Plan ahead: Easter Weekend shopping guide in Hungary!
The Easter long weekend in Hungary will have a major impact on everyday life, especially on shop opening hours. Thursday, the 17th of April, is the last full working day, so it’s no surprise that shops are packed. Everyone is rushing to get their ham, eggs, chocolate, toys and fresh baked goods in time for Easter, and the shelves are quickly clearing.
The 2025 Easter period runs from the 18th of April (Good Friday) to 21 April (Easter Monday). These four days will include public holidays and traditional rest days, meaning that the 17th of April (Thursday) is the last ‘normal’ working day. Most shops will close on the 18th of April and will not reopen until the evening of the 21st of April. The exception is Good Saturday (19th of April), when normal Saturday opening hours apply, the last chance to shop before the holiday.
Supermarket chains during Easter
According to Economx, the biggest supermarket chains, such as Tesco, Lidl, Spar, Aldi, Auchan and Penny, will be closed on Good Friday (18th of April), Easter Sunday (20th of April) and Easter Monday (21st of April). On Good Saturday (19th of April), however, almost all shops will be open as usual, so this is your last chance to get what you need.
Tesco will be closed on these three days, but some of its petrol stations will be open 8:00-19:00 on Friday and Monday, and only in self-service mode on Easter Sunday.
Lidl and Aldi also follow the same pattern: closed on Friday, Sunday and Monday, but open on Saturday at the usual time.
Spar and Interspar stores will also close on the three main days of the holiday, but some stores, such as SPAR Express units at petrol stations, airports, or SPAR partner stores, will remain open.
Auchan and Penny follow the same practice: closed for three days, but in full swing on Saturday. Auchan’s petrol stations will be open 24 hours a day.
Alternatives if you forget something
Fortunately, you don’t have to despair if you run out of chocolate bunnies or unexpected guests drop by. The following places may still be open on public holidays:
Petrol stations – especially the larger chains like OMV or MOL, which often have mini-stores (e.g. SPAR Express).
Flower shops – open mainly in prominent locations.
Some tobacconists and lotteries may be open.
Restaurants and bars – restaurants, cafes, cake shops and pubs are typically open, but it is advisable to enquire or book in advance.
Markets – on the 17th and 19th of April, the capital’s markets will be open as usual. According to Economx, on Good Friday, almost everything closes, except the flower market at the Fehérvári Street Market Hall, which remains open from 7 AM to 2 PM.
Pharmacies – only those operating on a 0-24 hour or holiday on-call basis will be open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. On Good Saturday, however, several pharmacies with weekend opening hours will be available. If you take your medication regularly, or just to be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to stock up on Thursday.
When should you go shopping?
The 19th of April (Saturday) is one last chance to get your shopping done, but many people leave it until this day, so expect long queues. On Friday, Sunday and Monday, most of the classic shops will be closed, but if you’re just missing a chocolate bunny or a carton of eggs, a petrol station or SPAR Express can still save the day.
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