Shopping in Budapest
Budapest is located at the intersection of the most important trade arteries of Europe and ancient times is a major shopping center. Even during the times of socialism, go here for purchases was the dream of many of our fellow citizens, not a lot of picture changed and now. True, if any special preferences of the Hungarians themselves, or because of the course of Forint, special innovations are not worth looking for – the range of many stores is very conservative and is clearly focused on the MID-END, and the boutiques of the world’s brands, which have long been familiar in urban landscape, often exhibit not the newest collections. True and prices here are very democratic, especially if you take large shopping centers into account.
Traditionally the most popular trading area is Wazi Street (Váci UTCA), stretching along the western part of the foot from the street Deák Ferenc in the north to Fővám Tér in the south. In the northern part of it, almost all of the area of the first floors are given to all sorts of shops, there are many department stores of international networks (including Benetton, Match, C&A, DROGERIE MARKT, H&M, Zara and T.D.), art galleries and exhibition complexes. The same area is usually attributed to the same district and one of the best universal shopping centers of the Hungarian capital – Westend City Center (WWW.Westend.Hu), although in fact it lies much north, at the Budapest-Nyugati railway station (the reason, apparently serves the address of this shopping center – Váci út, 1-3). This is a real city, on three floors of which there are more than 400 stores of the most varying or price category, a variety of cafes and restaurants, a cinema, a lot of designer studios and even their own fountain in the form of a waterfall. Also in the northern part of Wazi Street it crosses the so-called "Street fashion" (Fashion Street) – In essence, DEAK FERENC Street at its length from Vigado Square (Vigadó Tér) to Deák Ferenc Tér Square, since 2007, removed to accommodate the most prestigious shops, salons and cafes. By the way, it is here, at the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest, one of the most popular restaurants of the city – Nobu Restaurant, one of the owners of which is the actor Robert de Niro.
In the southern part of Wazi Street, the concentration of outlets is smaller, but there are much more colorful private shops, restaurants and cafes with historical interiors and an atmosphere. This trading arcade ends right away from the largest market of the capital – Központi Vásárcsarnok (Central Market Hall, Fôvám Tér, 1-3), one of the most beautiful shopping complexes in Europe and a better place to purchase food, including the freshest farmers and vegetables, alcoholic Drinks, souvenirs and products of national decorative and applied classes.
The most extended and beautiful city street – Andraha Avenue also could not stay away from commerce. The most elegant stores of Budapest and many shopping points of the most prestigious brands are focused here – Maxmara, Burberry, Coccinelle, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Ermenegildo Zegna, YSL, Giorgio Armani, Hubli, Sinequanone, Madison, Boggi, Capsula, Baci Di-Stile, Ferragamo, Christian Dior, Lanvin. However, the largest Mall of the capital – Arena Plaza (WWW.ArenaPlaza.HU) lies a kilometer south, between the largest city station Keleti Pályaudvar, that is, "Oriental") and beautiful historic Kerepesi Cemetery Cemetery. More than 200 stores of all kinds are concentrated in it, including almost all international brands of clothing, shoes, accessories, linen, cosmetics, sports goods, electronics and other. Also in Arena Plaza there is a bank, an entertainment center, a TESCO Grocery Supermarket, a cinema, various restaurants and fastfood zone. You can get to the shopping center by "Red" Metro lines M2 to Keleti Pályaudvar stations (in the west) or Puskás Ferenc Stadion (in the East), as well as "Green" M4 station to János Pál Pápa Tér – from all of them you will need only to walk a couple of quarters.
The second size and popularity of the POLUS CENTER trading complex (WWW.ArenaPlaza.HU) is located almost on the most northeast outskirts of the capital (SZENTMIHALYI UT, 131). Almost two hundred individual outlets, own casino, about 20 restaurants, rink, sports club, cinema, billiards, beauty center Tesco. In addition, Corvin Plaza Shopping Centers (Futo Utca, 37-45), Arkad (WWW.ArkadBudapest.HU) and Csepel Plaza (WWW.Csepelplaza.HU), as well as the largest outlet of the Hungarian capital – Premier OutletsCenter (WWW.PremieRoutlet.HU) on the west of the city (Budaörsi út, 4).
Most of the outlets are open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 (large stores – up to 20: 00-21: 00), on Saturdays – from 10:00 to 13:00. On Sunday only shopping centers work. Many small private shops in the summer closes on a fairly long period, sometimes up to month.
Budapest markets are also a very convenient place for shopping. At the end of the XIX century, the city authorities posted quite wisely in each area special trading platforms, both covered and open, which, and today, play a very prominent role not only as a place of trade, but also as a kind of communication centers. Here you can buy delicious Hungarian specialists, including home dressage, gifts and souvenirs, spices and folk clothes, books and alcoholic beverages. In addition to the already mentioned Central Marketroom Hall at the end of Wazi Street, you can visit the market on Klauzál Square (VII district), Hold Street (Hold UTCA) East Freedom Square, Lehel Csarnok on the Square of the Square near the Western Station (Budapest-Nyugati), Market on Square HUNYADI TÉR Total quarter from Andrassy Avenue and Ferenz Leaf Museum, Indoor Rákóczi Téri Vásárcsarnok Market on Rákóczi Tér Square (Metro Station "Green" Lines), famous for its antique shopkeepers market "Echeri" (Ecseri Piac; Nagykőrösi út, 156) in the southeastern part of Budapest and so on. However, many of the objects of antiquities, many prefer to go on weekends to the flea market Pecsa Bolhapiac in the city park Varoshleget (Zichy Mihály út, 14) or in "Quarter Antiquaries" between the Szent István boulevard and Falk Miksa Utca streets and Balaton UTCA in the northern part of the lipotwall.
