Things to Do in Szentendre

Szentendre sits on the western flank of the River Danube Bend just north of Budapest, an arty hotspot crammed with brightly painted Baroque houses, Orthodox churches and museums tucked among scores of galleries, craft shops and cafes. Largely constructed in the 18th century by Serbian refugees, the heart of the town is found in the cobbled, triangular Main Square (Szechenyi ter or Fo ter), which is dominated by an elaborate memorial cross erected by the Serbian Trade Association in thanks for being spared an epidemic in 1763. Today surrounded by delicate wrought-iron railings, the cross is inscribed with the dates of its renovations across three centuries. Also standing on the square is the Baroque Serbian Orthodox Church, constructed in 1752 and topped with a bronze spire, along with the pastel-hued town houses of Serbian merchants. In summer music and drama festivals take place in the square, in winter a bustling Christmas market takes pride of place. The souvenir stores in the labyrinthine winding lanes leading off the Main Square all have colorful displays spilling out into the streets; this is the spot to load up with pálinka (Hungarian fruit brandy) and hand-embroidered linen tablecloths.

Located about 25 miles north of Budapest, Visegrad is a tiny castle town on the banks of the Danube River. It makes a nice day trip from Budapest, but is also worth a couple days in its own right, as it makes a great base for hiking and other adventure sports in the surrounding area. Visegrad was first mentioned in the history books more than 1,000 years ago and was a Roman stronghold in the time of Constantine the Great. The Turks destroyed most of the town in 1543, but it gradually rose again and regained town status in 2000. 

One of the most popular sites in Visegrad is the Royal Palace, originally built in the 14th century and reconstructed in a Renaissance style by King Matthias Corvinus in the 15th century. The palace felt into ruin after the Turkish occupation of Visegrad and eventually became completely buried. Excavations began in 1934 and today the reconstructed palace is open to the public and includes exhibits on its long history.

The Citadel, or Upper Castle, was built by King Bela IV in the 13th century to defend against the Mongols and is also open to the public. The Solomon Tower, which is part of the Lower Castle, also dates to the 13th century and today is home to exhibits of Gothic and Renaissance artifacts discovered in Visegrad. Climbing the tower offers great views of the surrounding area.

Set on the Danube River, the postcard-perfect town of Szentendre (St. Andrew) was settled by Serbs and Greeks in the 16th and 17th centuries, and baroque buildings still dominate its cobblestone streets. The little town, often called the Artist’s Village, has been home to an artists’ colony since 1928, and museums and galleries abound. 

Because of its proximity to Budapest, Szentendre is most commonly visited during day trips from the Hungarian capital. Organized half-day and full-day Szentendre tours from Budapest typically take in additional sites around the Danube Bend, including the medieval Visegrad castle and Esztergom castle and basilica, Hungary’s largest church. Some sightseeing tours combine a city tour of Szentendre with a boat ride on the Danube River.

Szentendre is situated about 11 miles (19 kilometers) south of Budapest. Driving via Route 11 takes around 30 minutes. Alternatively, take the HEV train from Batthyány Tér on the Buda side of the river just south of Margaret Bridge. Some organized tours include boat transport to or from the town. 

During the summer months, Szentendre swells with visitors. Go during the week to avoid the weekend crowds, but avoid Mondays as many of the museums are closed.

The town of Szentendre is home to myriad galleries and museums. Admire work by local and national artists at the Art Mill; see sculptures at the Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum; or check out the Ferenczy Museum, dedicated to Károly Ferenczy, the artist credited with bringing impressionism to Hungary. Other important artistic institutions include the Kmetty Museum, which displays works by cubist painter János Kmetty, and the Serbian Ecclesiastical Art Collection.

The cute town of Szentendre stands on the west bank of the River Danube Bend around 14 miles (22 km) north of Budapest, a pretty enclave of cheerily painted Baroque houses and Serbian Orthodox churches scattered among galleries, museums and clusters of cafés. Its proximity to Budapest makes it one of the most popular day trips out from the city.

Prominent among the attractions of Szentendre is the nostalgia-inspired Retro Design Center, which flies time travellers back to the 1970s with an in-depth study of lifestyles in Hungary’s Communist era. Here a massive collection of Soviet-style household implements—from toys to televisions and clumsy tape recorders—is displayed in endearingly cluttered surroundings. Several themed set pieces include a flower-power hippy complete with fluorescent platform boots in a room largely decorated in orange; another shows cheery glassware, ceramics and cooking utensils laid out in a basic kitchen.

The standout exhibits have to be the rows of basic, box-like cars, including the brightly colored Trabants so reminiscent of Eastern Europe under Soviet rule. Star turns a bright blue Dormobile covered in hippy-style flower stickers and a startlingly pink cabriolet.

Located about 30 miles northwest of Budapest, Esztergom sits on the right bank of the Danube River where it forms the border between Hungary and Slovakia. It makes a perfect day trip from Budapest. The city was the capital of Hungary from the 10th century to the middle of the 13th century and is currently the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in the country. 

The most popular sight in Esztergom is the Esztergom Basilica, the largest church in Hungary. Standing atop Castle Hill, entrance to the church is free, but visitors must pay extra to visit the crypts, cupola and treasury. Next to the Basilica is the Castle Museum, which is free and well worth a visit – especially for its views over the Danube. The Christian Museum can be found in the Primate’s Palace and boasts the largest collection of ecclesiastical objects in all of Hungary. If time permits, check out the Balint Balatta Museum, featuring displays on local and regional history.