Tomar is a wonderful riverside town located around two hours north of Lisbon. It’s a town that manages to blends small town charm with a whole lot of history, including one of Portugal’s most famous UNESCO heritage sites. If you’re looking for a break from the hectic sites in Lisbon, Sintra and even Cascais, then Tomar might just be for you. Being just slightly off the beaten track means that you can actually slow down and enjoy the town and its sites. When we visited at the peak of the summer season there were no queues to its main attractions, and it felt like a breath of fresh air compared to Lisbon itself.
What to see and do in Tomar?
You might not realise it today, but during the 13th century Tomar was one of the most powerful and influential towns in Portugal. This allowed considerable amounts of wealth to flow through the town, and over the centuries multiple projects were born. That means today there’s high density of historic buildings and attractions. It also means there’s an incredible variety of architecture and history on show.
Tomar’s Historic Centre
Tomar’s historic centre hides multiple idyllic streets lined with flowers. If you catch them at the right angle, several of them lead to impressive views of the castle at the top of the hill. We think everyone should start their visit to Tomar here. You’ll find a couple of boutique coffee shops and the cobbled streets really set the scene for what’s to come.
Sinagoga de Tomar – Tomar Synagogue
At 73 Rua Dr. Joaquim Jaquinto you’ll find Tomar’s 15th century Synagogue. It is one of only two synagogues in the country that pre-date the Jewish expulsion from Portugal in 1496. It was built in the mid-1400s and soon closed during the Jewish expulsion. Since 1939 it’s officially been a museum and houses the Abraham Zacuto Portuguese Jewish Museum (Museu Luso-Hebraico Abraão Zacuto). Next door to the synagogue, and still part of the museum are the exposed excavations that revealed the remnants of a mikveh, a Jewish ritual bath, and it’s plumbing and heating elements. It’s a small but notable stop in the historic centre of Tomar and well worth taking a moment to look around.
Praça da República – Republic Square
After meandering through the historic streets you should take a turn towards Praça da República. Praça da República is Tomar’s large central plaza with several notable monuments. You’ll find Monumento Galdim Pais – a stature of Tomar’s founder. The 15th century Igreja de São João Baptista, and the 15th century Câmara Municipal de Tomar.
If you didn’t stop for a coffee or a snack yet, then the surrounding streets are lined with traditional shops and cafés. If you want to try a local delicacy with your tea or coffee then look out for Fatias de Tomar. These are the local ‘sweet’ or Doces Conventuais, a cousin of the much more famous Pastel de Nata. More of a slice, and without a pastry, Tomar Slices are made of beaten egg yolks, formed and then soaked in a syrup. The square is perfect to take it all in and appreciate the slower paced life Tomar offers.
Castelo de Tomar
Watching on the hill above the square is Castelo de Tomar, and once you’ve had your fill of the sights and sounds of the busy square, it’s probably about time to start on the steep walk up the hill.
According to an inscription on the walls, the castle of Tomar dates to 1160. However, archaeologists have found evidence to Roman origins of a fortification on the hill, that then might have been maintained or upgraded throughout the Islamic period. The castle you’ll visit today firmly dates to 1160. As you walk through the first of its many gates, you’ll see the central keep rising in front of you. This keep houses the Alcáçova – the master’s house and is one of three separate areas of the castle.
The castle is formed by several belts of walls and is divided into three separate areas. You’ll enter into the central area – today a landscaped garden. North and above the landscaped garden is the highest part of the hill flanked to the west by the grand Charola, and to the east by the Master’s house, the Alcáçova with its keep. To the south, today an orange grove which would have been part of an extended village within the castle walls.
The castle is free to enter and does not provide access to the Convent. Despite being connected and next-door neighbours, Castelo de Tomar is a separate attraction. If you’re feeling active, then we strongly recommend taking the steep stairs and walking a full lap of the outer walls.
This will take you on a short historical journey where you can appreciate the extensive fortifications, and the views down into Tomar. Despite it being a UNESCO World Heritage site, this area was one of the quietest and it really felt like we had the walls to ourselves. A complete lap of the walls returns you back to the starting point of the landscaped gardens, and in our opinion really sets the scene for what’s to come.
Convent of Christ – Convento de Cristo
Those landscaped gardens and walls are of course dominated by the Convent of Christ’s epic Charola and it’s about time we made our way towards it. The main attraction and a key part of the UNESCO heritage site. To get there though, you’ll need to leave the castle and walk around the massive convent. It’s here you get to appreciate the sheer size and scale of the convent. To enter the convent and it’s many different areas you’ll need a ticket which you can purchase on site at the office. Tickets cost €10 for adults, with children and seniors eligible for a discount.
Top Tip: If you’re a resident of Portugal, you get free entry to the entire complex. The Convent of Christ is part of the state funded program that allows residents of Portugal free entry to its heritage for 52 days of the year!
The Convent of Christ through the Centuries
The Charola and castle date to 1160, but the wider complex went through many expansions and renovations in the following centuries. In the 1420s, Henry the Navigator (Infante Henrique) directed a large amount of wealth from the Portuguese discoveries and commissioned a palace at the site. As well as the palace, he added two cloisters and expanded the monastic premises.
The complex would then undergo another period of expansion in the 16th century when the convent was remodelled under the orders of King Manuel I. King Manuel I was responsible for enlarging the opening to the Charola, and connecting it to an enlarged church. In this form, the Charola became the chancel of the convent’s church.
In 1528, D. João III became king of Portugal and would also expand the convent to the west, and again enlarged the cloisters, finishing the work of his father King Manuel I. Philip II of Spain would provide one of the final pieces of the puzzle by commissioning a grand aqueduct in 1619. The Aqueduto do Convento is a 6km long aqueduct with 180 arches, it terminates and joins the convent on its southern façade.
The sheer scale of the complex, and its renovation and expansion over the centuries results in the Convento de Cristo being a glorious display of architecture and history, which was recognised as UNESCO heritage site in 1983.
Charola – Convento de Cristo
The most famous and most photographed of the Convent of Christ, is of course the 12th Century Charola. From outside, the church is a 16-side polygonal structure, with strong buttresses, round windows and a bell-tower. Inside, the round church has a central, octagonal structure, connected by arches to a surrounding gallery (ambulatory). The general shape of the church is modelled after similar round churches found in Jerusalem, like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. From the outside it’s an impenetrable fortress, from the inside an impressive chapel with decorated columns. After you’ve finished visiting the Charola, the pathway takes you into the expansive convent complex.
Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Conceição – Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
If you leave the convent and head towards Tomar, and don’t take one of the footpath shortcuts you’ll be lead to the Classic styled hermitage – Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição. Compared to the intricate designs and natural elements of many of the convent’s designs, the 15th century hermitage is classically designed and Romanesque. Unfortunately, the inside is closed for visitors, but a short walk around the building leads to a small courtyard. From that courtyard are some of the best unobscured views of Tomar’s historic centre and the Nabão River. An angle that’s not possible to see from Miradouro near the car park for the castle and convent.
Jardim da Várzea Pequena
Heading back down the hill and towards the town will lead you to the small country lane Calçada Convento and a small plaza called Largo do Pelourinho. Opposite the square is a small section of one of Tomar’s lush green spaces. It’s a great space to chill out and relax after the historic and dramatic sightseeing on the hill above. It’s here you can get a good introduction to the slow flowing Nabão River, and some of its dams and weirs that powered the industrial development of Tomar as a town.
Mouchão Parque
Through the jardim, you’ll find a beautiful calçada bridge that will take you into Mouchão Parque. Right next to the bridge is an incredible working water wheel that still spins today. The water sloshing and its crank giving a very unique atmosphere to this area of the park. This also shows what some of those weirs and dams were for, they directed the water from the river towards water wheels where cereals were milled and olive oil pressed.
Heading through the park and alongside the river will lead you to several great view points of the weir and into the historic town. You can follow the waters edge until you meet Ponte Velha – Tomar’s historic bridge. The bridge will lead you back into the centre of town.
An Organised Tour to Tomar
With its UNESCO World heritage site, and charming river side location, Tomar is a very popular place to take a day trip or organised tour. Although it’s rare to find a tour that only goes to Tomar you’ll find several that combine Tomar with nearby destinations like Alcobaça and Batalha. All three of these places are on the renowned – World Heritage Route. Most of these are large group tours – coach trips that will start in Lisbon and bring you back in the same day, but if you’re willing to up your budget you’ll find private options as well!
Here’s our pick of our favourite and best reviewed tours:
- Knights Templar Day Tour from Lisbon (€90 per person)
- Lisbon: Private Guided Tour of Tomar, Batalha, and Alcobaça (€100 per person)
- From Lisbon: Tomar, Almourol, & Dornes Knights Templar Tour (€370 for two)
Where to Stay in Tomar?
Although Tomar is a small town compared to its larger neighbours, you’ll still find it has lots of good options for somewhere to stay. For a visit during the warmer months and if you find yourself wanting a pool to relax next to, then we can’t recommend Hotel dos Templarios enough! With both a large outdoor pool and a heated indoor pool there’s plenty of space to unwind after a day of relaxing. For touch of luxury and to be located directly in the town then Hotel República is a fantastic five star option. You can take a look at the full range of options with this list here!
How long to spend in Tomar?
Tomar is small enough that it’s possible to see and do everything in a day trip. The town is quite compact and everything is within easy walking distance. It’s a good day trip option from Lisbon, as it’s only 90 minutes by car, or 120 minutes by train from Lisbon city centre, which gives a reasonable round-trip time, and you’ll get a full packed day of sightseeing.
If that sounds exhausting, then it might be best enjoyed in an overnight trip. This way you can slow down, enjoy a slower pace, watch the sunset over the Nabão river, and of course have a relaxed dinner and enjoy some traditional Ribatejo food – the food of one of Portugal’s most fertile regions! Alternatively, it can work great as a stop on the drive between Lisbon and Coimbra, or the drive between Lisbon and Porto.
Do you need a car to visit Tomar?
If you don’t have a car, then it’s no problem to visit Tomar. Everything is within walking distance. It’s one of our favourite day trips from Lisbon to recommend due to the good public transport connection with the city.
Similarly, if you do have a car, then it’s a small enough to town that you can park and forget your car for a few hours. Some of the tight historic streets aren’t accessible by car, and the steep walk towards the castle and convent is a great way to experience them. However, if you do need a car, taxis and tuk tuks are available to take you between the main tourist hotspots.
Should you visit Tomar?
Tomar is a simpler town well connected to nature and full of history. If you need a minute to slow down after visiting some of the hectic and much more famous spots in Lisbon and Sintra, then Tomar is perfect. It’s a great day trip if you’re based in Lisbon, or a great rest spot for anyone taking the scenic drive between Lisbon and Porto.
Nearby Tomar:
If you’re looking to continue exploring Portugal’s Templar history, the nearby Castelo de Almourol is well worth a visit!
I will visit Tomar tomorrow, great article, thanks!
If you are looking for a cool spot to swim near Tomar, try Praia da aldeia do mato. You will need a car to get there tho.
I was fortunate enough to visit Tomar on a Saturday and there were posters for a Club do Fado. It was on Rua dos Arcos 68-B. They hold Fado concerts every second Saturday using local artists. 10 Euros (members 8 Euros) bought me dinner with wine, coffee and dessert and a two part concert with 6 to 7 singers singing two songs each in each part. It ended late but was unforgettable!
Sounds like a fantastic experience, I’ll have to plan another visit for when they next hold a concert! Thanks for sharing!