From my photos at Flickr Produced by Kayakman Media

A trip to Budapest is not complete without visiting the Central Market Hall (Központi Vásárcsarnok) ... although avoid it on a Saturday if you can, as this place is exactly what it sounds like--a hall of markets. Built in 1897 as part of the effort to unify Buda, Pest, and Óbuda, Hungarians have been coming ever since to select their fresh meats, produce, fruits, dairy, and breads for the week. Yet this collection of dozens of farmers' stalls under one roof represents just one floor of the Hall.

After strolling through each of the three long ground rows, you may want a pick-me up. There's a mini-CBA store that makes a decent cappuccino for 100HUF, there's more options of course, or if you're looking for something more filling, head upstairs. The second level offers a dozen or so food booths and a larger restaurant. The Fakanál Étterem not only allows you to select a meal off their traditional Hungarian menu, for 20E you can sign up for a one-day class and learn to cook it yourself!

Once your energy is topped off, you're ready to let the real shopping begin. For the food court is but a small part of the second level. The rest is dedicated to souvenirs of every sorts. Keychains, mugs, and magnets. Playing cards and toys. And of course, t-shirts, caps, and bags. If you're wanting something that represents Hungary instead of just saying it, there's also leather bags and jewelry, paprika and drawings. Porcelain dolls in regional folk dress who stand guard over finely embroidered linens and lace, shirts and dresses. And while the folks downstairs may not know English or take VISA, there's a good chance that the folks upstairs do.

If your feet are not aching too much or you've got time, there are a few booths in the basement, as well as a full-fledged grocery store ... just in case you need a bag of chips, cold drink, ice cream bar or a stop at the cash machine for your trip home or more likely, your stroll down the famous shopping street (Vaci utca) just across the way (but that's a whole other entry--soon to come).