Matthias Church in Budapest – All you need to know

matthias church budapest

The Matthias Church in Budapest is located on a very nice spot: next to the Fisherman’s Bastion. Thanks to its fantastic spot, its white beautiful towers and its colourful rooftop the church the building is very impressive.

Opening Hours Matthias Church

These are the hours at which you can visit the church:

Days Opening hours
Monday - Friday9.00 AM – 5.00PM
Saturday9.00 AM – 12.00AM
Sunday1.00 AM – 5.00PM

Be aware that church events and liturgies have priority, and might effect the regular opening hours. On Good Saturday (the Saturday before Easter), the Matthias church is only open for worshippers.

If you want to attend a holy mass, check these hours:

Weekdays: 6.00 AM (Orate, on Advent weekdays only), 7.00 AM (silent), 6.00 PM (organ)
Sunday: 7.00 AM (silent), 10.00 AM (in Latin, with music), 12.00 AM (organ), 6.00 PM (guitar)

Entrance fees Matthias Church Budapest

Underneath you find the entrance fees of the church.

TicketsGBPEURHUF 
Standard55.51800
60+ 3.53.751200
Student3.53.751200
Family (2 adults + child)11.5134200
Children (0-6), handicapped, pilgrimsFreeFreeFree
Guided tour1112,54000Buy now

Entrance fee watchtower

If you buy a ticket for the church unfortunately it’s not valid for the watchtower. To climb the tower you need to buy a separate ticket. You can also just buy a ticket for the tower and skip the church.

The prices for the watchtower are exactly the same as the one for the church. See the table above.

For both the church and the watchtower you can buy tickets on forehand on the official website of the Matthias Church in Budapest. This way you don’t have to queue op.

Guided tour through Matthias Church

Everyday at 14.00 there is a guided tour through the Matthias Church. In this 50 minutes guided tour an expert will tell you all about its history and architecture. These are some of the highlights of the guided tour:

  • Hear stories of how the building survived its eventful history
  • Admire the altar where Sisi and Emperor Franz Josef were coronated
  • Retrace the steps of the church’s most distinguished visitors
  • Enjoy the building’s beautiful architecture

The price of the tour includes the tickets of the church.

More info & buy tickets for the tour >>

What to expect

What can you expect to see in the Matthias Church is beautiful stained glass, a pretty floor and frescoes from famous Hungarian painters. The grave of king Béla the third and his wife Anne de Châtillon.

There is also a replica of the holy crown of Hungary which you can take a look it. And there is a museum with different exhibitions and background information about the church.

There is so much to see that you can spend easily 45 minutes to an hour in the church. Don’t forget to bring your camera.

Rules for visitors

If you visit the Matthias Church in Budapest please follow the rules:

It is not allowed to smoke, eat, or drink in the church. You can’t bring a dog inside. Also bear in mind that if you wear a cap you might have to take it off and for women goes that they might ask you to cover your shoulders. It is allowed to take pictures inside the church. In the chapels and sanctuary you are allowed to use flash light. However, in the museum halls on the upper floor using the flash is not allowed.

A short history

When the church was build exactly is unsure, but one suspects it’s founded as early as the year 1050. All though there is no evidence dating back before 1247! So it’s origin is a bit unclear. What people do know is that Saint Steven was the founder of the church. And actually for a long time the church bore his name: the Steven Church.

Eventually the church was named after Matthias Corvinus. He ordered the building of the highest tower of the church. His both marriages were conducted in this church. King Franz Josef and his famous wife Elizabeth (also widely known as Sisi) were also married in the Matthias Church in Budapest.

From the original structure of the building is not much left. Just the pillars and the foundation date back to the early years. All other parts of the building were once destroyed. The church is recently completely renovated (2004-2013).

Matthias Church Budapest

How to get to Matthias Church

  • On foot: Walk up one of the paths to the castle hill. How? Walk to the end of Széchenyi chainbridge and then take a right and try and find the stairs there. If you don’t find the stairs just follow the road and keep heading right. There are many paths up to Matthias church and the Fisherman’s Bastion, so just remember to keep on taking the paths to the right and to climb uphill.
  • By bus: Bus 16 takes you to Diaz Tér which is next to Matthias Church. You can get in this bus at Deák Ferenc tér at the Pest-side of the city.
  • By metro & tram: You can’t reach the Matthias Church with metro or tram.

Address: 2 Szentháromság tér

Looking for a hotel?
Check out my two personal favourites: TG Design suites Aparthotel & Hotel Rum (which is Buda-side of the city). Other hotels which are popular, have good ratings and are located very well are Roombach Hotel and AnVa House.

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