Szabadtéri Néprajzi Múzeum
Hungary’s national open-air ethnographic museum in Szentendre: relocated folk buildings arranged in regional groups, with a museum railway and a 75-hectare park.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The idea of an open-air ethnographic museum in Hungary arose with the Néprajzi Falu (Ethnographic Village) at the 1896 Millennium Exhibition, which was, however, demolished the same year. Monument protection of folk architecture began in 1949, and the central open-air museum was founded in 1967, first as the Falumúzeumi Osztály (Village Museum Department) of the Budapest Néprajzi Múzeum, and from 1972 as an independent national museum in the valley of the Sztaravoda stream in Szentendre.
The aim of the museum is to present the folk architecture, dwelling culture, farming and way of life of the Hungarian-speaking area through original relocated buildings and authentic objects, from the mid-18th century to the first half of the 20th century. The buildings are set up in groups organised by region, reminiscent of villages: the Felső-Tiszavidék (Upper Tisza Region) opened first in 1974, followed by the Kisalföld (Little Plain) (1987), Nyugat-Dunántúl (Western Transdanubia) (1993), Bakony–Balaton-felvidék (Bakony–Lake Balaton Uplands) (2000), Dél-Dunántúl (Southern Transdanubia) (2005), Felföldi mezőváros (Upland Market Town) (2006) and the Észak-magyarországi falu (North Hungarian Village) (2010).
In 2000 the museum received the Év múzeuma (Museum of the Year) award, and in 2004 the title Látogatóbarát múzeum (Visitor-Friendly Museum). The 75-hectare site is part of the Duna–Ipoly Landscape Protection Area, where the life of old villages and market towns can be explored by walking through a large park in a natural environment. The area is traversed by a 2.2 km standard-gauge museum railway.
Highlights
- Regional plan aimed at relocating more than 400 buildings
- Skanzen Vonat (Skanzen Train): 2.2 km standard-gauge museum railway
- Felföldi mezőváros (Upland Market Town) and Alföldi mezőváros (Great Plain Market Town) regional groups
- Original, furnished folk houses and farm buildings
- 75-hectare protected park setting
Permanent exhibitions
- A Skanzen tájegységei – Relocated original buildings arranged into regional groups: North Hungarian Village, Upland Market Town, Upper Tisza Region, Great Plain Market Town, Southern Transdanubia, Bakony–Lake Balaton Uplands, Western Transdanubia and Little Plain.
- Skanzen Vonat – The standard-gauge museum railway, evoking the 1930s, runs on a 2.2 km track with six stops and a circuit of about 30 minutes.
- Founded
- 1972
Admission & discounts
| Adults | HUF 4,000 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | HUF 2,0006–26-year-olds, 62–70-year-olds, close relatives accompanying at least two persons under 18 (up to two persons), those accompanying a minor with a long-term illness, visitors arriving with a Szentendre address card |
| Children & teens | HUF 2,000free up to age 5 · Half-price ticket for ages 6–26. |
| Seniors | HUF 2,000Half-price ticket for ages 62–70; admission is free over 70. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Persons with disabilities and their companions (one per entitled person) may enter free of charge. |
| Students & apprentices | HUF 2,000 |
| Families | –Close relatives accompanying at least two persons under 18 (up to two adults) may buy a half-price ticket. |
| Full-price ticket on festival days (Easter, Whitsun, Green Festival, St Martin’s Day) | HUF 5,000 |
| Half-price ticket on festival days | HUF 2,500 |
| Walking ticket (on the designated days of the pre- and post-season) | HUF 1,200 |
| Educational partner ticket (Szentendre kindergartens, schools and museum education partners) | HUF 1,700 |
| Discount for a second visit | –On presentation of an earlier 2026 admission ticket, a 30% discount on the relevant ticket price. |
| Skanzen Train – full-price single ticket (from age 14) | HUF 1,400A separate ticket is needed; valid on the day of purchase for any train on regular opening days. |
| Skanzen Train – reduced ticket (children aged 3–14, teachers) | HUF 1,200 |
| Skanzen Train – group student ticket with reduction (ages 3–18, groups of at least 10) | HUF 900 |
Free admission: On 15 March, 20 August and 23 October, and on the second Sunday of every month, under-26s and close relatives accompanying a child under 18 (up to two persons).
Eligibility for reduced tickets must be proven on entry; discounts cannot be combined. Children under 6, persons over 70, persons with disabilities and their companions, teachers and minors with a long-term illness may visit free of charge. An annual Skanzen Kártya (Skanzen Card) can also be purchased.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The internal visiting route can be walked independently on asphalt paths, but access to authentic buildings and gardens may be an obstacle. The car park in front of the entrance has 6 disabled parking spaces, the entrance building has 2, and the site has a further 5 accessible toilets. Every stop of the Skanzen Train has a lift. A tactile ceramic map at the entrance to the regional groups helps visually impaired visitors; special guided visits and museum education sessions can be requested for persons with disabilities.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The museum is a family-friendly place with museum education sessions for kindergarten and school children; the large green area and the museum railway are especially enjoyable for children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Skanzen
From Budapest, take the HÉV line H5 from Batthyány tér to Szentendre (about 40 minutes), then a local bus from stand 7 at the bus terminus beside the HÉV terminus to the “Skanzen” stop (12–23 minutes). By long-distance bus from Újpest-Városkapu (30–35 minutes) to the Szentendre bus station, then transfer to the local bus.
By car
Paid parking
800-space covered car park in front of the entrance building; cars HUF 2,000 per day, buses or motor homes HUF 3,000 per day; the first hour is free. Parking fees are paid at cash desk 7.
- Accessible parking
For those looking for the office building, the “Tegez u.” stop is recommended.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Skanzen Étterem (Skanzen Restaurant), Resti, bakery, Portékabolt (Goods Shop) and Szatócsbolt (Grocer’s Shop), and the Skanzen Hotel. Free Wi-Fi in and around the entrance building (skanzenfreewifi).
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Event venues for companies, family events and weddings, with ceremony and dinner venues; film and photo shoots are also possible.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The Skanzen app can be downloaded free of charge and helps orientation with an interactive map. Several regional groups are temporarily closed for renovation. Dogs may be taken onto the site on a leash (free of charge), but not into the buildings. Guided tours and group programmes can be requested. |
