The Jews of Portugal: Jewish Culture, Heritage, & Tradition

In medieval Portugal, Jewish communities were woven into the fabric of the kingdom’s rise, where Jews served as royal advisers, physicians, financiers, astronomers, and translators. In thriving centers like Lisbon and Porto, Jewish learning and creativity flourished alongside the ambitions of a growing maritime power. Yet this remarkable chapter closed abruptly in 1497, when Portugal’s Jews were forced to convert or leave the country, driving some into exile and others into generations of hidden observance.

This immersive tour and its thoughtfully curated itinerary bring to life Portuguese Jewry, from past to present. We visit historic sites and Jewish landmarks and synagogues, meet contemporary Jewish communities, and experience Portugal’s stunning scenery — from narrow cobblestone streets to expansive coastlines.

Beginning in cosmopolitan Lisbon, we discover a vibrant Jewish past and see original documents from the Inquisition for ourselves. We take several day trips, exploring a tapestry of surrounding towns with remarkable stories to tell. We then travel to the town of Belmonte, a crypto-Jewish enclave hidden for centuries — only rediscovered in the 20th century. Next, we make our way first to the ancient city of Coimbra and then to the storied city of Porto, where a small but determined Jewish community reemerged in the 20th century and, with international support, built the magnificent Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue.

During our extraordinary journey into Jewish heritage, culture, and traditions of Portugal, we stay at exceptionally situated luxury hotels and experience the expertise of accompanying scholar Raquel Oresztajn, whose presentations and insights add depth and context to our travels.