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Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam: 17th-Century Sephardic Architecture and Jewish Cultural Heritage
4.4
44 Ratings
Amsterdam
Immerse yourself in Amsterdam’s Jewish history and culture with a visit to the Portuguese Synagogue. Explore the stunning 17th-century Sephardic architecture and discover the rich heritage of the Jewish Cultural Quarter.
Immerse yourself in Amsterdam’s Jewish history and culture with a visit to the Portuguese Synagogue. Explore the stunning 17th-century Sephardic architecture and discover the rich heritage of the Jewish Cultural Quarter.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Joods Historisch Museum - The Jewish Museum is a beautiful, high-profile museum that occupies four monumental synagogue buildings in the middle of the Jewish Cultural Quarter. It provides a unique picture of past and present Dutch Jewish life in all its facets. The museum has an extensive collection of items ranging from paintings to films, and…
- Joods Historisch Museum - The Jewish Museum is a beautiful, high-profile museum that occupies four monumental synagogue buildings in the middle of the Jewish Cultural Quarter. It provides a unique picture of past and present Dutch Jewish life in all its facets. The museum has an extensive collection of items ranging from paintings to films, and from utensils to 3D presentations. At any one time there are also two temporary exhibitions on display.
- Portuguese Synagogue - At the heart of the Jewish Cultural Quarter stands the majestic Portuguese Synagogue. The building is still used for religious services, but it is also open to the public. It hosts frequent candlelight concerts. Hundreds of candles illuminate the perfectly intact 17th-century interior. Visitors to the smaller buildings in the complex will find treasure chambers containing a unique collection of ceremonial objects made of silver, gold, brocade, and silk. The world’s oldest functioning Jewish library is also here: Ets Haim Livraria Montezinos, which is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
- Joods Museum junior - The Jewish Museum junior is a museum created especially for younger visitors inside the Jewish Museum. Here children can get to know something about Jewish life and Jewish tradition in an entertaining way. The museum’s interior is set up like the home of Jewish family. Every day children can bake mini-hallahs (braided bread rolls) in the kosher kitchen, learn a bit of Hebrew in the study, or play tunes together in the music room.
What's Included
- Admission to the Jewish Museum
- Admission to the Jewish Museum junior
- Valid for both locations for one week
- Audio guide
- Admission to the Portuguese Synagogue
- Admission to the Jewish Museum
- Admission to the Jewish Museum junior
- Valid for both locations for one week
- Audio guide
- Admission to the Portuguese Synagogue
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Guided tour
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Guided tour
Additional Information
Open daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Portuguese Synagogue is closed on Saturdays.
This ticket grants entry to the Jewish Museum.
Located in the heart of the historic Jewish neighborhood, the Portuguese Synagogue was the largest synagogue in the world when constructed in the 17th century. It continues to serve as a place of worship for Jews today….
Open daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Portuguese Synagogue is closed on Saturdays.
This ticket grants entry to the Jewish Museum.
Located in the heart of the historic Jewish neighborhood, the Portuguese Synagogue was the largest synagogue in the world when constructed in the 17th century. It continues to serve as a place of worship for Jews today. When not in use for services, this magnificent building is open for visitors.
All are welcome, regardless of faith. Visiting the Portuguese Synagogue is a truly awe-inspiring experience. The synagogue has been preserved exactly as it was in the 17th century. Instead of electric lighting, it is illuminated by hundreds of candles.
- The Portuguese Synagogue is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays, please check https://jck.nl/en/page/opening-hours
Location
Joods Historisch Museum
Nieuwe Amstelstraat 1
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.4
(44 Ratings)
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Adam
Aug 3, 2025
Beautiful old synagogue - A fascinating destination for Jewish visitors. Not sure how it will resonate with Gentiles. A great window into the history of the Sephardi community in Amsterdam, which is ritually a bit different than most other Jewish communities in the West.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bassig2023
May 24, 2025
A Breathtaking Glimpse of the Past - The second-oldest continuously operating synagogue in Europe, you feel like you're stepping back in time when you enter this magnificent building. The synagogue is beautiful and well-preserved, and there's a self-guided audio tour that gives you a lot of background information. It was one of the highlights of my time in Amsterdam.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laura_s
May 15, 2025
A Must Do in Amsterdam! - Beautiful historic and moving experience. Loved the audio information tour and the freedom to take our time and explore. Nice gift shop!
Review provided by Viator
Anonymous
May 11, 2025
A must-see in Amsterdam - Absolutely fascinating, incredible and historical. when built it was the largest synagogue in the world. It’s astounding and so impressive that it is still in use.
Review provided by Viator
Eliene
Nov 5, 2024
Impermeable to know the origins and Jewish presence in Amsterdam - It is a synagogue, still in use, built in the 16th century by Portuguese Jews expelled by the Portuguese Inquisition, hence the name.
Important to acquire the audio guide in several languages to understand each space and its meaning.
The ticket, around 19/20 euros, helps the maintenance of a place that needs to be continuously preserved. I consider it important and I do not claim to pay in artistic and historical places.
There is a store with books and interesting objects.
In front, across the street, there is also the Jewish Museum.
It is important to have the passport at hand and in high season to buy a ticket in advance, attaching a document.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeff_y
Jun 20, 2025
Great History - Interesting experience. The ticket gives entrance to both the Portuguese Synagogue and the Jewish museum. If you enjoy history and old buildings, you will appreciate this experience.
Review provided by Viator
Roenao
Jun 15, 2025
wheelchair accessible - Very interesting, this is an active synagogue that opens to tourists when no services are being held. I only stayed maybe 3/4 of an hour. Wheelchair accessible.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hedy_g
May 15, 2025
Portuguese Synagogue - The synagogue was very interesting. Unfortunately, when we were there in 2023, it was undergoing a complete renovation. We spoke with the Rabbi, and he was very informative about its history. There were beautiful religious artifacts, and it was definitely worth the visit. If we have time during our next visit to Amsterdam, we will visit again.
Review provided by Viator
Grandtour39436834383
Apr 27, 2025
In the footsteps of Anne Frank - We have a 2 hour guided tour in German on Anne Frank and 2. Participated in World War II. This was very interesting and also very informative. Unfortunately, the tour of the Anne Frank House was not there. It was also not possible to get online maps since January , which was a pity. Otherwise from architecture etc Amsterdam is a beautiful city.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W9929lqlynne
May 22, 2025
Museum was a great experience! Patricia was a delight! - We were booked and paid $43 for this venue, but when we arrived on Sunday, the synagogue was closed all day for a private service. Highly disappointed. We had also paid another $43 for the Jewish Museum, and when we arrived there to enter the museum, we were told the $43 fee included both venues. It was very hard to find customer service contacts to request a refund and wondering why that wasn’t “caught” when we booked both venues! Finally, the representative stated the synagogue was open, and they refused to refund my money. I even provided proof, but they refused. Just go on your own and pay when you arrive. We won't be using Trip Advisor for any future bookings.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
