The 12 best places to go shopping in Budapest

Love fashion, or got a keen eye for art and design? Paloma is the place. This incredibly chic courtyard shows off up-and-coming designers across tons of boutique stalls and shops, selling art, clothing, jewellery, homeware and more. There’s around 50 to choose from, so you could easily spend the entire day here, and it’s worth it just for the beautiful Wagner house building. 

If your idea of a holiday is to visit independent bookshops, sip coffee and dip into brightly-coloured books, well, you’re going to want to visit Massolit. This café and bookshop is beautifully curated, holding everything from sociology and history to Hungarian novels translated into English. Grab yourself a coffee and a book, sink into a soft armchair and forget about the world for a little while. 

Budapest’s largest vintage shop overflows with fashion curiosities – selling second-hand garb and upmarket designer pieces. However, Retrock is no charity shop: everything sold is top quality, and that’s reflected in the prices. If you can’t decide whether you want a vintage dress or a designer shirt, it’s still worth browsing this two-storey shop. You never know what eccentric gear you might find. 

On Sunday mornings, Budapest’s most famous ruin bar opens its doors to a different crowd. Stalls line Szimpla's gritty, graffiti-clad walls with fresh local produce like herbs or smoked cheeses, sausages and cold cuts, freshly baked bread, and jams and conserves. A charity cook-a-thon takes place in the courtyard serving huge goulash, stews and soups for the price of a donation, while live music entertains the crowds. Come early if you want to avoid the crush, but the crush is part of the fun.

Nanushka is Hungary’s most famous fashion label. The brand was founded by Sandra Sandor (whose childhood nickname was Nanushka). The brand is now renowned across the globe, but the headquarters of her fashion empire can still be found in downtown Budapest. Her designs blend femininity and function with modern worldliness. Prices can reach a few hundred but are still lower than other international brands.

Hop on the 54 or 55 bus from Boráros Tér to reach Budapest’s largest flea market at Naszód Utca on a Saturday (you can go other days, but chances are a lot of stalls will be closed). Even if you don’t intend to buy, it’s worth heading to Ecseri for the atmosphere and people-watching alone. There’s no shortage of vintage treasures to be found here, either: the stands are stacked with ceramic figures, portraits of communist leaders, and retro cameras and gramophones. Haggle to get a good bargain.

For antiques, head straight to Falk Miksa Utca. The street starts at the bronze statue of Lieutenant Columbo on the corner of Grand Boulevard and ends at the Hungarian Parliament. Along the way, you’ll find dozens of shops specialising in art and antiques. Try Kieselbach Gallery for modern art by renowned Hungarian painters and the BÁV, a three-storey shop dating back to the 18th century, for everything from furniture to porcelain to jewellery.

This stationery boutique is filled with charming notebooks adorned with retro drawings of hot air balloons, Budapest cityscapes, vintage aviaries, botanical illustrations, and more. You can get them in all sizes, designs and colours, and take home diaries, phonebooks, recipe template books and sketchbooks. Got creative pals? Head to Bomo for the perfect gift.

For a silkscreen print inspired by Budapest’s landscape and culture, try this eco-friendly design shop in the Jewish Quarter. Kickstart your new no-waste lifestyle with a vintage-style paper sack with Budapest motifs, or go for a more traditional souvenir like one of Printa's silkscreen print T-shirts. The shop has an energetic vibe, and the pieces are so beautiful it feels more like an art gallery.

This basement in the heart of the VIII District is the ideal stop for oenophiles. At Tasting Table you’ll not only find an impressive collection of regional wines but can also enjoy joyous tasting sessions. Even if you can’t get along to one, the store’s friendly, knowledgeable, English-speaking staff will help you pick the right bottle for any occasion. 

Herend is world-renowned for its porcelain and pottery. This ceramics company began in the 19th century near the town of Veszprém and counts innumerable royalty and celebrities among its clientele – even Arnold Schwarzenegger is a collector. Visit their flagship store in the V District or the boutique on Andrássy Avenue if you’re looking to take home a vase, figurine or tea set. 

Hungary’s thermal water is said to have beautifying properties – which is how luxury skincare brand Omorovicza began. Their boutique on Andrássy Avenue sells all kinds of creams and lotions that harness the cosmetic benefits of the local H2O (and blend it with other ludicrously high-end ingredients). If you’d prefer not to fork out hundreds for a cream, take home a small bottle of their staple ‘Queen of Hungary’ spray. It’s a delightful pick-me-up with a hypnotising scent you and your skin will love.