The Béla Czóbel Museum in Szentendre is a compact but remarkable gallery dedicated to one of the great figures of modern Hungarian painting. Remarkably, it opened back in 1975 while the artist was still alive, at the age of 92 - a rare honor in Hungary.

The museum stands on Castle Hill (Várdomb) in the heart of Szentendre, a charming Danube-side town famous for its artistic spirit and winding cobbled streets. The building itself dates from the 19th century, originally built as a school, and its intimate rooms now showcase Czóbel's post-impressionist canvases. In the entrance hall visitors are greeted by a bust of the painter created by sculptor Imre Varga. A visit pairs perfectly with a stroll through Szentendre's hilly old town, pleasant in any season - shaded and cool in summer, quietly atmospheric in autumn and winter.

• Szentendre town centre — short uphill walk to Castle Hill, a few minutes, easy
• From Budapest — HÉV suburban train or bus to Szentendre, then walk through the old town

• The museum operates as part of the Ferenczy Museum (Ferenczy Múzeum)
• The fully renewed permanent exhibition opened on 5 February 2016
• The building underwent major renovation: structural reinforcement, new roof, restored façade and a refreshed inner garden
• Works on display are also on loan from the Hungarian National Gallery, the Katona József Museum and the Académie Julian in Paris

An interesting detail: some paintings were discovered painted over on the back of other works, hidden for decades - these 'double-sided' pieces can now be viewed from both sides.