Dohány Street Synagogue

Synagogue · Belvaros

Dohány Street Synagogue

Synagogue · Belvaros

Budapest, Dohány u. 2, 1074 Hungary

Highlights

The grandeur of the Dohány Street Synagogue, Europe's largest, captivates with its stunning Moorish architecture and rich history, making it a must-see in Budapest's Jewish Quarter.

Budapest, Dohány u. 2, 1074 Hungary Get directions

dohany-zsinagoga.hu

@onthegrid

"With uniquely ornate Moorish Revival architecture featuring two 43-meter-tall towers topped by onion domes, the Dohány Street Synagogue is the grandest gateway to Budapest’s Jewish Quarter, serving the community as an active Judaic temple and providing a home to the Hungarian Jewish Museum. The synagogue is rich with history, and continually stands as a significant symbol for Budapest’s Jewish community in both bright and dark times." - We Love Budapest

On the Grid : Dohány Street Synagogue

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@afar

"Dominating the intriguing Jewish quarter on the Pest side of the city, the Great Synagogue is a must-see for lovers of culture in general and Europe's Jewish history in particular. This is Europe's largest operating synagogue (the largest, in fact, outside New York City) on Dohány Street, which was once the boundary for the Budapest Jewish Ghetto. Inside are stunning Romantic and Moorish architectural elements like rose windows and a monumental organ. Other parts of the complex include a Jewish cemetery, a small prayer area called the Heroes' Temple, and the Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives, built on the site of the home in which Theodor Herzl, the originator of modern Zionism, was born."

The Best Things to Do in Budapest

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Thomas B

Google

This is considered the largest synagogue in Europe and probably the most recognized Jewish Temple in Budapest, what a stunning sight to see. The architectural features of this temple are very impressive, and we only wished we could have seen the inside, but it was closed to visitors that day. However, walking around the outside of this structure was amazing and do not forget to view the memorial park and sculptures located to the rear of the synagogue. If you do get a chance to visit, be advised that the entrance fee is higher than most of the other tourist locations in town, but we still believe it is worth the visit.

Arjun

Google

This was a very emotional and chilling experience. My wife and me visited Dohány Street Synagogue during the holiday season (on Day 2 of Hanukkah). This is the second biggest Synagogue in the world and the biggest Synagogue in Europe. The price for the ticket includes the guided tour and I highly encourage everybody to wait 10-15 minutes for the guided tour. I think the guided tour happens every 15-30 minutes but it's very informative. We waited for the guided tour in English and the gentleman who was our guide was so detailed but yet so concise. He guided us through the history of Judaism, the Synagogue and then the holocaust. The architecture within the synagogue is impressive. The cemetery and the memorial are chilling. There is also a museum and a Ghetto exhibition. Overall, this was very emotional because you see the brutality of the war and the scarring effect it has left on people such as our guide. This is a must visit in Budapest. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts especially to the guide and the staff operating this place. We learned so much from this visit.

Joan Meyer

Google

Entry is a little pricey but the ticket gives you access to the building and museums - very worth it imo. This is the largest synagogue in Europe and I've truly never seen one like it. So beautiful. The courtyard garden is memorial to those who died in the Budapest ghetto (which the synagogue bordered) and burial site. Visiting was a very powerful, emotional experience. I learned a lot about local history from the exhibitions. I also loved their collection of Judaica and other Jewish artifacts. **Note this is an operational synagogue, but I'm not reviewing services (as I don't believe that would be appropriate).

Peter Corley

Google

The largest synagogue in Europe, it claims? It's certainly a beautiful building, which we would have liked to explore, but the entrance fee was very expensive, I'm afraid. However, you can stroll around it, which provides a view of some areas of the gardens (albeit through railings) and which gives you a good idea of its history. The WW2 era is (once again) both poignant and difficult, and simply continuing your walk into what was the tiny ghetto area reinforced all that, with some very moving wall art and just the general feel of the area.

Catie Johnson

Google

This synagogue is the second largest in the world and largest in Europe. It has a complicated and hard history, which is definitely worth learning about. This synagogue’s dedicated to preserving history and community is reason enough to visit and pay the entrance fee, in my opinion. The educational experience of their Holocaust and Budapest Ghetto exhibit was great and thorough, and the Grand Synagogue itself was beautiful and easily the most stunning synagogue I’ve ever seen. Definitely worth the trip!

Tony Hutchings

Google

The guided tour was expensive but extremely interesting. having never visited a Synagogue, we took the opportunity to visit the 2nd largest one in the world. So much history really makes you think about what happened in the war. Interesting tribute to Sir Nicholas Winton.

Steve Warne

Google

Quite an experience to visit this lovely building, the second largest synagogue in the world. It looks like a church for a reason but I'll let you visit and find that out. The monuments to the Hungarian Jews killed in 1945 to homegrown Nazis are very moving. Take the free tour, they start every half hour.

yaakov schwartzman

Google

Really popular site. Tour guides in many languages. Friendly. Helpful. Not as learned in many history and things that they say but that is really less important. Enjoy. It is worth the visit. Note. This is not a reform synagogue. It was a conservative neolog that was part of the orthodox society.