Central Market Hall
Designed by leading architect Samu Pecz in 1896, the Central Market Hall (Nagycsarnok) is Budapest’s largest and most popular indoor market situated on the Pest side of Liberty Bridge. During World War II the building suffered extensive damage and was only recently restored in the 1990’s along with the completion of its Zsolnay tiled roof.
Today, the three-storey structure contains more than 180 stalls that offer a wide range of foods and local specialties. The stalls on the ground floor sell fruits and vegetables, meats, and breads. Downstairs there is a supermarket, as well as vendors of fresh fish and pickled vegetables. Upstairs is filled with folk-art vendors, souvenir shops, and fast-food kiosks.
View of the Great Market Hall from above. The structure of the market is supported by steel columns and is adorned with large glass windows that allow natural light to illuminate the entire market.
Butcher and a patron. The market features a wide range of meat products including the famous Pick Salami.
Smoked ham, salami, bacon, and other meats. The most commonly consumed meat in Hungary is pork.
Locals sitting on a bench in the market. Despite its popularity with tourists, the market still remains a place for locals to hang out as well.
Peppers and garlic hanging from a stall. Air-drying spices is an old tradition in Hungary.
Fruit and vegetable stand. The ground floor of the market offers a variety of fresh seasonal produce.
Cracklings (teperto) in a bin. The snack is made from deep-fried pork fat.
Cream cakes including dobos torta, esterházy torta, and puncs torta. There are many varieties of cakes and pastries in Hungary.
Lecsó with smoked sausage. The upper floor of the market has several fast-food and snack stands.
Lángos and other pastries in a hot tray. Lángos is typical Hungarian snack that is deep-fried and is most commonly topped with garlic, shredded cheese, and sour cream.
Hungarian folk art such as embroideries, dolls, and decorated eggs are still produced in many rural areas in the country and are sold in the market.
Traditional Hungarian embroidery. Hungary is regarded for its unique and colorful needlework.
Related posts:
- Lángos at the Fény utca market
- Budapest Christmas Market: Vörösmarty Square
- Christmas Photos from Central & Eastern Europe
- Dolac market
- Fish market in Split
Category: Hungary
About the Author (Author Profile)
Suzanne Urpecz, creator and editor of The Hungarian Girl. Click on my About page for more info.
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Wonderful, I love this market. I wish I could visit more often!
Indeed, its a great market.
My mother in law and her mother probably shopped in the market. They lived in Budapest. We always talked about going back there to visit, but it never happened.
Hi Jean,
I hope you do get the opportunity to visit the market someday. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Great pictures! My husband has been there and has told me all about the market. I am looking forward to seeing it. We’ll be in Budapest in 4 weeks and will be staying for two weeks. I hope we can fit everything in as there’s so much I want to see! I have enjoyed your blog over the last year as we’ve traveled Europe.
Hi Brenda,
Glad to hear you’re enjoying the site! The Central Market Hall is certainly worth a visit. Many tourists like it because they can purchase lot’s of souvenirs from here. If you’re really interested in exploring markets in Budapest, you may also to visit the Fény utca market which has amazingly good lángos. Best wishes with your travels in Europe.