Second-hand bookstores (called antikvárium in Hungarian) abound in the capital along Múzeum körút between the metro stops Astoria and Kálvin tér. A short walk along this section of Budapest's "small boulevard" will provide the visitor with a quick first impression on the general selection and prices of the second-hand book market.
Although there are dozens of online book order services in the country, Amazon land Hungary ain't yet. Instead of the "find anything" approach, the selection of Hungarian online stores is often limited to the specific vendor's stock, credit car payment is the exception rather than the rule, and to order, it is advised to reside in Budapest. If you live abroad, sometimes your best bet is to try and hammer out a personal shipping deal with the vendor - or rely on Hungary's good old postal service. Good luck.
Some of the capital's bookstores rise above the others due to their atmosphere, location, the staff's competence or the special events organized on the premises. Here's a list of shops that we have long cherished as our favorite hangouts.
Small and charming bookstores may be a bookworm's Mecca, but when it comes to sheer quantity, nothing compares to bookstore chains. The service may be less friendly and the staff less competent, but real-time electronic databases and miles of shelves may compensate for the lack of atmosphere.
