Best Shops, Shopping Malls, Markets and Bargains
Budapest Shopping

Budapest Shopping offers plenty of options to find good bargains. The number of shops in Budapest has heavily increased since the 90-ies, big shopping malls, new fashion shops appeared on every corner of the city.

It's good to have some information where and what to buy to make your Budapest Shopping a rewarding experience.

We created several pages related to Budapest Shopping to provide you this information. Follow the links within the text to get specific information.

Budapest Shopping-Opening Hours

Foodstores are open from 6.00 or 7.00 to 18.00, 19.00, Monday to Friday, on Saturdays from 6.00 or 7.00 to 13.00

Other Budapest shops are open Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 18.00, on Saturdays from 10.00 to 13.00.

The large supermarkets have longer opening hours and are open on Sunday. Some of them, like Tesco are open 24 hours.

In the town centre, mainly in Pest, you'll find several non-stop, 24-hour shops. They sell cigarettes, alcohol, soft drinks and snacks, and other foodstuffs, usually at a higher price.

All shops are closed on public holidays.

Budapest Shopping-How to Pay

Large shops accept credit cards, especially in the touristy part of the town. In small shops and markets you have to pay in cash, so make sure you have enough Hungarian forints in your purse. 

Budapest Shopping-Taxes and Refunds

VAT (value added tax) is built in to the price of most consumer goods and services. Refunds are available for most purchases that exceed 50,000 HUF (roughly 200 €).

Look for Budapest shops that have "Tax Free" logo in the window. Ask the sales assistants to provide you with the necessary documents you need to get the refund. These documents are:

• the receipt of your purchase,
  
  
• a separate receipt that indicates the amount of VAT on your purchase,
  
  
• the VAT reclaim form, and
  
  
• the mailing envelope.

The shop assisstant will also help you to fill in the form.

If you depart Hungary by plane you can collect your refund at the IBUSZ Agency at Ferihegy Airport. Do this right after checking in but before you pass security control!

If you don't have time to do that at Ferihegy Airport, you'll still get your money, though the process is rather lengthy.

When you land at you home country's airport get your forms certified by Customs. Then mail them in your envelope and wait for your refund.

Two important things to know:

• you must get your forms certified by customs within 90 days of your purchase, and
  
  
• you must mail your forms within 183 days of the date of export certification on the refund claim form.

Budapest Shopping -What and Where to Buy?

Hungarian Specialities

There are many Hungarain specialities from food stuff to porcelain.

When I stroll in Budapest's city center I see that tourists love Hungarian Folklart Souvenirs very much. These are handmade folkart products that are very characteristic of Hungary.

The most popular folklore products are:

• embroidered cloths,
  
  
• pillowcases, dolls dressed in Hungarian folklore costumes,
  
  
• dresses,
  
  
• pottery, and
  
  
• porcelain.

These souvenirs decorate your home and will always remind you of your stay in the Hungarian capital.

In Castle District and on Gellért Hill you definitely find vendors who sell these products. You also find folklore shops in Pest's chic shopping street,
the Váci Street, though their products are a bit overpriced.

I recommend the Great Market Hall at the Pest end of Liberty Bridge. It's not only the best and cheapest place to buy your souvenirs, but it's the oldest market in Budapest.

The architecture itself worths a visit. For folk products go to the upper floor, or look for ethnic Hungarian women wearing folklore costumes and kerchiefs tied around their heads. They ususally travel up to Budapest with bags full of fine, authentic folk items to sell. You can buy things from them much cheaper than in touristy shops.

The hand-painted Herend and Zsolnay Porcelains also make exclusive gifts.
Both are world-famous brands and you probably can find them in your country, but in Hungary you can get them at lower prices.

The Best Places to Buy Hungarian porcelain

• Apponyi Márkabolt on József Nádor tér 11., V. district. and Rotschild Márkabolt in Kigyó utca 3. V. district.
  
  

• Zsolnay Márkabolt: there is one in almost all Budapest Shopping Malls, for example there's one in Lurdy ház and another iin Budagyöngye shopping Center..

For gourmands Budapest is a paradise. You can taste lots of Special Hungarian Foods ranging from goose liver to wines. Do not return home without buying some delicious Hungarian food and drink stuffs.

Make sure you check the custom regulations of your country, before you buy anything that you want to take home with you!

You'll find fashionable designer products, as well as folklore and art products in the most popular shopping areas of Budapest. They are in the touristy parts of the town so the shops here are rather expensive. If you have less money to spend on gifts head for shops along Nagykörút (Great Boulevard) or the Budapest Markets.

The best Budapest Antique Shops are in Falk Miksa Street.

Budapest Flea Markets are excellent places to find good bargains.

Are you looking for fine art items? You'll find great and quality artworks in Budapest Art Galleries.

What's Your Favourite Budapest Shop?

Have you discovered a great shop in Budapest that isn't mentioned in any guide book (not even on Budapest Tourist Guide.com). Tell other shopping enthusiats about it!

Articles Related to Budapest Shopping

Budapest Shopping Malls - large, modern shopping centers, that cater for your shopping hunger and entertainment.

Budapest Markets - the best places to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, souvenirs and get a feel of everyday life in Budapest

Great Market Hall the largest and most impressive market hall in Budapest

Special Hungarian Foods list of Hungarian delicacies and tips on where to buy them.