Central Market Hall in Budapest: Is It Worth Visiting?
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I went to university near the Central Market Hall in Budapest, and when I used to go to the market back then, I don’t remember it being so touristy. Maybe a few tourists, but mainly Hungarians doing their shopping.
Now, 10-15 years later, I was on a trip back to Budapest and I revisited the market. It was strange to see how touristy it had become, mainly tourists visiting the market – everyone taking photos and videos. I barely saw any Hungarians.
I even overheard a shop vendor complaining (in Hungarian) about people only taking photos. So, is the Central Market Hall worth visiting or is it a tourist trap? To be honest, I wouldn’t shop here as most of the things are overpriced, but it is a good place to browse Hungarian souvenirs and delicacies.
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Information for Visiting
Opening Times
- Monday – Friday: 6 am – 6 pm
- Saturday: 6 am – 4 pm
- Sunday: 10 am – 4 pm
How to Get to the Central Market Hall
The Central Market Hall or Great Market Hall (called “Nagy Vásárcsarnok” in Hungarian) is located at Fővám tér in Budapest.
It’s pretty central, the best is to take the Tram 47 or 49 to get there. If your hotel is in central Budapest, it could also be in walking distance (depending on where you stay).
- Tram 47/49: Leaves from Deák Ferenc tér (central Budapest on Pest side), get off at Fővám tér. The tram also goes over to the Buda side.
- Tram 2/2B/23: Leaves from the Parliament building. This tram ride is more scenic: It goes next to the River Danube, and you get nice views of the city.
- Metro Line 4: If you are taking Metro Line 4, get off at the stop at Fővám tér.
- Metro Line 3: If you are taking Metro Line 3, then get off at Kálvin tér stop. From there, it is max 5 minutes’ walk to the Central Market Hall.
Is it Worth Visiting?
The Central Market Hall has become so touristy in the last few years that it is easy to make it feel like a tourist trap. High prices, and stories of travelers being short-changed by vendors adds to it being a tourist trap.
But I would say that it’s not completely a tourist trap. It is good to shop around as some stalls have lower prices than others.
There are some things I wouldn’t buy here at the market. For Hungarian drinks (wine, pálinka), I would buy them in a supermarket where they have better prices and you won’t get short-changed.
I also wouldn’t have food at the food stalls at the market. The prices are higher than in a restaurant, so for Hungarian food, I’d rather go to a restaurant where I can have a meal in a nice setting. I’d only eat here if I am really hungry or have no time left to go to a restaurant in Budapest before leaving the city.
What makes it worth visiting the Central Market Hall is that you can find a lot of things in one place that are traditionally Hungarian. Budapest is famous for Hungarian food such as paprika, salami, sausages, and pickles, and you can find them here all in one place.
There are also lots of shops selling Hungarian embroidery and souvenirs. It is the biggest market in Budapest, and even if it is touristy, you get to experience what a Hungarian market is like.
Inside Views of the Central Market Hall
Brief History of the Central Market Hall
Towards the end of the 19th century, the population of Budapest started to grow rapidly as more and more people moved to the city from the countryside. As the population grew, the infrastructure had to be improved to better serve the growing population.
At that time, there were many smaller markets in Budapest, but all the markets had poor hygiene management that wouldn’t pass basic standards. It was due to the conditions at the smaller markets that the city planned to build the Central Market Hall where there would be strict compliance for hygiene and vendors.
When the market opened in 1897, the vendors were first not that happy having their stands at the market as they had to comply with many regulations. Ultimately, the market became popular with many people shopping here, so the vendors were eventually happy about having their stands at the new market.
During WWII, the market hall got damaged and was not renovated well straight away. It was even closed down in 1991 as the structure was too dangerous to keep operating. It was then renovated properly in 1994 in its present shape.
Visiting the Central Market Hall in Budapest
What to Buy at the Central Market Hall
There is so much stuff at the Central Market Hall. The whole market is three floors, the basement has only a few shops, the ground floor has Hungarian delicacies, and the top floor has souvenir shops and food stalls.
The ground floor is the best for Hungarian delicacies, like salami, sausages, pickles, paprika, and chocolate. There are also stalls selling Hungarian wine and pálinka (popular Hungarian spirit).
The top floor has lots of souvenir shops, including Hungarian embroidery, leather goods, and souvenirs like fridge magnets.
The market is very touristy, making the prices higher than in regular shops. It’s better to just come, check out the market and browse the products, but if you want to buy food or drinks, it is better to buy them in a supermarket.
You get much better prices for salami, sausages and Hungarian drinks in supermarkets, and you don’t have to worry whether you get short-changed by the cashier (unlike I heard from other travelers who shopped at the Central Market Hall).
What to Eat at the Central Market Hall
On the top floor, there is a proper restaurant and some food stalls serving traditional Hungarian food. There is a wide selection, including goulash soup, stuffed cabbage, lángos, and chimney cake.
The food prices here are higher than you could have in a restaurant in the city, so I didn’t think it was worth it to have any food here. The goulash soup is nicely showcased in a small cauldron but then I saw that it is served in a plastic plate which put me off.
Overall, I don’t recommend getting food here as it’s overpriced and you don’t get a nice restaurant experience. I’d only get food here if I was very short on time in Budapest and it was my last chance to have Hungarian food in the city.
Some Hungarian restaurants in Budapest, like Paprika and Gettó Gulyás are much better for Hungarian food. Recently I had lunch at Rosenstein Restaurant – it is not that centrally located and has mostly Hungarian customers, so it’s not as touristy like other Hungarian restaurants in the city center.
Tips for Visiting
Pay Attention When Paying for Goods
I read several reviews that travelers are being short-changed when paying for goods at the stalls. Honestly, I find it so shameful that vendors would do that to tourists, so pay attention to how much you have to pay, and how much money you are supposed to get back.
If you have paid, and you didn’t get back the right amount, stand your ground, and ask for the correct change back.
Other Market Places in Budapest
Lehel Market is somewhat close to the city center and is the local version of the Central Market Hall. It is not as touristy and you mostly find Hungarians shopping here, not tourists.
Lehel Market is all about food, fruits, vegetables and meat products, like salami and sausages. There are not souvenir shops like at the Central Market Hall, so it is a good place to come just to visit a proper, non-touristy Hungarian market.
Central Market Hall Guided Tours
There are food tours organized for the Central Market Hall, and I thought about it if it was something I would recommend booking. The market itself can be easily explored independently, and you don’t need a guide.
If you go up to the top floor where the food stalls are, they all have the dishes on display, so it gives you an idea what the dish is like.
For a tour, I would book a food tour in Budapest that takes you through different eateries in the city. It includes food and drinks, and you also get a guide to tell you more about Hungarian food and culture.
Things to Do near the Central Market Hall
- Walk over to Buda across the Liberty Bridge: The Liberty Bridge is right next to the market, and you can walk over to the Buda side. The Gellért Hill is nice for walks, and the Gellért Thermal Bath (currently being renovated) is also right there.
- Váci Shopping Street: The most famous shopping street in Budapest is the Váci Shopping Street. It has lots of brands, like Zara and H&M, and the shops are much bigger with a wider selection than many other shops in other parts of the city.
- Walk along the River Danube: the central Market Hall is close to the River Danube and you can walk by the riverbank. From the market, it is better to head north along the river to take you back closer to the city center.
- Drinks at Bálna: Bálna is the best to have drinks outdoors by the river in the summer.
FAQs: Central Market Hall in Budapest
Can you pay by card at the Central Market Hall?
You can pay by card at most of the vendors. There are lots of tourists visiting the market and it is possible to pay by card. But it’s always good to have some cash, as some vendors prefer cash.
My Final Tips for Visiting the Central Market Hall
When visiting the Central Market Hall, my advice is to pay attention when paying for food and any other items. I have heard from travelers that vendors try to short-charge tourists, so pay special attention to how much you have to pay and how much change you should get back.
Even though the Central Market Hall is touristy, it is great to see what a Hungarian market is like. If some of my friends came to visit me in Budapest, I would take them to see the market, but mainly to browse and to check out the market.
For a less touristy market, I recommend visiting the Lehel Market. It’s mainly selling food, and no souvenirs, but it is also a proper Hungarian market visited mostly by locals.
