Beautiful Budapest – part 5

Beautiful Budapest Private Tours - some of the most magnificent sights and attractions of Budapest

Guiding tours around Beautiful Budapest, I cannot help but snap random moments that are catching my eye. From the vibrant street art to the hidden alleyways, there’s magic in every corner. Sometimes the best shots come when you’re not looking for them at all. This city is full of surprises, and I’m so grateful for every photo I get to capture along the way. Here’s to the joy of spontaneous exploration and the stories each photo tells! Spring is coming, days are getting longer and there is no greater joy than exploring this wonderful city.

Book a tour with me so that you can see some of these attractions and many more! All the private tours are fully customisable, based on your interests and preferences.

Beautiful Budapest Perspectives: St. Stephen’s Basilica

Budapest cityscape with St. Stephen’s Basilica, a city balancing tourism and everyday life

St. Stephen’s Basilica is the largest Catholic Church of Budapest and the third largest church of Hungary. After the devastating floods of the Danube river in 1838 local people from the neighbourhood wanted to thank God for saving their lives, and raised a lot of money for the construction of the largest church of the city. Construction works started in 1851 and after multiple unfortunate events (death of two of the church’s architects, a devastating storm when the dome collapsed) it was finally consecrated 54 years later, in 1905. The building is an appealing mix of different styles: Baroque, Classicist and Neo-Renaissance. The artworks (paintings, sculptures and stained glass windows) were all created by Hungarian artists, including Gyula Benczúr, Károly Lotz and Miksa Róth.

The church is dedicated to St. Stephen, the first Christian king of Hungary, the founder of the Catholic Church in Hungary, and the founder of a Christian state. His statue made of Carrara marble is the main altarpiece of the church. The principal relic of the Basilica is the mummified right hand of king Stephen, it is on display in the church hall.

The magnificent views

A panorama terrace was created around the main dome of the Basilica at a height of 65 meters, which is the highest viewpoint in Pest, offering a 360-degree panorama over the city. You can take the stairs (about 300 steps) or the elevators to get to the dome. There is a Holy Mass in English in Mary’s chapel at 6.10 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and at 4.00 PM in the Basilica on Sundays and holidays.

We usually try to include the visit of the interior on the Budapest tours if time permits. You can learn more about the Basilica, visiting hours and ticket prices here.

I am spending a lot of time wondering around my beautiful city, and I am fortunate to see its buildings from all different angles and viewpoints. There’s something alluring about capturing a building from multiple angles; each perspective reveals a new layer of its architecture and character. As I moved around, I saw how the light shifted and how the structure seemed to change, transforming with each viewpoint. It’s a reminder that sometimes, to truly appreciate a subject, you need to step back and see it from every possible angle.

Look up! Some spectacular ceilings from Beautiful Budapest

Look up! Beautiful Budapest ceilings - Book Café

I keep saying that I really am a very fortunate person to spend most of my days out and about in my beautiful city. I am taking a lot of photographs and have just realised how many of those pictures capture the truly spectacular ceilings of buildings. I have a nice collection now and I decided to share a few of those photos with you. Unfortunately you cannot see all of these ceilings today, the Book Café has been closed for years for example, and there is no way that I would recommend to queue in front of New York Café for hours, but there are so many more great buildings with magnificent ceilings.

Being a tourist in a new place is not easy, you have to look in all directions all the time, but please, do not forget to look up! Feel free to send me your favourite photos! And I promise to keep adding more photos to the collection from time to time.

 

Instagram photos from the last couple of months

From Budapest to Sopron, from Szentendre to Gyöngyöshalász, pretty sights and great moments from the tours we’ve had the last few months. Book a tour with me to share the experience or follow me on Instagram!

Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2023 – THANK YOU

Thank you for all your great reviews and comments, it’s always a pleasure to read your kind words. And, I’m very proud to announce that I just got this very special award from Tripadvisor – Travelers’ Choice 2023.

I’m truly happy and promise to do my best to help you collect the nicest memories while I’m showing you around my Beautiful Budapest. And please keep sharing your comments!

Happy New Year from Beautiful Budapest

I would like to wish you all a very happy new year! These are my favourite pictures from 2022. I hope to meet you in Budapest in 2023!

Szimpla Ruin Pub

The ruin pubs in the Jewish quarter of Budapest are very popular, I encourage my travellers to visit one or two during their stay in Budapest, it’s always a special experience. The biggest ruin pub is Szimpla in Kazinczy street, it isn’t just a bar, it’s also a great community. There is a farmers’ market every Sunday with some live music, great food and great drinks. Szimpla is open  from 3.00 PM on weekdays, 12.00 PM on Saturday and 9.00 AM on Sunday.

Szimpla Ruin Pub Budapest

Photos from my Instagram account

I’m taking a lot of pictures on my tours in Budapest and around Hungary, however, I always forget to post on my Instagram. Especially during high season it’s difficult to post on Facebook, Instagram or my own blog, but believe me, I’m trying hard. Here are some pictures I’ve posted recently.

 

The newly renovated Hungarian State Opera House

Shortly after the Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest reopened following several years of renovation, I finally had the chance to step inside again — and it was every bit as breathtaking as I had hoped.

I’ve always found the building overwhelming in the best possible way, and the renovation has only enhanced that feeling. The interior is simply magnificent. The colours are rich and harmonious, the decorative details are astonishing, and the Neo-Renaissance ornamentation feels as vibrant and alive as it must have been in the late 19th century.

Walking through the Opera House truly feels like time travel. The atmosphere, the soft lighting, even the familiar scents of the historic interior all contribute to the sensation of stepping back into the golden age of Budapest. Nothing feels over-restored or artificial — instead, the building feels carefully revived, respectful of its original spirit.

A masterpiece reborn

Designed by Miklós Ybl and opened in 1884, the Opera House has always been one of Budapest’s architectural crown jewels. The recent renovation has allowed visitors to experience Ybl’s vision with renewed clarity, revealing details that had faded or disappeared over time.

From the grand staircase to the richly decorated auditorium, every space invites you to slow down and look closer.

How to visit the Opera House

There are several wonderful ways to experience the Hungarian State Opera House:

  • Attend an evening performance – the most immersive option, combining architecture and music

  • Join a guided interior visit, which offers insight into both the building and its history

  • Private visits, which can be incorporated into a customised itinerary

The Opera House can easily be included in a walking or driving tour, especially when exploring Andrássy Avenue and the surrounding area.

If you’re interested in visiting the Opera House during your stay, feel free to contact me — I’m happy to help plan the visit and include it seamlessly in your Budapest itinerary.

An essential experience in Budapest

The renovated State Opera House is not just something to see — it’s something to feel. Elegant, atmospheric, and deeply connected to Budapest’s cultural identity, it remains one of the city’s most unforgettable interiors.

Whether you visit for a performance or simply to admire the architecture, this is a place that stays with you long after you leave.

Entrance to St. Stephen’s Basilica – What to Know Before You Visit

St Stephen’s Basilica entrance fee often comes as a surprise to visitors who expect free access to one of Budapest’s most famous churches, visiting the interior of St. Stephen’s Basilica is a highlight for many travellers to Budapest.

For many years, visitors could step inside the Basilica by leaving a small donation at the entrance. Today, tourists are asked to purchase a ticket to visit the interior, while the church continues to function as an active place of worship.

Tickets and practical information

Tickets are available at the ticket office located to the right of the Basilica, and prices may change from year to year. For the most accurate and up-to-date information about current ticket prices, opening hours, and special visits, it’s always best to check the official website of St. Stephen’s Basilica before your visit.

Church services and special occasions

Please note that church services, weddings, and religious events take priority. During these times, visitor access may be limited to certain areas, or the Basilica may be temporarily closed to tourists altogether.

This is part of what makes the building special: it is not only one of Budapest’s most impressive landmarks, but also a living, functioning church.

Visiting as part of a guided tour

St. Stephen’s Basilica is often included in Budapest walking and driving tours, and an interior visit can also be arranged when timing allows. Visiting with a guide helps you navigate practical details while also understanding the history, symbolism, and stories behind what you see.

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