If Budapest shops are on your mind and you’re asking whether they’re open on Sunday, we have the answers. Saving time and getting the most from your trip can be as simple as checking store-opening hours in a foreign city. You will learn all the information you need about Sunday shopping in Budapest in this article.

General Rules for Sunday Shopping

Most shops in Budapest are shut on Sundays. Sundays have long been a day in Hungary that people consider for family gatherings and relaxing. The reason behind this holiday is to remind people to not work and spend time with their families instead. Although Hungary progresses quickly and is modern, its norms often call for a restful Sunday and a less busy retail sector as part of these traditional values.

But, there are some cases where this doesn’t apply, especially in tourist hotspots and major shopping malls. Some businesses are approved to have special permits or they pick their own schedules, mainly in places with a lot of foot traffic or when many tourists are around.

Tourist Areas

Visiting Váci Street, Andrassy Avenue or the Great Market Hall in Budapest? You’ll notice that the shops, restaurants and cafes remain open on Sundays. This is why these areas are convenient for tourists, who may need more freedom to shop on Sundays. Given the rise in tourists during spring and summer, most districts in Budapest keep many stores and cafés open on Sundays.

For example, Váci Street is recognized as one of Budapest’s main shopping places with international brands, storefronts for local designers and craft shops. Although most shops along residential streets are usually not open, the stores in Váci Street usually are. Like the Vaci Street, the elegant Andrassy Avenue is part of the UNESCO list, mixing famous fashion brands with cultural sights and many of its shops are open on Sunday close to the Opera House and Heroes’ Square.

The Great Market Hall usually closes on Sundays, though many vendors in nearby streets are available on that day for those interested in shopping.

Shopping Centers

Westend City Center and Arena Plaza are among the shopping centers open for business every Sunday. Today, these malls include various kinds of shops like international brands, fashion stores, electrical products and others. It’s possible to shop and find whatever you want on a Sunday just as well as when other days are open.

Mammut Shopping Center and Allee Shopping Center which are easily reached by public transport, are also good places to explore and find all your shopping needs. Most malls start business from 10 AM on Sundays, running until 6 or 7 PM so visitors can enjoy their time inside.

Because there are food courts and entertainment offered, families and travelers who want to stay warm on a Sunday or who face bad weather can do so at these shopping centers.

Pharmacies are considered essential services.

Most stores are shut down on Sundays, but residents can always find pharmacies open everywhere. If you find yourself in an emergency or you need to get medication, you can find a pharmacy online or ask at your accommodation about one nearby. Handwriting down the address can be helpful, just in case you lose something.

Pharmacies that are open on Sundays usually change by district and a few may work for just a short period. Budapest has around-the-clock pharmacies called “ügyeletes gyógyszertár,” meant for emergencies at night and during the weekend. Front desk staff at hotels can point you to the nearby pharmacy and usually call beforehand to find out if they have the drugs you need.

Putting on festivals and special events

Budapest hosts many different festivals and events during the entire year. You might find that shops near the event stay open longer and some of them even open on Sundays. While you’re in town, search for a list of upcoming festivals, because you might be able to shop on Sundays during one of them.

Festivals such as the Budapest Spring Festival, the markets at Christmas and the Budapest Wine Festival create a fun atmosphere and make other nearby companies open later. A lot of local artisans, food vendors and pop-up shops attend these events, giving people the opportunity to buy one-of-a-kind items that you can’t often find in regular shops.

Online Shopping

When Sunday shopping isn’t available, you can use online marketplaces to satisfy your needs. It is common for Hungarian shops to have online services which makes shopping for products very straightforward in your lodgings.

eMAG, Alza and MediaMarkt Hungary are websites that let you order electronics, home goods and personal products with next-day or same-day delivery in Budapest. You may want to go with Kifli.hu or Tesco’s Hungarian online store for buying groceries, but don’t expect many Sunday delivery slots. If you have a rental apartment and find shopping around the city challenging, these platforms can be really helpful.

Conclusion

Most shops in Budapest are shut down on Sundays. But if you visit shopping districts or during festivals or special events, it’s possible to find stores open for business on Sunday. You should always plan your shopping in advance, considering your days in the city and try out the special shopping places in Budapest.

Before you visit, find out when each store and attraction is available so you don’t get let down. Have fun discovering Budapest’s history and enjoying the architecture and who knows, you may even discover