You have a wide variety of weekend getaway destinations around Budapest. If you don’t want to travel far from the capital city, Szentendre is an excellent choice. The city awaits vibrant cultural and artistic programs almost all year round. It is not a coincidence that it is one of the most popular cities that attract people from the capital and everyone else.
The city is a treasure box! Whether hiking, sightseeing, romantic dinner, museum visit, or water sports, everyone finds their favourite activity here!
Since Szentendre offers numerous options, I mainly collected the museums and sightseeing spots in this article. I listed the top 12 sights of Szentendre, what you need to know about them, their opening hours, and how much you need to pay for entry.
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You can even fit all the activities in one day, but it is worth spending a weekend here if you can. That way, you will have time for everything; moreover, you’ll have time to discover the hiking spots around Szentendre. It is worth visiting the city alone, with your partner, or even with the family, since cultural or artistic programs are suitable for all ages.
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Map - Where is Szentendre?
Budapest distance, location, map, parking
Szentendre belongs to Budapest’s agglomeration - the capital of Hungary. It is located about 30 km from Budapest. Szentendre is also known as the gate of the Danube bend since it is located at the foot of the Visegrád mountain, where the Danube meets the mountain.
Fun fact, Szentendre was once made up of multiple small settlements. This memory is preserved by the names of different parts of the city, such as Izbég.
Szentendre commuter rail lines (HÉV)
It is easy to approach Szentendre from Budapest by public transport. The H5 commuter rail line starts from Batthyány square, which takes you to the city's heart within an hour.
By car, it is even quicker. It takes about half an hour to get to Szentendre from the capital.
Attractions of Szentendre
The history of Szentendre dates back to prehistoric times, so it is no coincidence that the city houses many museums. In addition, the fantastic atmosphere of the small town between the Visegrád Mountains and the Danube is enhanced by the "trickling of the Danube", the closeness of nature, and the huge blocks of volcanic mountains towering next to the city.
Even one week wouldn’t be enough to visit all the museums in Szentendre. If you are a big fan of museums and only have 1 or 2 days, it is worth choosing the most appealing one, and keep the rest for another time.
#1 Skanzen – Open Air Ethnographic Museum
The first thing that pops your mind about Szentendre is the Skanzen, although many people don’t know. The Skanzen, in other words, Open Air Ethnographic Museum whose goal is to showcase in a natural environment how people lived, farmed, and dressed from the 18. to the 20. century.
The Skanzen was established in 1972; uniquely in Europe, this was the first open-air ethnographic museum. In the 46-hectare area, the landscape units were developed keeping in mind the ethnographic aspects of the settlement.
The 9 units represent Hungary and its regions. If you want to know more about Hungary’s folklore, architecture and heritage, you can discover Hungary’s history from the 18th to the 20th century!
- Opening hours: vary
- Adults entry: 2000 HUF
- Address: 2000 Szentendre, Sztaravodai St. 75.
#2 Kovács Margit Ceramic Museum
In Szentendre’s centre, near the main square, you will find the Kovács Margit Ceramic Museum, which was opened in 1973. Margit Kovács is a Kossuth-award winner ceramics artist who donated her collection to the museum. The artist’s versatile creations are timeless. Moreover, you can find letters and pictures from the artist’s heritage.
- Monday – Sunday, every day: 10:00-18:00
- Adults entry: 1400 Ft
- Address: 2000 Szentendre, Vastagh György St. 1.
#3 Szentendre Main Square
It is worth spending a couple of hours in the main square. The small, triangular square served as the city's core throughout history. It was home to countless markets, fairs, and musical and dancing activities.
In addition, several buildings have been preserved during the Baroque and Rococo periods, with which the Serbian trading houses and the Greek church fit nicely. Walking by the colourful houses is like travelling back in time.
Near the square, you will find the previously mentioned kovács Margit Museum, the Blagovesztenszkaj orthodox church, the Szentendre Gallery, the Kmetty Museum, and the Kálmár Cross. If you don’t have time to admire the buildings from the inside, drink a coffee in one of the cafés, and immerse yourself in the square’s vibe.
#4 Szentendre Old Town
The old town is located around the main square, whose history dates back to the middle ages. The 18th-century baroque and Rococo-style buildings are well preserved. The main square was created in the middle ages and times after that due to trade routes running through there.
Thanks to luck and continuous reconstruction, the baroque gates, narrow small streets, and houses built tightly are preserved and functioning today.
The old town is home to many cultural and artistic programs during the summer. Such as the Szentendre Day and Night Festival, when the gates open, and every street is flooded with merchants, craftsmen, and events with music and dancing.
#5 Ferenczy Museum Centre
The Ferenczy family moved to Szentendre in the middle of the 19th century. With this, the city started to merge with arts and culture. Many members of the Ferenczy Family were excellent artists. The museum was established in 1951 to honour them. Other smaller exhibitions later expanded the museum and created the Ferenczy Museum Centre, which operates most of the city’s fine art exhibitions.
The Ferenczy Museum preserves the local historical monuments of the city and houses 20th-century, modern and contemporary exhibitions. The museum and centre await visitors with constantly changing temporary and permanent exhibitions.
At the moment, 10 museums belong to the centre:
- Ferenczy Museum
- Roman Stone Collection
- Barcsay Museum
- Kmetty Museum
- Szentendrei Gallery
- Kovács Margit Ceramics Museum
- Czóbel Museum
- Vajda Museum
- Ámos Imre – Anna Margit Memorial Museum
- ArtMill
#6 Public Transport Museum
The Public Transport Museum was established in 1992. If you are interested in old vehicles and would like to know how public transport was formed throughout history in the cities, don’t leave this museum out!
The museum awaits visitors with five open-air exhibition areas and more than 60 renovated vehicles.
- Season: 2020. July 1.-October 31.
- Open: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 – 17:00
- Adults: 350 Ft
- Address: 2000 Szentendre, Dózsa György St. 3.
#7 Danube Promenade
The Danube Promenade, known for its colourful stones, restaurants, and bike lane, is perfect for a light walk. The Szentendre Danube Promenade is ideal for an afternoon stroll with ice cream in your hand or a relaxing evening walk. It is always pleasant relaxing on the riverside.
You don’t have to go to a fancy place if you get hungry; try lángos at the Görög Kancsó restaurant or a sandwich at Kacsakő. It is almost a romantic dinner having the Danube’s panorama in the background.
#8 V-8 Pool and Leisure Centre
If you wish for a more relaxing way to spend your time or would like to recharge after walking around the city visiting museums, then the V-8 Pool and Leisure centre awaits you all year round.
You can relax your tired legs on the sauna island or in the steam cabin and regain strength in the salt room and the ice cave. And if you are visiting with family or kids, the “Water Spider” playhouse is an unforgettable experience for the little ones.
- Entrance fees: 3000 - 850 HUF
- Address: 2000 Szentendre, Kálvária St. 16/c.
#9 Raby House
Mátyás Ráby built the characteristic baroque residential house in 1768. The building’s signature feature is the coffered entrance gate, stone-framed windows, and a saddle roof. This building preserved and preserves most authentically the baroque everyday life.
The building is a twin house which’s entrance opens to Hunyadi street. The building can unfortunately only be admired from the outside; however, it is worth checking it out and immersing yourself in its many small, beautiful details.
- Address: 2000 Szentendre, Rab Ráby Square 1.
#10 Belgrade Cathedral
Serbian Orthodox Ecclesiastical Art Collection
The Belgrade Cathedral guards the memories of many Greeks, Serbian and Dalmatians who fled here during the Turkish times.
The baroque cathedral not far from the main square also accommodates the Serbian Orthodox Bishop’s Palace. The tower, with its 48 meters, stands out next to the flat trading houses; however, it is still not the tallest in the city but is the most richly ornamented.
The gates are open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays between 10-17. The pulpit made of linden wood and the gilded cathedra are worth taking a peak from the inside.
- Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00
- Adults: 600 Ft
- Address: 2000 Szentendre, Alkotmány St. 5.
#11 Szamos Marzipan Museum
If you like sweets or are visiting with children, the Szamos Marzipan museum is an unmissable activity. The café and the tiny marzipan museum operating within the confectionery await visitors with a sweet tooth between 9-19.
- Every day, 09:00 - 19:00
- Address: Szentendre, Dumtsa Jenő St. 14, 2000
#12 ArtMill
I must highlight ArtMill because it is unique in Hungary, but it is also rare in Europe to be able to view contemporary art pieces in such a special environment. If you decide next to the ArtMill, be prepared for a unique experience. The mill combines the past with the present’s modernity.
Make sure to check what exhibition the mill houses at the moment before visiting. Regardless, it is worth exploring the building.
- Address: 2000 Szentendre, Bogdányi St. 32