2025 is bringing the Alexandra Publishing Group’s slightly flawed and discount book fair to Szombathely multiple times, and the next stop lands on November 9. The stock changes constantly, so even if you’ve already raided the previous fair, it’s worth coming back—expect an almost entirely fresh selection. One thing doesn’t change: the rock-bottom prices. More than 15,000 different books start from about 0.27 USD. And here’s a bonus for first-timers: it’s not only about slightly damaged copies. There’ll be plenty of flawless discounted titles waiting for you too.
When, where, how
Date: 2025.11.09. (Sunday). Opening hours: 10:00–17:00, while supplies last. Card payment accepted. Location: Szombathely Market, small hall on the Hunyadi Street (Hunyadi út) side. Address: 9700 Szombathely, Hunyadi Street (Hunyadi út) 5–7. If you swing by in the morning, a vinyl market and a DJ will set the vibe.
Make a day of it: browse the flea market, pick up ingredients for your Sunday lunch—or skip the stove and satisfy your hunger at the roast stand or the lángos stall. More than 15,000 books are up for grabs from 0.27 USD, spanning genres and interests—perfect for stocking up your winter reading without emptying your wallet.
Stay the night: places to sleep
If you’re coming from out of town or just want to make a weekend of it, Szombathely has stays for every taste and budget. In the city’s eastern greenbelt, a cozy pension offers easy access with a local bus stop just 10 meters (32.8 feet) away, plus a secured car park for about 30 cars. Expect homestyle meals at friendly prices and homey, affordable rooms. Private rooms and function halls suit everything from family gatherings to weddings and events.
Forum Hotel and Restaurant leans into the city’s ancient Roman history. Its two-level restaurant channels a Roman-era ambiance while meeting modern expectations, with a menu mixing Hungarian classics and international favorites. Above the restaurant, the hotel welcomes both business travelers and tourists.
Near the scenic Boating Lake, the Garda Hotel sits a short walk from the newly renovated lakeside beach, the City Indoor Pool, and the Thermal Spa. Choose from larger, elegant, air-conditioned rooms or smaller, friendly, budget options.
Herényiek Háza, right by the famous Kámon Arboretum (Kámoni Arborétum) in the valleys of the Gyöngyös and Perint streams and a stone’s throw from Transdanubia’s highest point, Írottkő, offers community- and leisure-style lodging in a building renovated in 2007 to evoke an ancient Roman villa. Rentable rooms and communal spaces handle everything from family to corporate events. A landscaped garden, oven, covered garden house, and indoor-outdoor games make it ideal for downtime—and you can rent a bike.
Il Gallo Nero Restaurant and Pension is a few minutes’ walk from Szombathely’s historic downtown, combining lodging and dining in one convenient stop.
Hotels with extras
Király Park Hotel, a four-star spot in a quiet garden district, has 16 comfortable rooms in a modern yet homey building. It’s a solid pick for events, business travelers, sports teams, and leisure groups. The Király Rehab Center offers a wide range of medical services, and the wellness area includes Finnish, infrared, and steam saunas, a plunge pool, and a jacuzzi. Parking? Over 100 free on-site spaces.
P4W Residence Hotel offers 19 spacious rooms, its own secured parking, a cozy beer terrace, and a wide range of services for a comfortable city break.
A guesthouse setup across separate ground-level apartments makes a great fit for families or groups—you share common spaces only with your own party. Affordable rates, expanding services, and happy regulars say it all.
Sunset Motel brings the American roadside vibe to Szombathely’s greenbelt, adapted to European comfort. Surrounded by a beautiful garden, it delivers hotel-level services at wallet-friendly prices.
Vadász Restaurant and Pension sits by a 27-hectare arboretum and the thermal baths. There are eight rooms, and the 80-seat restaurant is known citywide for flavorful Hungarian and international dishes, house specialties, and polished service. With a connectable function room, it can host meetings, trainings, and events for up to 90 guests—weddings, graduations, you name it. The garden seats 40.
Where to eat and sip
108 Restaurant tips its hat to Gábor Király’s 108 caps for the Hungarian national team. The à la carte menu leans European and Mediterranean, with classic Hungarian staples. The kitchen doesn’t compromise on quality, flavor, or service. Weekday lunch menus keep locals happy. A modern, exciting wine and drinks list is prepared and served by pros.
An African-inspired bar welcomes you for perfect coffee and a relaxed vibe.
In the Artis Hotel building downtown, a stylish restaurant mixes elegance with youthful energy. Expect modern, healthy dishes made with fresh ingredients and contemporary techniques, blending traditional European and Hungarian flavors with Eastern specialties. There’s a show kitchen for a peek into the action, plus quality wines, premium spirits, and refreshing drinks. Start the day with a generous breakfast; on weekdays, a business menu and sushi bento box are also on offer.
Up in the DOMUS Department Store on the Derkovits estate, a homestyle diner serves rotating daily offerings and a rich permanent selection, channeling grandma’s care and classic flavors with modern textures.
The Gerendás Restaurant is back with a fresh atmosphere, varied flavors, and a weekly menu.
Il Gallo Nero reappears here too—close to the historic center, easy to reach, and reliable for both food and lodging.
Another crowd-pleaser: a full-service restaurant where Hungarian specialties meet standout fish and game dishes, with lighter, modern options for the health-conscious. Expect live music on Saturdays. A refreshed kitchen serves homestyle choices, plus multiple draft beers, special wines, and soft drinks—live tunes on weekends sweeten the deal.
Book fair for your brain, market food for your stomach, and a city full of cozy beds and lively kitchens—Szombathely has your Sunday sorted.
