A must-see destination for Roman history fans, the Aquincum Museum is perhaps the best place in Budapest to experience the remains of Roman civilization. Find diverse archaeological objects from Aquincum, an ancient town in the Roman province of Pannonia, including the largest collection of Roman artifacts in Hungary. Day tours to Szentendre may visit the Aquincum Museum—since it's a convenient stop along the way—while independent travelers can arrive via train, and purchase same-day entry.
Though the most convenient way to visit the Aquincum Museum is on a small-group outing to Szentendre or a private guided tour, the next best choice is train travel from the Budapest-Nyugati train station. You can take the S72 train toward Esztergom, and get off at Aquincum. It's about a 30-minute ride. From Buda, plan to take the H5 train from Batthyány Square.
The Aquincum Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Monday. The museum's indoor exhibition spaces—and its grounds—both hold season hours. The institution operates later hours from April 1 to October 31, and earlier hours from November 1 to March 31. History fans shouldn't miss the annual Floralia festival held at the museum to appreciate the Roman celebration of spring.
An ideal day trip destination from Budapest, Szentendre is a bohemian town located near the Danube Bend, about 9 miles (14 kilometers) from Aquincum. Start in the picturesque town's Main Square (Fo Ter) to explore the city center, stroll the cobblestoned streets, and stop at one of the area's cafés to sip coffee and sample langos—a traditional, deep-fried bread. You can take the train, book a tour, or even enjoy a scenic cruise back to Budapest.
