Undust your bicycle and spring jacket and hit the road to the healthy and lively markets in the town. They are buzzing with people carrying baskets of fresh cilantro, spring onion and parsley. Which one should you try? We would suggest a tour with all of them. Some will offer 8 different honey types, while at other places you can buy homemade cakes from a sweet old lady or load your jar with fermented pickles. The products here are not only tasty, but chemical free. Here’s the list of the best markets in town!
1. Komjádi market
2. Fény street market
3. Szimpla Háztáji market
4. Czakó farmer’s market
5. Lehel Market Hall
6. Central Market Hall
7. Hunyadi Square market
8. Klauzál Square market
9. Rákóczi Square market
Right behind the Margaret bridge overlooking the island in front of the Komjádi swimming pool you will find a buzzing market every Saturday. The local producers come here to make everyone hungry. You will find here different types of honey, vegetables and fruits, fermented cabbage, pickles and spicy sausages. An older man selling fresh spinach will even equip you with a recipe, should you need one.
Opening hours: every Saturday 6:00-13:00
Address: 1023 Budapest, Árpád fejedelem road 8.
One of the most famous markets is to be found on the Buda side behind the Mammut shopping mall. It is a little heaven, on two floors with special cheese offers and some exotic vegetables as well. The market is not only for food, but also for clothes and flowers. It is also sometimes the venue for fun events, such as the Bicycle exchange.
Opening hours:
M-F: 6:00-18:00
Saturday: 6:00-14:00
Sunday: closed
Address: 1024 Budapest, Lövőház street 12
The farmer´s market of Szimpla kert is a rather unique experience. They turn the alternative ruin bar into a market and breakfast venue luring more than 3000 visitors every Sunday. The producers are carefully chosen to provide the most fresh, chemical free and colourful culinary items for all wandering around its premises on those special days. On the upper floor organisers prepare an all you can eat buffet from the products for those who want to stop by for brunch.
Opening hours: every Sunday 9:00-14:00h.
Address: Budapest, Kazinczy u. 14, 1075
The Czakó market can be found in the garden of the oldest house of Tabán, right at the foot of Gellert hill. Bring some bags or a basket with you, because you won’t be leaving this place empty. Outside of the classic farmer´s products you can find different oils, vinegars, alternative flours and pastry as well.
Opening hours:
Saturday: 08:00-14:00
Sunday: 09:00-14:00.
Address: Czakó utca 15, Budapest, 1016
You can find all that you need in the Lehel market hall. That also means you need to watch out for what you buy, not to end up with products of supermarket quality. What you might not know is that they collect used cooking oil there. It is not ecological to pour it into the sink, therefore you could bring it here and they discard it for you.
Opening hours:
M-F: 06:00-18:00
Saturday: 06:00-14:00
Sunday: 06:00-13:00
The Central Market Hall is the biggest interior marketplace in the city, first opened in 1897. The ground floor offers fruits, veggies and meats; mostly everything you need during a morning shopping spree. Since it is beloved by tourists as much as by locals, here you would find many Hungarian souvenirs and the famous “paprika” packed in embroidered little sacks. While the ground floor is there to fill your basket, the first floor will definitely fill your stomach. Dishes like lángos, pancakes, stuffed cabbage and goulash are being prepared here.
Opening hours:
Monday: 06:00-17:00
Tue-Fri: 06:00-18:00
Saturday: 06:00-15:00
Sunday: Closed
Address: Budapest, Vámház boulevard. 1-3, 1093
This recently renovated little market is awaiting the food lovers with 82 different stalls, both outside and inside. What you can find here is smoked meat, bacon, sausages, fruits, and vegetables of high quality. There is a little old lady selling delicious homemade cakes as well. Give it a try!
Opening hours:
Monday: 07:00-16:00
Tue-Sat: 07:00-18:00
Sunday: Closed
Address: 1067 Budapest, Hunyadi square
The Klauzál market has a very convenient schedule for all, even for those who prefer shopping in the later afternoon/evening hours. The market is open from early morning until late at night. You can buy fresh and crunchy products event at those hours.
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 06:30-21:00, Sunday 07:00-18:00
Address: 1072 Budapest, Klauzál square 11.
The Rákóczi square market was the second market hall to be built in Budapest in 1894. Here you will also find fresh and local vegetables, fruits, poultry and sometimes they even organise breakfast events. Watch out for it!
Opening hours:
Monday: 06:00-16:00
Tue-Fri: 06:00-18:00
Saturday: 06:00-13:00
Sunday: Closed
Address: 1087 Rákóczi square 7-9.
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