Szentendre, Hungary: travel guide
An artists' town of cobbled lanes and galleries on the Danube Bend
Artists' riverside town on the Danube Bend just north of Budapest, known for Serbian Orthodox churches, cobbled lanes, galleries and the Hungarian Open-Air Museum (Skanzen).
About Szentendre
Szentendre is a small riverside town on the Danube Bend, a short distance north of Budapest. It has long been an artists' colony, and its cobbled lanes, colourful baroque houses and Serbian Orthodox churches give it a distinctive, almost Balkan character.
Things to do in Szentendre include wandering the old centre, visiting its many small galleries and museums, browsing craft shops and cafés and exploring the Hungarian Open-Air Museum on the edge of town, which shows rural buildings from across the country. The Danube promenade is a pleasant place to stop.
Szentendre suits a day trip from Budapest, which is easily reached by suburban train or boat. Spring to early autumn is the best time to visit.
- Country
- Hungary
- Currency
- HUF
- Time zone
- Europe/Budapest
- Nearest airport
- BUD
Last updated
Top places to visit in Szentendre
Fő tér (Main Square)
square · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Triangular cobbled main square with the Merchants' Cross, pastel houses and the entrances to lanes full of galleries.
Blagoveštenska Church
orthodox · about 0.4 h · entry Ft600 (≈ ₹180)
Rococo Serbian Orthodox church on the main square with a richly gilded iconostasis.
Belgrade Cathedral (Beogradska)
orthodox · about 0.6 h · entry Ft800 (≈ ₹230)
Hilltop Serbian Orthodox cathedral and its Serbian Ecclesiastical Art collection, legacy of the town's Serb settlers.
Hungarian Open-Air Museum (Skanzen)
open-air · about 3 h · entry Ft3,200 (≈ ₹940)
Vast open-air museum recreating village architecture and folk life from every Hungarian region, with a period narrow-gauge train.
Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum
art · about 0.8 h · entry Ft1,800 (≈ ₹530)
Collection of the beloved ceramicist Margit Kovács in a merchant's house, one of Hungary's most visited single-artist museums.
Templom tér (Church Square)
square · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Elevated square around the Catholic parish church offering the classic panorama over Szentendre's red roofs and the Danube.
Danube Promenade (Duna-korzó)
riverside · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Riverfront walk with views of Szentendre Island, cafés and moorings for Budapest riverboats.
Things to do
- Skanzen open-air museum visit Sightseeing · 3.5 h · from HUF 3,200 per person
- Szentendre art & churches walk Tour · 2 h · from HUF 3,500 per person
- Danube Bend riverboat to Szentendre Outdoor · 1.5 h · from HUF 4,500 per person
Day trips and tours
- Szentendre & Skanzen from Budapest 7 h · from HUF 16,000
Where to stay in Szentendre
- Old Town about HUF 36,000 per night
Cobbled riverside heart packed with galleries, churches and restaurants.
Hotels
- Bükkös Hotel & Spa 4-star · HUF 38,000 to HUF 65,000 per night
- Centrum Hotel Szentendre 3-star · HUF 28,000 to HUF 45,000 per night
Where to eat
- Aranysárkány Vendéglő Hungarian · about HUF 8,500 per person
- Görög Kancsó Greek, Hungarian · about HUF 7,500 per person
- Szamos Marcipán Café Cafe, Dessert · about HUF 2,800 per person
Getting to Szentendre
Nearest airport: Budapest (BUD), about 30 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Bus
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Tourist-lane markups
Szentendre Old Town shops
Souvenir shops on the busiest lanes can price well above nearby stores.
How to avoid it: Compare a few shops off the main square before buying marzipan or crafts.
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Frequently asked questions about Szentendre
- What are the main places to visit in Szentendre?
- Places covered in our Szentendre guide include Fő tér (Main Square), Blagoveštenska Church, Belgrade Cathedral (Beogradska), Hungarian Open-Air Museum (Skanzen), Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum.
- Where should I stay in Szentendre?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Szentendre: Old Town.
- How do I get around Szentendre?
- Ways to get around Szentendre covered in our guide: City bus, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Szentendre?
- Scams reported to us for Szentendre include Tourist-lane markups. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Szentendre?
- The nearest airport to Szentendre has the code BUD.