55 Best Places to Shop in Budapest, Hungary

Open every Sunday, this relaxed flea market is set in the Jewish District's main food hall. A regular assortment of stalls sell everything from old jewelry to Soviet-made watches, vintage cameras to communist-era household goods, making it a great source for rare souvenirs. It's all priced quite fairly, but most sellers are also willing to bargain. The market is officially open from 9 am to 4 pm, but stalls start packing up around 2:30 pm, so it's best to get there early.

From Hungarian classic and contemporary literature to cookbooks and history books, Bestsellers has the one of the best selections of Hungarian literature translated into English available in town. It also sells English-language newspapers and magazines and stocks a healthy selection of contemporary English books, as well as translated regional literature.

Want to make a positive impact when buying your souvenirs? This socially conscious design gift shop sells ethical, sustainable, natural goods made by social enterprises and NGOs from all over Hungary. You'll find everything from artisan chocolate to handmade candles, along with some of Pest's friendliest shopkeepers.

This charming little art gallery showcases contemporary works by Hungarian artists including Victor Vasarely, the leader of the Op Art movement. Everything you see here is for sale, including the sculptures in the beautiful garden out back. Climb the creaky stairs to the top floor for an exhibition on artist Amerigo Tot, who once lived here, as well as spectacular city views.

If the door is closed, it doesn't mean the gallery is; try ringing the doorbell.

Architect László Rajk got a lot of negative attention for his design of this market, unveiled in 2002 and considered one of Budapest’s ugliest buildings. But even those who call this gaudy, yellow-and-red building by its nickname, the Kofahajónak (the ship for peasant grannies), cannot deny that Lehel Csarnok is one of the best markets in town for produce, meat, and other local food products. Stroll the aisles for kolbász (Hungarian sausage), körözött (a spicy cottage cheese spread), savanyúság (pickled goods), local honey, cheese, and the freshest fruit around. If you fancy something unique, try the Ló- or Szarvaskolbász (horse or deer sausage) or kovászos uborka (fermented pickles). You will have to try out some Hungarian here, as most vendors are local farmers just doing their business at the local market. When you are done, reward yourself with lángos, the traditional Hungarian fried bread (best covered with sour cream, cheese, and garlic), and a beer at the popular Lángos Centrum. The site has always been popular as a market ground as well as embedded in colloquial controversy. The original open-air market was built over part of a local cemetery in 1890 when the square was called Ferdinánd tér. One hundred years later, when the old complex was finally torn down, construction halted as rumors of a Jewish cemetery underneath were explored. For now, it looks like the ship of the peasant grannies will sail on for many more years to come.

Located within an ornate 19th century building centered around a charming courtyard, Paloma brings together a collective of local designers to showcase their handicrafts. The small boutiques are run by the designers themselves and sell all manner of creative designs, including handbags, ceramics, jewelry, stationery, and children's toys. The space also hosts regular contemporary art exhibitions.

A properly lovely little place on the edge of Tabán, an area not really known for its shopping, Prezent is everything a modern gift shop should be: interesting, sustainable, and with a focus on local producers. You'll find sweaters, chocolate, and soaps, as well as considerably-less-touristy-than-usual fridge magnets and postcards featuring sketches of the city.

Sidonies Porcelian is the physical store representing one of Hungary’s most esteemed, iconic brands: Zsolnay, coveted for over 160 years. Famous artists and architects like József Rippl-Rónai, Victor Vasarely, and Ödön Lechner would settle for nothing less than Zsolnay's distinct Pirogranite tiles. Their bright yellow and green tiles resist damp, cold, and pollution and can be seen on some of Hungary’s most beautiful buildings, public objects, fine art, and on the cserépkályha (tile stoves) in Hungary’s most prestigious villas. Zsolnay’s unique Eosin pieces, created employing an entirely original process that results in an especially colorful and iridescent glaze, are one of the company’s highest valued products. Its porcelain tableware, vases, and ornamental objects bear a porcelain glaze that is known the world over. In fact, Vilmos Zsolnay was awarded the French Legion of Honor in 1878 for discovering it. The shop offers ample opportunity to ogle gorgeous Zsolnay works up close, as well as other manufacturers from around Hungary and the region. 

For a uniquely Hungarian souvenir, check out this homegrown shoe company named for a beloved river that flows through eastern Hungary. The company is known for its rubber-soled shoes, boots, and sneakers, which were all the rage behind the Iron Curtain in the 1970s. Tisza soles were the basis for scores of "domestic" shoes back then as well, providing workers with sturdy and comfortable shoes in which to toil. New designs as well as heritage classics make the sneakers popular with the hipster crowd. You can also find them at Westend Shopping Center, but this shop in the 7th District is the original and the biggest.

This small fashion and art store, owned by a contemporary Hungarian painter and embroiderer, has quickly gained a reputation for its unique, hand-crafted, floral-patterned designer handbags.

Hand-cut lead crystal isn't as cheap as it once was in Hungary, but for a uniquely Central European gift, head to this leading Hungarian manufacturer for fine crystal. The huge selection of colored glasses—martini to cognac—comes in rich reds and blues, as well as pastel pinks and yellows. All can be packed for a long trip home. There are several outlets around town.

This secondhand shop focuses on a selection of high-quality vintage clothes that appeal to the proprietor's sense of style. Check out their social accounts for updates on new shipments and what's on offer.

This store specializes in handmade and hand-dyed leather gloves made in Hungary. Some of the men's gloves have shearling lining and will keep you warm in near-Arctic temperatures. The buttery ladies' models are lined with cashmere or wool. A selection of ladies' hats completes the inventory.

The Buda branch of this jolly mini-chain of bookstores was set up by three couples who wanted somewhere that sold both quality children's books and well-made toys in the same place. Bartók Pagony delivers on its promise, and offers comfy armchairs and play areas, too. Kids will love the airships on the ceiling; adults will love the café.

For those who like their souvenirs a little unusual, this traditional old stamp shop is a gem, clinging on to its patch on this increasingly cool street. Old Hungarian stamps, coins, and medals are all on offer, including some very rare items.

The stock at this popular bookshop consists almost entirely of English-language books and periodicals, including Hungarian classics translated into English, popular British and American best-sellers, and newspapers. There's a French-language section as well.

Open since 1997, this charming little stationery store sells hand-bound notebooks, diaries, postcards, writing utensils, wrapping paper, and more. The attractive, often Budapest-related graphical designs make them perfect souvenirs or gifts. There's a second and equally lovely Bomo Art store almost directly across the river by Várkert Bazár.

There's an excellent selection of Hungarian vintners represented at this conveniently located little shop, with knowledgeable staff offering background and guidance on the country's wines, like this year's Tokaji or Kékoporto. There's a good selection of wine accessories as well, from oak wine racks to high-tech bottle openers. It's one of more than a dozen Bortársaság outlets in the city.

A traditional showroom on the second floor of a nondescript building, Clique Design Studio functions as a collaborative working space while also showcasing the work of young Hungarian designers, including Delacier jewelry, clothing, shoes, and bags from designer Dóra Domokos.

You'll see its shortened "DRK" name adorned on the city's most streetwear-conscious---originally founded in the 1920s and relaunched in 2014, Hungarian brand Dorko’s sneakers, casual jackets, and sportswear have a local cult following for their regular collaborations with sculptors, street artists, musicians, architects, and tattoo artists. A popular local brand and unique souvenir of Budapest, there is plenty to choose from at their flagship shop on Zrínyi utca.

For true bargains and possibly an adventure, make an early-morning trip to the vast and meandering flea market on the outskirts of the city. A colorful, chaotic market that shoppers have flocked to for decades, it is an arsenal of secondhand goods, where you can find everything from frayed Russian army fatigues to Herend and Zsolnay porcelain vases to antique silver chalices. Goods are sold at permanent tables set up in rows, from trunks of cars parked on the perimeter, and by lone, shady characters clutching just one or two items. As a foreigner, you may be overcharged, so prepare to haggle—it's part of the flea-market experience. Also, watch out for pickpockets. Although the best selection at Ecseri Piac is on Saturday morning, when the market is generally livelier, prices are said to be 10% to 20% higher than on weekdays. Haggle hard. Hours are Monday through Saturday 8–4 and Sunday 9–2.

It might seem like Hungarian fashion can't get out of its Central European comfort zone, with its heavy preference for monochrome. But costume designer and stylist Kriszta Szakos offers refreshingly vibrant, colorful knitted patterns for clothing and household decor. You can also find her work at Retrock, but this shop on Nyár utca offers a much wider range of her fashion collection as well as jewelry and clothing by other local designers.

Showcasing a fantastic range of Hungarian artists, this sleek gallery aims to promote them internationally while also welcoming visitors to its HQ. Worth a browse if you want to take the temperature of the modern art scene in the country or pick up a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

A retail collective supporting local Hungarian designers, there’s a wide range of jewelry, bags, shoes, clothes, ceramics, household accessories, and artwork for sale here. It also sports a cute bar-café, with bagels and coffees during the day, as well as cocktails in the evening. 

Middle Eastern-flavored chocolates find refuge here in Budapest. Ghraoui was first established in 1805 in Syria, and its history is one colored by coups and nationalizations. Following the 2011 Syrian civil war, the confectioner family established new headquarters here on Andrassy, and generations of devotees now travel across the world for its fine chocolates, from classic pralines to fruit specialties.

A well-chosen selection of contemporary Hungarian artists' work is shown here, in rotating exhibitions, with many pieces for sale.

Not merely a gallery but a gateway into the beautiful, delicate fairy-tale world of the Hungarian artist and etcher Arnold Gross, this attractive space—with furnishings designed by the artist's son—is also a popular café.

At this popular chain of secondhand clothing stores with branches all across the city, you'll find a random assortment ranging from high-street fashion to the occasional designer good, all for bargain prices.

You can get a glimpse of the world-famous Herend porcelain that has graced the tables of royal houses for centuries at one of several branches in Budapest. Carefully hold a saucer up to the light and see how nearly transparent the finely worked porcelain is. All the brightly hand-painted animal figurines as well as most patterns can be picked up directly or ordered here. Sadly, prices are competitive with prices abroad. The multilingual staff is at the ready with calculators, though, for easy currency conversion.

Master wood craftsman László Holló has resurrected traditional motifs and styles of earlier centuries to create the beautiful handicrafts on sale in this shop. You'll find lovely hope chests, chairs, jewelry boxes, candlesticks, Easter eggs, and more—all hand-carved and hand-painted with cheery folk motifs (most commonly birds and flowers in reds, blues, and greens).