. There are more stands selling meat than grocery or any other product. This market offers fresh and homemade produce and is favored by locals, though tourists come here too to admire the spacious building with bright blue pillars.
Rákóczi square market is open Mon 06:00 – 16:00, Tue – Fri 06:00 – 18:00, Sat 06:00 – 13:00
Batthyány tér Market
Charming market hall facing the imposing Parliament on the other side of the Danube. It has been recently renovated. Fruit and vegetable vendors and you will find a large supermarket with cafés on the top floor from where you can admire the superb view of the Danube and the Parliament. Good thing that the market is open on Sundays.
Batthyány tér 5., I. district
Fény utca Market
Fény Utca Market Hall (Fény utcai Piac) is located just behind the Mammut Shopping Mall. It is not as elegantly rustic, and architecturally grand as many other markets in Budapest, but it is a good market with fresh fruits, vegetables, paprika, home made dairy products and honey, bakery, herbs, fish, meat poultry and amazingly good Langos (fried dough).
There are about 10,000 – 25,000 shoppers at this market every day.
Malls.Open: Mon 6.30-17.00, Tue-Fri 06.00-18.00.
Lehel tér Market
The ship-shaped modern architecture replaced the old market a few years ago. Smaller than the Great Market Hall, but offering a wide variety of groceries. Mainly locals from the neighbourhood do their everyday shopping here.
Lehel tér, XIII. district,
Behind Nyugati Railway Station.
Open: Mon-Fri 06.00-18.00, Sat 06.00-14.00
