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

See all things to do
See all things to do
St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika)
4.5
22,291 reviews
#5 of 748 things to do in Budapest
Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
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9:00 AM - 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
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About
Built between 1851 and 1905, this large parish church accommodates 8,500 people and features a magnificent 300-foot, neo-Renaissance dome.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Belváros-Lipótváros
How to get there
  • Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út • 2 min walk
  • Arany János utca • 4 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
3,243 within 3 miles
Hoppá Bistro
1,403
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • French • European • Healthy
9BAR
1,595
0.1 mi$ • Cafe • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Tapassio
780
469 ft$$ - $$$ • Seafood • International • Mediterranean
Retek Bisztró
1,476
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Hungarian • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Porc & Prezli Restaurant
1,808
455 ft$$ - $$$ • Hungarian
Madhouse By Mad Scientist
400
0.2 mi$ • Brew Pub • European • Gastropub
0,75 bistro
2,741
366 ft$$ - $$$ • Bar • European • Healthy
Chez Dodo Artisan Macarons and Café
549
507 ft$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Cafe • European
Stand Restaurant
299
0.3 mi$$$$ • European • Eastern European • Central European
Zeya Restaurant
526
0.1 mi$$$$ • International • Contemporary • Hungarian
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Attractions
687 within 6 miles
3d Gallery Budapest
1,693
386 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
St. Stephen's Square
204
377 ftScenic Walking Areas
Andrassy Avenue
1,925
464 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Edes Napok Csokolade- Es Edessegunnep
1
216 ftFood & Drink Festivals
Fons Beatae Gisellae Reginae
2
319 ftReligious Sites
The Fat Policeman Statue
337
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
Bust of Ferenc Salamon
6
0.1 miMonuments & Statues
Budapest Retro Interactive Museum
21
0.2 miHistory Museums
Museum of Illusions Budapest
49
0.2 miSpeciality Museums • Science Museums
Gozsdu Udvar
1,284
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas
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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
4.5
22,291 reviews
Excellent
14,097
Very good
6,647
Average
1,319
Poor
169
Terrible
62
JRMADA
United States3,272 contributions
Most Beautiful Basilica
Aug 2022
This basilica is so beautiful inside. The exterior does not do justice to the interior. The Holy Right on display is an added bonus. Their website does not work very well as far as ticket purchases, so we had to purchase the tickets onsite. The ticket office is to the right of the church entrance (across the street just next to Starbucks). Don’t follow the signs posted at the entrance of the church as one sign says to go left and another to go right and you will get lost. Go in as soon as the church opens if you want nice pictures without interference. Photos are allowed without flash. This is a popular destination for tourists and tour guides, so it fills up quickly and unexpectedly. We went in 10 min after it opened with about 15 people, and in a mater of minutes, there were more than 200 people inside (2 tour guides invaded)…
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
zirconium11
Singapore, Singapore323 contributions
A marvellous church architecture built and named in honour of Austria’s 1st King!
Dec 2022 • Couples
A night visit to another St Stephen’s Church, this time in Budapest, Hungary.

This church is named in honour of Stephen, the first King of Hungary (975-1038AD) whose right hand is still preserved and intact in the reliquary. Currently the third largest church building in present-day Hungary.

We went up the tower to have a panoramic view of the city, at 5pm but the sun has already set at 3:53pm today. Still we got to enjoy a city view of lights.
Written December 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chintu S
13 contributions
Beautiful building inside and out, and a fantastic view point
Oct 2022
We visited as the sun was setting and it was the perfect time!

The basilica is a beautiful building and probably my favourite aspect of the city. The views of the city from the top are magnificent, especially under the warm glow of the setting sun! We had spotted a rooftop bar from the top of the Basilica and rushed there to watch the remaining sunset and the reflection on the basilica.

As we were entering, tickets for an organ concert inside the basilica for the next day were being sold. The tickets were very inexpensive for the wonderful location and the beautiful music!
Written November 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
World best advisor ...!
Larnaca, Cyprus3,083 contributions
Amazing and beautiful ...!
Oct 2022 • Friends
Huge basilica with amazing decoration insider ... to be visited for sure .. you will be impressed by the beauty of the place. Unfortunately the entrance is not free... a fee should be paid around 10 eur and more depending what you want to see
Written October 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Manfromdublin12
Dublin, Ireland163 contributions
Great to visit
Apr 2022
This is a beautiful church with ornate decorations throughout. The hand of St Stephen is also held in veneration in a gold display case. Seems a bit gory by todays standards but for the devout Christians I am sure it must be an important relic with great significance. Respect!
The tickets for entry have to be purchased at the side of the Basilica in the shops opposite to the RH side ( as you stand in front of the main door. There are no tickets on sale at the door entry and signposts will guide you to the shop.
Written April 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ceetom1
Chino Hills, CA383 contributions
Nice stop while visiting the city
Apr 2022 • Couples
Visited the basilica last week and found it as wonderful as many of the other European older churches. Inside is lavishly appointed and one can visit the top of the church (fee) for excellent views of the city. The actual hand of St. Stephen is on display here. Worthy of an hour visit here.
Written April 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
david s
netanya, israel505 contributions
An impressive cathedral in the hear of Budapest
Oct 2021
This famous Budapest landmark should be on the "must-see" list of every traveler to

Budapest. A relatively "young" cathedral, built at the end 19th century, it is located

in central Budapest and easily accessible, within walking distance from Vaci street,

the famous Budapest pedestrian walkway. We came on Sunday, in the middle of the

morning mass and enjoyed the church's choir and the crowd praying, through the

entire Sunday ritual. We went after to the look-out observation circular balcony, at

63 meters high, from which breathtaking views of the city can be taken and

admired. The balcony is accessed by an elevator, located near the entrance to the

main hall. On the other side is the "treasury", which is a small museum of high

ranking church official dressing gowns and various religious relics. The admission

fee includes both the observation deck and the treasury. Highly recommended.
Written October 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vadim
Murmansk, Russia25,880 contributions
Big doesn't mean beautiful...
Jul 2022
The Basilica of St. Stephen stands among other massive churches erected in European countries as a reaction (in both senses of the word) to the European revolutions of the XIX century. These are the Sacre Coeur in Paris, Notre Dame de la Garde in Marseille, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, and finally the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. St. Stephen's began to be built in 1851 after the suppression of the Hungarian revolution, and finished in 1905, when Franz Joseph had 11 years to live, and his empire had 2 years more. These churches are characterized by large size and heaviness. Just like Pelevin's: serious religion for serious people. Many people like it. However, they cannot be called not only masterpieces, but even works of art. The Basilica of St. Stephen was built in the Neo-Renaissance style. But the Renaissance was the pinnacle of human genius, and the neo-Renaissance is no longer there. Everything seems to be done thoroughly. a massive dome 96 meters high and 22 meters in diameter, the largest bell, the tallest bell towers, expensive marble inside. It feels like the architects have worked out big budgets. But they didn't create art... Naturally, you can only get here for money. 2200 HUF for two with a daughter.
Written October 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Garfieldluvr
Denver, CO818 contributions
Another Pretty Church
Apr 2022
We stopped by this church one day and the line to get tickets was huge! At this point, we had seen so many churches this trip, we decided it wasn’t worth standing in line. A couple days later, we walked past and there no was line at all, so we bought tickets and went in to check it out. I am glad we were able to see it, it was a beautiful church, although not in my top 10. If you have a few days in the city, keep stopping by here (its close to many other attractions), and grab a ticket when there isn’t a line.
Written October 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Joyce261
14126710188 contributions
Breath taking
Mar 2020 • Couples
This was on our doorstep when we stayed in Budapest so we were able to see it during the day and at night time and it was breathtaking.

The history of the building was fascinating and in terms of ages of religious buildings, quite recent and completed in a reasonable period of time.

There was no admission fee as such but a suggestion of a donation of approx 50 pence made it a no brainier (unlike another religious building where the admission was approx £13.00). Entry to the dome and treasury was £2 but well worth it for the view over the City.

Inside the building is magnificent, the skill required to create the sculptures and the murals was just mind blowing. I am in awe of such craftsmanship. There are staff located at key points who can assist you and there’s lots of info boards in English located at all the key points.

There is an elevator if you cannot make the steps to the panorama viewing area and it does provide amazing views over to Buda and along the Danube.

Outside is equally magnificent- it is so clean looking and sits very proudly in the square. Apart from the religious draw for some, the architecture alone makes it a must and should be number 1 on your list.
Written March 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika), Budapest

Frequently Asked Questions about St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika)
St. Stephen's Basilica (Szent Istvan Bazilika) is open:
  • Sun - Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Sat - Sat 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
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