Jewish Sephardic history in Lisbon
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Lisbon, Portugal
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Overview
Immerse yourself in Jewish history and culture during this snall-group tour of Lisbon’s Jewish community. Portugal was one of the first world powers to recognize the Jewish people and has served as an important home for the community ever since. Wander through Shaare Tikva, Lisbon’s synagogue, and learn about the history of various religions in the city. You’ll also stop by historic areas, important memorials, and landmarks of today’s Jewish community. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to step back in time with a historical tour.
- Learn about the rich history of Portugal's Jewish Community
- Visit Lisbon’s historic synagogue, Shaare Tikva
- Stop at important memorials to key Jewish figures
- Avoid extra hassle and cost with all entrance fees included
What's Included
- Small group tour with Professional guide;
- Visit the Sinagoga Shaare Tikva from the inside (tickets included);
- Guide will accompany you inside locations to explain its history;
- Guaranteed to skip ticket lines.
- Lunch and any other items not mentioned in the program
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Shaare Tikvah SynagogueR. Alexandre Herculano 59, 1250-010 Lisboa, Portugal
Your guide will be in front of our synagogue to meet you.
End point
- Alfama, 1100 Lisbon, Portugal
NOTE: The end point may not be Alfama. It will be somewhere in Lisbon´s Old-Town. All depends on our travellers curiosity and physical capabilities. And also weather conditions ;-)
Itinerary
1
Sinagoga Shaare Tikva
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
2
Principe Real
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Bertrand
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
4
Praca do Comercio
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Praca Dom Pedro IV
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
6
Igreja De S Domingos
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- We are only able to visit the inside of our synagogue on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
- We will need Passport details (name, number, expiry and country) at time of booking for all participants for security reasons
- There is a dress code (no uncovered shoulders, shorts, mini-skirt etc.)
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 48 reviews
Anne_H, Feb 2026
This was a wonderful walking tour that included a visit to Shaare Tikvah Synagogue and a tour of what used to be the Jewish quarter. Our guide, Paulo Levy, a native of Lisboa, was an excellent source of information about the history of Jewish life in Lisboa.. In addition, we learned many interesting facts about Portuguese culture.
Daniella_O, Dec 2025
we loved it, the guide was great, I will recommend it to everybody.
we learned some new things we didn't know
Peter_S, Nov 2025
We were expertly guided by Paulo who shared his personal experiences and insights into Portugal’s Jewish history. He had many interesting facts to share while showing us through his beloved Lisboa. We were a bit rushed as the tour had to take place in the afternoon rather than the morning due to an event at the synagogue. With earlier sunset it felt we had to rush through the tour. But he made sure we got to see everything.
Edward_Y, Nov 2025
This was a wonderful walking tour by our tour guide Paulo who himself has a memorable personal story rediscovering his Jewish heritage.
Despite the rainy weather, Paulo cheerfully led us through the streets with stories of the history of the Jewish community from before the inquisition to the modern era.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much physical presence left from the historical Jewish community but Paulo filled in the gaps with his stories.
We ended our tour with a delicious lunch at an authentic and affordable restaurant.
I’d highly recommend hiring Paulo for a personal tour.
Richard_D, Oct 2025
Paolo Levy is an exceptional tour guide. His enthusiasm and passion for the subject matter comes across in everything that he shows you. His deep knowledge will keep you interested and fascinated the entire time. I highly recommend this tour to anyone with an interest in the Jewish history of Portugal.
PETER_G, Oct 2025
He is a passionate information filled guide. Full of information not just about Jewish history but Portugal.
Ira_W, Oct 2025
The very beautiful synagogue portion of the tour is excellent! The guide was extremely knowledgeable, and she carefully explained the history of the Jewish community and the formation of the synagogue. The rest of the tour was almost too much walking and you need to be in good physical health to journey through the narrow streets and multitude of steps. Be prepared to walk and walk and walk for more than three hours. Paolo Levi, our tour guide of the city, was very informative and sprouted many facts about the history of the Jewish people of Lisboa. There's no doubt that he loves being Jewish, and he was very passionate as he attributed almost everything Jewish to Lisbon. But, unfortunately, in our opinion, except for all the facts about the Jews of Lisbon, this is NOT a "Jewish" walking tour in the strictest sense. It's more of a walking tour of the city absent any major highlights. So please don't be disappointed if you think that you're going to see anything specifically Jewish as you walk around the city. As we ended the tour, our guide took us to his favorite restaurant for lunch, but we weren't hungry, so we ended the tour at that point. Overall, we liked this tour, but we wouldn't rave about it to our friends and family.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Good afternoon dear Ira,
Thank you for your feedback and I'm glad you enjoyed most of the tour. But sadly you are right in your words.
As I mentioned already before in other reviews, you will never see Jewish sites per say, because all was destroyed of our earthquake in 1755. That is why all of Lisbon we have now, is after 1755, whit just a very rare buildings that survived the earthquake, tsunami and then the fires. Then we also had the Wholly Inquisition for centuries, that also did the job of destroying and transforming the Jewish symbolisms/sites/locations (sadly not only Jewish...)
In the tour that you do with your guide, he will take to places where the Jewish communities lived, explaining and showing you all on site. Without a guide, you would just pass by it and not know what all meant, or were things where. You will need to be a pit patient, to discover the details. Paulo loves explaining their history, so ask about it, talk to/with him.
Warmest Regards,
Joao Dickmann
Mauricio_O, Oct 2025
I enjoyed the way Paulo our guide connected the dots with bits & pieces of Portugals Jewish history to paint a clear picture of its relevance and significance, when there aren’t many remaining sites or buildings to see, as is the case in Lisbon. His mind is full of fascinating facts which he graciously shared with us. He is greeted and loved by everyone he’s comes across on the tour and one can tell he’s a cherished member of his community! Last but not least, he’s a proud Jew, sharing his love for his people and their history with others.
Leonard_J, Sep 2025
We began our tour by meeting Pablo at the.Shaare Tikvah synagogue, where he introduced us to a ladies staff member who gave us an excellent introduction to the synagogue, it’s membership and relationship to the Jewish community of Lisbon. After about 45 minutes, we left with Pablo on a walking tour covering about 4 miles throughout the Jewish areas of Lisbon. Pablo takes great pride and the fact of his discovered Judaism, and the impact that the Jewish community has historically made on the city of Lisbon and Portugal. Highly recommend this tour, and hope you can get Pablo to do it with you. Pablo speaks excellent English and was very patient, answering all our questions. We walked about 4 miles and ended with a lunch in a typical Portuguese seafood restaurant
Bruce_S, Sep 2025
Paulo had a wealth of information that he shared and explained that included a historical perspective as well as a tremendous appreciation for Judaism. The synagogue part of the tour was very interesting and informative as well. Don't miss this tour, don't miss this opportunity
IraandNaomi_L, Sep 2025
This is a great walking tour starting in the beautiful Shaare Tefillah synagogue followed by an exploration of the important neighborhoods of Lisboa. Paolo is a very well informed native who parallels his personal spiritual and genealogical journey against the backdrop of Portuguese Jewish history and general Portugese culture and history. A must for travelers of all faiths and backgrounds
Karen_B, Aug 2025
The synagogue was beautiful so nice to see
The walking tour with Paulo was very interesting he is very passionate about Judaism and the history of the Jewish people of Portugal especially Lisboa
Very warm man. We really enjoyed it and we learned alit
Elaine_C, Aug 2025
This walking tour gave us a good historical reference of the Jewish community in Lisbon. We began our tour with a visit to a synagogue which was a highlight for us. Our guide Paulo learned of his own Jewish roots relatively recently, and so was passionate about being a Sephardic Jew and his own personal connections and experiences.
evistyle, Aug 2025
This was a great Jewish learning experience from the Synagogue in Lisbon to the old Jewish Quarter. Paulo is so enthusiastic and well informed on Jewish culture and history in Portugal. We learned so much from him. It is a half day tour you do not want to miss. Paulo is the best!
Fern_T, Jun 2025
Paolo was the most passionate and sincere tour guide I have ever met. His knowledge and experiences made this a very unique experience. I’m so grateful to have met him and I recommend him to anyone seeking information about the history of Portugal and the history of the Jewish community and their contributions to the culture of Portugal!
Clive_R, May 2025
Paola was our tour guide. He was enthusiastic and his love for his Jewish and Portuguese heritage was evident. He was most knowledgeable and informative and many interesting anecdotes with reference to the history of the Jews in Portugal. Highly recommend taking this tour with him.
Bob_I, Apr 2025
This tour cannot be missed !
Paulo was amazing - his depth of knowledge about Jews in Lisbon ( and elsewhere) was incredible . He shared little known facts and took us to lesser known places where we saw the cultural and spiritual influences of Jews in Portugal- as well as the heartbreak….
Paulo’s enthusiasm and energy made this a trip to remember
We did a lot of walking and loved every “step”
We ended our tour with dinner at an authentic Portuguese restaurant- The food was delicious!!
Extra bonus- Paulo loves Portugal! Lots of info about the many ways in which Portugal influenced the world!
His enthusiasm is infectious- do not miss this tour!!!
Joshua_B, Feb 2025
What an amazing tour! Paolo made the tour , he was so amazing , has so much knowledge about Portugal and the Jewish history and he has so much pride and enthusiasm about his heritage and the Jews of Portugal and Portugal as a whole !
lbzh12, Dec 2024
Our tour guide Paolo was dynamic and informative about the history of Jews in Portugal. We learned a lot about a local writer Pessoa and will be reading a book of his on our return home. His personal story was also very revealing and fed into the Jewish experience in Portugal. Paolo is also very passionate about spreading Jewish heritage throughout Portugal.
Alexandra_J, Sep 2024
Very interesting morning. The guide was very passionate about his subject and was interesting to listen to.
Cgsmile57, Aug 2024
Great tour experience with guide, Paulo who was knowledgeable and passionate about Portugal’s history
Eti_M, Aug 2024
we got a great overview in the synagogue by Joao. Than we join Paulo for few hours in a walking tour all the way to the Jewish street , hearing wonderful stories about jews in Lisbon but not Only. Paulo is a great guide, very enthusiastic about Lisbon and Judaism and i highly recommend this walking tour.
Cynthia_W, Aug 2024
Fantastic tour with both Paulo and the lady at the synagogue
They were so knowledgeable and engaging
They explained the history in a lot of detail and pointed out significant landmarks
Truly worthwhile in understanding Jewish history of Portugal
justin_r, Aug 2024
A really informative tour. Paulo was a great guide, and he seemed to know something about each each corner we went around. Would recommend.
Angela_V, Apr 2024
Our guide Paul was the most passionate person in the whole universe about Portugal and Jewish history!! Make sure you ask for Paul, he’s amazing!👍👍👍
Michael_S, Feb 2024
Paulo was knowledgeable, interesting and very passionate too. My son was totally entertained despite joining us with a bad attitude. We all had a great time and had an authentic Portuguese lunch with afterwards. Of course, it was amazing!
Doug_L, Dec 2023
Paulo was a fantastic guide... Knew every Jewish nook in the city. Great stories...most of them true! Lol. Had a great time with him. And after a day, we pretty much knew our way around Lisbon.
Jonathan_B, Nov 2023
Our tour guide Mr Levi was magnificent. After visiting the synagogue- the first stop- he embarked on the most passionate and informative tour we have ever been on. Not only about jewish Portugal but on Portugese history in general and how it’s intimately related to the jews. I cannot stop raving about him.
Thank you
barbara_z, May 2023
The information given at the Synagogue was fantastic. So much that I learned.
Not much Jewish history after that…. Lots of walking without getting information about where we were going…. We thought it would be a tour so about Jewish life in Lisbon.
Jay_S, May 2023
Paulo, our guide was very personable, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We weren't expecting to walk that much, but we did alright. Well worth the time and money!
From $82.14
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Jewish Sephardic history in Lisbon
48
4 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$82.14
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
Attractions in Lisbon, Portugal
- Largo do Carmo Tours & Tickets
- Miradouro da Graça Tours & Tickets
- Restauradores Square (Praca dos Restauradores) Tours & Tickets
- Nazaré Tours & Tickets
- Pillar 7 Experience at the Ponte 25 de Abril Tours & Tickets
- Cabo da Roca Tours & Tickets
- Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio) Tours & Tickets
- Palmela Castle (Castelo de Palmela) Tours & Tickets
- Estoril Tours & Tickets
- National Pantheon (Panteão Nacional) Tours & Tickets
- Lisbon Cruise Port Tours & Tickets
- Lisbon Maritime Museum (Museu de Marinha) Tours & Tickets
- Berlengas Islands Tours & Tickets
- Teatro Nacional de São Carlos Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Lisbon, Portugal