Budapest Shopping

Budapest Shopping offers plenty of options to find good bargains. The number of shops in Budapest has heavily increased since the 90-ies, big shopping malls, new fashion shops appeared on every corner of the city.

Budapest shops had poor choice and often shortage of certain goods in the communist era, so people were hungry for shopping when the new political system and economy broadened product choice.

If you love charming, small shops with unique products, instead of the faceless shopping centres you'll find some in Budapest too.

Árkád
X. Ors vezér tere 25, Tel: 434 8200, Fax: 434 8207, Open: Mon-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Metro: M2 Ors vezér tere and HÉV stop
The German owned Árkád shopping center is among the newest in Budapest, having opened in March 2002. Benefiting from a huge catchment area and excellent transport links (both via metro and HÉV) Árkád boasts over 170 retailers including big names such as Nike, Budmil, Mexx, Esprit, Salamander, Humanic and MediaMarkt. Well-built, with a very pleasant atmosphere, although it can get rather busy!

Campona
XXII. Campona Bevásárlóközpont, Nagytétényi út 37-45, Tel: 424 3000, Bus 3 to Nagytétény
Despite being located on the very outskirts of Budapest, the Campona the shopping center has been a surprising success. If you have a car - and just happen to be travelling along route 6 (E76) - then it's well-worth a visit. If not, then the No. 3 bus will also get you there (at a leisurely pace). Be warned though, it's far easier to get to nearly all of the other malls listed below. That said, highlights include an aquarium, Suzuki car showroom and 11 screen UCI Palace Cinema.

Csepel Plaza
XXI, Rákóczi F. út 154-170, Csepel Plaza, Tel: 425 8111, HÉV to Szent Imre tér
60 or so outlets, including a Bata shoes store, Libri bookshop and a Cinema City Multiplex. Not the most centrally located mall for tourists (being located on the sprawling Csepel Island), although if you're planning a trip south on the HÉV then it's well-worth a visit.

Duna Plaza
XIII. Váci út 178, Tel: 465 1666, Open: Mon-Fri 10am-9pm, Sat-Sun 10am-7pm, Metro: M3 Gyöngyösi út
With over 120 shops, a nine screen "Hollywood Multiplex", video arcade and bowling alley, the Duna Plaza is more reminiscent of malls in Edmonton or Toronto than Budapest. The Hungaroton Gigastore stocks one of the largest selections of CDs anywhere in Budapest, while other stores include an Alexandra bookstore, B & J Sport, Budmil and Marks & Spencer.