Budapest Shopping Tips by antistar Top 5 Page for this destination

Bortarsasag: Hungarian Wine

This part of the world is perfect for wine. In fact if you took all of what used to be Hungary, before it was carved up after World War 1, you'd have one of the world's top wine producers. As it is, they're a respectable 14th.

Most of the wine is grown in the western half of the country, with Eger, the villages around Pecs in the south, and the shores of Lake Balaton being some of the most famous. And then of course there is the Tokaj wine growing region, the most famous of them all... but I'm not a fan of white dessert wines so I know nothing about that.

Probably my personal favourite at the moment is Bikaver (bull's blood). Legend has it that originally it contained actual bull's blood, and was given to the Hungarian soldiers fighting off the Turks to boost their strength and stamina. Today it is merely a blend of several different grapes that combine into a full bodied wine. There's something about a good Bikaver that keeps me coming back for one more swig...

It actually has a bit of a bad reputation as a cheap and nasty wine. That's because the first people to "discover" it from the west were the low-rent backpackers who hit East Europe after the Iron Curtain fell. They found the vinyards of Eger a great place to get drunk on the worst, cheapest Bikaver, and took back with them the idea that this wine is just plonk to get drunk on. Today it's regaining its reputation as one of Hungary's finest wines, but the poor reputation means there are some real bargains to be had.

Central European grapes, especially those found in Germany, do well here, but you also get a good Merlot, Pinot Noir or Cabernet. Hungarian reds to look out for are Kadarka, Portugieser, Kekfrankos and Bikaver.

What to buy: I get all my wine for Bortarsasag, and it's the most reliable wine store I've found in Budapest. It has stores all over the city, and you can find your way to the nearest one by checking out their English language web page. There you will find addresses and maps - it's easy!

What to pay: Hungarian wine is relatively cheap, and buying it in Hungary is the cheapest. You can get a drinkable bottle for as little as a couple of euros. But personally I'd recommend spending at least 5 euros, which will get something very palatable. Anything over 10 euros is usually fantastic.

Theme: Food and Drink

Website: http://www.bortarsasag.hu/en/

Lehel Market: The Real Budapest Market

Although the Great Market Hall in the ninth district is bigger, this is the real big marketplace for locals. Many of the stalls are run by farmers from the countryside around Budapest, who bring in their goods every morning. You'll find lots of traditional Hungarians, with polite and quirky mannerisms. You'll also find some quirky little shops, like the Arabic food store. My Israeli friend, and enthusiastic regular, claims this is run by a Palestinian and his Hungarian wife, and it is full of traditional Arabic foods, some imported directly from the Middle East. You'll find humous, tahini, feta cheese, mint tea and pita bread by the basketful.

Directions: Take the metro to Lehel Ter. It's behind Nyugati station, near the Westend ahopping mall.

Theme: Other

Westend: Supermall

Budapest loves its malls, and the Westend is one of the biggest and most popular of them all, and very central. Located right next to the Nyugati station (Nyugati means West Station - geddit?), it makes the perfect shopping point for anyone located on the Pest side of the city (Mammut is probably your best bet if you are in Buda). It's long and narrow and stretches along several floors, reaching all the way to the back where you'll find a very modern multi-screen cinema complex.

The Budapest-Eye, a hot air baloon ride, is (or was) supposed to take off from here, but I have never been able to find it.

Directions: Approaching Nyugati station from the front, walk down Vaci ut on the left side to find Westend. It's difficult to miss.

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.westend.hu

Mom Park: Mom Park

Another super mall in central Budapest, this one comes complete with one of the best cinemas in the country: a nine-screen UCI Palace. It's a little bit out of the center, and not as impressive in terms of size or shopping as the Mammut megalopolis, but if you want to watch movies and shop, it's probably got enough of what you need.

Address: Alkotás út 53, D. XII

Directions: Trams 59 and 61 or Bus 8 or 139.

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.mompark.hu

Mammut: Mammut

Probably the biggest and most central of Budapest's many shopping malls, Mammut (Mammoth) lives up to its name. The two malls, Mammut 1 and 2, are supposed to be separate entities, but they are identical and linked together so that they may as well be one single gigantic shopping center.

There's a lot here. From the Match supermarket in the basement, through the many boutique clothes and electronic shops to the top floors with a selection of excellent bars, cafes and restaurants.

The biggest shopping draws are the Saturn electronics store, as well as large Benetton, Mexx and Kookai stores.

Address: Lövöház utca 2-6, District II

Directions: Take the metro to Moscow Square

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.mammut.hu/