Portugal Jewish Heritage Kosher Journey | Jewish Heritage Alliance

Visiting: Lisbon • Sintra • Tomar • Castelo de Vide • Belmonte • Trancoso • Porto

Kosher meals throughout (breakfast, box lunch and dinner)

DAY 1, Sunday March 07: USA / Lisbon

Depart your home city for the overnight flight to Lisbon, Portugal.

Overnight: Flight – International Airfare Not Included.

DAY 2, Monday March 08: Arrive Lisbon – Old City & Jewish Heritage

Welcome to Lisbon, Portugal's historic capital and one of Europe's great crossroads of Jewish history. Upon arrival this morning, you will be met by our local tour escort and begin your exploration of this fascinating city.

Lisbon was once home to one of the largest and most important Jewish communities in medieval Portugal. Jewish merchants, scholars, physicians and financiers played an important role in the city's commercial and intellectual life. The community was centered in several Jewish quarters, including the Judiaria Grande, until the forced conversion of Portugal's Jews in 1497 brought an end to organized Jewish life.

We will explore the historic Alfama District, one of Lisbon's oldest neighborhoods, with its narrow streets, historic buildings and remnants of the city's medieval past. We will visit the area of the former Jewish quarter, including Rua da Judiaria, or "Jews' Street," and learn about the Jewish community that once lived and worked in this part of the city.

We will also visit a historic synagogue and learn about the revival of Jewish life in Portugal in the modern era. Our exploration will include Rossio Square and the memorial commemorating the victims of the tragic 1506 Lisbon Massacre, when hundreds of New Christians and suspected Jews were murdered.

As we explore Lisbon, we begin to uncover the remarkable story of Portuguese Jewry—a story of flourishing communities, persecution, forced conversion, survival and, ultimately, renewal.

In the evening, gather for a Welcome Kosher Dinner.

Overnight: Dom Pedro Lisboa Hotel (L,D)

DAY 3, Tuesday March 09: Sintra • Cascais • Estoril

After a kosher breakfast, we depart Lisbon for a full-day excursion along Portugal's spectacular Atlantic coast.

Our first destination is Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its magnificent palaces, gardens and dramatic mountain landscape. Once a favorite summer retreat of Portugal's royal family, Sintra today is one of the country's most beautiful and atmospheric destinations. We will stroll through the historic center and enjoy the unique character of this picturesque town.

We continue to Cascais, a charming coastal town that developed from a traditional fishing village into one of Portugal's most elegant seaside destinations. We will have time to explore its historic center and enjoy the beautiful Atlantic setting.

Cascais and neighboring Estoril also have an important connection to the Jewish refugee story of the Second World War. During the years of Nazi persecution, Portugal became a refuge and transit point for thousands of Jews fleeing Europe. Estoril and the surrounding coastal communities became temporary homes for refugees, including prominent Jewish families and individuals seeking safety before continuing to other countries.

This experience provides an important connection between Portugal's medieval Jewish history and its role as a refuge for Jews fleeing Nazi Europe.

Return to Lisbon in the late afternoon.

Overnight: Dom Pedro Lisboa Hotel (B,L,D)

DAY 4, Wednesday March 10: Lisbon • Tomar • Castelo de Vide • Covilhã • Belmonte

Today we leave Lisbon and travel into the historic interior of Portugal, where some of the country's most remarkable Jewish heritage has survived.

Our first destination is Tomar, a city famous for its association with the Knights Templar and home to one of the most important surviving remnants of medieval Jewish Portugal.

Here we will visit the remarkable 15th-century synagogue, one of the best-preserved medieval synagogues on the Iberian Peninsula. The building now houses the Abraham Zacuto Portuguese-Jewish Museum, named for the renowned Jewish astronomer and mathematician whose astronomical tables contributed to Portugal's Age of Discovery.

We continue to Castelo de Vide, one of the most beautiful historic towns in Portugal and home to one of the country's best-preserved former Jewish quarters. We will walk through the narrow medieval streets of the Judiaria, learning about the Jewish families who lived here and the community that existed before the forced conversion of Portuguese Jewry.

Our journey continues through Covilhã, a historic mountain town with important Jewish heritage connections and evidence of a Jewish presence dating back centuries.

We then arrive in Belmonte, home to one of the most remarkable chapters in the history of Portuguese Jewry.

Following the forced conversion of Portugal's Jews in 1497, Jewish families in Belmonte continued to preserve elements of Jewish tradition in secret, passing customs and beliefs from generation to generation despite the danger of the Inquisition.

Overnight: Pousada Convento de Belmonte (B,L,D)

DAY 5, Thursday March 11: Belmonte • Trancoso • Porto

This morning we explore Belmonte, whose Jewish story is unlike almost anywhere else in Europe.

For centuries, descendants of forcibly converted Portuguese Jews maintained elements of Jewish practice in secret. Their story remained largely unknown to the outside Jewish world until the 20th century, when the community was rediscovered and began reconnecting with Judaism and the wider Jewish people.

We will visit the Belmonte Jewish Museum, which presents the history and traditions of this extraordinary community, followed by a visit to the local synagogue. We will learn about the community's survival, rediscovery and continuing Jewish identity.

We then travel to Trancoso, an important medieval center that was also home to a significant Jewish community. We will walk through the historic Jewish quarter and visit the Isaac Cardoso Jewish Culture Interpretation Center, dedicated to the history and legacy of Trancoso's Jewish community and to Isaac Cardoso, the prominent Jewish physician and philosopher born here who later lived in Amsterdam.

We continue north to Porto, Portugal's second city and one of the country's most important historic Jewish centers.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Porto Hotel (B,L,D)

DAY 6, Friday March 12: Porto – Jewish Heritage & Shabbat

Today we explore the remarkable Jewish heritage of Porto, where Jewish life existed for centuries before the establishment of the Portuguese kingdom.

Porto's former Jewish quarters remain visible in the historic center, including streets associated with Monte dos Judeus, or "Jews' Hill." Jewish merchants conducted business along the riverfront, while synagogues and Jewish institutions once served a vibrant community.

We will visit the magnificent Kadoorie–Mekor Haim Synagogue, one of the largest synagogues on the Iberian Peninsula and an important center of Jewish life in modern Portugal. The synagogue was officially inaugurated in 1938 and is closely associated with Captain Artur Barros Basto, who founded the Jewish community of Porto in 1923 and devoted his life to reconnecting descendants of Portuguese Jews who had been forcibly converted centuries earlier.

We will also visit the Holocaust Museum of Oporto, which presents the history of the Holocaust and the experience of Jewish refugees who passed through Portugal during the Second World War.

Our exploration continues through Porto's historic center, including the Ribeira District, the Douro River waterfront and other important landmarks.

Return to the hotel in preparation for Shabbat.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Porto Hotel (B,L,D)

DAY 7, Saturday March 13: Shabbat in Porto

Today is dedicated to Shabbat in Porto, providing an opportunity to experience Jewish life in this historic city.

Guests may participate in Shabbat services at the local synagogue and enjoy a kosher Shabbat lunch. The afternoon will be free for relaxation, personal exploration or simply enjoying the atmosphere of Porto.

Shabbat provides a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the journey through Portugal—from the medieval Jewish communities that once flourished throughout the country, to the families who preserved their traditions in secret, to the renewal of Jewish life in Portugal today.

Overnight: Crowne Plaza Porto Hotel (B,L,D)

DAY 8, Sunday March 14: Porto / USA

Following breakfast transfer to the airprot for departure back home (B)

Pedro Seidl

21. November, 2025.

Jewish heritage alliance put together a trip to Portugal to understand the roots of Jewish communities after the inquisition. I joined with great expectations, and the reality was even greater than my expectations. A well organized tour, first class lodging and dining and amazing guides and guests. The participants were also an important part of the experience because many of them were actual descendants from families torn apart and banished from their original lands by the inquisition. I highly recommend any tour that Jewish heritage alliance puts together and am looking forward to joining on upcoming projects.

Steven and Enid Wassner

21. November, 2025.

We are writing to express our appreciation for the wonderful Portugal tour that you put together. As you recall we were on the tour, March 2024. From the very beginning we were impressed with your organization as well as your personal attentiveness and availability. Beginning with our arrival at Lisbon airport we were well cared for by our guide, Antonio and our content expert, Peter Tarlow who were always available and very helpful throughout the tour . The tour bus was comfortable and the presence of WIFI, a real bonus. The accommodation and meals were very good and we especially appreciated the fado dinner when we returned to Lisbon. We thought the pace of the tour was appropriate. There were many sites to see but we didn’t feel rushed. Both Antonio and Peter were interesting speakers and were able to convey a great deal of information in an enjoyable manner. This tour had as its focus the Jewish history of Portugal and it more than met that goal. We learned a great deal and enjoyed ourselves immensely. We have already recommended this tour to several of our friends. Thank you for your help in organizing this tour, Steven and Enid Wassner

Nancy and Larry Peters

21. November, 2025.

Our friends, Enid and Steve Wassner had invited us on the Portugal tour. We were fortunate that we were the last couple to sign up for your trip. As Christians, we felt that it was an incredible trip. We give thanks to Antonio Goncalves who escorted us through the cities in Portugal giving us insight into history of the sites in the relationship to the Jewish population and Dr. Peter Tarlow who gave us a clear picture of the Jewish journey through his lectures. They were very conscious of any needs we may have had. The tour was well organized, and the hotels were comfortable. The only suggestion we have was to spend a few more days in Lisbon. We found that the company of the other guest added to our enjoyment. Thank you Michael for your work in making this trip possible. Best Regards, Nancy and Larry Peters

Ellen and Gershon Bodner

21. November, 2025.

We are finally home after a busy and extraordinary trip. We are all grateful that you were able to organize the first part of our experience in Portugal. Benny was fabulous and with his knowledge and experience he helped us understand the Jewish experience in Portugal. We spent 2 full days in the villages and towns and had the privilege of meeting Danielle, her family and see the synagogue and museum in Belmonte. Although we thoroughly enjoyed seeing many of the places where crypto Jews lived, we felt what was lacking was the connection with a living community, which, in reality does not exist except for in Belmonte, Lisbon and Porto. And they are practicing modern Judaism not old customs. In addition, if we had more time, we would have gone to the Holocaust museum on the border with Spain and I would have arranged a guide through you for Porto. Then I think our experience would have been more complete. We found the Portuguese to be a warm and kind people open to discussion about the Inquisition and their Jewish past. Everyone in the hotels was so nice and accommodating. Looking forward to seeing you again soon. Ellen and Gershon Bodner

Bernadette Martinez

21. November, 2025.

I loved the trip! Having led tours to Israel, I understand the difficulty of trying to please every one---so you don't!!! But having experience in putting trips together, I have to say that Michael did a great job! All of the extras (not realized by most of the group) were great! I so enjoyed the heart Michael and how much more he put into this trip that I plan to sign up for more trips! Rose and I did not know what to expect--and afterward we both agreed that this trip more than met our expectations! Hanukkah sameach (or is it chag urim sameach) Bernadette Martinez

Judi Hochman

21. November, 2025.

The extensive tour I was on in Portugal sept 12 to sept 29 2024 was one of the best tours I’ve been on. I have travelled a lot over 50 yrs and this tour was way beyond my expectations. Our private tour guide was very knowledgeable, educated, caring and fun to be with. His passion for making the experience of getting to know Portugal from every point was extraordinary. Benny our private guide and driver took us to 14th and 15th century villages with Jewish history. Besides visiting historical villages, we visited a cork factory, wool factory, embroidery group, tapestry museum and illustration of tapestry making, port tasting, wine tasting, tile making, and sites in Lisbon i.e. train station, McDonald’s, riverfront and major statues. In Porto we visited the beach where many expats are living. Benny wanted my traveling companion and I to experience diƯerent types of cooked fish and in the town of Cascais we did. I highly recommend this private tour given by the Jewish Heritage Alliance. It’s a tour you will be telling your family and friends about for years to come. Judi Hochman Los Angeles

Linda E. Rosenzweig

21. November, 2025.

Our trip to Portugal was flawless. The hotels were excellent and well-located. The trip had an superb itinerary which allowed the participants to visit not only the important tourist sites in Lisbon, Porto, Sintra and Cascais like many other tours, but also to visit other cities (Tomar, Belmonte, Vilar Formoso) with key sites that played a significant role in the history of the Jews in Portugal. The individuals who led our trip - Antonio and Rabbi Tarlow -- were a superb duo, knowledgeable, informative and patient. Not only did Antonio have a great personality and sense of humor, the love of his country was infectious. The Rabbi’s commentaries perfectly completed Antonio's talks, and the Rabbi's post-dinner presentations were fascinating and entertaining, even after a long day of travelling. His expansive knowledge of the history of the Spanish and Portuguese inquisition, as well as all things Jewish, added great value to the experience as well as an unparalleled understanding of Jewish Portugal. They are top professionals in their fields. I highly recommend the trip.

Testimonials