Hi all!
I hope to be in Budapest in about 3 weeks' time. We're staying near Oktogon Square and were wondering if either the Hunyadi or Klauzal Markets would be at all comparable to Great Market Hall. Not sure we want to travel so far to the latter, and not really interested in its knickknacks.
Thanks in advance ... Karen
No, neither begins to compare on any level. Both are interesting though and I shop at one or the other once a week.
But if you are concerned about the distance to the Great Market Hall from the Oktogon then you haven't yet begun to understand that tourism in Budapest is as much about the journey as the destination. And, maybe you haven't yet figured out the public transportation system. Because it's a great trip thru some of the best of Budapest to reach the Great Market Hall and being there sets you up to explore the waterfront up to the Parliament on the 2 Tram.
You will need a travel pass: 72 hour or 15 day (almost the same cost), you will need to understand the basic routes. You will need to know there is a lot to see, enjoy and marvel at between the tourist stops.
Oh, the nick nacks at the Great Market Hall. The quality isn't half bad. But the ground floor is pure Market and where locals go to buy produce, meat, cheese, wine, etc; all despite the tourists. It's where I go for the best duck.
And the basement is full of the sweet smell of pickled vegetables and fish. You must experience. No other Market in Pest compares.
But, if you are in town on a Saturday do go to the Hunyadi and the Klauzal Markets for the local vendors. A good "local" experience.
A typical day of trams.
From the Oktogon, walk down Andrassy and do the Opera House tour. Then continue to the end of Andrassy (great vibe, lights architecture the whole way), turn left at the end and board the 47/49 Tram. See the Great Synagogue on your left, get off tram and walk over and do the tour. Back on tge tram for 2 more stops and get off for the Great Market Hall. After the Market walk out and down the stairs to the 2 Tram. A few stops and you are at the Corso. Get off for the views and a brief walk to the Vorosmarty ter Christmas Market. Then back to the 2 Tram up to the Parliament. Then on the 2 to its end where you find the 4/6 Tram that goes to the Oktogon.
Thanks Mr. E. I appreciate your thoughts.
Just adding that Mr. É has, of course, nailed it. No one says you have to be interested in markets or even shopping, but if you are it’s the place. But beyond that, it’s a really gorgeous building and worth seeing. I love the roof. And trams.
Sorry my thoughts ramble on for so long......
The response wasnt so much about if one likes or doesnt like the market, it was about "travel so far".
If you go to Prague, the vast majority of the tourism exists within the Old Town and Castle District. In Vienna withint the Ringstraße. In each city, that is about 1.5 square miles.
In Budapest, if you were to draw a tight circle that takes in the Buda Castle District, City Park, Margrit Island, and the Great Market Hall, you are looking at about 10 square miles. But thats not a bad thing because if you like one square block of Budapest then you need to know that the same, but constantly changing in scale and in detail, goes on for 10 square miles and well beyond that in all honesty.
Anthony Bourdain
So we are taking a very unique, very personal look at what is, without
question, one of Europe’s most stunningly beautiful cities. I was
kicking myself throughout the shoot for the fact that I hadn’t been
there earlier. If you are into architecture porn, Budapest is for you.
One incredible building after another. Block after block of what is
simply an incredible mix of styles, the imaginations of the creators
gone wild during the city’s years of empire. It is really something to
see. And I felt like a total rube arriving so late. What took me so
long!?
https://www.tiktok.com/@topcellitraveler/video/7231302568121568555?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
