Ecseri Flea Market (Ecseri Piac)

The basics

Patient travelers that love bargain hunting are known to find vintage gems at Ecseri Flea Market. You can expect to dig, since many of the stalls are packed with bric-a-brac. For an insider's look at the market, try a guided tour or private trip for help finding specific items, and chatting with vendors. If you're taking public transit, it's easy to pair a visit with the Central Market Hall, since the metro stops just outside.

Things to know before you go

• Ecseri Flea Market is a must-do for antique hunters and vintage enthusiasts.
• Take your time in Ecseri Flea Market; you need about two to three hours to see everything.
• Bring cash (Hungarian forints) to the market, since vendors typically do not accept credit cards.
• Market tours are helpful for negotiating the language barrier.

How to get there

Though guided tours and private shopping excursions are the most convenient way to visit the Ecseri Flea Market, independent travelers can always take public transit from central Budapest. Hop on the 2 metro line just outside the Central Market Hall, and transfer at the Haller Utca / Soroksári Út stop to the 45 or 55 bus. The trip is about 45-minutes, door to door.

When to get there

To make the most of your trip to Ecseri Flea Market, you should visit early in the day—you usually find better deals, and see the most vendors, since some stalls close in the afternoon. The market is open seven days a week, and Saturdays are the busiest. You can stop by on Sundays to avoid peak crowds, and visit when the sun is shining, since you'll want to browse the outdoor stalls.

Visiting Budapest's Great Market Hall

One of the main market halls in the city, Budapest's historic Central Market is perhaps the perfect place to experience Hungarian cuisine. You can visit the vendors selling prepared food upstairs for a lunch of traditional fare, or head to the main floor to find Hungarian culinary staples like paprika, wax peppers, and local pickles. The market is open Monday to Saturday and closed on Sundays. Visit during the week to avoid the weekend crowds.