Thessaloniki Holocaust memorial in the cemetery (Photo: אריה דרזי, ARIE DARZI, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Planning a kosher vacation today means more than just finding a good restaurant or hotel. Many travelers are looking for experiences that connect them to the rich and complex history of Jewish life across the world.
In some cities, it’s possible to have both — a kosher-friendly trip and a deep connection to Jewish heritage. These places offer historic synagogues, centuries-old Jewish quarters, museums, memorials, and vibrant Jewish communities, all alongside kosher dining and Shabbat services.
You might explore a medieval synagogue in the morning, enjoy a kosher lunch in a lively city square, and walk through streets where Jewish history still echoes today.
If you’re looking for a meaningful and memorable vacation, these four European cities offer an incredible mix of culture, history, and kosher travel convenience.
Monastirioton Synagogue in Thessaloniki (Photo: NYC2TLV, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Monastirioton Synagogue in Thessaloniki (Photo: NYC2TLV, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Thessaloniki, Greece: Echoes of a Great Jewish City
Thessaloniki, once known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans,” was home to one of the largest and most influential Sephardic Jewish communities in the world. Before World War II, nearly 50,000 Jews lived here, making up almost half the city's population. Sadly, most were deported during the Holocaust, but the spirit of the community lives on through the synagogues, museums, and memorials that still stand today.
Jewish highlights in Thessaloniki:
- Monastirioton Synagogue – Built in 1927 by Jews from Monastir (present-day North Macedonia), it’s one of the few synagogues to survive the Holocaust and remains active today.
- Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki – Located in a historic building from 1904, the museum traces the story of Thessaloniki's Jews from the 15th-century arrival of Sephardic refugees to the devastation of World War II.
- Holocaust Memorial – A moving sculpture in Eleftherias Square honoring the Jewish community destroyed during the Nazi occupation.
- Old Jewish Quarter – Wander through the narrow streets once filled with synagogues, schools, and bustling marketplaces.
- Jewish Cemetery Memorial – Once one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in Europe, the original cemetery was destroyed during the Nazi occupation. A memorial now stands at the site near Aristotle University.
Kosher travel tip:
Chabad of Thessaloniki offers Shabbat meals, minyan, and assistance for Jewish travelers. There is a kosher restaurant located inside the Astoria Hotel, as well as a meat bar/restaurant elsewhere in the city. For dairy meals, there is kosher catering available with pizza, pasta, and salads for delivery. It’s best to contact Chabad in advance to arrange Shabbat meals, kosher dining reservations, and up-to-date information.
➔ Check out our guide to kosher and Jewish life in Thessaloniki to help you prepare for your trip.
➔ Check out our guide to kosher and Jewish life in Thessaloniki to help you prepare for your trip.
Jewish heritage tours:
Thessaloniki offers several ways to explore its Jewish history in depth. Private guided walking tours are available, visiting major sites like the Monastirioton Synagogue, Jewish Museum, and Holocaust Memorial.
For a flexible option, visitors can download the “Jewish Heritage: Past and Present” self-guided audio tour from Clio Muse Tours. The free walking tour covers 10 significant stops across the city, providing rich historical context through audio narratives and images. It's an excellent way to experience the city's Jewish legacy at your own pace.
Interior of the Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue (Photo: Envato)
Interior of the Santa Maria la Blanca Synagogue (Photo: Envato)
Toledo, Spain: Walking Through the Golden Age
Toledo offers a fascinating glimpse into the Golden Age of Spanish Jewry, a time when Jews, Christians, and Muslims lived together in a vibrant cultural crossroads. Before the Expulsion of 1492, Toledo was a thriving center of Jewish life, culture, and commerce. Today, the well-preserved Jewish Quarter feels like stepping back in time, with its narrow cobblestone streets, ancient synagogues, and centuries-old stone walls.
Jewish highlights in Toledo:
- Santa María la Blanca – Originally built as a synagogue in the 12th century, this beautiful structure showcases stunning Moorish architecture. Today it serves as a museum and a reminder of the community that once flourished here.
- El Tránsito Synagogue and Sephardic Museum – One of the most important Jewish sites in Spain, featuring intricate stucco work, a moving Sephardic Museum, and exhibits on Jewish life in medieval Spain.
- Jewish Quarter – Stroll through the winding streets of the old Judería, where you’ll find plaques, preserved architecture, and the echoes of a once-thriving Jewish community.
- Samuel ha-Levi Abulafia’s Palace – Though less well known, traces of the palace built by this royal treasurer and patron of the El Tránsito Synagogue can still be seen.
Kosher travel tip:
There are no kosher restaurants in Toledo itself. However, Toledo is an easy 30-minute train ride from Madrid, where you'll find a wide range of kosher options. Madrid is home to an active Jewish community, Chabad centers, several synagogues, and a growing number of kosher meat and dairy restaurants.
➔ See our Madrid Kosher Travel Guide for up-to-date listings and helpful travel tips.
➔ You can also learn more about Jewish history and the modern community in Madrid in our detailed blog post.
Jewish heritage tours:
Several local guides offer Jewish-focused walking tours of Toledo’s historic Jewish Quarter. Tours typically include visits to the two synagogues, the Jewish Quarter itself, and insights into the city's Sephardic past.
For a budget-friendly option, consider the Free Jewish Quarter Tour by Strawberry Tours. This tour delves into the rich history of Toledo's Jewish community, exploring ancient synagogues, narrow alleyways, and significant landmarks that highlight the city's Sephardic heritage. It's a pay-what-you-wish model, making it accessible to all travelers.
Judenplatz in Vienna (Photo: Brücke-Osteuropa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Judenplatz in Vienna (Photo: Brücke-Osteuropa, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Vienna, Austria: Grandeur, Memory, and Renewal
Vienna’s Jewish history stretches back over 800 years, weaving through periods of prosperity, tragedy, and remarkable renewal. Before World War II, Vienna was home to one of Europe's most vibrant Jewish communities, producing famous figures in science, culture, and philosophy. Today, traces of that golden era — and the deep scars of the Holocaust — can still be felt throughout the city.
Jewish highlights in Vienna:
- Stadttempel Synagogue – Built in 1826, it’s the main synagogue of Vienna and the only one to survive Kristallnacht. Visits are available with guided tours, offering insight into both the synagogue’s history and the broader story of Viennese Jewry.
- Jewish Museum Vienna – Located on Dorotheergasse and in Judenplatz, the museum presents the history, culture, and daily life of Vienna’s Jewish community across centuries.
- Shoah Memorial at Judenplatz – A striking memorial dedicated to the Austrian Jewish victims of the Holocaust, located in the heart of the historic Jewish district.
- Historic Jewish Quarter – Explore Judenplatz and surrounding streets where the medieval Jewish community once lived and worked.
- Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof) – Visit the old Jewish section, where notable figures like Arthur Schnitzler and Viktor Frankl are buried.
Kosher travel tip:
Vienna has a strong kosher infrastructure, making it easy for observant travelers. You'll find kosher meat and dairy restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, and kosher hotels. Chabad centers throughout the city provide Shabbat meals, services, and support.
➔ See our Vienna Kosher Travel Guide for updated kosher dining and community information.
Jewish heritage tours:
Several companies offer Jewish-focused walking tours of Vienna, covering major sites such as Stadttempel, Judenplatz, and Holocaust memorials. Some tours also explore Leopoldstadt, historically known as the "Mazzesinsel" (Island of Matzah), where many Jews lived in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Private tours are available for a more personalized experience.
For a budget-friendly option, consider the Free Jewish Quarter Tour by Red and White Tours. This tour delves into the rich history of Vienna's Jewish community, exploring ancient synagogues, narrow alleyways, and significant landmarks that highlight the city's Sephardic heritage. It's a pay-what-you-wish model, making it accessible to all travelers.
Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue (Photo: ComunidadeIsraelitaPorto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue (Photo: ComunidadeIsraelitaPorto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
Porto, Portugal: A Story of Resilience and Revival
Portugal’s Jewish history is filled with both tragedy and hidden survival, and today Porto is at the heart of its revival. Once emptied of its Jewish community during the Inquisition, Porto has recently experienced a renewal, led by a dedicated and growing Jewish community committed to restoring its vibrant heritage.
Jewish highlights in Porto:
- Kadoorie Mekor Haim Synagogue – One of the largest active synagogues in Europe, built in the 1930s. Tours are available and provide powerful insight into Jewish life before, during, and after the Inquisition.
- Jewish Museum of Porto – Opened in 2015, the museum tells the story of Portugal’s Jewish communities from medieval times to modern day.
- Historic Jewish Quarter – Stroll through the old part of Porto where the city’s medieval Jewish community once lived. Some walking tours highlight hidden markers of Jewish life in the area.
- Holocaust Museum of Porto – Opened in 2021, this museum offers exhibits about Jewish life in Europe, the Holocaust, and the rebirth of Jewish communities, highlighting Porto’s own remarkable story.
Kosher travel tip:
Porto has a small but growing kosher infrastructure. The city offers a kosher hotel, a kosher meat restaurant, and kosher catering services for travelers. Shabbat meals can also be arranged through the local Jewish community.
➔ Check out our Porto Kosher Travel Guide for more details on kosher dining and community resources.
Jewish heritage tours:
Porto offers both private Jewish heritage tours and self-guided experiences. Tours typically include the Kadoorie Synagogue, Jewish Museum, and visits to the sites of the medieval Jewish quarter. These tours shed light on the resilience of Portuguese Jewry and the efforts to rebuild after centuries of persecution.
Final Thoughts
Jewish heritage and kosher travel come together beautifully in these four unforgettable European cities.
Walk through centuries-old synagogues. Wander medieval Jewish quarters. Enjoy kosher meals just steps from historic landmarks.
Each destination offers a meaningful and enriching experience.
Looking for a guided experience? ➔ Explore our organized kosher tours to discover Jewish heritage destinations with expert-led itineraries, kosher meals, and local insights.
More Jewish Heritage Cities to Discover
While we focused on four cities here, there are more places worth exploring.
- Budapest — Explore Europe's largest synagogue and a thriving Jewish Quarter filled with history, culture, and kosher dining. ➔ Read our blog about Jewish Budapest for more on what to see, where to eat, and how to experience the city's Jewish life.
- Prague — Step into one of the best-preserved Jewish ghettos in Europe, where centuries of Jewish history come to life. ➔ Discover Jewish Prague with our blog covering must-visit sites, kosher restaurants, and community insights.