Europe
Hungary
Central Hungary
Budapest
Things to Do in Budapest
Gellért Hill Cave

Gellért Hill Cave, Budapest

See all things to do

Gellért Hill Cave

See all things to do
See all things to do
Gellért Hill Cave
4
728
#80 of 654 things to do in Budapest
Churches & Cathedrals
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Visit website
Call
Plan your visit
See all
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Gellért Hill
If you want to treat your camera to some amazing scenery, Gellért Hill is a must on your itinerary. A funicular journey from the Chain Bridge along the hillsides provides a fast connection between Buda and Pest, hoisting visitors to panoramic vistas. Once on top of the hill, you’ll find the Citadel dominate the landscape with its imposing 19th century construction, a site that’s hard to keep your eyes on without being distracted by the phenomenal view over the Danube and the eight bridges crossing. Once on Gellért Hill however, one mustn’t miss the famous Gellért Baths. Budapest is renown for its thermal waters and its baths, and the Gellért Baths are housed in an impressive art nouveau structure. Its interior design, with its many mosaics, recalls the preceding relationships the city has had with healing springs and saunas, traditionally used within this neighborhood since the Ottoman Empire.
How to get there
  • Szent Gellért tér • 4 min walk
  • Fővám tér • 6 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,933 within 3 miles
Taverna Dionysos
2,886
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
Vegan Love
316
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Fast Food • Street Food
Korosfoi Kurtoskalacs
200
0.2 mi$ • Dessert • Central European • Hungarian
Magyar Qtr
1,191
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • European • Eastern European • Central European
Palack winebar
406
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • European • Wine Bar
Grill Mania
436
0.2 mi$ • International • Grill • Gluten Free Options
Up&Down
442
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • European • Central European • Hungarian
Trattoria Toscana
1,590
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
1000TEA
199
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
CAFE FREI
437
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
See all
Attractions
501 within 3 miles
Statue of King Saint Steven
16
194 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Petofi Bridge
54
434 ftBridges
Gellert Hill
7,735
0.2 miHistoric Sites
Szent Gellért Square
36
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas
Liberty Statue
424
0.2 miMonuments & Statues
Citadel
2,053
0.3 miHistoric Sites
Bartok Bela Boulevard
6
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Liberty Bridge (Szabadsag hid)
3,139
0.4 miBridges
Central Market Hall
8,602
0.3 miFarmers Markets
St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika)
21,923
1.1 miReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
See all
Popular mentions
4.0
728 reviews
Excellent
233
Very good
300
Average
143
Poor
34
Terrible
18
cjdotheworld
Smithfield, VA1,366 contributions
A Church is a Cave - Wild
Aug 2019
This is an impressive tourist stop. A full on church located in the various rooms of a cave. A very unique experience.
Written May 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karyn W
Kansas City, MO1,427 contributions
interesting church, in a cave
Jun 2019
When we heard about this we wanted to check it out. A church was built in a cave on the Pest side of Budapest in the 1920s. It was blocked up for quite a while starting in 1960 with concrete, until the blockage was demolished in 1991, it has reopened and in 2010 started allowing tourists.

There is an audio tour and you should do it, as it's nice to be quiet and respectful while in the church, but still learn about the things in the church, as there really aren't sign and plaques around the place. It is still an active church and we had to wait before entering as there was a service going on when we first arrived. (so be aware the hours vary during the day based on services).

The stone interior is lovely and it makes it feel like you are able to appreciate the construction of God rather than a building built by people. There are some lovely stained glass pieces though. And throughout are small statues of saints, and other pieces of art, plus a large crucifix. There is a statue of Virgin Mary of Lourdes and of St. Stephen's head. In the chapel is a bone relic of St. Paul. You can find a relief of St. Gerald and of a Minorite Polish monk. There is a side cove area with a film about the church, but to be honest it was a little boring to me and I didn't watch the whole thing. There is also a small gift shop.

It's a unique type of church and has an interesting history and is worth the visit.
Written April 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tony H
Buckhurst Hill, UK229 contributions
Allow Enough Time to Take this all in
Apr 2019
This Church is just over the river. The audio guide is a must, if a little confusing to follow at times. This church I guess would not be so special if it was not cut out of the rocks. But It was, so it is special. When visiting Budapest, I would say you should visit on your 'to do list' but from respect for this active church take time and learn from your audio guide
Written March 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
L M
London, UK42 contributions
Citadel, Baths l & Cave
Mar 2020 • Couples
We visited early evening after the 1 hour break when the church was closed. While waiting to visit we climbed up to the citadel where we enjoyed great views as the sun set. The steps are uneven. We then popped into the Gellért baths to use the loo & look at the lovely public areas. The church itself included an interesting audio tour. Unfortunately the windows were not visible as it was dark. Otherwise it was good.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carol A S
Marietta, GA4,202 contributions
Small church run by Pauline monks in a natural cave
Oct 2019
Gellért Hill Cave (a.k.a Saint Ivan's Cave) is a natural cave which was once the home of a hermetic monk, and now houses a small church. Saint Ivan (a solitary 9th century monk) used the natural thermal water of an adjacent lake to heal the sick. A modern entrance (by Hungarian architect Kálmán Lux) was built in 1926 by Pauline monks who were inspired by similar rock chaples during a pilgrimage in Lourdes, France. The altar was originally at the mouth of the cave and the congregation stood outside of the cave to worship, calling it Sziklatemplom (“Rock Church”) in Hungarian. The Pauline monks expanded the cave into a monastery and chapel, serving the community until 1951. The cave was used as a German field hospital during World War II, and was returned to the monks after the war. In 1951 communist authorities arrested the monks, closed the church and sealed the entrance with a thick concrete wall (still visible around the modern glass door). The church was reconsecrated in 1991; Pauline monks currently celebrate three daily masses in the church. The interior is carved out of the rock, with a wood crucifix hanging over a simple alter (1989 by Sikota Győző) and a carved pulpit. The church is open daily with an entry fee of 500 HUF (student/senior discount, children free).
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dc862015
Stroud, UK256 contributions
Chapel, built in hill caves
Feb 2020 • Couples
This is an as explained activity. An interesting audio tour that does not take too long. Worth a call in before walking up the hill
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tracey P
Botesdale, UK72 contributions
A unique church
Feb 2020 • Couples
If you like visiting places that are unique then this is for you. A lovely quaint church built in a cave. Very informative audio guide goes into a lot of detail.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
OswaldAndMartha
46 contributions
Very special.
Feb 2020 • Couples
This might not be the biggest or most opulent tourist attraction you'll visit, but it is truly a hidden gem.

The audio tour is worth listening to as it gives you a lot of information about the church and its history.

A very unique and special place.
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jeff1955malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia4,930 contributions
buiilt inside a cave
Oct 2019
it is located along the embarkment of danube river. it is a chuch built inside a cave.very natural and artistic.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nielsen-Dharmaratne
Copenhagen, Denmark16 contributions
The church cave is worth a visit
Jan 2020 • Couples
We visited the church cave and found it a very pleasant experience - really feeling tempted to just sit down, enjoy and reflect.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 372
Also popular with travelers
See all
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Frequently Asked Questions about Gellért Hill Cave
Gellért Hill Cave is open:
  • Mon - Fri 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Mon - Fri 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Sat - Sat 9:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Gellért Hill Cave tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Gellért Hill Cave tours on Tripadvisor