Great Synagogue (Dohány Street)

Europe's largest synagogue holds 3,000 people under twin onion domes that dominate the Pest skyline. Built in 1859, the Moorish Revival interior feels more like a concert hall than a traditional synagogue, with organ music and mixed seating that scandalized Orthodox Jews at the time. You'll see the Hungarian Jewish Museum's ceremonial objects, the haunting cemetery where 2,000 ghetto victims lie buried in the courtyard, and Imre Varga's metal Tree of Life memorial with 30,000 names etched on silver leaves.

The guided tour moves through five distinct areas: the main sanctuary with its massive organ and gilded ceiling, the small Heroes' Temple built for WWI victims, the museum's Torah scrolls and ritual items, the cemetery (Europe's only synagogue burial ground), and finally the memorial garden. The contrast hits hard when you move from the ornate interior to the somber outdoor spaces. Audio guides work in 12 languages, though the live guides offer better stories about the building's survival through two world wars.

Most visitors rush through in 60 minutes, but you need 90 to absorb the cemetery and memorial properly. At 5,500 HUF for adults and 4,400 HUF for students, it's pricey but justified. Skip the crowded afternoon tours and book the 9am slot when light streams through the sanctuary windows beautifully. The gift shop is overpriced tourist tat, but the small cafe serves decent coffee if you need a break.