This tour starts in Lisbon where you will have the opportunity to visit some of the oldest neighborhoods in town like Alfama (Jewish street), Bairro Alto, S. Domingos Square, Rossio, St George Castel and other historic places where the Jewish memory is still alive. During the tour we will visit the Shaaré Tikva (“Gates of Hope” in Hebraic), the main synagogue of the Portuguese capital. Here you will find more about the roots of the present Jewish community of Lisbon that has its origin in the groups of Sephardic Jews who settled in Portugal at the beginning of the XIX century. Finish the day listening to some Fado Music (Portugal Heritage) while having dinner. Read more

Lisbon Center Hotel, 1 night

From Lisbon we departure to Tomar. The origin of the Hebrew community in Tomar dates from the beginning of the 14th century. Its rapid demographic growth led to the creation of a Judiaria in Rua Direita (now Dr. Joaquim Jacinto Street), near S. João Square (today Praça da República) and Corredoura. Here we will visit the old synagogue built in the mid-fifteenth century and used as a Jewish temple until 1496 when King Manuel I decreed the expulsion of the Jews. Nearby the temple you can visit other rooms connected with the Jewish cult, namely the room designated for the "mikveh"(the purification bath). We leave Tomar towards Castelo Branco to visit Casa da Memória Judaica (“House of Jewish Memory”), located at Rua das Olarias, to find more about the Jewish presence in this city. To familiarize the visitor with the Jewish culture, this museum exposes a set of objects associated with the Jewish rituals. This is a fantastic place to know more about the history and legacy of a community that contributed a lot to the development of this city in the sixteenth century. To end the day you’ll visit Belmonte, where the Jewish community resisted for centuries to the expulsion and conversion orders of the Portuguese Catholic King, Manuel I, and to the penalties perpetuated by the Holy Inquisition. In the Jewish Museum of Belmonte you will find historic pieces ranging from Middle Ages to the XX century, used by the Jews and the Cristãos-Novos (“New Christians”, the former Jewish people that was forced to convert to Catholicism) in their daily life and religious practices. Next, we visit the Jewish Temple of Belmonte. This synagogue was inaugurated in 1996 and is oriented to Jerusalem. Its name, “Bet Heliahu”, was given in honor of the Jew who ordered its construction. Read more

Belmonte, 1 Night

In the third day you will start to visit Trancoso where in the 15th century existed an important Jewish community which contributed for the development of the local commerce. You’ll also see one of the most emblematic buildings of the village the old synagogue named Casa do Gato Negro (Black Cat House). Leaving Trancoso to visit the historic center of Guarda, one of the oldest and most important places of the Jewish presence in Portugal. Following along the Douro river where you can see amazing landscapes until Pinhão/Régua where you can rest. Read more

Pinhão/Régua, 1 night

In fourth day you’ll start by knowing that in the XIV century Jews occupied a then important city of Lamego. They were a very important piece of the economic and commercial structure of the city. The main area where the Jewish memory is better conserved is located between the castle and the church of St. Maria de Almacave. Here you will find references of Jewish quarters like Judiaria da Velha, located next to the Porta do Sol (“The Door of the Sun”) near the church of St Maria de Almacave. We then departure to the city of Oporto, home of many Jewish headquarters since the beginning of the XIV century. Besides the historic center of the city we will also visit the Jewish temple, the Kadoorie Synagogue Mekor Haim, the largest synagogue in the Iberian Peninsula and one of the largest in Europe. Inaugurated in 1938, this Jewish Temple was built with donations from Jews around the world just before 2nd World War. This religious monument is one of the most extraordinary Jewish houses of worship in the world. Sleep in the UNESCO world heritage Porto historical center. Be amazed with the architecture of former civilizations like the neo-gothic interiors of the Lello Bookshop, considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, or the baroque style of Clérigos tower, which, after climb the 240 steps you’ll have a panoramic view of the city. On your way down to the Douro river visit the Stock Exchange Palace, built in a neoclassical style, one of the most visited monuments in Porto, famous by his Arabian Room and the Saint Francis Church, declared World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO and a National Monument. This gothic structure, also known as the church of gold, is one of the most important baroque works from the 14th century having its interior gilded with a carved wood work. Reaching the river side you’ll be able to sit in one of The Art Nouveau cafes and enjoy the medieval D.Luis I bridge planned by the engineer Teófilo Seyrig, a disciple of Eifell. Crossing the bridge, you can visit one famous Porto Wine Cellar and have a wine tasting with a magnificent view of Porto city and the Douro River. Read more

Porto, 1 night

One your return to Lisbon you will pass by the medieval city of Aveiro, Óbidos and the amazing fisherman’s village Nazaré, known by the world record of the biggest surfed waves. Changing to a sea route you will enjoy the views of Nazaré, a fisherman’s seaside village with cobbled lanes running down to a wide cliff backed beach, famous for its waves and surf championships. Discover the medieval city of Obidos, one of the best-preserved Medieval towns in Portugal, surrounded by a fortified castle wall where you can taste the famous Ginja served in a chocolate cup. Visit the Castle, one of the Portugal’s wonders and the churches inside the walls. Read more