Fő tér, the main square at the heart of Szentendre's old town, is a small triangular plaza on the Danube just north of Budapest, ringed by pastel Baroque and Rococo houses that once belonged to wealthy Serbian merchants. At its centre stands the Merchants' Cross (Plague Cross), raised in 1763 by the Serbian merchants' guild in thanks that a plague epidemic spared the town, and thanks to an artists' colony founded here in 1926 the surrounding lanes are now packed with galleries, craft workshops and cafés. In 2026 it remains the single most popular day trip from Budapest, so weekends and the summer season can get very crowded. It is best enjoyed on foot over a half-day, pairing Orthodox architecture with the ceramics and marzipan museums and the riverfront views.
Merchants' Cross (Plague Cross): a late-Rococo wrought-iron cross erected in 1763, set on a triangular pillar adorned with around a dozen icon paintings.
Blagovestenska Church (Church of the Annunciation): an elegant Serbian Orthodox church built 1752–1754 by the Rococo master Andreas Mayerhoffer, the square's signature landmark.
The ring of pastel Baroque and Rococo townhouses, former homes of prosperous Serbian merchants, now housing galleries and shops.
Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum, just off the square, devoted to one of Hungary's best-loved ceramic artists and a must-see in town.
The Marzipan Museum and the craft lanes selling local pottery, glassware and hand-embroidered linen.
Good to know
RulesA standard Budapest travelcard (BKK) covers the HÉV H5 line only to the city boundary at Békásmegyer. For Szentendre you must buy a supplementary extension ticket and validate it before boarding, or you risk a fine for travelling unvalidated.
CautionCurrency-exchange booths in tourist zones offer poor rates, and anyone on the street offering a 'better cash rate' is likely a bait-and-switch or counterfeit scam. Prefer paying by card and exchange only at banks or reputable offices.
CautionSome restaurants bill for unordered bread or a 'welcome drink,' and a service charge is legal only if clearly printed on the menu (capped at 15%). Check the bill, and give a roughly 10% tip in cash.
SafetyOn busy summer weekends the crowds attract pickpockets, so keep your bag in front. The square and lanes are cobblestoned, so wear comfortable, flat shoes.
SeasonThe open square offers little shade and gets hot at midday in summer; museum hours shrink in winter; and in spring the Danube can rise and close riverside paths, so check conditions before you go.
MannersInside Serbian Orthodox churches such as Blagovestenska, keep quiet, dress modestly, and avoid flash photography or filming during services.
Practical info
Take the HÉV H5 suburban train from Budapest's Batthyány tér (change from metro line M2); the ride to Szentendre takes about 45–50 minutes, and the old town and main square are a short walk from the station. The square itself is an open, free public space; nearby museums such as the Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum (part of the Ferenczy Museum Center) are generally open around 10:00–18:00, but confirm current tickets, opening hours and closing days on the official sites before visiting.
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