St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika)

St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika)

St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika)
4.5
Religious SitesChurches & Cathedrals
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Built between 1851 and 1905, this large parish church accommodates 8,500 people and features a magnificent 300-foot, neo-Renaissance dome.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Admission tickets
from
RM 39.12
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Belváros-Lipótváros
How to get there
  • Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út • 2 min walk
  • Arany János utca • 4 min walk
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Charlie L
    Pewsey, United Kingdom1,148 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing space
    Tickets are good value at Ft4500 (about £9) to include the dome and treasury. Allow plenty of time to see everything, particularly if you are climbing the stairs (as opposed to the lift) to the Dome. Some amazing stuff to see including the relic of St. Stephen's hand.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 16 September 2023
  • tomalli68
    Falkirk, United Kingdom878 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful
    Beautiful building. Stunning artwork inside. Unfortunately some of it was cordened off for visitors so didn't get the full experinece. Cost of entrance is split into different areas so can go all in or keep it simple by going to church bit only.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 26 September 2023
  • Roslyn138
    Wrexham, United Kingdom1,171 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    3rd Largest Hungarian Church - worth a visit
    The Basilica is in the centre of Pest and is a tourist attraction dedicated to King Saint Stephen founder of the Hungarian state. Built around 1851 and completed in 1916 - the dome and building was damaged in WW2 . The site has been used for numerous coronations and royal weddings in the past . The ticket cost around £9!and allows you to visit the church , treasury as well as the dome. The wife isn’t that keen on numerous steps and was pleased there is a lift that takes you to the viewing point on the dome. When we visited there was a service taking place for schoolchildren - and you could visualise the splendour if the building. On the right hand side is the mummified fist of King Stephen .
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 October 2023
  • Rick V
    San Diego, California9 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    St. Stephen’s Basilica reflects the best architecture in Budapest
    St. Stephen’s Basilica’s dome and twin spires draws one to it. Once inside, its splendor captivates you. The small additional charge to access the tower is worth the price as the views are great.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 October 2023
  • MartinRLS
    17 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing view from this beautiful church
    For me it was worth the combined ticket to visit the church, the treasury and the viewing level which is high up on the building. After visiting the church, which is beautifully decorated, the choice is whether to take the lift or walk up the stairs for the treasury and the views. The lift is small, so there may be a queue, so I chose the stairs, but that’s only recommended if you’re fit and healthy. The treasury is quite small, and it’s near the top, it displays items such as decorative robes. There is a large landing type area before the second stage lift to the top, which just takes 4 people, or the stairs which are quite narrow. Reaching the viewing area is very worthwhile. Budapest is a low rise city, and the church is maybe the tallest building on the Pest side, so you have great 360 degree views, including the Buda Castle complex. Well worth the effort to get to the top.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 6 October 2023
  • WanderingOttersons
    Denver, Colorado1,468 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Go inside and on the roof
    A stunning monument in the middle of town, this has great architecture on the outside but inside is even better and more impressive. The other very great part of this one, is the ability to climb up to the bas of the done and go outside onto the terrace to see the city views. Fantastic all around.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 October 2023
  • ScotAlberta
    Sherwood Park, Canada688 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Basilica in Heart of Pest
    While a relatively new church (120 years) it celebrates the cities Christian heritage and is a center of Catholicism in Hungary. There is a charge to visit (ticket office across the street) but get the full pass which gets you into the church proper and also includes the panoramic view from the doom outside and the treasurary which mostly celebrates the life of Cardinal Mindszenty, a giant of a prelate who.stood up to both Nazis and communism. Worth the visit
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 19 October 2023
  • Kayley H
    84 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must visit in Budapest
    Majestic church in the heart of Budapest, a must visit when in the city. The view from the top of the church was mind blowing and the best part was that you can either take the elevator up or the stairs. Going towards end of the day is the best as it’s less crowded.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 7 November 2023
  • legend187
    Colchester, United Kingdom448 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a visit
    The entry fee is worthwhile paying to have a walk around this impressive building. There are information boards in a variety of languages to explain what you are looking at. It is worth paying the extra to go to the viewing balcony which provides views across Budapest.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 November 2023
  • rfg051017
    40 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Basilica visit!
    Absolutely fantastic building full of history and amazing architecture. Blown away by the size of it inside. Wife found it peaceful and calm as it was a must do on her list. Students inside drawing some were very good! Xmas markets just setting up but on the opening day gave a good feel around the front of building. Defo must visit!
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles22,574 reviews
Excellent
14,273
Very good
6,724
Average
1,334
Poor
173
Terrible
71

Robin_K
Accrington, UK2,785 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
Entrance to the church itself is free though donations are actively encouraged as you enter. The building is grand and again takes on a different character at night time, when the exterior is floodlit. It’s nice to wander around and admire the structure and the statues and religious icons and art amidst the majesty of this great church building. In Hungary church Christmas decorations remain long after the traditional Christmas season ends and the church interior was still seasonally lit and with a magnificent nativity scene
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DFamily_12
Harrogate, UK317 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
A truly beautiful church from the outside but quite stunning inside. It was quiet when we visited and we found tourists to be respectful that it was a church. If the weather is good the additional cost for going to the top of the dome is well worth it to get a panoramic view of a wonderful city.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MikeT19278
San Jose, CA170 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
My wife and I visited St. Stephen's twice. First for a concert one evening (you'll see vendors selling these concert tickets around Budapest and even on the steps of the cathedral,) The tickets were pricey, but it was good music (Mozart) in beautiful surroundings, so a bit of a splurge.

Anyways, the next morning we returned and toured the cathedral. Amazing architecture! We also climbed up to the top of the dome, which was also an exciting hike. The view of Budapest from the dome was beautiful.
Written 19 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kadimre
Budapest, Hungary36 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
This is a very attractive building from the outside, built in the most successful period in Hungarian history, the 'dual monarchy' years when the Habsburgs ruled the country (1867-1914). The interior does a good job of imitating a a grandiose renaissance church, but it is all make-believe - nothing is really ancient. Entry is free (as it should always be in a church, a public building par excellence), but if you do not speak Hungarian, the person at the entrance door will try to force you to pay. Feel free to refuse!
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

nikmay19
Dorset, UK42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
My partner and I visited St Stephen's Basilica on our last day in Budapest. We had walked past it several times and the architecture of the building is stunning.

We decided to have a look inside and were asked for just 200HUF for both of us, but I have since found out my partner put in 200HUF each! Nevertheless, it is next to nothing for entry to such a beautiful building.

The decoration inside is awe-inspiring and we spent 45mins to an hour inside. It would be absolutely criminal to not visit this building given how cheap it is for to be able to go inside.
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marina D
London, UK13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
There are plenty of reviews on the subject and undoubtedly a place to visit in Budapest. To add that the entrance is free but suggested donation is 200HUF and to get up to the panoramic viewing platform cost 1000HUF (local cash is the only option) via lift and some stairs. You will get a magnificent unobstructed view of the central part of Budapest (both Buda and Pest bank and Danube river, Parliament’s roof and many other interesting buildings) because all other buildings are shorter and the Basilica dominates over the area.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Perttu R
Rovaniemi, Finland526 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
Very impressive, big church with hundreds of super beautiful decorations and astonishing details. Seeing all this makes you wonder engineering and construction skills of the past centuries. Entrance fee for the church for about 1 euro and 1000 forints (=less than 2,90 euros) per person for lookout dome and treasury. Lookout dome had very impressive views over the city but it is not a place for you if you are afraid of heights. Too bad we didn't have any face masks with us so they denied our access to treasury. :(
Written 17 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LoveTravelVentures
Cork, Ireland2,535 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
Tip - if you want the church as the perfect backdrop where you can admire the views, I recommend having a drink at the High Note SkyBar.

It emerges between 2 streets and makes for such an impressionable view. Completed in the early 1900s it is a magnificent piece of architecture reflective of the era 👌🏾
Written 25 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Suzie G
Holmes Chapel, UK213 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
Beautiful building, worth a quick trip inside. They ask for a donation of 200 HUF to go in but you can pay to go up to the tower in a lift. Inside the church is what is believed to be the hand of St. Stephen which is interesting to have a look at and read about.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MoonaMuslim
739 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
The impressive St. Stephen's Basilica (Hungarian: Szent István-bazilika), in the Pest district, leaves an impressive impression from the outside with its beautiful facade, the richly decorated mosaic on the square in front of the basilica and its impressive dome. The St. Stephen's Basilica is among the top 15 most photographed buildings in the world. For good reason! In addition to many other buildings in Budapest, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are many good cafes and restaurants nearby.

For a tip of 100 forints you can also visit the largest church in Budapest from the inside. It is also worth looking at this building from the inside. It has a Greek cross as ground plan.
The Basilica is rich in fine arts. The interior is an impressive and beautiful mix of classicism and neo-renaissance style. At the main entrance you can see the Saint Stephen's relief and mosaics.

It is worth visiting the basilica twice. Once a day and once in the evening when it is illuminated.
Written 4 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 11,500
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika), Budapest

All Budapest HotelsBudapest Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Budapest
All things to do in Budapest
RestaurantsFlightsHoliday RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesCar Hire