Portugal 10 days

Jewish Tours to Portugal:

Portugal in Depth

The Jewish presence in Iberia has existed long before Portugal itself became a country. The contribution of Portuguese Jews to the arts, philosophy, commerce and sciences helped create the rich cultural heritage of this nation. Our tour focuses on places of Jewish interest, as well as the fascinating people who continue to contribute to Portuguese society. These descendants of the Inquisition, often referred to as Marranos, are now known as the B’nai Anousim (Children of Oppression). Forced to convert during those awful days, many secretly, and over the centuries, retained their precious Jewish practices, as well as pride in their true heritage. These are the Secret Jews of Portugal – proof, to this day, that our people’s soul cannot be vanquished.

You will see Lisbon, Porto, and Belmonte, as well as unique medieval towns (such as Marvao) that boast of Jewish history, and taste the wines of the Douro region. Staying at gorgeous hotels, you will enjoy both physical luxury and a deep Iberian-Jewish experience.

Explore Our 7 day tours to Portugal

Explore Our 12 day tours to Portugal and Spain

DAY 1 MONDAY ARRIVAL IN LISBON

Arrival at Lisbon airport. Transfer to your hotel in the heart of this beautiful city. In the afternoon, a panoramic sightseeing tour of Lisbon will begin. Passing the Rossio, reach the Largo da Graça, from where you can admire the magnificent city view, the Tagus River, and the “Seven Hills” of Lisbon. Continue to Porta do Sol, descending on foot through Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest area, to the “Rua da Judiaria” the old Jewish Quarter, with its narrow, cobbled streets. You will also stand in the Praça do Comércio, where the dreaded “Autos-de-Fé” of the Inquisition took place. Return to the hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure. PortoBay Liberdade Hotel.

DAY 2 TUESDAY LISBON

This morning, visit the Shaare Tikva Synagogue, restored in 2004. Next, tour the Riverside area. Belém-Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Portugal’s most representative monuments of Manueline style. View the Monument to the Discoveries, which owes much to the Portuguese Jews and “New Christians,” as many forced converts were called. From Torre de Belém, guarding the mouth of the Tagus River, explorers once set out on voyages to discover trade routes to Africa, Asia, and the New World. (Brazil, of course, is the most famous product of these journeys.) See the striking monument, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, which celebrates the Portuguese adventurers who participated in the Golden Age of Discovery. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. PortoBay Liberdade Hotel.

DAY 3 WEDNESDAY LISBON – SINTRA – CASCAIS – LISBON

In the morning, depart for a small but significant Portuguese treasure, Cascais, a beach resort beloved by Lisbon’s community. During the Holocaust, this town also sheltered Jewish refugees, and Cascais’ Municipality has opened the Espaço do Exilio Estoril (Exiles’ Memorial Center) to honor this memory. Recently, the Rabbi of the vibrant Jewish Documentation Center, R. Eli Rosenfeld, published a groundbreaking book, Jewish Voices for Portugal, highlighting the wisdom of six Portuguese-Jewish commentators on the Torah. It is worth noticing that the book’s preface was written by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic, and Carlos Carreiras, Mayor of Cascais. During the visit to the center, you will see documents dating back 500 years. Next, continue to Sintra, a World Heritage Site known as “Lord Byron’s Glorious Eden.” Sintra was used as a retreat by the Romans, the Moors, and the Portuguese Kings, all of whom reveled in its location, beauty, wooded ravines, and natural water springs. Its former Jewish Quarter, where Jews lived and mixed at the Court before the forced conversions of 1497, is still visible today. Visit the glorious National Royal Palace. In the afternoon, return to Lisbon. PortoBay Liberdade Hotel.

DAY 4 THURSDAY LISBON – EVORA – MARVAO

In the morning, drive to Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the primary Inquisition Centers of Portugal. In the past, Evora boasted one of the largest Jewish communities in Portugal, and several houses still bear traces of the old Mezuzot. See the Court of the Inquisition and the Inquisitor’s Palace, which displays the coat of arms of the “Holy” Office. Later, continue to Marvao, a geranium-filled, walled village perched on a high rocky peak. Many Jews once lived in Marvao. The Museum Municipal houses two tombstones decorated with carved menorahs, telling of the former Jewish presence. A few houses still retain carved crosses on the doorposts – paradoxically, a sign of Jewish survival. These blatant signs were a necessity at a time when Jews were forced to identify as Christians (and yet carried on their traditions in secret). Check-in at the hotel. In the evening, relax at the Pousada while appreciating a magnificent view of the hilly surroundings. Pousada de Marvão.

DAY 5 FRIDAY MARVAO – CASTELO DE VIDE – BELMONTE

Depart to Castelo de Vide, famed for its authentic medieval Juderia (Jewish Quarter). Along the maze of narrow cobbled alleys nestled beneath the Castle, see the 15th Century Synagogue and adjacent Yeshiva, recently restored using the original architectural lines, including the Rabbi’s home, the village fountain, and even the oven used for baking. The Interpretation Center of Garcia de Orta and the House of the Inquisition are two new projects that complement the visit to the village, offering unmissable content and experiences. Continue to Belmonte, home to a Jewish community that has survived for centuries. It still exists today – heir to the historical presence of the Sephardic Jews. Even throughout the time of the Inquisition, Jews managed to preserve many of their rites, prayers, and social relations. Despite the pressure of the Catholics, many “New Christians” continued to marry only among themselves for centuries. In 1989, the community was officially recognized, and in 1996, it inaugurated the synagogue “Beit Eliahu” (Elijah’s House), appropriately located in the old Jewish Quarter. Visit the Jewish Quarter, Synagogue, and the Jewish Museum, showcasing traditional Jewish life and the life of the “New Christians”. Later, continue to the hotel and check in. Mt. Sinai Hotel or Pousada de Belmonte.

DAY 6 SATURDAY BELMONTE

Enjoy a full day of rest or join an optional tour. Depart for a scenic drive to Cabanas de Viriato. Here, visit Aristides de Sousa Mendes House. Aristides de Sousa Mendes was recognized by Israel as one of the Righteous Among the Nations, for saving more than 30,000 refugees while serving as Portugal’s Consul in Bordeaux, France, during the Holocaust. Among the refugees he saved, by issuing visas, were 10,000 Jews. As a punishment for disobeying the orders of António de Oliveira Salazar’s Estado Novo regime, he was dismissed from his position as consul, leaving him and his family to a life in poverty. However, he stood by his actions and proudly proclaimed: “If thousands of Jews are suffering because of one Christian (Hitler), surely one Christian may suffer for so many Jews.” Aristides Sousa Mendes died in 1954, and the Portuguese Government took many more years to issue a total rehabilitation of his name finally. After visiting Cabanas de Viriato, return to Belmonte and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Mt. Sinai Hotel or Pousada de Belmonte.

DAY 7 SUNDAY BELMONTE – TRANCOSO – DOURO VALLEY

This morning, drive to Trancoso, a well-preserved walled town. The Jewish presence in Trancoso dates to the 12th century. In the Medieval Era, Jews prospered in the middle and upper classes. The Jewish and “New Christian” legacy still lives in the written documents, local traditions, and in buildings such as the Gato Preto House, Poço do Mestre (master’s well), and other dwellings of the historic center. The town of Trancoso has honored its Jewish heritage by establishing the Isaac Cardoso Center for Jewish Interpretation, along with a new synagogue called Beit Mayim Hayim – “The House of Living Waters.” A mezuza was affixed to the synagogue’s entrance – the first mezuza in the village for hundreds of years! Continue to the unmissable Douro Valley, a UNESCO Landscape – and the world’s first demarcated wine region. Upon arrival, visit a traditional Estate Winery for tasting and lunch. Later, cruise from Pinhao in a traditional wooden boat that will slowly go up the river to the region’s most beautiful hillsides, famous wine estates, or quintas. Douro’s landscape of terraced vineyards is breathtaking. Continue to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Vintage House Hotel.

DAY 8 MONDAY DOURO VALLEY – PORTO

After breakfast, drive to Porto. Enjoy a walking tour in the old quarter or Baixa in the afternoon, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Porto was well known among the Jewish traders during the Middle Ages, and its Jewish Quarter remains today. You will see both “Rua Monte Judeus” and “Escadas da Esnoga” (which mean “Street of the Jewish Hill” and “Stairway to the Synagogue”). Later, visit the iconic Lello Bookshop. Besides its historical aspects, Porto is also a contemporary and artistic city. This is visible everywhere: in the streets, in architecture, in art galleries and museums, and in the restaurants and boutiques the city offers. Intercontinental Hotel, Palácio das Cardosas.

DAY 9 TUESDAY PORTO

This morning, visit the Makor Haim Synagogue (“Source of Life”). With help from abroad in the early 20th Century, this was the first synagogue built in Portugal for native Portuguese Jews in over 400 years. Later, visit the Bolhão market the Clérigo Tower, São Bento Station, the Stock Exchange with the magnificent Salão Árabe (Arabian Hall). Descend to the Ribeira area, where the characteristic stone quays are beautifully restored and enjoy a panoramic view of Dona Maria Bridge (designed by Gustave Eiffel). From Gaia you will have another perspective of the ancient part of the city , set along the banks of the Douro. Return to the hotel and enjoy the afternoon at leisure to explore Porto on your own. Intercontinental Hotel, Palácio das Cardosas.

DAY 10 WEDNESDAY HOME FLIGHTS

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and check in for the home flight.