Traveler Description
Built between 1851 and 1905, this large parish church accommodates 8,500 people and features a magnificent 300-foot, neo-Renaissance dome.

Address: Szt. Istvan ter 1
Phone: 1-317-2859


Traveler Reviews

Don't miss the Holy Right Hand!
Reviewed by foxwell1968 on Feb 19, 2010


Amazing! Don't miss the Holy Right Hand (preserved right hand of the first king and statefounder cc.1000) at the Chapel behind the High Altar. Bring 2x100 HUF to light up the ?Hand?. If the light is on, go to its right side of the relic.

You must climb the tower
Reviewed by annaATL on Jan 8, 2010


The architecture of this church and environs is AMAZING. I was taking photos from every angle, even the top. I walked up to what appeared to be the church entrance. I paid a fee, which was confusing since I thought it was free. Unlike Prague, not every site is for sale in Budapest which was refreshing. I didn't see a sign in English, however, so I paid. And then teh climb began. I thought it rather odd, but I kept climbing. Then I realized that something wasn't quite right, but I couldn't exactly turn around and go back downstairs on the winding staircase with people behind me. It might be important to note that I'm afraid of heights. I get out after a long upstairs hike, and I'm almost grabbing teh wall behind me. It was an extremely windy day and I'm not a heavy woman. However, I took my camera and started taking photos. The view was AMAZING. I managed to walk all of the way around the dome, on shaking legs, and see teh whole view. When I got back around, I realized that the people in front and behind had left. I guess they were afraid of heights too. I would do it all over again just to see the view. The inside of teh church is beautiful too, by the way. But the view from teh tower is breath taking.

One of the most beautiful churches in Europe
Reviewed by cksfinest on Dec 16, 2009


This is one of the most fascinating buildings in Budapest. Grandiose and full of life. It is one of the most beautiful of churches I have seen in Europe. A plus side is that it is not as gloomy as some that you visit.

Worth a visit but don't eat in the square!
Reviewed by Scar604 on Nov 12, 2009


On our second day in Budapest, we headed straight to St. Stephen's after walking along the Danube. We were unable to find anywhere to eat along the way so we ended up eating at Bazilika cafe & restaurant right next to the basilica and this turned out to be the worst idea possible - our food was terribly salty, small portioned, and the restaurant added on 15% service charge, which is a lot higher than the 10% norm for Hungary. We didn't want to pay it because we were not told ahead of time that we would incur this fee (which was almost 1000 HUF) and it isn't printed on the menu, but they said that all the restaurants in that area charge the same for service and made us pay it. St. Stephen's was a really nice basilica and definately worth a look around since it's free (although you have to pay if you want climb the dome), but if you're going to check it out, don't eat in the square! We noticed a bunch of other restaurants as we walked away, along Andrassy Ave, and this probably would have been a much better choice.

Beautiful church in the heart of Budapest
Reviewed by Pnemiller on Sep 23, 2009


This is one many great churches in Eastern Europe--striking exterior and beautiul interior. It is the heart of the city with a large square in front.