Join the only authorized Jewish guide in Portugal as he brings Jewish cultural literacy and historical accuracy to tours that go beyond the ordinary. Experience the major sights of Lisbon and Portugal from a Jewish perspective, with an academically qualified guide and tour organizer.
- Private and Semi-Private, Shared Tours in Lisbon For Couples, Families, or Parties of Any Size
- Multi-day Excursions with Private Driver and Vehicle Throughout Portugal
- Local Kosher Resources
- Established Connections with Jewish Communities of Portugal
- Large Groups or Individuals Are Welcome
Jewish Lisbon Private, or Semi-Private Walking Tour, 3.5 hours
Experience the sights of historic Lisbon from a Jewish perspective!
The guide who leads our Jewish tours for Lisbon Explorer is Paolo Scheffer, the only authorized Jewish guide in Portugal. Paolo is a lively historian who brings his passion for Portuguese Judaic studies to each tour. Discover the places, important artifacts and stories that no other Jewish tours in Lisbon visit.
In May of 2012 a sensational discovery by Archaeologists of Jena University revealed Hebrew inscriptions on stone which point to the Jewish people residing in Portugal as early as 390 C.E. However, some Biblical Archaeologists believe that Tartessian texts found in Southern Portugal in 1922 suggests a Jewish presence dating to the time of King Solomon.
Walking through the quaint side streets of Lisbon your guide and historian will explain these recent findings and unveil hidden elements in the architecture, explaining the influence of great Jewish sages like Abravanel- the philosopher and statesman, Yossef Caro- author of the Shulchan Aruch, and Abraham Zucato who altered the course of the Age of Discovery. The Jews of Portugal throughout history held social and political ranks with the favor of kings, and conciliatory relations between Muslims and Christians alike. However, these periods were equally marked by inquisitions, forced baptisms and brutal massacres which have been overlooked in many historical references.
On this tour you will discover the amazing story of Crypto-Jews, (Cristão-Novos) a distinctive Sephardi sub-group in Portugal who survived over 400 years of persecution in secret. At the site of the Inquisitors Palace, learn little known facts about the Portuguese Inquisition and the controversy of the Marquis of Pombal whose authority destroyed Jewish heritage and saved lives.
See the deportation point during WWII where thousands of Jewish refugees escaped Nazi persecution, among them famous names like Marc Chagall, Peggy Guggenheim and many others who contributed to the arts, sciences and politics of the world stage. Learn about Portugal’s own Oskar Schindler, a righteous gentile who defied state orders to save thousands feeling the horrors of the 3rd Reich.
Beyond the former Jewish quarters, there are stories in the architecture festooned around the city that will bring you a deeper understanding of the Early Modern Diaspora, The Passover Massacre, Cryto-Jewish practices and famous Jewish families associated with Portugal.
Note: Visits to the Lisbon modern orthodox synagogue and cemetery require 30-days advance notice, sent directly to the synagogue. They do not permit tours inside the synagogue on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. They do not permit guides to give tours in the synagogue. The synagogue has their own appointed docents who gives the tours. It is a waste of tour time and money to pay for a guide to take guests to the synagogue, because they cannot give the tour. The synagogue is located outside the historic center, and not easily accessible during this historic walking tour. If you schedule an appointment for a visit to the synagogue, your guide will be happy to direct you there at the end of your Jewish Lisbon tour.
Major highlights on this walking tour include:
- Príncipe Real: Upscale residential district with boutiques garden, and cafes.
- Baixa- Pombalina Downtown: Jewish Quarters Grande and Pequeno.
- Rossio Square: Tribunal of the Inquisition.
- Carmo Ruins: The roofless church of the great earthquake.
- São Dominigo's Square: Memorial to the massacres of 1506.
- Elevador de Santa Justa: A Neo-Gothic tower of merchant transport.
- Bairro Alto: Home to great Jewish sages.
- Sao Pedro de Alcantara: Scenic views from the west side Lisbon.
- Chiado and Rua Garrett: Merchant district with historic retail shops.
- Much, much more....
Price starts at €160 total for two guests, not per person. (Larger parties please contact us for a price quote).
Beware of Imitation Tours:
Please be aware of other Jewish tours, led by guides with similar sounding names. Paolo Scheffer is the only authorized guide in Portugal who is Jewish, and he works exclusively with Lisbon Explorer Tours. There are tour operators offering Jewish tours of Lisbon, but they are not conducted by authorized Jewish guides. They do not visit the artifacts, ancient sites, inscriptions, and they do not go inside the monuments that we visit. This is because they do not possess the authorization to enter these locations, or the academic qualifications and Jewish literacy to understand their significance.
“An Eye-Opening, Enlightening and Moving Touring Experience”
We spent two of the most memorable days touring Lisbon with Paolo Scheffer of Lisbon Explorer. The depth of knowledge this guide was able to share with us in a lucid and exciting manner is unmatched by tour guides we have been with previously. We came away from our two days with a new understanding of the history and geography of Lisbon and its environs. We laughed or we cried as Paolo walked us through thousands of years of peaks and troughs in the very complicated relationship of the rulers with the subjects. Paolo is extremely knowledgeable as well on the intricacies of the long history of Portugal's inquisition against anyone not willing to accept Christianity. A day or two with Paolo will transform you into a more tolerant and compassionate human being. Don't miss this opportunity!
Eilat, Israel
---------------
Full-day Jewish Lisbon Private Walking Tour, 7-hours
Experience the Judaic sights of historic Lisbon on a full-day tour!
This full-day tour is the same as the above Private Walking Tour for 3.5 hours, but with the addition of the old Alfama quarter.
Taking taxis, or a private vehicle, we scale the Alfama hill, and begin our journey into the Alfama, Lisbon's oldest and most pedestrian friendly quarter. Discover secrets in the narrow streets beneath Castle S. Jorge from the Phoenicians and Romans to modern times. The Alfama is a labyrinth rich with stories of disasters, invaders, poets, musicians and artists. Plus, rewarding views of the city from spectacular terraces (Miradouros) along the way.
This downhill walk reveals a small Jewish quarter, where a sign indicates, Rua Judiaria and the remnants of the small synagogue which existed nearby. In this area the architecture gives away clues of the former residents who were forcibly converted to Christianity in 1497. Further down into the Alfama we walk past old Fado taverns where the influences of Arab, Jewish and African music forms can be heard radiating into the streets. The name Alfama comes from the Arabic Al-hamma, meaning hot springs or baths, due to the natural springs found in the area. During the Moorish invasion, Alfama was the center of Lisbon’s daily activities, and over the centuries it became a slum for poor fishermen.
Today, this quaint quarter embraces its new affluent settlers along with the the old, where you will find stylish restaurants aside rustic cafes where the old trolley cars rattle past markets and churches.
Major highlights on this walking tour include:
- Castelo de S. Jorge: A history of Romans, Moors, Crusaders and Kings.
- Alfama Quarter: A maze of quaint medieval streets and rustic buildings in
- Lisbon's oldest quarter with a small Jewish section.
- Santa Luzia Miradouro: One of the most scenic overlooks in the Alfama.
- Fado Taverns: Walk past venues of Lisbon’s rich musical heritage.
- Sé Cathedral: Lisbon's oldest church and seat of the Arch Bishop.
- Santo Antonió á Sé: The birthplace of St. Anthony of Padua.
- Praça da Figueira: A city of the dead, a hospital, and vegetable market.
- S. Vicente da Fora: One of the most important monasteries Portugal.
- Feira da Ladra: Lisbon's oldest flea market can be added to this tour by request on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
- Lunch Break --
- Príncipe Real: Upscale residential district with boutiques garden, and cafes.
- Baixa- Pombalina Downtown: Jewish Quarters Grande and Pequeno.
- Rossio Square: Tribunal of the Inquisition.
- Carmo Ruins: The roofless church of the great earthquake.
- São Dominigo's Square: Memorial to the massacres of 1506.
- Elevador de Santa Justa: A Neo-Gothic tower of merchant transport.
- Bairro Alto: Home to great Jewish sages.
- Sao Pedro de Alcantara: Scenic views from the west side Lisbon.
- Chiado and Rua Garrett: Merchant district with historic retail shops.
- Much, much more....
Price starts at €320 for two guests, not per person, (Larger parties please contact us for a price quote).
________________________________________________________________
Custom Private Jewish Heritage Tours of Portugal, 2 to 7 days. Prices start at €1,852.
Explore the major sights, meet the Jewish people and see rare Jewish artifacts from the Golden Era of Judaism in the west of Europe.
Multi-day custom excursions can be designed with Kosher catering along the way, or with a mix of Kosher meals when convenient, vegetarian, or standard a la carte with vegetarian/ vegan options at each restaurant. Only modern luxury insured vehicles with heat and A/C and licensed drivers are used. Accommodations can vary from 5 to 3-star, depending on the groups budget, but historic locations with modern conveniences are arranged whenever possible.
Through academic connections and experience leading Jewish tours, we can create a custom itinerary for your journey through Portugal's history with the most important Jewish highlights, mixed with the major sights of Portugal along the way. Some of the Jewish sights that can be arranged are listed below. The exact sights visited will depend on the number of days available, the interests of your party and your arrival and departure cities.
Major highlights on this walking tour include:
- Visit The Luso Hebraico- Synagogue Museum of Tomar, one of the oldest and best preserved medieval synagogues of Portugal.
- Meet the community at Bet Eliahu Synagogue in Belmonte, for the longest surviving Jews of European Sepahrdim.
- Tour the Jewish Museum of Belmonte with rare ritual objects that sustained the community's secret practice for centuries.
- See a recently discovered 15th century secret Aron Kodesh hidden behind a false wall for over 500 years.
- View a rare first edition 15th century books in Hebrew, representing the last Hebrew books published in Portugal.
- Visit the sight of the old Porto Synagogue, the old Jewish quarter and the Mekor H'aim-fountain of life synagogue.
- Discover the story of Portugal's own Captain Alfred Dreyfus who braved the Salazar regime to return to Judaism, Captain Barros Basto
- MekorH'aim Synagogue, the first Yashiva since 1497 and suffered a monkey trail which led to the loss of his pension and military honors.
- The Évora Tribunal of the Inquisition and The Inquisitors Prosecution Box.
- Stone walls festooned with over 150 religious graffiti-like carvings from Jews and forced New Christians.
- Remains of the Tartessian language. The biblical land of Tarshish, mentioned in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, I Kings, Jonah and Romans.
- Learn the difference between Marrano, Cristão-novo, Crypto-Jew and Anusim.
- The history of the emancipation of the Jewish people and The New Republic, Portugal during WWII, and Modern Jewish Communities and Anti-Semitism.
- Learn about famous The Lisbon Bible and Jewish illumination and calligraphy in the 15th century.
- Discover great Jewish sages and philosophers of Portugal.
- Visit the Old Jewish Cemetery of Lisbon.
- Tour the first Kosher winery in Portugal since 1497.
- Meet Portugal's only kosher cheese maker, an award winning selection.
Please contact us for availability and an exact price quote for your multi-day tour.
Our Promise:
The guide who leads our Jewish tours for Lisbon Explorer is Paolo Scheffer, the only authorized Jewish guide in Portugal. He possesses excellent English language abilities, and is talented at speaking on Portugal’s treasures, and the amazing stories beneath them. During tours, your guide is free to assist guests with sights to see in their free time, restaurant suggestions, shows and insider local secrets. We look forward to bringing the Jewish heritage of Portugal alive for you in truly amazing, historic and relevant detail.
There are tour operators offering Jewish tours of Lisbon, but they are not conducted by authorized Jewish guides. They will not visit the artifacts, ancient synagogue sites, inscriptions and they do not go inside the monuments that we visit, because they are not aware of them, and their guides do not possess the Jewish literacy to understand their significance.
Kosher meal option:
On multi-day excursions we are are happy to arrange for Kosher meals with Kosher supervision and compliance that meets your parties specific request. We can have a gourmet chef to accompany the tour, or arrange Kosher meals with local community members.
What to expect:
Professional, passionate and personable 5-star service that goes beyond ordinary tours. We can arrange all aspects of your visit including meals, accommodations, museum tickets, guides at specific locations, tickets and transportation. All of the vehicles we use are luxury brands that are fully insured and registered with properly licensed drivers. On muti-day tours, each morning starts with a short 15 minute lecture after breakfast about the history of Portuguese Jewry.