Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A DETOUR
ECSERI PIAC
One of the biggest flea markets in Central Europe, and often just called thepiac(mar-
ket),
Ecseri Piac
sells everything from antique jewellery and Soviet army watches to
Fred Astaire-style top hats. Saturday is the best day to go; dealers get here early to
search for those proverbial diamonds in the rough. Take bus 54 from Boráros tér in
Pest or, for a quicker journey, express bus 84E, 89E or 94E from the Határ út stop on
the M3 metro line further afield in Pest and get off at the Fiume utca stop. Follow the
crowds over the pedestrian bridge.
SHOPPING
MARKET
NAGYCSARNOK
6am-5pm Mon-Fri, to
3pm Sat; M4 Fővám tér)
This is Budapest's biggest market, though it has become a tourist magnet since its renova-
tion for the millecentenary celebrations in 1996. Still, plenty of locals come here for the
fruit, vegetables, deli items, fish and meat. Head up to the 1st floor for Hungarian folk cos-
tumes, dolls, painted eggs, embroidered tablecloths, carved hunting knives and other
souvenirs.
Gourmets will appreciate the Hungarian and other treats available at a fraction of what
they'd cost in the shops on nearby Váci utca - shrink-wrapped and potted foie gras, garlands
of dried paprika, souvenir sacks and tins of paprika powder and as many kinds of honey as
you'd care to name.
GIFTS
PORTÉKA
10am-6pm Mon-Fri, to 2pm Sat;
M3/4 Kálvin tér, 4, 6)
Just off Krúdy Gyula utca, Portéka is a little treasure chest of national delicacies and design.
It has a good selection of honey, jam, syrups, spices and organic wine, as well as jewellery,
bags, notebooks and postcards. Best of all is the fine range of Szántó Tibor's bean-to-bar
chocolate.
DRINK
MAGYAR PÁLINKA HÁZA
