Top Things to Do in Szentendre

Though this may seem like a small town far away from the bustling Budapest, there is much to love about Szentendre. Whether you’re interested in some history, sports, or you want to enjoy the picturesque atmosphere, Szentendre is the place for you. Here are just a few things you can enjoy.

For those who have never heard of skanzens, these are faithful recreations of small villages, usually dating back to the 18th century, that show off the folk traditions, farming, day to day life, and art and history of such settlements. If this sounds interesting to you, keep reading. The skanzen in Szentendre offers a permanent exhibition of houses and folk culture from the second half of the 18th century to the first half of the 20th century. There are more than 400 structures on display, grouped based on different ethnographies and functions. You will see recreations of daily lives from the Great Hungarian Plain to an Upland Market town. But there are also many other exhibitions, events, crafts, and much more to do, including tasting food and drinks from various parts of the country. Very few places in Hungary offer so much in such a small space.

Margit Kovács (1902-1977) was an influential artist who created countless clay pots, plates, statues, and tiled murals. This may not seem like much, but for lovers of modern art, this is a must. Kovács’s distinct style uses Hungarian folk and Byzantine motives to weave together tradition and nationality in a fresh way that remains relevant today. This makes her work striking to look at, making it worthy of preservation in its museum.

A starting place for many trips, the main square accurately captures the historical nature of Szentendre. Churches are lining the sides of the court, which are well worth visiting, as the whole settlement dates back to the Middle Ages and has had a more significant development in the 17th century. But that’s not all, the square is also home to many cafés and restaurants, making it a great place to sit down with some delicious local food and relax after exploring the city. In this small but vibrant centre, there’s something for everybody.

This town is chock full of cafés and small local shops nestled in crooked medieval streets and hidden in romantic little nooks. It is also where you find Saint Peter and Paul church or the Blagovestenska Church, as well as many of the town’s galleries. Explore this small but vibrant little town with a camera in hand, and you will have tons of great memories to share with people at home.

This museum helps running all the other museums in the town, but it also has its collection of essential works. It was built in the 18th century, but it became a museum in 1951 and was named after an influential artist, Károly Ferenczy. The family’s artworks are among the most valuable pieces of art in the museum and are worth seeing as part of the permanent exhibition. But for those who are interested in more contemporary art, the museum also offers temporary exhibitions that focus more on local artists.

The Szentendre promenade is a pleasant and peaceful place with a small beach and plenty of space for pedestrians and cyclists. The promenade is also lined with coloured stones, which are put there as memorabilia, not unlike the many locks on bridges you may have seen. The promenade is also part of a larger biking path that snakes along the Danube, meaning that the town is easily reachable on a bike in about an hour or two from Budapest. And once you’re here, there are many biking routes in the town's vicinity to enjoy.