Portugal · Heritage Walks

The Sephardic Jewish Odyssey in Lisbon

4 Hours Round trip from Lisbon Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Start at Shaare Tikva, Lisbon’s historic synagogue
  • 02 Explore Jewish heritage across Chiado, Rossio, Baixa, and Alfama
  • 03 Learn about the Portuguese Inquisition and its impact in Lisbon
  • 04 Visit the site connected to the 1506 Lisbon Massacre
  • 05 Discover hidden signs of former Jewish communities in Alfama
  • 06 Hear stories of important Jewish and Portuguese historical figures
  • 07 Small-group walking tour with a professional guide
  • 08 Includes synagogue visit, entrance fees, and skip-the-line access

Trace the story of Lisbon’s Jewish community on this insightful walking tour through some of the city’s most meaningful historic quarters. Beginning at Shaare Tikva, the first synagogue built in Portugal since the late 15th century, the experience explores how Jewish life in Portugal evolved through periods of recognition, persecution, exile, and renewal.

As you walk through Príncipe Real, Chiado, Rossio, Baixa, and Alfama, discover places connected to the Portuguese Inquisition, the 1506 Lisbon Massacre, and the enduring legacy of Jewish communities in the capital. Along the way, hear stories of notable Jewish and Portuguese figures, visit important landmarks, and uncover traces of Jewish heritage still hidden within Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhoods.

The start of the tour will be at the Shaare Tikva, Lisbon Synagogue, the 1st synagogue to be built in Portugal since the late 15th century.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access No
City Lisbon
Languages English, Portuguese

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Shaare Tikva, Lisbon´s Synagogue

The start of the tour will be at the Shaare Tikva, Lisbon Synagogue, the 1st synagogue to be built in Portugal since the late 15th century. Learn the story of the Jewish community in Portugal (specially Lisbon) on this tour, visiting significant sites to the community in the Portuguese capital. Since the Jewish exodus from Egypt, and the journey through lands, countries, and continents as the ultimate nomads, they reached what is nowadays Portugal. 

Lisbon Walking

From the synagogue we walk through the Principe Real Park down to the Chiado neighborhood.

Chiado

Reaching Chiado, you will learn about a very famous Jewish writer and see one curiosity in the oldest bookstore of the world, since 1732, founded by Pedro Faure.

Rossio Square

Walk to the center of the Holy Inquisition, the Rossio Square. Column of Pedro IV In the centre of Rossio Square sits the Column of Pedro IV of Portugal, known as “the Soldier King”. At the base of the pillar are four female figures that represent the King’s various qualities: Justice, Wisdom, Strength and Moderation. The D. Maria II National Theatre was founded in 1842, replacing the "Estaus Palace", that was headquarters of the Portuguese Inquisition since mid-fifteenth century.

Sao Domingo Church

Passing by the sight of the April 19th, 1506 Lisbon Massacre, you will learn what happened and why. From this day, and during the next 3, more than 3000 "New Christians" where murdered in the streets only being stopped by the Kings Royal Army. The epicenter, being the Sao Domingo Church.

Commerce Square

In the Baixa neighborhood you will walk to the biggest square in Portugal, Terreiro do Paco, modernly known as Praca do Comercio. Here you will be explained a few very important situations that changed the history of Portugal.

Alfama

Find the hidden and forgotten signs of the Jewish communities that lived in the Alfama neighborhood and discover where the old cemetery was.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Lisbon 1 city · 4 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Small Group tour with Professional guide;
  • Visit the Sinagoga Shaare Tikva and entrance fees;
  • The guide will accompany you inside the monuments/locations to explain their history;
  • Guaranteed to skip ticket lines.

What's Not Included

  • Lunch and any other items not mentioned in the program

Know before you go

  • STROLLER OR PRAM ACCESSIBLE
  • PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
  • PASSPORT REQUIRED
  • There is a dress code (no uncovered shoulders, shorts, mini-skirt etc.)
  • We will need Passport details (name, number, expiry and country) at time of booking for all participants for security reasons
  • National monuments might close without notice, on public holidays and other special occasions!
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Not recommended for people with heart conditions

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Lisbon, PT
Tour start
Lisbon, PT
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 4 hours finish where they began, in Lisbon.

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