A shoppers paradise…
Vaci Utca is Budapest’s only pedestrian street and can be found in District V (five). Anyone who loves to shop, shop not to mention spend, will adore this street which is adorned with 19th century architecture. This long street starts from Vörösmarty Square and leads to the Great Market Hall near FÅ’vám Tér.

Due to increased numbers of tourists flocking to Budapest many souvenir shops have popped up in this area in the last few years – perfect if you’re looking for a few last minute pressies or keepsakes of your time in the city.

Many bars and cafes also line the street. If you’re feeling a bit peckish after your shopping experience, there are some great eateries that you can have a drink or a bite to eat. In fact, some of the best local fare can be found along here.

Budapest’s best Department Stores…
Like every European city, a number of huge department stores have settled in Budapest. You’re assured of good quality, reasonable goods in these department stores.

Corvin is a popular department store and is located in the Budapest’s VIII district. Here you’ll find items like kitchen accessories, towels, clothes, furniture, toys and more. There is also a supermarket on the ground floor.

Oh and don’t forget about the well-known British department store, Marks & Spencer’s. It is located on the main shopping street in Budapest Vaci Utca in district V. You’ll also find C&A on Vaci Utca. Both of these department stores have a fine selection of women’s and men’s clothes, sportswear along with baby’s and children’s clothing.

Shopping Centres in Budapest…
Budapest’s malls have proved popular with both locals and tourists alike. Go back 15 years and shopping centres/malls were unheard of in Budapest – they only had the likes of them in New York or Germany. Today though, Budapest has loads of shopping centres located all over the city. These mostly host western shops and brands.

A lot of the malls are situated close to either major intersections or metro stations allowing easy access to them. If you’re staying in the city centre you’re near two of the most popular malls; the Westend City Centre and Mammut Mall.

The Westend is located beside the Western Railway Station. This is actually Central Europe’s largest shopping mall. Hosting over 400 stores, a 14-screen cinema complex, and a massive selection of food areas, you’ll be really impressed by this shopping centre.

Mammut Mall is located on the Buda side at Szena Square and houses over 300 shops. The mall is made up of two seven-story buildings. You’ll find an entertainment centre and numerous restaurants and cafes here too. Perfect for a family day out.

Other shopping malls in Budapest that are well worth a visit include Duna Plaza, MOM Park, Arkad and Lurdy Haz.

Budapest’s best markets…
Budapest is renowned all over the world for its fantastic markets. Some of these excellent markets are housed in grand market halls. Not only are they great places in which to see locals going about their daily business, but also offer high quality produce at cheap prices. Everything from souvenirs, to leather goods, clothes, fresh fruit and vegetables etc. can be found on sale here.

The Central Market Hall is the most popular of all the markets to be found in Budapest. It’s the largest indoor market and is located in the 9th district. Many flock to this market to buy its world-renowned paprika!

The sheer size of the place alone will dumbfound you, not to mention the enormous selection of stalls. Most stalls on the ground floor sell souvenirs, gifts and wine. You’ll also find mouth-watering meats, fresh vegetables and fruit and sublime cheese. If you need to take a break from all this bargaining, there are plenty of snack bars around.

Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it serves as the country’s principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation center and is considered an important hub in Central Europe, on both sides of the river Danube. It has more than 2 million inhabitants. The city attracts over 20 million visitors a year. The headquarters of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology will be in Budapest.

History left its traces everywhere in the city. You can see them on her grand buildings, in cobbled streets and on peoples faces. Despite of modernisation efforts the capital of Hungary managed to preserve its identity.

Regarded by many as one of Worlds most beautiful cities, Budapest has become the most popular travel destination in Central Europe along with Vienna and Prague. Millions of tourists visit the city every year.

The people are charming, and for the most part very helpful. They are proud of what this ancient capital has to offer, and proud of their contributions to European culture, especially in the field of music, a universal language one doesn’t need to speak to appreciate.

Sziget is not only a festival, but a week long opportunity to camp out in the temporarily built festival city on a gorgeous island where besides basic facilities posting and banking services, restaurants, pubs, shops and a number of other amenities provide comfort and entertainment.

The Jewish Summer Festival and the International Wine Festival celebrate various historic, artistic and cultural periods and the Budapest Summer Opera and Ballet Festival celebrates fine musical heritage.

The spectacular ensemble of statues erected to commemorate the thousandth anniversary of the Magyar Conquest is situated at the end of Budapests most beautiful avenue. The monument was designed by Albert Schickedanz and Fulop Herczog. Many of the statues representing Hungarian Monarchs and Princes of Transylvania were made by Gorgy Zala. At the centre of the Monument there is a column surrounded by seven figures leaders of the seven Hungarian tribes.

The St. Anne Church is one of the most beautiful baroque buildings of Budapest. The construction of the church started in 1740. In the next 200 years the church suffered from wars, floods and earthquakes, even it was planned to be demolished, owing to the construction of the metro network. Fortunately this plan was not realised, and the church was reconstructed between 1970 to 1984.

In the end, if you’re yearning for a city break getaway that will give you culture, nightlife, history and relaxation, then it will present a holiday break you’ll never forget. Budapest is a great destination.