Every Sunday from 5 a.m. to noon, Szombathely’s bustling flea market takes over the city’s Market Hall (Vásárcsarnok), and it’s a goldmine for vintage lovers, bargain hunters, and anyone craving something you won’t find on a slick retail shelf. Show up early, coffee in hand, and wander through rows of retro finds, antiques, books, handmade crafts, quirky décor, and fashion that won’t punish your wallet or the planet. It’s circular shopping with character, and the surprises are half the fun—exactly the sort of one-off charm you end up telling friends about.
The market sprawls across multiple zones: under the canopy on the Saint Martin Street (Szent Márton utca) side, in the smaller hall off Hunyadi Road (Hunyadi út), and back in Hall II. It’s compact enough to cover in a morning but layered with those irresistible stalls that make you double back. Buyers drift between eras and genres. Sellers chat, haggle, and swap stories. And if you’re on the sustainability train, this is your sweet spot—stylish clothes and accessories at a fraction of standard prices, without the guilt of new production.
Dates are set all season, including November 16, November 23, November 30, and December 7, 2025—each one a Sunday, each one a fresh chance to stumble upon something brilliant. The address is 5–7 Hunyadi Road, 9700 Szombathely. Get there early for the best picks, bring small bills, and don’t be shy about bargaining. The vibe is friendly, the selection delightfully unpredictable, and the market’s diversity is exactly what gives it its spark.
Want a Stall? Here’s How
If you’re keen to sell, registration is straightforward. Fill out the form on-site or download it from the website and email it back by Wednesday at noon to secure a spot for that Sunday. Bring your own setup, price clearly, and be ready for the early birds—they mean business. It’s a great place to give pre-loved items a second act, from the retro jacket you never wear to the vintage lamp someone else will worship.
Make a Weekend of It
If you’re traveling in, Szombathely is packed with welcoming stays. On the city’s eastern side, a family-style pension sits in a leafy green zone, with a local bus stop just 32.8 feet away and a gated lot that fits around 30 cars. Expect home-style cooking at friendly prices and simple, cozy rooms. Private rooms are available for family events, weddings, and other gatherings.
Forum Hotel and Restaurant leans into the city’s ancient Roman past with a two-level dining space that nods to antiquity while serving the modern palate—Hungarian and international dishes share the menu. Above, the hotel hosts business travelers and tourists in equal measure.
Near the Boating Lake (Csónakázó-tó), the Garda Hotel sits steps from the indoor pool and thermal bath, and a short walk from the freshly renovated beach at Lake Bath (Tófürdő). Rooms range from larger, air-conditioned, elegant picks to smaller, budget-friendly ones—ideal if you plan to spend more time treasure hunting than lounging.
Herény House (Herényiek Háza), next to the famed Kámon Arboretum (Kámoni Arborétum), channels a Roman villa mood in a 2007-renewed building with carefully designed communal and leisure accommodation. Think park-like gardens, a covered small house, a traditional oven, and borrowed bikes for spins between the Gyöngyös and Perint streams. Multiple rooms and spaces are available for family or corporate events.
Il Gallo Nero Restaurant and Pension is a short stroll from the historic downtown, just right for those who want dinner and a bed without a cab ride.
In a quiet garden district, the four-star Király Park Hotel offers 16 comfortable rooms in a modern, homey building. It doubles as a strong event venue and adds a twist with Király Rehab, a full rehabilitation center offering medical services. The wellness area includes Finnish, infrared, and steam cabins, a plunge tub, and a jacuzzi. Over 100 free parking spaces make arrivals easy.
The P4W Residence Hotel has 19 spacious rooms, its own secure parking, and a cozy beer terrace—an easy base if you’re planning multiple market Sundays.
For a more independent stay, a local guesthouse offers separate-entry apartments opening from a shared courtyard. Only groups arriving together share common space, which makes it great for families or friends collecting records, ceramics, and stories in equal measure.
Looking for roadside charm? The Sunset Motel channels classic American car culture with European comfort, wrapped in a beautiful garden and priced like a secret you’ll want to keep. Meanwhile, Hunter Restaurant and Pension (Vadász Étterem és Panzió) sits near a 66.7-acre arboretum and the thermal bath, with eight rooms and an 80-seat restaurant heavy on international and Hungarian flavors. It connects to a private room for meetings, trainings, or parties of up to 90 people; the garden seats 40.
Eat, Sip, Repeat
Foodies have options. 108 Restaurant salutes goalkeeper Gábor Király’s 108 caps and runs a European–Mediterranean à la carte lineup without quality compromises—plus weekday lunch menus and a modern wine list.
An Africa-inspired bar serves immaculate coffee in a warm, escapist setting.
Inside the Artis Hotel, a downtown restaurant pairs fresh, healthy ingredients and modern techniques with a fusion of European, Hungarian, and Eastern flavors. An open kitchen lets you watch the action; expect solid wines, premium spirits, generous breakfasts daily, and weekday business menus with a sushi bento option.
In the Derkovits district at the DOMUS department store, a home-style kitchen serves daily specials with grandma energy and modern textures—comfort done right. A beloved local tavern has reopened with a refreshed vibe and weekly menus. Il Gallo Nero makes another appearance on the culinary map near the historic core. Elsewhere, weekend live music accompanies traditional fare, with fish and game specialties, multiple draft beers, and standout wines.
Plan, But Stay Flexible
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so check ahead before you pack the car. Beyond that, bring curiosity, an eye for oddities, and a tote bag that can handle a stack of vinyl and a cast-iron pan. Szombathely’s Sunday market rewards the early, the patient, and anyone who believes that great stories come with a bit of patina.
