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Strictly speaking, Budapest is not a shopping town. There are interesting things to buy, of course, but a weekend in Budapest doesn’t promise the same shopping thrill that, say, a weekend in Istanbul or Paris does. Major European and American retailers have outposts here and show the latest fashions, but prices are generally about the same as anywhere else in Europe and the selections can be limited.
Shops are generally open until 5 or 6 on weekdays and until 1 on Saturday. An unpopular Sunday shopping ban was lifted in April 2016 so most stores are, for now, open on Sunday.
It's with good reason that this popular confectioner has lines outside the door each morning. Every pastry here is delicate and light. Even a novice can taste the real butter cream in the famous Eszterházy torta, which is a truly magnificent cake. Locals say the Sacher torte is every bit as good as it is in the famous Sacher Hotel in Vienna. It's usually crowded on weekends with families eating ice cream.
For a look back into the world before video games and action figures, stop in at this tiny store, where fabulous reproductions of antique European toys are sold. From simple paper puzzles to lovely stone building blocks to 1940s wind-up metal monkeys on bicycles, these "nostalgia toys" are beautifully simple and exceptionally clever. Even if you're not a collector, it's worth a stop just to browse.
Marzipan has always been a favorite in Central Europe, and this well-loved confectioner has spent more than 75 years mastering the art. The store has always been most famous for its marzipan cookies, cakes, and candies, as well as its edible marzipan roses, but today just as many people come for the ice cream.
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