St. Stephen's Basilica, Budapest

Name: St. Stephen's Basilica
Address: Szent István tér 1, Budapest, 1051, Hungary
Telephone: +36 1 311 0839

#4 among attractions in Budapest

Church, Top attraction, Sacred and religious sites, Historical place

Gallery (16)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY 3.0 / MJJR / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Jlascar / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / APPER / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Glossologist / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Adam Kliczek / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Carlos Delgado / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / József Rozsnyai / URL

Facts and practical information

St. Stephen's Basilica, named in honor of the first King of Hungary, is a crowning jewel in the cityscape of Budapest. This majestic church is not only a religious center but also one of the most significant tourist attractions in the Hungarian capital. With its neo-classical facade, the basilica presents an imposing sight, its grandeur echoing the reverence with which it is held.

The construction of St. Stephen's Basilica began in 1851, but it wasn't until 1905 that it was finally completed, due to various architectural and funding setbacks. The dedication to craftsmanship and detail is evident in every aspect of its design. Standing at 96 meters tall, it is tied with the Parliament Building for the title of the tallest building in Budapest, a height that symbolizes the balance between worldly and spiritual power in Hungary.

The interior of the basilica is as breathtaking as its exterior, with intricate mosaics, stained glass windows, and richly decorated chapels. One of the most revered treasures within the basilica is the Holy Right Hand of St. Stephen, the mummified right hand of the church's namesake, which is displayed in a glass case.

St. Stephen's Basilica boasts a large dome, which visitors can ascend either by stairs or an elevator. From the dome's observation deck, one can take in panoramic views of Budapest, making it a must-visit spot for photographers and sightseers alike. The basilica's acoustics also make it a prime location for classical concerts, organ performances, and choir recitals, adding to its cultural significance.

Local name: Szent István-bazilika Completed: 1905 (119 years ago)Architectural style: NeoclassicismCoordinates: 47°30'3"N, 19°3'14"E

Address

Szent István tér 1Belváros-Lipótváros (Lipótváros)Budapest 1051 Hungary

Contact

+36 1 311 0839

Website

Social media

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Budapest

Day trips

St. Stephen's Basilica – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Hungarian State Opera House, Memorial for Victims of the German Occupation, Vörösmarty tér, Vigadó of Pest.

~1390 ftNE
Elegant state opera house with frescoes
Hungarian State Opera House, Budapest
7 min walk • The Hungarian State Opera House stands as a beacon of cultural sophistication in the heart of Budapest. Opened in 1884, this neo-Renaissance masterpiece was designed by the celebrated Hungarian architect Miklós Ybl, and it is widely regarded as one of the most...
~1220 ftNW
Memorial
Memorial for Victims of the German Occupation, Budapest
6 min walk • The Memorial for Victims of the German Occupation is a poignant reminder of Hungary's turbulent history, situated in the heart of Budapest. Unveiled in 2014, the memorial stands as a solemn tribute to the Hungarian victims of the German occupation during World War II...
~1740 ftSW
Square
Vörösmarty tér, Budapest
9 min walk • Vörösmarty tér is a central square in the heart of Budapest, Hungary, known for its vibrant atmosphere and historical significance. This bustling plaza is named after Mihály Vörösmarty, a renowned Hungarian poet, and is a key public space in the city's downtown area.
0.4 miS
Imposing Art Nouveau venue for music
Vigadó of Pest, Budapest
11 min walk • Vigadó is Budapest's second largest concert hall, located on the Eastern bank of the Danube in Budapest, Hungary. Although the acoustics are lacking, the building itself, designed by Frigyes Feszl in 1859, makes a bold impression along the Pest embankment.
~1220 ftNW
Relaxed park with monuments and play areas
Liberty Square, Budapest
6 min walk • Liberty Square is a public square located in the Lipótváros neighborhood of Budapest, Hungary. The square is a mix of business and residential.
~690 ftN
Museum, Art gallery
Open Society Archives, Budapest
4 min walk • Blinken Open Society Archives is an archival repository and laboratory that aims to explore new ways of assessing, contextualizing, presenting, and making use of archival documents both in a professional and a consciously activist way.
~1060 ftS
Square, Scenic walking areas
Deák Ferenc tér, Budapest
6 min walk • The Deák Ferenc square, named for Ferenc Deák, is a major intersection and transport junction in Budapest. Károly körút, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út, Király utca, Deák Ferenc utca, and Harmincad utca converge here. Three lines of the Budapest Metro each converge on the station under the square.
~1890 ftW
Park
Széchenyi Academy of Literature and Arts, Budapest
10 min walk • The Széchenyi Academy of Literature and Arts was created in 1992 as an academy associated yet independent from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. It is intended to be the national academy of artists and writers, who could be elected to the HAS until the 1949 reforms. The president is Károly Makk, film director.
~1830 ftNW
Memorial
Statue of Ronald Reagan, Budapest
9 min walk • A statue of Ronald Reagan by Istvan Mate was installed in Budapest, Hungary, in 2011.
~1820 ftN
Museum, History museum, Historical place
Glass House, Budapest
9 min walk • The Glass House was a building used by the Swiss diplomat Carl Lutz to help Jews in Budapest during the Holocaust.
~1520 ftSE
Karaoke, Scenic walking areas, Bars and clubs
Gozsdu-udvar, Budapest
8 min walk • Gozsdu-udvar comprises seven buildings and their courtyards in the 7th district of Budapest, and can be approached from Király Street, Dob Street and Holló Street.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is St. Stephen's Basilica open?

St. Stephen's Basilica is open:

Monday 9 am - 5 pm
Tuesday 9 am - 5 pm
Wednesday 9 am - 5 pm
Thursday 9 am - 5 pm
Friday 9 am - 5 pm
Saturday 9 am - 1 pm
Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm

Which popular attractions are close to St. Stephen's Basilica?

Nearby attractions include Erzsébet tér, Budapest (4 min walk), Open Society Archives, Budapest (4 min walk), Miniversum Experience, Budapest (4 min walk), Central European University, Budapest (5 min walk).

How to get to St. Stephen's Basilica by public transport?

The nearest stations to St. Stephen's Basilica:

Bus

Szent István Bazilika • Lines: 9, 914, 914A, 931, 950, 950A (2 min walk)
Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út M • Lines: 105, 178, 934, 979, 979A (3 min walk)

Metro

Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út • Lines: M1 (3 min walk)
Deák Ferenc tér • Lines: M1, M2 (5 min walk)

Tram

Deák Ferenc tér M • Lines: 47, 47B, 48, 49 (6 min walk)
Széchenyi István tér • Lines: 2, 2M (10 min walk)

Trolleybus

Opera M • Lines: 70, 78 (10 min walk)
Zichy Jenő utca • Lines: 70, 78 (10 min walk)

Train

Clark Ádám tér (18 min walk)
Budapest-Nyugati (19 min walk)

Light rail

Batthyány tér • Lines: H5 (21 min walk)
Margit híd, budai hídfő • Lines: H5 (32 min walk)