Szekszárd 2026: Béla király tér, Garay tér and parking

Szekszárd is the county seat of Tolna County and the center of the Szekszárd wine region. With its historic squares, museums and traditions connected to winemaking, it makes a great destination whether you are planning a city walk or are interested in the culture of the surrounding area.

In the city center, you can visit one after another the buildings and memorial sites connected to the city’s past. If you arrive by car, it is worth checking the parking options in advance so you can focus on sightseeing once you get there.

Béla király tér: in the footsteps of the abbey

Béla király tér is one of the important sites in Szekszárd’s history. King Béla I founded a Benedictine abbey here. You can find its ruins in the courtyard of the old county hall, and the king was buried in the abbey. A springer stone from the abbey church’s vault is also on display here, so the square evokes the city’s early history not only through its buildings but also through its surviving details.

The downtown Catholic church, the town hall and the Palace of Justice stand on the square. In the courtyard of the old county hall, Gyűrűkert and Borkút are located beside the ruins. The square’s sights also include the statue of King Béla and the Holy Trinity statue. It is worth exploring the various buildings and memorials on foot, as one walk will take you past traces of several different eras.

Garay tér, the center of the historic district

The center of the historic district is Garay tér, once known as Zöldkút tér. The statue of János Garay now stands where the well that gave the square its former name once stood. A plaque commemorating the poet’s birthplace was moved to the wall of the Diczenty House, built on the site after the original house was demolished. Even a short walk through the square brings Szekszárd’s literary past to mind.

Among the buildings on the square are the Pirnitzer department store, the old savings bank and the German-language theater Deutsche Bühne Ungarn. Garay Élménypince és Vinotéka is also located here, reflecting the city’s wine heritage. If you are exploring the city center, Garay tér is a good place to stop by the statue and then explore the surrounding buildings on foot. From here, several aspects of the city’s history and cultural life come into view.

Szent István tér: museum and memorial sites

The Wosinsky Mór County Museum and the House of Arts stand on Szent István tér. The latter was originally built as a synagogue. The Garay János High School is also one of the buildings on the square. If you are interested in Szekszárd’s cultural institutions, it is worth including this square in your walk through the city center, as the museum and the House of Arts are among the sights located close to each other.

Alongside statues of Mór Wosinsky and Saint Stephen, you will also find a statue of Mihály Babits on the square. Several historic memorials are located here, including war memorials, the Holocaust memorial and memorials to the 1956 Revolution. The carved stones from the Bölcske harbor fortress are also among the square’s sights. Walking around gives you time to take in these very different memorials as well as the buildings.

Memories of Mihály Babits and the traditions of the wine city

Mihály Babits was born in Szekszárd, and his birthplace on Babits utca is now a museum. The Mihály Babits Memorial House is also among the city’s sights. If you are looking for literary landmarks, the statue of János Garay on Garay tér and the statue of Mihály Babits on Szent István tér can round out your walk. Szekszárd also has memorial sites connected to István Baka, Valéria Dienes and Miklós Mészöly.

The city is the center of the Szekszárd wine region, where grape growing and winemaking have centuries-old traditions. The natural features of the Szekszárd Hills are favorable for viticulture, and the city’s events include the Szekszárd Harvest Days and the wine-related Szent László Days. This means that both literary landmarks and the traditions of the wine city can be part of your trip.

Parking in Szekszárd

Szekszárd has several paid parking zones, with different hourly rates in each zone. Before leaving your car, check which zone you have parked in and start your parking session according to the conditions that apply there. The parking zone finder can help.

The advantage of mobile parking is that you can pay for parking on the spot using your phone. You can check the local information on the Szekszárd parking page.

• 7101 – Szekszárd Zone 1: 500 HUF/hour (weekdays 07:30–17:30, Saturdays 07:30–12:00)
• 7102 – Szekszárd Zone 2: 240 HUF/hour (weekdays 07:30–17:30)
• 7103 – Szekszárd Zone 3: 240 HUF/hour (weekdays 07:30–17:30)

The rates are based on data from Nemzeti Mobilfizetési Zrt. and were valid when this article was published.

Tip: If you would like to visit several places in the city center, leave your car and explore Béla király tér, Garay tér and Szent István tér on foot. When starting your parking session, make sure to select the correct zone, as hourly rates vary by zone.

Once you have parked at your destination, you can start your parking session online from your phone in just a few taps, without a parking meter, cash or installing an app.