t’s hard to visit the Hungarian capital and not come back laden with gifts. What’s the reason for this? The variety of typical souvenirs available in Budapest will make anyone happy to go shopping. What’s more, each of these souvenirs will simultaneously satisfy more than one of your senses.
Some of these typical purchases are a treat for your sense of taste and smell. They’re gastronomical products or wine from the country, such as paprika or Tokaji wine, which remind us of the essence of the Hungarian capital with every spoonful or sip. But there are also souvenirs that appeal to our senses of sight and touch, such as the embroidered tablecloths or shirts and fine porcelain that are the result of a centuries-old tradition of craftsmanship. Pleasing to the ear are the sounds of the Danube during a peaceful yet unforgettable sunset.
Budapest’s personality invites you to enjoy shopping. It’s a city full of markets, historic streets treasured gift shops that are a treasure trove, and grand avenues that bring together the most exclusive things on the planet. All the options to make your dreams come true are available to you.
They even have their own word for all those typical things you want to bring back with you after visiting Budapest: “hungarikum”. It translates as “the greatest values of Hungary” and would generally include the most authentic purchases.
- Traditional Hungarian shirts
- Traditional Dolls in Budapest
- Tokaji wine
- Palinka, a typical liqueur
- Embroidered tablecloths
- Painted Easter eggs
- The Rubik’s cube
- Where to stay in Budapest
Traditional Hungarian shirts
This is one of the most typical gifts in Budapest that appeals to most visitors. Today, Hungarians still wear them at many festivals and folk dances, so it’s still a very popular garment. Most of these traditional shirts are usually white with bright embroidery featuring different motifs and cuffs on the sleeves and collar.
In the past, a single woman’s shirt was not decorated in the same way as a married woman’s or a widow’s shirt, and you could tell a person’s marital status simply by looking at the colours. Nowadays, however, everyone chooses the shirt they like best.
The best place to buy this souvenir is on Váci Street. Some shops can be expensive, but others can be the perfect place to find a cheap gift from Budapest.
Traditional Dolls in Budapest
This is one of the traditional gifts from the Hungarian capital that excites many collectors but also fills anyone who loves craftsmanship and tradition with joy. These dolls are handmade and mix the porcelain art of their faces with traditional dresses, full of lace and rhinestones, and a traditional embroidered hat on their heads.
You can find brunettes, blondes, redheads…in red, blue, green…and in different sizes. In fact, depending on their height, they can be a low-cost or expensive gift.
Tokaji wine
It’s a drink that tastes like Hungary and above all a typical souvenir of Budapest that everybody likes. Tokaji wine is so significant that it even appears in the lyrics of the country’s national anthem. Typical of the northeast, from the Tokaj region, there are many varieties ranging from dry or Szamorodni or Aszú, among others.
This wine is easy to find in any gift shop, but you can also buy it in specialised shops that sell alcohol. Moreover, it’s a cheap souvenir as it’s not a particularly expensive wine. The Hungarians sell it in tall, slender, decorated bottles, making Tokaji a very attractive souvenir.
Palinka, a typical liqueur
Palinka is one spirit that can be given as a gift. It’s a drink that can only legally be distilled in Hungary and which Hungarians always use to end any celebration on a cheerful note, whether it’s a birthday, a wedding, or a get-together with friends. For this reason, you can easily find different palinkas on restaurant menus.
As a gift, it can be bought in single bottles or in gift packs that usually include three different flavours depending on the fruit it was distilled from: plum, apricot, or peach. That said, be careful with this fruity liqueur, which can contain up to 80% alcohol.
Embroidered tablecloths
Not all embroidered tablecloths are the same colour, but the best-selling ones in Budapest are white, embroidered in blue, or have colourful floral motifs. Any shop in the historic centre or at the Central Market Hall will be able to explain the difference between the almost 20 different types of embroidery that exist in the country, although the most famous ones are the Matyo and the Kalocsa styles.
The blue-toned tablecloths are often reminiscent of traditional porcelain teacups in their patterns and are often very elegant. The size and intricacy of these designs will determine whether it’s a cheap gift or one that’s not so cheap.
Painted Easter eggs
Although they’re associated with Easter, you can buy a painted egg in Budapest all year round, especially in the shops on Váci Street, at the Central Market Hall, and at any of the various craft stalls that set up stands around the city. It can almost become a personal mission to find your own Easter egg, as there are many different types and they can be decorated with plants, animals, geometric motifs, and even religious symbols.
Many of the craftspeople sell them in an egg cup where you can collect eggs of different colours, patterns, or sizes, or buy them individually.
The Rubik’s cube
The Rubik’s cube might not seem like a typical souvenir from most cities, but in Budapest it’s one of the most sought-after souvenirs. Its inventor, Erno Rubik, was Hungarian and taking this colourful cube, the world’s best-selling toy, back home from the city on the Danube has become a tradition for many tourists.
Paprika
Anyone would think that paprika couldn’t be a typical souvenir. But after visiting Budapest and especially after eating and dining in the city, everything changes. Paprika is the most commonly used spice in Hungarian cuisine, and its most famous dish is chicken with paprika. It’s also available in a huge range of varieties: sweet, spicy, super spicy, etc.
The best way to buy this cheap souvenir is at the Central Market Hall in Budapest or at other markets in the city. You can also opt for the boxes offered in the souvenir shops on Váci Street, which include several varieties in little bags and a wooden spoon for serving.
Where to stay in Budapest
The centre of Budapest is full of historic corners where shopping is a real delight. But lugging bags back and forth isn’t always the best idea. That’s why it’s ideal to have the hotel close to the most traditional shopping areas to take a break. The Barceló Budapest is located in the historic heart of the capital and has a rooftop terrace with incredible views over the Danube. The best place to tick things off of our souvenir list.
