Discovering India & the World: Szentendre

Szentendre is dotted with houses with red tile rooftops | Photo Credit: Mátyás Késmárki / Wikimedia

Cobblestone alleyways, a skyline of church spires, red tile rooftops and a river flowing alongside. No, I am not describing a Van Gogh painting here; I am talking about Hungary’s City of Artists, Szentendre. A charming and picturesque city along the Danube River, Szentendre lays north to the imperial city of Budapest. A great deal of Hungary’s eight centuries of history and culture is centered in the region around this town that was founded in the fourteenth century by Serbian refugees fleeing the Turkish advance.

The scenic beauty of Szentendre is a sight to behold

What attracts tourists to this little town is the fact that its beauty seems frozen in time. It’s a perfectly preserved eighteenth-century town embellished by neat, brightly-coloured houses with tidy window boxes, beautiful Baroque churches, and quaint cobblestone streets all surrounded by lush countryside. The town boasts of its selection of 48 museums and monuments, with Marx tér, the town’s main square being its central rococo cross monument. Most of the historic monuments are clustered around Marx’ter. Some of the best dining venues and shops are also located here.

Szentendre is also home to many beautiful Baroque churches | Photo Credit: Hoangquan_hientrang / Wikimedia

Visit the Marzipan Museum to witness perfect reproductions of Hungary’s greatest monuments, busts of Hungarian leaders, and legends all made completely from the candy confection of marzipan! Also known as the City of Artists, Szentendre is home to several artists who began flocking the here beginning in 1900. With its seven churches (including Serbian, Greek Orthodox, and Catholic) and world’s smallest operating synagogue, Szentendre has always been a crossroads of culture. To appreciate the beauty of the city, look beyond the touristy shops and wander the looking at the architecture, the galleries, and the churches.

Hungary, Anyone?

City OverviewNo, it’s not food that I’m going to offer. It’s perhaps something even better.  Let’s take you to one of the most beautiful cities of Central Europe; let’s take you to Budapest, the capital of Hungary.

Forget a building or two; the city itself is an architectural marvel. From baroque and neoclassical to eclectic and art nouveau, you’ll find it all in Budapest. Also known as the Pearl of Danube, the second largest river in Europe, the name Budapest is the combination of two city names, Buda and Pest, which were united in 1873 to become one single city.

A fascinating metropolis where history and modernity combine marvelously, Budapest is home to many museums and enjoys a vivid nightlife like many of its European counterparts.

We suggest five different ways to make your Budapest experience a truly delightful one.

Try some goulash
Tasting local food at any destination should be on top of the must-do list. When in Budapest, do try some authentic Hungarian goulash. Goulash is basically a soup or stew made up of vegetables (mainly potatoes), meat and noodles and it is seasoned with paprika and other spices. One of Hungary’s national dishes, Goulash is easily available in most restaurants in Budapest.

Take a cruise of Danube RiverCruise on Danube River
One of the best ways to explore and admire the beauty that is Budapest is by taking a boat cruise of River Danube. Budapest is basically two cities divided by the Danube and a boat cruise is a great way to enjoy stunning views of both sides of the city.

Visit one of Budapest’s famous baths
When in Budapest, a visit to one of the baths in the city is a must. Budapest is famous for its bath houses like the Rudas Bath and Gellert Baths. Not only are the baths a good way to relax but also help de-stress after walking for hours or recuperating from a jet lag.

Visit the St. Stephen's Basilica
St. Stephen’s Basilica, one of the finest examples of neoclassical architecture, is a Roman Catholic Basilica and one of the most important church buildings in Hungary. The church houses the mummified right hand of Hungary’s first King, Stephen. And as if its magnificence was not reason enough to visit, entry to the St. Stephen’s Basilica is free of cost making it a definite must-visit, when in Budapest.

Go shopping at the Great Market Hall
The Great Market Hall or the Central Market Hall is the largest indoor market in Budapest spread across three floors. From souvenirs, Hungarian lace and linen and pottery items to spices, candies and caviar; the Great Market Hall is surely a shopper’s paradise. The market is at its vibrant best on Saturday mornings with local people shopping for the weekend. Visit the market on a Monday morning if you want to avoid crowds.

Of course, your trip won’t (and should not) be restricted to just the above five activities; there’s a lot more that this amazing city has to offer. Go on, discover Budapest and find out for yourself!