Jewish Heritage in Porto

Discover Portugal’s Jewish Heritage in Porto

The Jewish presence on the Iberian Peninsula dates back to the 1st century CE, during the time of the Roman Empire. In Portugal, historians believe that Jewish communities began settling over 2,000 years ago, following the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Although present for centuries, Jewish life in Portugal flourished most notably during the 13th to 15th centuries.

Join us on a captivating journey through Porto’s rich Jewish heritage. Led by a private guide, wander through the city’s narrow, historic streets as you uncover the stories and legacy of Porto’s Jewish community. Explore the locations of once-hidden synagogues and secret prayer rooms nestled in the city’s oldest quarters.

This tour is a voyage through time. You’ll visit the medieval Jewish quarters of Judiaria Velha and Judiaria do Olival, where a monument now honors the victims of the Inquisition. Along the way, you’ll learn the powerful history behind terms such as “New Christians,” “Crypto-Jews,” and “Marranos”—names given to those who were forced to convert or hide their faith during centuries of persecution.

Stroll along the picturesque Passeio das Virtudes, a scenic walkway that was once the site of a Jewish cemetery serving the second Jewish quarter. It’s also a perfect spot to pause and enjoy one of Porto’s most stunning sunsets.

Your journey continues to the Boavista district, where the Jewish community found refuge in the 17th and 18th centuries. Here, we’ll pass by the Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue—the largest synagogue on the Iberian Peninsula, founded in 1923—and visit the newly inaugurated Jewish Museum of Porto, which brings to life the compelling history of Judaism in Portugal.