Shin Tours is the world’s leading private tour operator for transformative Jewish heritage experiences. We help families create life-changing “wow” moments through Jewish heritage tours to Portugal that re-connect them with their roots, their culture, and each other.
Experience a Jewish Heritage Tour in Portugal
Portugal is a unique destination for Jewish heritage travel, where you can trace the legacy of crypto-Judaism families who kept Jewish identity alive in secret for centuries. At Shin Tours, we offer bespoke tour packages built around you and your family—with a tailor-made itinerary and experiences all handled for you.
For Jewish families, seniors, and multigenerational travel groups, Portugal will connect you with Sephardic heritage in an unforgettable way. Imagine yourself:
- Hearing whispered stories of crypto-Judaism in Belmonte’s Jewish Museum.
- Feeling the cool stone walls inside Tomar’s medieval synagogue.
- Walking Óbidos’ cobblestones, tracing routes once used by Jewish merchants.
- Tasting Sephardic flavours in a family-run kitchen in Lisbon.
About Shin Tours
Most Jewish tours to Portugal follow a recycled itinerary: one-size-fits-all stops, a rushed schedule, and a generic package that leaves little space for meaning.
Shin Tours takes a different approach.
We start with a short interview to understand each traveller—what matters to parents, what will engage teens, or what a couple wants to experience. That insight lets us design a bespoke private tour that goes beyond “seeing the sites,” creating personal moments like weaving in the incredible story of Doña Gracia Mendes Nasi, or taking a hands-on Sephardic cooking class as a family.
Our unique approach is what helped Shin Tours achieve a 4.9 rating and a Travellers’ Choice Award on TripAdvisor. We’re also a Service Partner for World Jewish Travel and a tour partner of ITravelJerusalem. You can see more recognitions on our About page.
Ready to get started?
Contact us for a free tailor-made itinerary, where we’ll design a multi-day tour plan based on your group and interests.
Or keep reading to find out more about our Jewish tours in Portugal.
What to Experience on a Jewish Tour to Portugal
No two Jewish tours to Portugal should be the same. That’s why Shin Tours begins with a short interview process, then designs a bespoke itinerary around your group’s dates, interests, and pace.
At the same time, most Shin Tours clients want to experience Portugal’s most significant Jewish cultural and historical sights—like the history of crypto-Judaism in Belmonte, the Synagogue of Tomar, or an authentic Sephardic dish.
Below is an overview of the locations we feature in our Jewish heritage tours of Portugal.
Lisbon
Lisbon is the natural starting point for Jewish heritage travel in Portugal, where stories of exile, resilience, and renewal are woven into the city’s oldest neighbourhoods. It’s also the best place to connect heritage with living culture—at the right pace for families. Some of the main stops are:
- Shaaré Tikvah Synagogue, Portugal’s historic Lisbon synagogue
- Lisbon Jewish Memorial
- Old Jewish quarter areas
- The story of Doña Gracia Mendes Nasi, who saved hundreds of Jews from the Inquisition
Porto
Porto offers one of Portugal’s strongest “living community” experiences, anchored by a remarkable synagogue and warm local continuity. It also pairs beautifully with food and wine moments for multigenerational groups. Some of the main stops are:
- Kadoorie–Mekor Haim Synagogue, the largest in Portugal and Spain
- Kosher-friendly tastings, including port wine experiences (where available)
Tomar
Tomar is a highlight of Jewish heritage travel in Portugal because it preserves one of the country’s most important medieval Jewish sites. It’s compact, impactful, and easy to combine with Lisbon or Coimbra. Some of the main stops are:
- The extremely rare and well-preserved Synagogue of Tomar
- Abraham Zacuto Museum
Coimbra
Coimbra adds intellectual and “old Portugal” atmosphere, with Jewish history tied to medieval life and learning. It’s a great stop when you want depth without crowds, especially between Porto and central Portugal. Some of the main stops are:
- Old quarter walk, tracing medieval Jewish presence
- University-city context that links scholarship to Jewish history in Portugal
Óbidos
Óbidos is small but memorable—perfect for slowing the pace and imagining the everyday life of Jewish merchants and families within a medieval town. It’s especially good as a short, atmospheric stop. Some of the main stops are:
- Cobblestone lanes tied to Jewish merchant life
- Local heritage walks, stories of trade, movement, and community ties
Belmonte
Belmonte is one of Portugal’s most unique Jewish heritage destinations, known for the extraordinary legacy of crypto-Judaism. It’s a powerful stop for families who want a living story, not just monuments. Some of the main stops are:
- Jewish Museum sharing the story of Belmonte’s hidden Jews
- Synagogue of Belmonte
- Crypto-Judaism legacy preserved through the Inquisition
Castelo de Vide
Castelo de Vide is a beautiful inland town with a clear Jewish footprint and a strong sense of “stepping back in time.” It’s often a favourite for travellers who want heritage with calm, charm, and authenticity. Some of the main stops are:
- Medieval synagogue with deep local significance
- Jewish museum bringing community history to life
