Lisbon synagogue, Shaare Tikva
1506 Massacre Memorial
King Pedro 4th Square (Rossio)
1506 Massacre Memorial
Saint Domingos Church, where all started in 1506
King Pedro 4th Square (Rossio)
Commerce Square
Santa Luzia viewpoint
Alfama Neighborhood
Jewish Neighborhood
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The Sephardic Jewish Odyssey in Lisbon

(5)
Lisbon, Portugal
Cultural ToursWalking ToursEducational TourSightseeing ToursSkip the Line
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About this activity

Trace four centuries of Sephardic Jewish history through Lisbon's oldest quarters and sacred sites, from medieval recognition to modern resilience. This 4-hour walking tour reveals how Portuguese Jews shaped the city's identity, including stories of heroic figures like Aristides Sousa Mendes who rescued thousands during WWII.

In this walking tour, learn the story of the Jewish community in Portugal (specially Lisbon). Therefore, visiting significant sites to the community in the Portuguese capital. Learn how communities appeared, disappeared, and reappeared, belonging everywhere and yet nowhere.

Discover how the Kingdom of Portugal in the 12th century recognized the Jewish community as a distinct legal entity, with its own jurisdiction. You’ll also stop by historic areas, important memorials, and landmarks’ of today’s Jewish community. For instance, the Shaare Tikva (Lisbon Synagogue). The first synagogue to be built in Portugal since the late 15th century.

Hear about the different Jewish communities that lived in Lisbon and throughout Portugal, since the Middle Ages. Also visit historic quarters, and see famous memorials. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the Jewish culture. Discover the important Jewish and Portuguese people who shaped history, saving thousands of souls over the centuries. The likes of Abraham Anahory and Aristides Sousa Mendes, the Portuguese consul who saved the lives of thousands of Jewish refugees.

Furthermore, explore the narrow streets of the Alfama quarter (Lisbon´s oldest neighbourhood), finding the Jewish history in it´s core. Finally, learn about today´s Lisbon. A city of tolerance and creativity. Also, explore the narrow streets of the Alfama quarter, one of Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhood. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to step back in time with this historical tour.

Highlights

  • ✓Visit Shaare Tikva, Portugal's first synagogue built since the 15th century
  • ✓Explore Alfama's narrow medieval streets where Jewish communities thrived
  • ✓Learn about key historical figures including Abraham Anahory and Sousa Mendes
  • ✓Discover how the 12th-century Portuguese kingdom granted Jews legal autonomy
  • ✓See memorials and landmarks of Lisbon's active Jewish community today

Insider tips

  • ★Wear comfortable shoes—Alfama's cobblestone streets are steep and uneven
  • ★Visit early morning to avoid crowds and experience the neighbourhood's authentic atmosphere
  • ★Ask your guide about specific Jewish family histories; many locals have deep personal connections to these stories

Good to know

  • •4-hour walking tour covering hilly terrain in Lisbon's oldest quarter
  • •Skip-the-line access to Shaare Tikva synagogue included
  • •Minimum group size and meeting point details available at booking confirmation

Who it's for

History enthusiasts interested in Jewish diaspora and Mediterranean cultureCultural tourists seeking deeper understanding of Lisbon's identityEducational groups and students of religious or European historyVisitors drawn to stories of humanitarian rescue and resilience

Best time to visit

Early morning tours (spring or autumn) offer comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds in Alfama's narrow streets. Avoid midday heat in summer when walking extended distances uphill.

Frequently asked questions

Available
From€60
per person