In the Footsteps of Lisbon’s Jewish Refugees
An Uneasy Refuge.
Through archival photographs, firsthand accounts, and original research, follow the journeys of the Jewish refugees who passed through Lisbon in search of safety during World War II.
As the Holocaust began, tens of thousands of Jewish people raced across Europe to escape the Nazis. When all other avenues for escape slammed shut, one remained open: Lisbon.
Over the course of the late 1930s and 1940s, tens of thousands of Jewish people came to Lisbon on their way to refuge in the Americas or Palestine. Their time here was challenging; they contended with poverty, deep fear for their safety, and the ever-watchful eye of the Portuguese secret police.
But this story is also a happy one amidst so much tragedy. Lisbon was indeed the port of call that they needed to escape. Come with us as we visit the places they walked, tell the stories they made, and the legacies they left here in Lisbon.
Tour Highlights
- Visit the train station where so many refugees entered the city.
- Read from the letters and accounts written by the refugees themselves.
- Spend time in the historic cafes where refugees congregated and made community.
- Visit the spaces that defined their experiences: cafes, aid organizations, ticket offices.
- See the streets where once stood the Cozinha Econômica Israelita, which ensured that the hungry refugees were fed, clothed, and had medical care.
- Finally, visit the port where they departed Europe for new lands across the seas, and the memorial created just a few years ago that honors their memory.
An All-inclusive Private Tour
- In the Footsteps of Lisbon’s Holocaust Refugees Tour length: 7 hours.
- A private fully-guided tour by a professional historian.
- A snack of coffee and doughnuts.
- Lunch at a traditional Portuguese restaurant (note: a Kosher restaurant is available for an extra fee).
- Transportation between all sites.
- For each person who takes this tour, $18 will be donated to HIAS, the Jewish-American nonprofit organization that was founded to support Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe and which still works to resettle refugees of all backgrounds today.
Accessibility
Portugal can be challenging for people with mobility accessibility needs. We’re more than happy to tailor our tours in whatever ways we can. Click here for more information.
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