Budapest - Shopping

Budapest offers a great variety of decently priced shopping. Particularly good to buy here is clothing, antiques and jewellery.

Markets
Budapest's Great Market Hall (Nagy Vsrcsarnok), IX Fovm tr, is great for bargains. This imposing three-storey structure first opened in 1897. 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, Plinka (cherry and apricot brandy) and bitter, black Zwack unicum (herbal liqueur). Upstairs, there is a choice of Kalocsa and Maty hand-embroidered tablecloths, Zsolnay and Herendi porcelain, glittering beaded necklaces and traditional folk costumes.

Shopping centres
Budapest's BV stores, the main branch of which is found at V Bcsi utca 1, are state-run pawn shops selling everything from junk to gems.

Key areas
Pest's chic Vci utca and its surrounding avenues tempt tourists with familiar high-street and designer names. Porcelain lovers should hunt down Zsolany, V Kigy utca 4, or Herend, I Szenthromsg utca 5 - both produce some of the finest pieces in Europe.

Shopping hours
Standard opening hours are Monday to Friday 1000-1800 (usually until 2000/2100 on Thursdays) and Saturday 1000-1300. Grocers, bakeries and supermarkets are open 0700-2000. The Great Market Hall is open Monday 0600-1700, Tuesday to Friday 0600-1800 and Saturday 0600-1400. Only shopping malls open on Sundays and many small shops close in summer.

Tax information
Sales tax (FA) of 25% (12% for food, some medical supplies, books, 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.