Szentendre, Hungary (Travel)

My Visit to Szentendre, an Unexpected Surprise!

Once in awhile a place shows up on our itinerary that is a total surprise to me.

Surprise! Szentendre (how does one even pronounce it???!!!) is such a place.

During our our time in Budapest, Hungary, we took a few day trips outside of the city. Included on one of those day trip excursions was a stop at Szentendre, a quaint riverside town in Pest County.

Due to its historic architecture, along with easy accessibility via rail and river, Szentendre has become a destination for tourists staying in Budapest. Besides a variety of cafes and shops, it is well known for its galleries, artists, and museums – notably the Hungarian Open Air Museum.

Szentendre’s tourist area is a very quaint, picturesque, and photogenic stop. While our only purchase was a couple of delicious ice cream cones, in retrospect, it was a stop worthy of a blog!

Szentendre: the Name

The town of Szentendre is also known as Saint Andrew, based on its Medieval Latin name. Due to the diverse mix of nationalities which have settled here over the centuries, it also has a variety of names according to ethnic, verbal language.

Its Hungarian name is Szentendre.

Artist’s Village

Most references to Szentendre refer to it as an “Artist’s Village,” and that it is. Side streets boast shops and galleries displaying and selling unique pieces of art. The umbrellas displaying the artistic color-wheel hang above the main street which focuses on local art.

Main Square

The main street broadens onto the Main Square. It comes alive throughout the year with all manner of festivities. A highlight is its annual Christmas market.

Church Square

The main street, lined with shops and eateries, ends at the Church Square. This square showcases one of the many churches in town, Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Szentendre. Its steeple can be seen above the roof lines in the photo below.

Quaint Shops

A plethora of shops within shops are carved into the sides of the cobblestone streets. Each has its own unique products and flavors.

Shops selling unique clothing and artistic accessories continue the ambiance of an “artist’s village.”

The “artist’s village” flare is be seen in the shop with wines and spirits.

Unique pieces of colorful hand-crafted pottery were the focus of this shop.

Paprika

Another surprise was learning about Paprika!

Shops selling food and spices fill the streets with colorful sights and aromatic smells. Paprika is one readily available product. Although paprika is produced in various places in the world, Hungary is one of the best-known producers. Due to geographical conditions and its favorable climate, Hungarian paprika stands out for its bright red color and a distinctive rich flavor.

Paprika is available for sale both in packets and in its natural form.

Hungarian paprika has an interesting history. The pepper plant was introduced to Hungary by the Turks during their rule (16th-17th century). It was originally regarded, and used, as an ordinary plant and garden decoration. Common folk such as shepherds, herdsman and peasants used the fiery powder to spice their meals. Eventually, the tasty, red spice was discovered and used by aristocrats and its popularity boomed!

By the 19th century paprika became a dominant spice in Hungarian kitchens and restaurants. It is the main spice in their famous Hungarian Goulash. Today paprika is set on tables in Hungary in the same way we in America use shakers of salt.

Blue-Dyer

Kovacs Blue-Dyer is an intriguing shop in Szentendre. Its distinctive bright blue decor stands out along the thoroughfare. The name refers to the unique color dying process. It involves printing a dye-resist paste called Papp onto a cloth which is then dyed over with indigo. Indigo, the most common and the most powerful natural dye, has been used world-wide for thousands of years.

The stand-alone store had hundreds of items for sale – all created with indigo blue-dye fabric.

As a collector of hand-made dolls- some made by my mother and some purchased in my travels – I was particularly intrigued with these charming hand-made dolls!

Displays of the looms used to dye the fabric highlight the intricacy of the blue-dye process.

Dining

Quaint cafes with a vast range of diverse menus and price tags were tucked in the alleys between the shops.

Ice cream shops such as this one pop up everywhere! Shoppers – like us! – with ice cream cones in hand are a common sight strolling along the shop-lined streets!

Quaint Street Scenes

Interesting architecture is found everywhere one looks. Intriguing doors, vine-covered windows, and welcoming archways into mysterious alleys, offer unlimited photographic opportunities.

Vine covered walls, windows and doors add to the picturesque atmosphere.

This alleyway is my favorite – and, based on the photos I found online of this very-same alley, it is a favorite of others as well! It is easy to see why!

TRAVELERS TIP: Szentendre was indeed an unexpected, delightful addition to our itinerary. I can highly recommend it as a half-day trip out of Budapest. Pair it as we did with the Hungarian Open Air Museum. Allow a few hours to fully appreciate its unique buildings, including its many churches. Opportunities abound for one to step inside quaint boutiques to shop for fun, artistic clothing and souvenirs – and of course, local paprika! Discovering the various old churches is a quest in itself! Dining spots tucked secretively in alleys and plainly in the open on sidewalks offer a chance to sit back and soak in the atmosphere while enjoying great Hungarian food. Cost? Enjoying the ambiance of a stroll through the town is FREE. One can spend little – like an ice cream cone or a packet of paprika – or a lot! Be prepared to discover fine treasures tucked away in the enticing little shops!

Did you enjoy this post? Let me know with a “like” in the space below! Thanks! ~Cher B

Sources

• Local on-site info gleaned by Cher and Skip B during visit, 02 June 2025
• Local Viking Tour guide on-site and in preparation for the visit. 02 June 2025.