Overview
A look at the historical and present day Jewish presence in Lisbon.
Lisbon has always been a meeting place for different people. Important Jewish communities settled in this region and contributed to the flourishing of its trade and culture.
There was a time when the Jews of Lisbon were among the strongest and most concentrated Jewish communities on the globe. This was the turn of the 16th Century, when Portugal became the wealthiest nation in the world and Lisbon was at the center of it all. Making up one fourth of the city’s population, the Jews settled in Lisbon fleeing persecution in Spain, and for a time, they enjoyed peace and prosperity in Portugal’s capital. Known as the Jewish Golden Age in Portugal, the beginning of the 16th century saw Jews become advisors to Kings and Queens, geographers and doctors, explorers and mathematicians. This was a tentative prosperity, however, and the great achievements of Jews occurred alongside great violence.
As you retrace key sites of Jewish cultural life in Lisbon, this tour allows you to get a sense of both the towering feats of the Lisbon Jews and the huge hardships they faced. Your guide starts off your day by offering a general overview of the captivating history of the Jews of Lisbon. You’ll then take a short walk through the city center and make your way to the site of the 1506 Jewish Massacre near the Church of São Domingos.
The next stop is a bit more lighthearted, as we visit the renowned Synagogue of Lisbon (Shaare Tikva). In 1904 a group of Sephardic Jews started the construction of this Synagogue (still not facing the main street as it was forbidden) that would become a gate of hope for many refugees during World War II. Today, the members of the Synagogue still gather in this space to celebrate Sabbath and other important dates, always remembering the harsh times that the community went through.
- Cruise ship passengers will be met at the cruise terminal by their guide, who will then escort them to the touring vehicle, about a 5-10 minute walk from the pier. Hotel guests will be picked up at their hotel.
- This tour includes a certified guide.
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Entrance fees and lunch are not included in the price of this tour. Entrance fees: Saint George’s Castle is 7.5€ per person, Lisbon Synagogue is 5€ per person. Churches are free of charge.
- Is your group bigger than 6? We can accommodate you. Please call ShoreTrips for pricing.
- This tour is only available Monday-Thursday, as the Synagogue is closed to the community on Friday, Saturdays, and Sundays.
- Each person will need to supply their passport number and name as it appears on their passport. This information can be entered at the time of checkout or e-mailed prior to the trip date.
- This tour is not available for those with limited mobility.
- Please note that mini-buses and buses, used for groups of 11 or more, cannot access some parts of the historical quarter. These areas will be toured on foot.
- ShoreTrips and our partners do our best to ensure that every stop described is available for your visit. There are some times when a site or building is closed at the last moment with little to no warning. We assume that those in charge make those decisions based on external information and for the visitors’ safety and we apologize when this causes inconvenience and disappointment.
Days offered: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Departures:- 09:00 AM, duration: 4 hours
