Page 288 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Hungary

286  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS SHOPPING IN HUNGAR Y  287

SHOPPING IN HUNGARY Szentendre. Other local goods
worth looking out for include
Some people complain that the explosion the bizarre and the beautiful, the useful carpets (especially rugs with
of shopping malls has taken much of and the quirky. Souvenir hunters are spoiled plain, naive designs), and
the charm out of shopping in Hungary, for choice too. Those looking for something wooden toys (especially toy
yet visitors with a little patience and the typically Hungarian could buy Zsolnay soldiers in Habsburg-era
uniforms). Hungary is also
right inside knowledge can still find some porcelain, handmade textiles from the renowned for its wonderful,
of the most wonderful, unique shops in Folkart shops, vintage Tokaji wine, paprika or handmade teddy bears, which
Europe. The city centres bustle with small, spicy Debreceni sausages. Horse-lovers will – although expensive – make
family-owned shops selling inimitable find the craft shops in the towns of the Great superb presents.
trinkets, crafts and luxuries – foie gras is Plain a delight, where saddles, riding boots,
one of the nation’s biggest exports. Then crops and hats are of the highest standard Delicacies
there are the flea markets, packed with and great value. Hungary exports more foie gras
than any other country in the
Opening Times VAT and Tax-Free world with the exception of
Shopping
Most small shops usually open Typical goods for sale at the Central Market Hall in Budapest France. It is available from
at 9am and close at 7pm; some The price of all goods in delicatessens all over the country,
stay open later, until 9pm or Hungary includes a Value called plazas, within walking Handicrafts and Folk art and prices are far lower than
10pm, especially in modern, Added Tax (ÁFA) of 27 per cent. distance of the city centre. Open Hungary has a long tradition abroad. Look out for the distinctive
purpose-built shopping With the exception of works until late, and with a vast variety of producing high-quality black and gold labels and
centres. Most shops open all of art and antiques, it is of food outlets, as well as multi- porcelain and pottery, with packaging of the Rex Ciborum
day on Saturday, and many possible for non-EU residents screen cinemas, these all-purpose the Herend and Zsolnay brand: a guarantee of quality.
outlets also open their doors to claim back the ÁFA on any malls are very popular. In all, names carrying a worldwide Paprika – as a condiment –
on Sundays. Markets are set purchase costing more than there are more than 110 plazas reputation. Herend porcelain can be bought in all colours,
up seven days a week. Large 45,000 forints (€175) when in towns around the country. is famous for its decorative shapes, varieties and degrees
supermarkets also open seven leaving the country. There are also 115 popular and highly colourful designs, of heat in Hungary. Alterna tively
days a week, until at least 8pm. If you wish to reclaim the Tesco hypermarkets, selling a and the factory shop in there are many products
Some, usually smaller shops tax, you must make sure when wide range of food and non-food the small town of Herend containing paprika as
open on public holidays, with purchasing the item that the items. With a few exceptions, (see p207), north of an ingredient, from
the exception of Christmas shop will be able to give you however, they are on the Lake Balaton, stocks paprika pastes to spicy
Day and New Year’s Day. Many a special ÁFA refund receipt. outskirts of cities, and difficult a small selection of Hungarian salamis or
small kiosks selling bus tickets, Only those shops geared to to reach without a car. recent productions. sausages (try gyulai
alcohol, groceries and house- selling to foreign tourists tend The Zsolnay porce lain kolbász or Debreceni, for
hold essentials are open 24 Dried paprika and handmade wicker to keep the necessary forms to Markets factory in Pécs (see example). Most cheeses
hours a day. baskets in the market in Tihany hand. You then have to present p190) also has a shop. are mild; the pungent
the paperwork and the goods, Markets of all sorts are an Bright colours are also Pálpusztai is a glorious
further means of identification, together with your passport, essential part of everyday life characteristic of Ajka Paste made from exception, if something
Payment
so carry your passport with at a customs post within all over Hungary. Apart from crystal, which has Hungarian paprika of a liability in one’s
Most shops now accept credit you while shopping. 90 days of purchase in order good, fresh produce, they been recognized as luggage. Markets all
and debit cards, though Visitors are advised to have to receive customs certification offer a delightfully traditional Hungary’s finest for over the country will also sell
producing one from your wallet a fair amount of cash on them for your claim form. To apply shopping experience to visitors. more than 150 years. It is their own regional specialities.
may elicit groans from the at all times, however, as some for the refund, your sales Many cities also organize open- made in the small town
vendor. If you are using a debit smaller shops will simply refuse receipt and currency exchange air craft and folk art markets. The of Ajka, close to Veszprém.
card, you may be asked for to take payment with a card. or credit card receipt are also best is in Hollókő and, though There are two stores selling Equestrian Goods
required. The money can some of the wares are kitsch Ajka crystal in the village Given the pedigree of its
then be claimed within 183 by most standards, prices are itself, and many more horsemen, such as the famous
days of returning home. good and souvenir ideas limit- throughout Hungary. Puszta Fivers (see p239), it comes
Payment is usually made direct less. Debrecen city council also For best examples of the as no surprise to discover that
to a bank account, minus a organizes an excellent craft fair finest Hungarian embroidery Hungary is a great place to
small service charge. during August in Kossuth tér. (found on dresses, tablecloths, purchase tack. Finely crafted
place mats and saddles made from the best
cushion covers), the leather, boots, bridles, crops
Department Stores village museum of and even polo mallets are made
and Shopping Malls
Hollókő is a great to the highest specifications at
There are a number of outlet. Prices are high, a great number of workshops
department stores in Hungary, but the quality is through out the country. The
many of which are housed outstanding. Lower- best are those from the Great
in spectacular old buildings. priced examples can Plain – Hungary’s pre-eminent
Besides the enormous be found in the many equestrian region – and there is
shopping centres in Budapest, stalls and small shops no shortage of excellent sporting
Debrecen, Pécs and Szeged all that line the busy goods shops in Debrecen,
Westend City Center shopping mall in Budapest have large shopping centres, Traditional folk crafts in a Szentendre market pedestrian streets of Hortobágy and Szeged.

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