Sephardic Spain: the best of Jewish Spain travel where history comes alive

Spain is home to a deeply rooted Jewish history, dating back to the 6th century BC. Sephardic Jews (sometimes referred to as Sephardi Judaism or Hispanic Judaism) lived on the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) up until the inquisition. Worldwide, many modern Jews have Sephardic roots.

While it is not the travel destination that usually comes to mind right away for Jewish history, travelers interested in Judaism should add Spain to their list of destinations.

Throughout the country, visitors can wander through old Juderías (Jewish neighborhoods), where Spanish Jews lived (somewhat) peacefully up until the inquisition in 1492, often side by side with the Moors (Muslims).

Although there are very few working synagogues like you will find in parts of Eastern and Central Europe, it is possible to visit remains of old synagogues, many of which became churches after the inquisition, all throughout Spain.

Travelers to Spain can also wander through Juderías in many places, making Spain the perfect destination to explore your Jewish or Sephardic heritage.

Spain Less Traveled’s passion for Spain’s rich Jewish history

At Spain Less Traveled, Jewish Spain travel is one of our unique niche specialties. It is something we are passionate about!

We offer a variety of personalized Spain travel planning services from Spain travel consultations (for clients who just need a little help planning their trip to Spain but want to do all of the legwork and booking themselves), to Spain Travel Itinerary Outlines (for clients who need help structuring their trip but want to do most of the legwork themselves) to fully handcrafted Spain travel itineraries (for clients who want us to arrange everything for them).

We’d love to help you plan a unique Jewish Spain travel itinerary!

Where are the top cities for Jewish Spain travel?

Jewish history can be found all over Spain, sometimes in the least expected places.

Many of the best places for Jewish Spain travel are in Andalucía, the south of Spain.

However, there is Sephardic history all over Spain. First, we will list some of the best places for travelers interested in Jewish history in Andalucía. Then we will move on to more places, all over the country for Jewish Spain travel!

Sephardic Spain as seen in Andalucía, the inspiring south

Without a doubt, Andalucía is the best of Sephardic Spain, and very accessible to visitors. The cities of Córdoba and Seville make up the classic Sephardic heritage itinerary, mixed in with Granada since it’s a must-see city. But there is, even more, to discover in some of Andalucía’s small towns.

If you are interested in Sephardic Spain, Andalucía, absolutely needs to be on your Jewish Spain travel itinerary. And not only the highlights.

Make sure to spend ample time there to see some of the hidden gems in Southern Spain, including places with rich Jewish history

Córdoba: the cornerstone of Sephardic Spain

Cordoba has a rich Sephardic heritage and is arguably the best place to see Sephardic Spain come alive. There are many things to do in Cordoba Spain that bring the city’s Jewish history to life. Although many cities in Spain once had a large Jewish population, the history of Jews in Spain is accessible to visitors in Cordoba.

All of the sites are in the Judería, or old Jewish neighborhood, in very close proximity to the Mezquita. This was a time when the Jews and Muslims lived in relative harmony. Wander the narrow alleyways, which are usually so alive and colorful with Cordoba’s signature flowers adorning them.

You will not want to miss the old synagogue, in mudéjar-style architecture but with Hebrew writing.

Torah scholar and philosopher, Moses ben Maimon, commonly known as Maimonides, was fro Cordoba. You can find a statue dedicated to him in the middle of the small plaza named for him, Plaza Maimonides, pictured above).

Finally, to try some traditional Sephardic food, Casa Mazal restaurant cooks up delicious traditional Spanish Jewish food.

(Here are more suggestions of things to do in Cordoba Spain including the city’s beautiful La Fiesta de Los Patios as well as some of the best of Moorish Spain)

Lucena: a Sephardic heritage day trip from Córdoba

Just south of Córdoba, Lucena’s Jewish history dates back to the 11th century. Founded by the Jews during the time the Moors ruled Spain, Lucena was said to have had an entirely Jewish population, making it very unique. Eventually, the Moors came to Lucena too, where they lived side by side with the Jews until the Inquisition.

Recently, in 2006, during a routine construction project, a Jewish necropolis was unearthed. It is possible to see some of the ruins uncovered.

Today you can still wander through Barrio de Santiago, which many believe to be the Judería. La Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol (the Parish of Santiago) was most likely the city’s main synagogue, but there were probably several.

For those interested in Sephardic Spain already traveling to Córdoba, a day trip to Lucena is a great option.

Sevilla: Quintessential Andalucía

Andalucía’s largest city Seville has a wealth of Sephardic heritage. The first Jews arrived here in the 6th century BC, so there is a lot of history.

From trouble with the Visigoths to returning to Seville living (somewhat) peacefully with the Moors up until about 100 years before the inquisition. In 1391, the Judería was attacked and nearly 4,000 of Sevilla’s Jewish population was killed.

Barrio Santa Cruz, which is popular with visitors to Seville today, for its quaint streets and proximity to the cathedral and Alcazar, was the Judería. And it is the largest Judería on the Iberian peninsula.

There are not as many marked and accessible remnants of Sephardic Spain in Seville as there are in other places such as Córdoba. It is said that the present-day church of Santa Maria de la Blanca was the site of Seville’s largest synagogue.

The Centro de Interpretacion Judería offers guided walking tours of the Judería. The center is open to the public and also has exhibits and information about Jewish Seville.

Today Seville has a small Jewish population, mostly consisting of Jews who immigrated from Morocco. Without a doubt, Seville should be included on your Jewish Spain travel itinerary.

Úbeda: an accidental discovery

A small town in Jaén province, Úbeda is known for its Renaissance architecture and olive oil (as the entire province is). Here the synagogue was discovered on accident during a routine construction project. When the Jewish baths (Mikveh) were unearthed, the new building project (tourist apartments) was abandoned to preserve the synagogue.

Sinagoga del Agua is said to be one of the oldest synagogues in Spain and can be visited today (advanced reservations are required). And it is also one of Spain’s most impressive. The synagogue almost like a museum, housing many of the artifacts that were found.

While not much else remains in Úbeda’s Judería, a visit to the synagogue is well worth the detour for travelers interested in Sephardic Spain.

Hidden Sephardic Spain in Granada

Most travelers to Spain visit Granada as a visit to the Moorish gem, the Alhambra is one of the highlights of Spain. While there was a large Jewish population here up until the inquisition, there are very few Jewish sights remaining.

For those interested in Jewish history, who find themselves in Granada, head to Barrio Realejo, the old Jewish quarter.

There is also a really small Sephardi Museum of Granada (hours vary and are sporadic). From time to time, they host special events pertaining to Granada’s Sephardic heritage.

Since there is very little evidence of Sephardic Spain in Granada today, we can arrange a guide for a clients for a private walking tour of the Judería/Barrio Realejo.

(Check out our guide for our top 10 things to do in Granada Spain too!)

Málaga: a few small sites for Jewish Spain travel

While not often top of the list for Sephardic heritage, many travelers to Andalucía use Málaga as a jumping-off point.

And in Málaga’s historic center, within the shadows of the mighty Alcazaba is a small Judería that is worth checking out if you find yourself in Málaga. While not much remains, there is a statue of Jewish-thinker Solomón Ben Gabirol, who was born in Málaga.

To find the statue head to El Pimpi Restaurant, and you will see it in the grassy patch right by the terraza (outdoor seating).

There are also plans for a Sephardic Cultural Center in the Judería, but with no opening date at this time.

(Make sure to check out our guide for Málaga Spain off the beaten path for more suggestions on what to see and do in Málaga city and province.)