Malls and department stores
WestEnd City Center
(http://www.westend.hu). vã¡ci ãºt 1-3, tel. 238-7777. formerly the largest shopping mall in central europe with over 400 shops, and one of the newest in budapest. pop into the pleasant roof garden for a break. at the southern end of vã¡ci ãºt, nearest station m3 nyugati pu..
Further malls in the city include Mammut 1&2 metro2, Széll Kálmán tér or tram no.4/6, Széna tér[this is on the Buda side], Ãrkád and Sugármetro2, Ãrs vezér tere, Duna Pláza metro3, Gyöngyösi utca, Aréna Pláza metro2, Keleti pályaudvar and some others that are not in direct reach with the subways. Mammut and Aréna are rather new and popular, although every mall was built since the early 90s.
Váci utca is Hungary's premier shopping street and consequently very expensive. In general however, prices for big-name goods in Budapest tend to be at least the same as in Western Europe, but rarely cheaper. Much of this due to the relatively higher rate of purchase tax VAT, which in Hungary is set at 25%.
Great Market Hall
nagy vã¡sã¡rcsarnok. fåvã¡m tã©r. a grand old three-level market hall, with a modern supermarket in the basement, small stalls selling mostly gourmet food items on the ground floor more paprika and goose liver than you can shake a stick at and handicrafts on the second floor. it is very touristy these days but still worth a visit, haggling and comparison-shopping recommended.
Hollo Muhely
from gerloczy cafe next to vã¡ci ãºt, walk down a side street and you'll find this small shop. be intentional about looking for it because it's easy to pass by there are nice painted eggs, wooden boxes and candlesticks, and even furniture there. if you are in town for a while, have the man there personalize eggs or jewelry box with your name--it's free.