Central Market Hall (Nagycsarnok)

A popular choice for lunch and souvenir shopping, many Budapest tours stop at the Central Market Hall (Nagycsarnok). Join a guided market tour or tasting tour, with a local guide pointing out the best stalls and talking you through the many products on offer. The market hall is also a top destination for foodies, and Budapest food tours and cooking classes often visit the market to shop for fresh ingredients or sample traditional Hungarian dishes.

• Paid restrooms are located on the upper floor.

• Plan at least an hour to explore the market, more if you want to stay for lunch.

• The Central Market Hall is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and there’s elevator access.

The Central Market Hall is located in Pest, close to the Liberty Bridge and at the southern end of Vaci Street. It’s about a 20-minute walk along Vaci Street to Vorosmarty square (Vorosmarty ter). The closest metro stations are Calvin Square (Kalvin ter; M3 line) and Fovam square (Fovam ter; M4 line), while trams 2, 47, 48, and 49 stop nearby.

The market is open daily, except Sunday. The quietest time to visit is on weekday afternoons, while the crowds start arriving 9am Saturdays. For your pick of fresh produce, come as early as possible (the market opens at 6am), but if you’re hoping to sample the local cuisine, arrive just before midday for the best selection and a good chance of finding a seat.

Fresh produce is on the ground floor; Hungarian paprika, salami, Hungarian wines, regional cheeses, and pálinka (fruit brandy) are top buys. Painted eggs, hand-carved wooden ornaments, and other souvenirs are upstairs. The fish market and an Asian supermarket are in the basement. For lunch, mezzanine food stalls offer favorites, including goulash, stuffed cabbage, and lángos (fried dough with different toppings), while ground-floor bakeries sell the famous “Chimney Cake” (spiral-shaped pastry dipped in sugar or cinnamon).

Yes. Along with the fresh produce, meats, and pastries on sale at Budapest’s Central Market Hall, you’ll find several vendors serving hot meals, drinks, and snacks. The market is a popular (albeit expensive) spot to grab lunch, with plenty of street food options and a restaurant on the top floor.

Budapest’s Central Market Hall is located in Pest on the east bank of the Danube River. As opposed to Buda, which is typically considered to be quieter and more residential, the Pest side of the city is known for its shopping centers and energetic nightlife.

The Central Market Hall is a great place to pick up local specialties such as Hungarian paprika, Tokaj wines, salamis, and pickles. On the ground floor, purchase fresh produce, charcuterie, and traditional pastries, then head upstairs to shop for souvenirs and sample typical Hungarian dishes like goulash and lángos bread.

The Central Market Hall, or Nagycsarnok, is located in Pest on the east side of the Danube River, just south of downtown Budapest. It’s about a 30-minute walk from Andrássy Avenue, or else you can take the tram (2, 2B, 23, or N4) or the metro (M4) to Fovam Ter.

No, it’s not common practice to haggle at the Central Market Hall. Prices should be clearly displayed, and fresh produce is typically weighed and sold by the kilogram. Bartering isn’t generally accepted at any shops or food markets throughout Budapest, although you can still try your luck at flea markets.

Both! Most vendors at the Great Market Mall accept both cash and cards. For cash payments, it’s best to use local currency (Hungarian forints). Some larger shops accept euros, but the exchange rate is often unfavorable. If you need to withdraw cash, there’s an ATM by the market entrance.