Welcome talk. We will start our tour from Lisbon to Sabugueiro with a stop in Coimbra, which will include a city tour and the University.
11 days
Min 2
Max 8
Embark on an extensive journey through Portugal’s heartland with our Jewish rural heritage in Portugal tour. This tour explores the hidden stories and vibrant legacy of Jewish communities that thrived in the country’s rural areas.
Our tour is designed to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience of Jewish rural heritage in Portugal. You’ll visit historic villages, explore preserved sites, and learn about the rich traditions that have shaped these communities. We aim to offer an authentic and deeply insightful journey.
Schedule: 9:00h
Welcome talk. We will start our tour from Lisbon to Sabugueiro with a stop in Coimbra, which will include a city tour and the University.
Schedule: 9:00 AM
A city tour in Loriga includes the beautiful natural glacial valley and its natural swimming pool. The city tour in Alvoco da Serra consists of walking through the historical center and its Jewish quarter.
Schedule: 9:00 AM
Visit Vale do Rossim, one of the oldest glaciers in Europe, to include some walking around the lake.
A city tour of Manteigas will include the Burel Factory, the village’s history record, and the Portuguese wool industry.
Visit Torre, the highest point of Serra da Estrela.
Schedule: 9:00 AM
Visit Piodão, houses with walls made of schist, windows painted in a blue color used in the Maghreb, and roofs in black slate turn the village of Piodão into a true treasure.
Schedule: 9:00 AM
We depart from the Sabugueiro towards Linhares, on the edge of the historic village. Here, we will visit this community’s Jewish quarter and synagogue. We will then depart for Gouveia to see the House of Jewish Experience and the Jewish Quarter. Here, we will have lunch. After lunch, we will depart for Belmonte.
Schedule: 9:00 AM
On this day, we visit the magnificent historic village of Sortelha, where we can see several Jewish dwellings and their respective cruciform marks. Then, we return to Belmonte to visit the Jewish museum, synagogue, and Jewish quarter.
Schedule: 9:00 AM
Visit the village of Caria and its Jewish quarter. We also visited the museum area of the tower house. We will now leave towards the new castle, a historic village on the slope of the Gardunha mountain range, which was once Templar. Now it’s time to go to Monfortinho.
Schedule: 9:00 AM
Today, we visited the most Portuguese village in Portugal, Monsanto. Here, we will see the typical granite houses with huge boulders serving as facades. Still, it is time to visit the area where the Jewry was located. Please return to our hotel in Monfortinho.
Schedule: 9:00 AM
Idanha-a-velha, a historic village, and an important Roman center, offers a unique monumental complex in this region. Templar defense points and the Arab occupation have many stories to tell. Return to the hotel in Monfortinho.
Schedule: 9:00 AM
Visit Portas de Rodão, a scenic area with breathtaking views. Enjoy a boat ride on the River Tejo and lunch.
Arrival in Lisbon. End of our tour.
Transfer Lisbon Airport
Private: Our tours are always private (just you and guide/driver);
Custom-made: The tour highlights are just suggestions of places to visit. The tour itinerary will be designed according to your preferences;
Tour Length: Each day tour is designed to last approximately 8 hours (hotel-tour-hotel);
Schedule: flexible according to customers’ needs;
Minimum group of 2 people and maximum 8 people;
The values indicated are per person and vary depending on the number of people.
Please contact us for advice about our accommodation options. We have a list of hotels based in local 3*, 4* and 5* Bed & Breakfasts and Boutique hotels throughout Portugal. We will provide you with suggestions so you can choose what best suits your budget;
Lisbon airport, hotel and cruise transfers to and from all destinations in Portugal
Transport up to 8 adult passengers
Free Wi-Fi in all vehicles
Special rates for airport and cruise transfers
We will meet you inside the airport terminal arrivals and holding a sign with your name written on it
High quality service
Any changes made after booking confirmation along the tour will not be refundable, and the resulting costs will be considered extras and paid by the customer.
Our tours are spoken in Portuguese, English, Spanish and French.
If you must cancel your trip, penalties may apply based on the total trip price.
Cancellation requests must be made by email.
Before you enter into a contract with us, we reserve the right to change any of the facilities or services described in our brochure or website. We also reserve the right to cancel the booking do to weather and/or other conditions. Any changes are usually very minor and we will advise you at the earliest possible date. If a major change, such as change in departure time, becomes necessary, we will inform you as soon as reasonably possible your tours begins. When a major change or cancellation occurs you will have the choice of accepting the change of arrangements, purchasing another available tour from us, or cancelling your tour. If booking is cancelled we will refund all payments made directly to us in respect of the tour price. We will not refund any personal expenses you may have incurred as a result of your booking such as flight payments for land-only tours, travel insurance, equipment purchases, visas, vaccinations etc.
We’ll begin in the north, exploring the Jewish heritage present in cities like Porto and Aveiro, and then delve into the beautiful mountain regions.
You’ll visit Belmonte, a village famous for its hidden Jewish community, and explore its historical streets. We’ll journey through the Serra da Estrela, visiting villages like Alvoco da Serra, Cabeça, Loriga, Manteigas, Sabugueiro, and Piodão, each with unique stories of Jewish presence.
We’ll explore Torre and Vale do Rossim to see the natural beauty of the area. We will also visit Gouveia and Linhares da Beira. This region showcases the diverse ways Jewish heritage is woven into Portugal’s rural landscape.
Next, we’ll explore central Portugal, where we’ll discover the Jewish heritage in historic cities like Coimbra and ancient sites like Idanha-a-Velha. You’ll visit Coimbra, exploring its old Jewish Quarter near the university, and then travel to Idanha-a-Velha, a village with layers of history.
We’ll visit Caria and Castelo Novo, seeing how Jewish life was integrated into the local culture. We will also explore Sortelha, a beautiful medieval village. This region offers insights into the historical and cultural significance of Jewish rural heritage in Portugal.
Throughout our tour, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with local communities and hear their stories. We’ll visit local museums and cultural centers, to see the local history.
We’ll also meet knowledgeable guides who will share their insights and perspectives. You’ll learn about the customs and traditions that have been preserved in these rural areas.
We’ll taste traditional foods and experience the warm hospitality of the Portuguese countryside. This is a journey of cultural exchange and discovery.
Our tour will take you through diverse landscapes, from mountain ranges to ancient villages, allowing you to appreciate the natural beauty and historical significance of these areas.
We’ll visit Penha Garcia, a geological park, and see the unique landscapes. We’ll explore historical sites that reveal the layers of history in these rural communities.
You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how Jewish communities adapted to and thrived in these diverse environments.
5 days
From €540
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our Serra da Estrela and Schist Villages tour! This journey takes you from Lisbon to the heart of Portugal’s mountains, where you’ll discover hidden villages and breathtaking landscapes.
8 hours
From €210
Embark on a captivating journey with our Sintra and Cascais Tour! This tour takes you to some of Portugal’s most beautiful and iconic locations, offering a blend of history, nature, and coastal charm.
8 hours
From €203
Join us on a special Coimbra and Aveiro Tour! You’ll see two of Portugal’s most beautiful cities. This tour is perfect for people who want to learn about history, see amazing sights, and meet friendly locals.
