21km (13 miles) N of Budapest
The center of Szentendre (pronounced Sen-ten-dreh) must rank with Pest's Váci utca and Buda's Castle District as one of the most heavily visited spots in all of Hungary. In the summer, it becomes one huge handicraft and souvenir marketplace. Despite the excess of vendors, Szentendre remains a gorgeous little town. In medieval times, Serbian settlers fleeing Turkish northward expansion populated Szentendre, which counts half a dozen Serbian churches among its rich collection of historical buildings. The town retains a distinctively Mediterranean flavor that's rare this far north in Europe.
Since the early 1900s, Szentendre has been home to an artists' colony. Today, about 100 artists live and work here. As a result, the town has a wealth of museums and galleries, the best of which are listed below. Surprisingly few people visit the museums, however, distracted perhaps by the shopping opportunities. We recommend that you explore more than the main drag, Fo tér. After the almost-suffocating hubbub of the center of the city, we're pretty sure you'll appreciate the peace and quiet of the many exhibition halls and the winding cobblestone streets that lead to a Roman Catholic churchyard at the top of the hill, with lovely views of the red-tile rooftops. Wander down side streets; Szentendre is too small for you to get lost in and too beautiful for a less-than-thorough exploration.
