The Great Market Hall in Budapest (in Hungarian Nagycsarnok or Vasarcsarnok) was built in 1897, and is the most beautiful and largest of all Budapest market halls (yes, there are more historical market halls in Budapest, like the one in Hold Street called the Downtown Budapest Market Hall).
The market hall is not only ‘Great’ in its size, but is also great in other aspects. Most importantly the market is also central, no wonder it is also called the Central Market Hall, for both of its location (5 min walk from the city centre), and the volume of trade taking place here on a daily basis. See the Opening Hours of the Great Market Hall here.
If you love fresh goods, people watching, shopping, photo opportunities, guided tours with tastings, or just sightseeing in amazing places, we trust you will enjoy visiting our beloved Great Market Hall. No matter if it rains or shines, the Great Market Hall is a great option, and definitely one of the top Budapest attractions according to many Budapest guides.
You can get all sorts of goods on the 3 floors of the Great Market Hall of Budapest: fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fantastic salamis, pickles, fresh fish, Hungarian paprika, Tokaj wines, various souvenirs, bags, clothes, pans and pots, and even home style meals, or Hungarian snacks like Langos at the upper floor food stands and eateries.
Here is a short Budapest Market Hall video made by Rick Steves, the American travel guide writer for his Budapest travel guide book:
Best Days to Visit the Great Market Hall in Budapest
You may wonder when it is the best time to visit the Budapest Great Market Hall. We often get this question, and the answer is, it depends.
Definitely on a Saturday or not on a Sunday, depending on what you like.
In contrast to shopping malls in Budapest, the modern markets of consumerism, Budapest market halls are not open on Sundays. The market is open from Monday to Saturday, so schedule your market tour by taking into consideration the current opening hours.
If you want to avoid the crowds, do not get up early to get to the market. Housewives, and market goer locals in general do the early morning shopping until about 8-9am from Monday to Friday. It is especially true of Saturday mornings when many buyers have a bit more time to browse the markets on their free days. Moreover, Budapest weekend getaways are quite popular among tourists (local and foreign tourists alike), so Saturdays in general are busier.
Best Hours to Visit the Market Hall
Unless you want to take photos of a busy market scene, you had better come late morning or early afternoon during the weekdays when most locals are at work and only some pensioners, tourists and stay at home parents run errands. Lunch time, however, is the midday peak hours as many locals and tourists pop in for a quick snack, or cheap lunch between 12 pm and 2 pm.
We advise tourists to visit the Budapest Market Hall between 10 am and 12 pm or 2 pm and 4 pm as the best time to get the most out of your visit if you are taking a self guided tour.
Saturdays are special as many Saturdays, throughout the year, offer a special Cultural Day when one of the countries in the world (from Indonesia to Sweden) showcase their products, travel destinations, offer some live music / show and some food tastings. Saturdays are also the days for the regular budget guided tour.
Budapest Great Market Hall with Kids
Those who are visiting the Budapest Great Market Hall with children will find our tips useful: Budapest Market Hall with a Child
Hi, I bought an embroidered table runner in the market last year – is there any chance to buy another directly from a seller? Warm wishes from Scotland
Where are you located?
Hello Regina,
the Great Market Hall is at Vámház körút 1-3, in District IX, Budapest.
Is it open today?
Yes.
can I find wild mushrooms in this market tomorrow november 11?
Does anyone know how to contact the people that organise the Pálinka making in the Grand Hall ?
I’d like some details. Thanks
Hello, is the market hall open during Easter? Thanks for answer.
yes it opens
What kind of fish do they sell in the lower level?
Is it open tomorrow or this Tuesday? Thx
Any idea regarding Christmas week schedule?
Does the Great Market Hall have a Lost & Found Department? My wife lost her scarf on Saturday, 07 December 2019 – it was a red scarf with the Swiss National Flag emblem and the words Switzerland and Suisse on it. Any information would be helpful.
Thank you,
Thomas Flynn
Dear Thomas,
we have sent you an email.
Hello Thomas,
we have contacted you via email with some contact details.
Thank you very much for the information!
What days will the MArket be open over Christmas 2019 please? And what times will it open and close on each day? Thanks
Hello Sue,
please see the opening hours below:
Dec 24: 6 am – 1pm
Dec 25-26: Closed
Hello Sue,
the Great Market Hall will be closed during Christmas days.
Please see the opening hours below:
Dec 22: 6 am – 3pm
Dec 24: 6 am – 1pm
Dec 25-26: Closed
Hello
Will you open on 27th December?If yes when?
Hello Aysin,
yes, the Market Hall will be open on Dec 27 from 6 am to 6 pm.
Have a nice stay in Budapest!
Hello Aysin,
yes, the Great Market Hall will be open from 6 am to 6 pm.
Have a nice stay in Budapest!
Hello Mohammed, yes the Market Hall is open from 6 am from Monday to Saturday. Please see the opening hours on the link below:
http://budapestmarkethall.com/opening-hours-in-budapest-market-halls
Hello are you open tomorrow on public holiday?
Hello Iman, the Great Market Hall, and the small market halls alike, are closed on national holidays, including October 23.
That said, there are many other attractions in the city of Budapest which welcome visitors.
Are all of the shops in the market open? (like not closed down because of covid but open) Sorry. I mean to say Are all the shops in the market open as the market is open and are the shops not closed down due to covid? This place lools so COOL!!!!
Hello Meg, Thank you for your lovely comments. Yes, most of the shops are up and running since Covid 19 vaccination has become successfully implemented. The shops are open during the normal opening hours of the Great Market Hall – the market is open from Monday to Saturday (closing earlier over the weekend at 3 pm).
Many people wear masks inside the hall so it is different from pre-pandemic times (masks will no longer be required though later on – depending on vaccination rates, the government has a milestone for no longer making masks mandatory).
Have a great time in the city of Budapest!
Are all the shops in the market open like the market is open and not closed down due to covid?
Dear Julie, yes, most of the shops are open as usual. Have a nice time in Budapest!
Is there anyway to purchase from the marker hall online? I was just there and I wish I had picked up a few more things
Hello Leslie,
Thank you for your question about the online orders from Budapest market halls.
We are specialising in market and food tours rather than online sales of produce. Each stall holder is a self-employed individual with their own physical / virtual presence, some may have a web store, others will only sell on the spot at the market.
We suggest checking the specific brand and product you favour and try to find them via online search in the country you reside in.
Hope this is of some help.
Are allowed dogs inside the market?
What days will the MArket be open over Christmas 2019 please? And what times will it open and close on each day? Thanks
Hello Gujarati,
usually, the Market Halls are closed during Christmas Days, they close around midday on Dec 24 and re-open on Dec 27.
I hope this helps.
Hello!
Are dogs allowed inside the market?
Thank you
Hello Pamela,
only service dogs are allowed such as guide dogs.
Thank you for your understanding.
Absolutely love this market as two foodies who love to travel. We bought some traditional Hungarian spices to cook goulash at home.
Is there a place in the market to buy Here’s china?
Is there a place in the market to buy Herend china?
Hello Joan,
please find the stores on the link below:
https://herend.com/products–stores/shopping–stores
Unfortunately, there is no official Hered store at Great Market Hall.
What is the nearest Tram Stop to the centre as I read that the Number 2 tram had been discontinued
Could you advise best way to get there on public transport
Hello Michele,
you can choose to go by tram or by subway, bus. Please look for Fovam square (close to Liberty Bridge).
Do I need cash for all vendors
Or do some take credit
Hello Kim,
we recommend you take cash in Hungarian Forints as some of the small vendors do not accept credit cards.
Have a lovely time at the Market Hall!
During a recent visit on the ground floor, I spotted a statue of a man holding a chicken (?) and a golden egg. Appeared the statue was bronze, and the egg was gold (from people touching)? None of our Tour Directors could tell me the story. Is there a special significance to this status? Thank you!
Hello Bonnie,
we have sent you an email.
Basically, the statue was made by the University of Fine arts to honor the producers, vendors, and workers of the Market Hall for their work.
Unfortunately, there is no legend or fairytale about the golden egg.
hello, are there any vendors who sell rosary?
Hello Teri,
we have emailed you.
Dear all,
Does the market have special opening hours tomorrow or it is closing at 3, like any Saturday?
All my best (and Merry Christmas, -)
Ange
Hello Ange,
the market hall is closing at 1pm.
Enjoy your stay in Budapest!
The Great Market Hall will be open for tourist/visitors on 10/4/2023 (easter monday) ?
Thanks
Hello Norma,
Unfortunately not. Market halls are closed during the Easter holiday (God Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday).
Thank you for your kind understanding.
Hi, are the great market halls open during 25th-31st of May 2023?
Hello Ayshah,
yes, except 28th and 29th.
Enjoy your stay in Budapest’