Szombathely’s buzzing Zsibvásár floods the city’s Market Hall (Vásárcsarnok) with retro finds, antiques, and crafty one-offs every Sunday from 5 a.m. to noon. Set your alarm, bring a tote, and prepare to scout everything you didn’t know you needed — and all the things you’ve been trying to find for years. It’s a sustainable shopping fix too: stylish clothes and accessories for a fraction of regular prices, plus décor pieces that add instant personality at home. Just show up and discover the rainbow of things you’ll only find here.
Where To Go, When To Arrive
The market unfolds in Hall II, under the canopy on the northern side of the Market Hall (Vásárcsarnok), and in the small hall accessed from Hunyadi Street (Hunyadi út). The address is 9700 Szombathely, Hunyadi út 5–7. Every Sunday, the gates open at 5 and close at 12. Sundays are the big Zsibvásár — the full-on secondhand market — while Wednesdays bring MINI ZSIBI, a compact midweek spin to keep the treasure hunt going. The season is already mapped: expect Sunday editions on February 1, 8, 15, and 22, 2026, with more dates added as the year rolls on.
How Sellers Can Join
Vendors can secure a spot by filling out a registration form on-site or downloading it from the website and emailing it back by Wednesday at 12 p.m. If you submit by email or in person, you’ll only get a reply if there aren’t enough tables available. No message means you’re good — just show up by 6:00 a.m. at the market supervisor’s desk. It’s first-come, first-served with a friendly local rhythm, and the regulars know the drill: early birds get the best tables and the biggest crowds.
What You’ll Find
Think retro gear, vintage and antique pieces, paper ephemera and books, handcrafts, and the kind of stuff you simply can’t find in shops anymore. There are clothes ripe for styling, accessories with stories, and home pieces that flip a room from generic to one-of-a-kind. It’s also a sustainable loop in action — reuse, rewear, relove. Surprise is built into the format: you never know which box holds a perfect lamp or which stand hides a rare vinyl or a Hungarian design gem you’ll never see twice.
Plan Your Stay
If you’re turning the market morning into a weekend, Szombathely makes it easy to settle in. A cluster of stays caters to every style and budget across green suburbs and lakeside walks.
– A guesthouse (panzió) in the city’s eastern green belt offers homey, affordable rooms, a simple restaurant serving Hungarian comfort dishes, and a secure lot for about 30 cars. A local bus stop is just 32.8 feet from the door. Private rooms host family gatherings, weddings, and events.
– Forum Hotel and Restaurant (Forum Hotel és Étterem) leans into the city’s Roman past. Its two-story restaurant channels an ancient vibe while serving both Hungarian and international favorites; the hotel above welcomes business travelers and tourists alike.
– Near Boating Lake (Csónakázó-tó), Garda Hotel sits a short stroll from the covered pool, the Thermal Bath, and the refreshed Lake Bath (Tófürdő) beach. Rooms range from larger, air-conditioned, and elegant to smaller, friendly, and budget-minded.
– Herény House (Herényiek Háza), beside the famed Kámon Arboretum (Kámoni Arborétum) in the Herény district and close to Írottkő Peak, blends community and leisure lodging in a 2007-renovated building styled like a Roman villa. Expect rentable rooms and halls for events, a landscaped garden with an oven, a covered garden house, indoor–outdoor games, and bike rentals.
– Il Gallo Nero Restaurant and Guesthouse (Il Gallo Nero Étterem és Panzió) is a few minutes’ walk from the historic center, making it a convenient base for market mornings and city strolls.
– Király Park Hotel, a four-star stay in a quiet garden suburb, offers 16 comfy rooms, a modern-yet-homey feel, and a serious wellness wing: Finnish, infrared, and steam cabins, a plunge tub, and a jacuzzi. The Király Rehab Center provides wide-ranging medical services, and there are 100+ free parking spots.
– P4W Residence Hotel has 19 spacious, well-renovated rooms, a closed private car park, and a cozy beer terrace — a comfy pause from the weekday rush.
– A family-friendly guesthouse sets up self-contained apartments with separate entrances from the courtyard, so only your group shares a space — great for unplugging without losing privacy.
– Sunset Motel brings American roadside style to Szombathely’s green zone, wrapped in a lovely garden with hotel-level services at friendly prices.
– Hunter Restaurant and Guesthouse (Vadász Étterem és Panzió) sits near a 27-hectare arboretum and the thermal bath, with rooms aligned to today’s design cues and a shaded garden patio equipped with a child-friendly playground. Ideal for business trips, family getaways, or a friends’ weekend.
Eat, Sip, Repeat
Fuel the hunt or wind down after with local flavors and live music. 108 Restaurant nods to Gábor Király’s 108 national caps, serving an à la carte lineup shaped by European and Mediterranean kitchens, plus classic Hungarian dishes, weekday lunch menus, and a modern wine and drinks list handled by a pro team. An African-inspired bar pours perfect coffee in a lush setting. In the city center, a restaurant at the Artis Hotel blends elegance with youthful buzz, cooking modern, fresh, and health-focused dishes. On Derkovits, a spot above the DOMUS Department Store (DOMUS Üzletház) plates daily changing menus and a rich standard menu where grandma’s classics meet modern textures. Il Gallo Nero doubles as a guesthouse and dining room near the historic core. Elsewhere, kitchens highlight fish and game alongside home-style staples, with multiple taps, special wines, and weekend live music. And for a sweet fix, locals swear by Mészáros for cakes, pastries, and ice cream — the name generations use as shorthand for a treat run.
One Last Thing
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs. Keep an eye on updates, wake up early, and bring cash and curiosity. The thrill of ZSIBI is in the hunt — and in the stories you take home.
