The best markets in downtown Budapest

There is something special in spending a few hours at a friendly market. It is a much more exciting and richer experience than just going to a supermarket. The air is filled with all kinds of smells, you can bargain with the vendors, get the best products from real farmers, and somehow the people are always nicer there. Here are a few of Budapest’s best markets you should definitely explore.

The Great Market Hall

The Great Market Hall at Fővám Square

• 1-3. Vámház boulevard
• Monday: 6 AM – 5 PM
• Tuesday-Friday: 6 AM – 6 PM
• Saturday: 6 AM – 3 PM

The more than 120-year-old Great Market Hall at Fővám square is the most famous market hall in the capital. It is basically a melting pot for locals and tourists alike. In 2016, CNN Travel named The Great Market Hall Europe’s best market. It is not only a market, but it is a souvenir bazaar and a gastronomic experience as well. Surprisingly, it is one of the most affordable markets in Budapest, and the selection is basically endless. On the second floor, you will find all kinds of restaurants and buffets where you can probably get a better impression of Hungarian cuisine than in a fancy tourist-oriented restaurant downtown. If you would like to know more about the Great Market Hall, click here, where we wrote about why it is a must see place if you are in Budapest.

Market at Rákóczi square

• 7-9 Rákóczi square

You can find this market right behind the Rákóczi square metro station (M4). This market is famous for its butchers and their amazing selection of all kinds of meats. Of course, you will find great vegetables and dairy products as well. There is even a shop for the lovers of the Far East where you can get your hands on some special ingredients and kitchen supplies. The market’s building was built in 1894, and it was the second market hall in Budapest. The building burnt down in 1988, but luckily it was renovated and rebuilt a few years later.

Fehérvári street Market

Photo: Facebook.com/Fehervariutipiac/

• 7-9. Kőrösi J. street
• Monday: 6:30 AM – 5 PM
• Tuesday-Friday: 6:30 AM – 6 PM
• Saturday: 6:30 – 3 PM

This is the only market from the list that is located on the Buda side of the Danube. The building might seem huge from the outside, but the market is actually not that big. If you are looking for the real farmers, go upstairs, because downstairs you will find the same products you would in a supermarket. The market is full of flower vendors who take up most of the space within the building. You will find the most beautiful flowers there. Unfortunately, there are not that many butchers around, so go to the market at Rákóczi square if you want a nice meat selection.

The downtown market in Hold street

Photo: Facebook.com/belvarosipiac/

• 13. Hold street
• Monday: 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
• Tuesday – Thursday: 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM
• Friday: 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM
• Saturday: 6:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Here, you will definitely find everything you need in one place: there are bakeries, butchers, you can also get all kinds of dairies and, of course, vegetables and fruits. This market hall was renovated about four years ago, and now there is a huge area (2 x 100 m2) just for the real farmers who grow their products themselves. The market aims to bring the farmers and the city people closer together.

Featured image: Facebook.com/Nagycsarnok/

Source: Daily News Hungary; www.lobu.hu