Stats:
10903 Budapest, Vámház körút 1-3
Pest, City Center, District 9
Just on the Pest side of the Liberty Bridge
Open year-round
Mondays, 7am to 5pm Tuesday-Friday, 6am to 6pm Saturday, 6am-2pm Closed on Sundays
Totally wheelchair accessible.
Back Story:
When the market first opened in 1897 it had a canal from the nearby Danube that ran through the center, allowing goods to be delivered to the market’s traders via barge. The Market was extensively damaged over time and although it was reconstructed, it lacked the strength of the original building. It was closed in 1991 due to hazardous conditions, but only for a short time. In 1994, the city government decided to restore this grand monument. This ornate market is the largest in Budapest. It boasts tiles by world-famous ceramic factory Zsolnay that cover the enormous roof structure above the hall’s spacious interior. In 1999, it won the most prestigious international prize of the architectural world, the FIABCI Prix d’Excellence.
Impressions:
The sheer size of the three-story hall makes for a great place to stroll and is worth a visit for the impressive architecture alone. Beneath the soaring ceilings, locals and tourists alike browse aisle upon aisle of stalls stacked with beautiful produce, both fresh and dried, as well as aromatic Hungarian peppers, sausages, and garlic bulbs, all sorts of cheeses, herbs, caviar, wines and spirits.
Take the escalator down to the basement where you’ll find a supermarket, fishmongers, dealers in game, exotic spices, and all things pickled. Head to the mezzanine level to grab a quick bite from one of the many ready-made foods available here, or check out the textiles and clothing embroidered and adorned with those distinctive Hungarian folk-art designs. Here you’ll also find handicrafts and other touristy type knick-knacks.
Tourist-wise:
Totally friendly and comfortable, and the merchants tend not to cajole you here. And if you want a real sense of the Budapest market life, go on a Saturday. If you want to avoid crowds go on a Monday when fewer locals do their shopping. There are pay restrooms located on the mezzanine, so have coins ready.
And a little shopping tip – you can find saffron here at possibly the best price you’ll ever see!
Travel Tips:
Public Transit: The market is located on Fővám tér at the Pest side of Liberty Bridge.
Trams: 2, 2A, 47, 49, stop Fővám tér
Buses: #15 City-busz and trolleybus #83, stop Fővám tér
Metro: The nearest metro station is at Kálvin tér on the M3 blue line
Taxis: Budapest taxi: 433-3333 and Citytaxi: 211-1111
Cash only on the ground floor, with some shops on the bottom and top floors accepting credit cards. There is an ATM located in the basement level.
Contacts:
Website: www.csapi.hu
Phone: +36 (1) 217-0052, 217-6965
Map:
