Central Market Hall (Nagyvasarcsarnok), Budapest (must see)
Budapest鈥檚 Central Market is a must-visit for anyone new to the Hungarian capital. As the largest and oldest marketplace in the city, it traces its origins back to the late 19th century, when Budapest鈥檚 first mayor, Karl Kamermayer, helped fund its construction out of his own pocket. Under Kamermayer鈥檚 leadership, the city rose to become not only Hungary鈥檚 political and economic heart but also one of Europe鈥檚 thriving cultural centers.
Complete with a grand neo-Gothic entrance gate, the market鈥檚 steel-framed structure stretches across three floors and covers around ten thousand square meters. One of its most distinctive features is the roof, restored in the 1990s and decorated with colorful tiles. After suffering heavy damage during both world wars, the structure lay dormant for years, but careful restorations in the 1990s have returned it to its former glory.
Now, if you鈥檙e a foodie with a taste for regional specialties, this place will likely feel like paradise. Stalls brim with Hungarian favorites: l谩ngos topped with sour cream and cheese, rich paprika, bottles of golden Tokaji wine, t煤r贸 rudi snacks, caviar, handcrafted sausages, and pickled specialties like cucumbers, cabbage, beets, and garlic. The ground floor mostly hosts butchers, bakers, spice vendors, and spirit sellers, while the upper level is where you鈥檒l find eateries and souvenir shops. Be sure to stop at the l谩ngos stand upstairs, widely considered the best, and pair the treat with a refreshing regional beer. Down in the basement, a supermarket, a fish market, and rows of pickle vendors complete the offering.
Beyond food, the market also offers a wide range of handicrafts, folk art, porcelain, crystal, and souvenirs of various sort. Prices are generally reasonable, though you might want to browse a bit to find the best deals since many stalls carry similar goods. Most transactions are cash-based, though souvenir vendors often accept both Hungarian Forints and Euros, making shopping somewhat easier.
Complete with a grand neo-Gothic entrance gate, the market鈥檚 steel-framed structure stretches across three floors and covers around ten thousand square meters. One of its most distinctive features is the roof, restored in the 1990s and decorated with colorful tiles. After suffering heavy damage during both world wars, the structure lay dormant for years, but careful restorations in the 1990s have returned it to its former glory.
Now, if you鈥檙e a foodie with a taste for regional specialties, this place will likely feel like paradise. Stalls brim with Hungarian favorites: l谩ngos topped with sour cream and cheese, rich paprika, bottles of golden Tokaji wine, t煤r贸 rudi snacks, caviar, handcrafted sausages, and pickled specialties like cucumbers, cabbage, beets, and garlic. The ground floor mostly hosts butchers, bakers, spice vendors, and spirit sellers, while the upper level is where you鈥檒l find eateries and souvenir shops. Be sure to stop at the l谩ngos stand upstairs, widely considered the best, and pair the treat with a refreshing regional beer. Down in the basement, a supermarket, a fish market, and rows of pickle vendors complete the offering.
Beyond food, the market also offers a wide range of handicrafts, folk art, porcelain, crystal, and souvenirs of various sort. Prices are generally reasonable, though you might want to browse a bit to find the best deals since many stalls carry similar goods. Most transactions are cash-based, though souvenir vendors often accept both Hungarian Forints and Euros, making shopping somewhat easier.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Budapest. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Central Market Hall (Nagyvasarcsarnok) on Map
Sight Name: Central Market Hall (Nagyvasarcsarnok)
Sight Location: Budapest, Hungary (See walking tours in Budapest)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Budapest, Hungary (See walking tours in Budapest)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Budapest, Hungary
Create Your Own Walk in Budapest
Creating your own self-guided walk in Budapest is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Andrassy Avenue Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Souvenir Shopping
It will definitely be a pity to leave Budapest without exploring local specialty shops and bringing home something authentically Hungarian. A large number of the city鈥檚 specialty shops are found on V谩ci Street, a pedestrian thoroughfare that parallels the Danube, extending for more than 15 blocks, with something for every taste and wallet. At its most southerly end, you will find Central Market... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Margaret Island Walking Tour
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Buda Introduction Walking Tour
Hungary鈥檚 capital is relatively young, having emerged in the late 19th century after the merger of two neighboring towns鈥擝uda on the western bank of the Danube and Pest on the eastern side. Buda, with its hills and historic character, is home to the grand Hapsburg palace, still exuding the imperial charm of a time when wealth and power reigned.
From the heights of Castle Hill or Gell茅rt... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
From the heights of Castle Hill or Gell茅rt... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Pest Introduction Walking Tour
Separated from its western neighbor Buda by the wide sweep of the Danube, the eastern side of Budapest takes up almost two-thirds of the city. While Buda rises in hills and castle-topped cliffs, Pest spreads out across a flat plain, buzzing with energy and a rather bourgeois spirit. Some of Hungary鈥檚 most iconic landmarks call this side home, including the grand Parliament building itself. No... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Jewish Quarter Walking Tour
Jews were officially allowed to settle in Pest in the early 18th century. By the late 1700s, a small but growing community had taken root, and the 19th century brought rapid urbanization and expansion. The Jewish population soared, with many Jews becoming integral to Budapest鈥檚 economic and cultural life.
Following the Nazi occupation in March 1944, they were forced into a ghetto centered in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Following the Nazi occupation in March 1944, they were forced into a ghetto centered in... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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