Hotels near St. Stephen's Basilica

St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent István-bazilika) took 54 years to build, from 1851 to 1905, and stands 96 metres tall - tied with the Parliament Building as the tallest structure in Budapest. The neoclassical church is named after Hungary's first king, Stephen I, and his mummified right hand (the Holy Right) is displayed in a reliquary chapel inside the nave.

Entry to the basilica is free (a small donation of 200 HUF is suggested). The main draw beyond the ornate interior is the panoramic viewing deck reached by elevator or 364 stairs. The 360-degree city view from the dome is the best vantage point in Pest. The surrounding square, Szent István tér, hosts a popular Christmas market from late November through December that ranks among the top things to do in Budapest during winter.

Pro Tip: Take the elevator to the dome observation deck (around 2,000 HUF / €5). The queue is shortest right when it opens at 10:00 AM. In December, the Christmas market on the square below turns the whole area into one of Europe's most photogenic winter scenes.