Pest’s chic Váci utca and its surrounding avenues tempt tourists with familiar high-street and designer names but bargain buys are to be found at
Nagy Vásárcsarnok (Great Market Hall), IX Fovám tér, an imposing three-story structure that first opened in 1897 and now draws 30,000 shoppers daily. On the ground floor are strings of paprika-like red coral necklaces, pots of pickles, goose liver and salami.
There is also a supermarket to stock up on
Tokaj wines,
Pálinka (cherry and apricot brandy) and bitter, black
Zwack unicum (herbal liqueur).
Upstairs, there is a choice of
Kalocsa and
Matyó hand-embroidered tablecloths,
Zsolnay and
Herendi porcelain, glittering beaded necklaces and traditional folk costumes. The Great Market Hall is open Monday 0600-1700, Tuesday to Friday 0600-1800 and Saturday 0600-1400 (closed Sunday).
Budapest’s
BÁV stores, the main branch of which is found at V Bécsi utca 1, are state-run pawn shops selling everything from junk to gems. Porcelain lovers should hunt down
Zsolany, V Kigyó utca 4, or
Herend, I Szentháromság utca 5 - both produce some of the finest pieces in Europe.
Standard shop opening hours are Monday to Friday 1000-1800 and Saturday 1000-1300. Department stores usually open from 1000, while grocers, bakeries and supermarkets are open 0700-2000. Many shops open until 2000 or 2100 on Thursdays. Shops are closed on Sundays, except shopping malls. Each district has at least one 24-hour store. Many small shops close for summer in late July and August and almost everything shuts on public holidays.
Sales tax (ÁFA) of 25% (12% for food, some medical supplies, books and newspapers and hotel rooms) is included in the price and can be reclaimed by visitors purchasing goods worth Ft50,000 or more. A receipt and VAT refund application form must be presented to customs on leaving the country.
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Related Budapest Content
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related Hungary Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Hungary Airport Guides:
|
Hungary City Guides:
|
| Hungary Attraction Guides: |
|
|
|
|
