Szentendre Travel Guide: Best Day Trip from Budapest by Train

Last April, we visited Budapest, the capital of Hungary, and had three full days there. The city impressed us a great deal, but we also wanted to see something beyond the capital. So we started looking online for the most interesting places around Budapest and came across Szentendre – a small town with a beautiful historic center on the banks of the Danube, located only about 20 km from Budapest and less than an hour away by train.

In this article, we’ll share our experience of Szentendre – one of the most interesting day trips from Budapest and one of the most charming places to visit and stroll around in Hungary. In this travel guide, you will find information about the town, how to get there, and what to see in Szentendre.

A few words about Szentendre

Szentendre is a picturesque small town in Hungary, located about 20 km north of Budapest, along the Danube. It is known for its Baroque architecture, narrow cobblestone streets, and relaxed atmosphere.

Historically, Szentendre was an important trading center as far back as Roman times. In the 17th and 18th centuries, it became a refuge for Serbs fleeing Ottoman rule, which is why the town still has many Orthodox churches and visible Serbian cultural influence today.

In the 20th century, Szentendre attracted many artists and cultural figures and became known as a town of art and museums. Today, it draws visitors with its many galleries, workshops, and museums – including the Marzipan Museum and the Retro Museum – as well as its charming atmosphere. It is a very popular day trip from Budapest.

How to Get from Central Budapest to Szentendre

There are three main ways to get there – by train, bus, or boat, although the boat does not run in winter.

We chose the train because it is the fastest and most convenient option. From central Budapest, in Buda, on the opposite side of the Hungarian Parliament, you will find Batthyány station. From there, the HÉV suburban train departs, specifically line H5, which takes you directly to Szentendre. Keep in mind that for the train, you need two tickets – one for public transport within Budapest and a second one covering the Békásmegyer – Szentendre section outside Budapest. Both can be bought from the ticket machines at the station. Together, the two tickets cost about 2-3 euros one way.

If you choose to travel by boat on the Danube, most boats depart from Vigadó tér in central Pest, near Elizabeth Bridge, or sometimes from Batthyány tér. The journey takes about 1.5-2 hours one way.

Top Sights in Szentendre

The Streets and the Main Square in the Old Town

For us, this is the town’s greatest asset – its beautiful streets and pleasant vibe. Just a few minutes from the train station, the pretty houses and lanes begin. We did not have a plan with specific places, we simply went with the flow and spent the day wandering the cobbled streets of Szentendre. Just a few minutes from the main shopping street is the Danube bank, which does not offer dramatic views, but is still a pleasant place for a stroll.

The Panoramic View from St. John’s Church

The centre of Szentendre is hilly, which makes it even more picturesque. The best view over the town’s beautiful rooftops is from the platform in front of St. John’s Church (Keresztelő Szent János plébániatemplom).

Museums, Crafts and Galleries

Although Szentendre is a small town, it has several interesting museums:

1. Marzipan Museum (Szamos Marzipan Museum) – impressive marzipan figures and sculptures
2. Open-Air Museum (Skanzen) – an ethnographic museum with traditional Hungarian houses and crafts from different regions
3. Retro Museum – a nostalgic collection from the communist era
4. Ferenczy Museum – dedicated to the famous Hungarian artist

In addition to the museums, the town has many craft shops with ceramics, jewellery, handmade souvenirs and various art galleries.

The Churches of Szentendre

The Serbian Orthodox churches are especially interesting because of the rich cultural heritage left by the Serbian refugees who settled in the town in the 17th-18th centuries.

1. Blagovestenska Orthodox Church (Blagovestenska) – the most central and visible church in town, located on the Main Square (Fő tér), built in 1752-1754 by the Serbian community. It is a red baroque building with a beautiful iconostasis and frescoes.
2. Belgrade Cathedral (Preobraženska) – the largest Orthodox church in Szentendre, located on a hill with a lovely view. It has a museum of Serbian religious art with valuable icons and liturgical objects.
3. Church of St. John (Keresztelő Szent János) – a Roman Catholic church built in the 13th century. As mentioned above, from the hill by the church you get a very beautiful panoramic view.