St. Stephen's Basilica Tickets

The Holy Right chapel

The Chapel of the Holy Right houses the mummified right hand of King St. Stephen, who lived from approximately 975 to 1038. This relic represents Hungary's most sacred religious object and establishes the basilica as a major pilgrimage destination for Catholics.

The chapel receives dedicated floodlighting to illuminate the relic and create an atmosphere of reverence. This dedicated space reflects the relic's significance to Hungarian Catholics and the nation's historical identity.

Photo: “Budapest - St. Stephen Basilica” by Andrzej O.

Side chapels

The side chapels of St. Stephen's Basilica are situated along the perimeter of the Greek cross floor plan, offering specialized spaces for devotion and historical commemoration. These chapels maintain the architectural continuity of the building through the use of red, green, and beige marble cladding and neoclassical structural elements.

The altars within these spaces often feature central religious paintings—such as the crucifixion—framed by Corinthian columns and ornate pediments. Sculptural figures of saints and historical personalities occupy niches on either side of the central artworks, while gilded accents and intricate moldings decorate the upper registers.

Photo: “Side Altar” by Dennis Jarvis.

Sained glass windows

The stained glass windows were designed by Hungarian artist Miksa Róth in the early 20th century. These windows filter natural light into the basilica's interior while depicting religious iconography and spiritual narratives. When sunlight passes through the colored glass, it creates changing light patterns across the marble floors and columns throughout the day.

Róth's designs demonstrate sophisticated color theory and detailed craftsmanship characteristic of Hungarian ecclesiastical art. The windows interact with the basilica's colored marbles in red, green, and beige tones, along with gilded coffers and archivolts.

Photo: “Saint Stephen's Basilica (Budapest) vitral” by Wilfredor.

Closing days and special dates

St. Stephen's Basilica remains an active place of worship, which affects its availability for tourism throughout the year. The site does not follow a standard holiday closing schedule but restricts tourist access during the celebration of Mass, religious feast days, and official church ceremonies.

On high holidays such as Christmas, Easter, and August 20th (St. Stephen’s Day), the basilica prioritizes liturgical functions, which may result in partial or total closure to ticket holders.

How to get there

St. Stephen's Basilica is located in the central district of Budapest: Szent István tér 1, 1051 Budapest, Hungary. The site is positioned at the end of Zrínyi utca and is accessible via several public transportation routes.

Visitors can reach the location using the M1 metro line (yellow) to the Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út station or the M2 (red) and M3 (blue) lines to Deák Ferenc tér, which is within walking distance. Additionally, bus lines 9, 15, and 115, as well as trolleybus 72, stop in the immediate vicinity of Szent István tér. The surrounding area is a pedestrian zone, requiring a short walk from the nearest transit stops to the main entrance.

How to get to the St. Stephen's Basilica >

Accessibility

The architecture of St. Stephen's Basilica includes provisions for visitors with limited mobility and those using wheelchairs. While the main entrance features stairs, an adapted side entrance provides step-free access and is signposted from the square.

Once inside, the floor of the nave and the area containing the side chapels are flat and composed of polished marble, facilitating movement throughout the primary visiting area. Staff members are stationed at the entry points to assist with the operation of the mechanical lifts and to direct visitors toward the accessible routes. These facilities ensure that the interior ornamentation and the relic of the Holy Right remain available to all guests.