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Gellért Hill Cave
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Gellért Hill Cave

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See all things to do
Gellért Hill Cave
4
734
#74 of 743 things to do in Budapest
Churches & Cathedrals
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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
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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
3,106 within 3 miles
Hugo's Mexican Bar&kitchen
85
0.3 miMexican • American • Grill • Pub
Palack winebar
413
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • European • Wine Bar
Vegan Love
328
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Fast Food • Street Food
Dionysos Taverna
2,982
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • Greek
Baalbek - Lebanese Restaurant
219
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Lebanese • Mediterranean • Healthy
Korosfoi Kurtoskalacs
206
0.2 mi$ • Dessert • Central European • Hungarian
Grill Mania
459
0.2 mi$ • International • Grill • Gluten Free Options
Up&Down
447
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • European • Central European • Hungarian
Trattoria Toscana
1,640
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
CAFE FREI
453
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
See all
Attractions
680 within 6 miles
Statue of King Saint Steven
18
194 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Petofi Bridge
54
434 ftBridges
Szent Gellért Square
38
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas
Gellert Hill
7,765
0.2 miHistoric Sites
Liberty Statue
440
0.2 miMonuments & Statues
Citadel
2,064
0.3 miHistoric Sites
Bartok Bela Boulevard
7
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Liberty Bridge (Szabadsag hid)
3,180
0.4 miBridges
Central Market Hall
8,839
0.3 miFarmers Markets
St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika)
22,262
1.1 miReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
734 reviews
Excellent
234
Very good
304
Average
143
Poor
34
Terrible
19
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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karyn W
Kansas City, MO1,486 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
L M
Copenhagen, Denmark51 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tony H
Buckhurst Hill, UK234 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
pfefmeister
San Francisco, CA2,657 contributions
Nice Stop
Jun 2022 • Couples
Stopped in to check it out and glad we did. A church carved out the cave, there are quite a few things to look at, with different chapels allocated in the space. I especially liked the chapel with the wood carvings. You’ll see it as you cross the Liberty bridge.
Written July 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
debdancing
Littlehampton, UK1,936 contributions
Surreal and unusual
Built into the side of Gellert Hill, immediately adjacent to the Gellert Hotel, is this tiny Church. Established in 1926 by the Pauline order of Monks, the Church flourished until Easter Monday, 1951, when it was closed down and sealed by the AVO who also arrested the Monks. It was re-opened in 1989 and continues to be run by the Monks.

This was a must-see for me, being so unusual. Walking down the passageway into the hollowed-out caves lit by candles is quite surreal and I don't remember any natural light although there were some beautiful stained glass features. Despite the Church being less than a hundred years old, there is still a strong sense of history.

Open daily from 8am to 9pm, admission is free but you are discouraged from visiting during services (8.30-9.30, 11.00-noon and 8pm-9pm).

Outside the entrance is a statue of St Stephen with his horse,
Written March 12, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1234texas
Seabrook, TX2,390 contributions
This is an "OK" stop, but nothing outstanding
Apr 2019
This is an incredibly beautiful city--with so much to do that I would pass on this. We were walking by and spent a little time here, but there are far better stops!
Written August 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
heatherhG4188DW
Marchwood, UK54 contributions
wonderful cave church- its a must
Jun 2019 • Couples
the cave church is beautiful and full of wonderful little areas as well as an active place of catholic worship. It was my favourite place in Budapest
Written June 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
lindadownunder
Perth, Australia2,861 contributions
Interesting find
Sep 2016 • Couples
Cave Church was an interesting find when we were strolling around beautiful Budapest.
caved out of the rock it is worth a visit.
Written August 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
FairCityFrasie
Perth, UK2,091 contributions
Its Different For Sure
May 2019 • Solo
I had not intended visiting this church but stumbled upon it while climbing Gellert Hill (en route to the Statue of Liberty). Entry and exit is via a gift shop. Inside is a small church within natural caves. It is fairly unique in its form and style and is adorned by a limited number of statues and other artefacts. Most memorable is the crucified statue of Jesus Christ, which dominates the main part of the church. Memorable mostly because it is so different from other churches you may visit.
Written May 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Gellért Hill Cave, Budapest

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