The Culture Trip’s best picks for a vintage tour in Budapest
Budapest is the city where you will find all colours of the palette: it has an interesting history, amazing architecture, fun ruin pubs, a lot of tasteful vintage shops, and adventurous flea markets. The Culture Trip decided to give a tour around the latter two, by highlighting the most important fact about these shops and markets: doilies and flower-patterned skirts are in perfect harmony with the strangest and moodiest items from the communist period and with the latest contemporary designs.
Ecseri Market
Here: Nagykőrösi út 156
We’ve written about the Ecseri Market previously, as it is the biggest and most colourful flea market of all in Budapest (and maybe even in Hungary… let us know?). Since the market hall is huge, you will find a lot of sellers and treasures, mostly from long ago, or from the communist days. If you’re not looking to buy, or you feel that there’s too many to choose from, then just simply walk around, observe, or even talk to the sellers. We suggest visiting the market early to grab the best at a much cheaper price than later in the day. Bargaining is a must, though, and it’s also fun.
Retrock
Here: Anker köz 2-4
This is one of the best vintage shops in Budapest, as all the items on sale are well-selected. This is a sure bargain. They not only sell vintage designer pieces and bargain finds, but also think of the young, aspiring designers out in the world. At Retrock, you can buy limited-edition clothing by said designers, both for men and women.
Szputnyik
Here: Dohány utca 20
If you’re visiting the Dohány Street Synagogue, then you can even pop by Szputnyik. This shop represents Budapest so well since they sell vintage items (think about the Nouveau Art architecture) and modern pieces too (have you seen the Whale?). The motto of Szputnyik is that fashion is a means of self-expression, and they help you express yourself quite well. Both the vintage and modern items here are unique and quirky, but if you could not make the time to visit the store, then we have some good news for you: they have an online shop.
Antifactory
Here: Paulay Ede utca 43
The Culture Trip picked Antifactory for the reason that it gives off a very personal vibe. It’s described as a ‘home-style vintage store’, where the clothing and accessories are all hand-picked. The stuff is praiseworthy for their knowledge of the latest trends and what-goes-with-what, and they are happy to help you with styling tips. Rest assured that the items are so varied and diverse, that you will not find anyone dressing the same way as you do. Moreover, Antifactory hosts events from time to time.
Gozsdu Weekend Market
Here: Király utca 13
You surely have heard about Gozsdu Courtyard, where gastronomy, entertainment and culture meet, so it can easily be called a centre. The Gozsdu Courtyard hosts a weekly Sunday market, similar to a flea market, where antiquities and vintage items are on sale. It’s nice to go from stall to stall, admiring the jewelry, antiquities and art even on an Autumn morning. Gozsdu is located in a very favourable and popular place, next to bars and restaurants, so you won’t miss it, even if you’re just wandering around Budapest.
Humana
Here: Károly körút 8
There are actually several Humana stores in Budapest, as it is a thrift store chain. These stores are very popular in Budapest, but there is one that should be highlighted on the topic of vintage stores, the one in the 5th district. This particular Humana boutique is one of the city’s cheapest and best vintage shops. The stock is regularly changing, so the well-known and sour situation of finding the same stuff two weeks later again is not going to happen. They sell clothes, shoes and accessories at a reasonable price, so why not check it out?
Ludovika
Here: Rumbach Sebestyén utca 15
Last, but not least, Ludovika is ‘a must for vintage lovers’. In this boutique you will find everything that is indeed vintage, ranging from clothes and accessories all the way to antique photo frames, in a colourful and diverse cavalcade. If you’re planning to spice up your wardrobe with truly vintage items, then hop by for a distressed denim or a leather backpack. There are even Hungarian folk items laying around, so tradition and modernity lives here in peace next to each other. As several other vintage shops in Budapest, Ludovika combines the past with the present as well, putting on display items crafted by contemporary designers.
Source: theculturetrip.com