AACI Kosher Portugal
February 17-26, 2026
Portugal is a captivating destination that blends scenic beauty, rich culture, and deep historical roots. From the sun-kissed beaches of the Algarve to the cobbled streets of Lisbon and Porto, Portugal offers something for every traveler. For those of us interested in Jewish heritage, Portugal holds special significance. From the Golden Age of Discovery to the Inquisition, Portuguese Jewry went from the heights of wealth and success to the depths of anguish and despair. The history of Portuguese Jewry is like that of many other places, where success and sadness go hand in hand. Walking along Lisbon’s streets, remnants remain of Portugal’s rich Jewish life. Sparks of Portugal’s past can be found in the remote mountain villages, where some of the last remaining ‘Conversos’ communities can still be found practicing Jewish rituals behind closed doors, fear of persecutions still looming.
Day 1: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 – Tel Aviv – Lisbon,
We arrive in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, and we will transfer to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Day 2 – Wednesday, February 18, 2026 – Lisbon
After breakfast, our day will be dedicated to a tour of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, which sits astride the Tejo River estuary on the Atlantic Coast. We will start with a visit to the Belem district (“Bethlehem”) and the Church of San Jerónimo with its “elephant tombs”. We will see the monument to the explorers, led by the famous Enrique the Navigator.
We will continue to tour Lisbon and its squares and neighborhoods. We will go to the observation deck of the Eduardo VII Gardens and then continue with a visit to the foothills of Alfama, the oldest district in Lisbon, which survived the earthquake and tsunami of 1755 that almost destroyed the city,
Explore Rossio Square in the lower city and Independence Avenue in Pombal Square
Time permitting, we will visit the chic upper district – Bairro Alto Bairro Alto which is one of Lisbon’s most exciting neighborhoods, offering a mix of history and architecture
Dinner and Overnight in Lisbo.
Day 3 – Thursday, February 19, 2026 – Mafra Palace – Coastal towns of Óbidos, Nazaré – Monastery of Batalha – Tomar
We bid farewell to Lisbon for the time being and start our day with a visit to Mafra Palace, one of the largest and most magnificent in Europe. The palace was built by King João V in the early 18th century from the surplus gold that arrived from Brazil.
Travel on to the town of Obidos, “the pearl in the crown”, an ancient village with picturesque medieval alleys, surrounded by a wall and a gate of blue ceramic tiles. The city is known as the “City of Kings” because the kings of Portugal traditionally granted it as a wedding gift to their wives.
We will continue along the Atlantic coast to visit the ancient fishing town of Nazaré (Nazareth). We climb to the lookout over the cliffs jutting out from the coast, combine a tour of the village and enjoy the beautiful coastline. We will continue to the lookout of the Monastery of Batalha, which means “victory” and see the building considered one of the most beautiful in the country, built in the Manueline Gothic style that is unique to 16th-century Portugal. We will end the day in the town of Tomar.
Overnight in Tomar
Day 4 – Friday, February 20, 2026 – Tomar – Castelo da Vide – Marvão – The Village of the Belmonte Inquisition
After breakfast we will be depart for Tomar, one of the oldest and most charming towns in Portugal, founded by the Order of the Knights Templar. We will be visiting the 15th century Synagogue, now the Abraão Zacuto 
Museum, located on what was once Rua da Judiaria where we will learn in depth about one of the greatest Sephardic Jewish communities.
After that, we will ascend to the Templar fortress, considered the largest of the fortresses in Portugal, whose church was built according to the model of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and is famous mainly for its defensive construction styles.
We then proceed to Castelo de Vide where we will visit the authentic Medieval Juderia and the recently restored 15th Century Synagogue, with the adjacent school, the village fountain, the Rabbi’s home and the oven used for baking. We will learn all about the Jews of Castelo de Vide who were forced to convert to Catholicism. Then we will continue to Marvao where we will enjoy a walking tour of the traditional Portuguese village in which many Jews once lived.
From here we will continue and descend to the area of the Anos villages, where the Jewish community thrived until their expulsion in 1496. We will reach the unique Anos village of Belmonte, where we see the restored synagogue and hear fascinating stories about the Jews who lived there in the Middle Ages. We will learn about the special past of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews though forced to convert to Christianity, secretly maintained their Judaism. Preparation for Shabbat, Shabbat reception and Shabbat night meal. Overnight in Belmonte.
Note: Shabbat may be spent in the neighboring Anos town of Trancoso.
Day 5 – Saturday, February 21, 2026 – Belmonte
After Tefillah and Shabbat lunch (together with the Jewish community of Belmonte) – we partake in an afternoon walking tour of the village, including a visit to the ancient synagogue. After Shabbat is over, we will go on a night tour of the old Jewish quarter in the nearby city of Guarda.
Overnight in Belmonte
Day 6 – Sunday, February 22, 2026 – Trancoso Jewish Village – Along the Douro River – Porto
In the morning, we will take a trip to the walled town of Trancoso – where Jewish merchants first settled in the 12th century. We will see the Medieval home “Casa Do Gato Negro” (the house of the Black Cat) in Largo Luís de Albuquerque.
After that we will set off on a journey north towards the Douro River Valley. The journey is a spectacularly picturesque road, amidst the vineyards and olive groves that cover the many surrounding hills.
Our first stop will be the old town of Lamego, located at an important crossroads on the wine route to Porto. Upon arrival, we will embark on a tour of the city, which has preserved many impressive churches and magnificent houses from the 16th century.
We will then cross the Douro River north to the old town of Paso de Rejoia, the capital of the valley, which sits on the northern banks of the Douro River. From there, we will continue our drive of about an hour to the medieval town of Amarante – the village of lovers. The picturesque town, with its narrow, ancient alleys, is a charming corner, and it is crossed by a slowly flowing river. After tasting cherry liqueur, we will continue our drive to Porto.
Overnight in Porto.
Day 7 – Monday, February 23, 2026 – Porto – Cruise on the Douro River
Porto, the capital of The North, is the second largest city in Portugal and an important historical city located along the banks of the Douro River, which is crossed by four bridges. The Douro River divides the city in two. On the north bank is the old city center, and on the south bank is the new city. We will visit the city squares, the colorful Riviera district near the Ponte do Luís bridge. We will see the Palacio da Bolsa (Stock Exchange Hall), we will enter the
“São Bento” train station, which boasts the “Allojos” paintings – special paintings on ceramics, and we will visit the Church of San Francisco.
Later in the afternoon, we will enjoy a visit to the other side of the Douro River, the Gaia region where the wine cellars are concentrated. Weather permitting, we will experience a magical cruise on the Douro River to see the city from the a different view.
After dinner, we will go on a night tour of the old city along the banks of the Douro River with an impressive view of the city’s illuminated bridges.
Overnight in Porto.
Day 8 – Tuesday, February 24, 2026 – Bosco Forest – the swamps of Aveiro including a canal cruise – Coimbra
Today, we will start with a trip to the charming nature reserve of Bosco Forest. Beginning with a short walking tour of the landscaped gardens and forest paths including a section of the “Holy Sacra” which was founded by the monks who lived there at the end of the 16th century.
Later, we leave for Aveiro. The city was nicknamed “Little Venice” thanks to the beautiful lagoon next to which it is built and the many canals that cross it. Upon arrival, we will take a city tour along the northern bank of the Grand Canal, to see the beautiful houses built in the Art Nouveau style that are reflected in the water. We will continue to the colorful and fragrant fish market and from there we will cross to the opposite bank, wander among the colorful houses, breathe the sea air and enjoy the atmosphere. We end the tour with a cruise on the city canals and the lagoon.
Later, we will arrive in Coimbra. Upon arrival, we enjoy an introductory tour of the old university city (including a visit to the library). We continue to an observation of the city and the Mondego River, go down to its picturesque alleys, including a visit to the city’s old university and the special library inside. In the evening, we will go to a Fado show and spend the night in Coimbra.
Overnight Coimbra
Day 9 – Wednesday, February 25, 2026 – Sintra – Cabo de Roca – Lisbon – Tel Aviv
In the morning, we will see the charming town of Sintra, famous for its many magnificent palaces and buildings that were built there in different periods. We will wander through magical alleys and visit the famous Royal Palace.
En route to Lisbon, we visit the westernmost location in Mainland Europe-the “Cape of the Rock” Cabo De Roca. The area boasts a lighthouse and stunning coastline.
On the way to Lisbon, we will stop at the fishing towns of Caxcalibur and Estoril, which over the years have become the residences of the nobility of Europe and Portugal. Depending on the time, we will go on a tour of the new part of Lisbon, the “Expo”, and get to know the modern sides of the city. Transfer to the airport for our return flight to Tel Aviv.
Day 10 – Thursday, February 27, 2026 – Landing in Tel Aviv early morning
Itinerary subject to change
LY 375 17FEB TLVLIS 1340 1750 17FEB
LY 376 25FEB LISTLV 1915 0230 26FEB
Flights subject to change:
Prices coming soon.
For further information: email info@aaci.org.il or phone Carole: 972-2-5661181 ext 205