Grand Choral Synagogue, St. Petersburg

Only had time for a quick visit. Impressed by how busy it was. A synagogue in use! Inside very much like a Reformed church in Germany or Holland. Expect a guard in front of the building who may want to look inside your rucksack. About a 2km walk from Nevsky Prospekt.

Not only a fully functioning synagogue, but an architectural landmark too. There is a souvenir/kosher foods store and a restaurant on premises. The main synagogue is administered by Chabad. There's also a prayer hall of the Georgian Jews, which offers prayer in Sephardic tradition.

Grand Choral Synagogue of St. Petersburg is the third largest one in Europe. Splendid both inside and outside its building is over 120 years old. Once a year, on International Museum Day, the Synagogue is opened for all visitors during the night, when they hourly run comprehensive tours free of charge. I've been there thrice and every time tours were guided by the same orthodox Jew, strikingly charismatic - he's going to make you fall about laughing. Sometimes excursions are added by a performance. You also can pop in their kosher cafe.

Not just a shul, there is also a kosher restaurant which is great by the way, and a little bogeda & gift shop, they are too very nice.

The most beautiful synagogue I have ever visited.