Tomar Travel Guide

Tomar is a small town on the Rio Nabão, close enough to Lisbon for a day trip but worth staying overnight. Its old quarter follows a grid of cobbled streets centered on Praça da República, with riverside walks and leafy woods for a slower pace. The real reason to come here rises above the town in the Convento de Cristo. Founded in 1160 as the headquarters of the Knights Templar, it is a fortress-monastery that tells the story of Tomar’s past. The Templars and townsfolk held off Moorish attacks in 1190, after which Tomar grew in wealth and influence alongside Portugal’s rise as a regional and later global power.

Where is Tomar?

Tomar is in central Portugal’s Ribatejo region, about 140 km north of Lisbon and 80 km south of Coimbra. The town stretches along the Nabão River, with the Convento de Cristo standing high above it on a wooded hill.

Often ranked among the best places to visit in Portugal, Tomar fits easily into a Portugal itinerary. It works as a rewarding day trip from Lisbon, or as a stop between the capital and the north. From here, you can detour to the island castle of Almourol on the Tagus, explore the peaceful village of Dornes, or make the short trip to Coimbra, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities.

How to get around Tomar

Tomar is compact and easy to explore, with most of the main sights within walking distance of the town center. The streets are flat near the river and Praça da República, but the climb up to the Convento de Cristo will test your legs. It is worth the effort for the views alone.

• Walking: The best way to experience Tomar. You can cover the historic center in a few hours, then head uphill to the convent through quiet lanes or via the shady paths of the Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes.
• Car: You will not need a car inside Tomar, but it is useful for visiting nearby sights such as Almourol Castle, Dornes, or the surrounding Ribatejo countryside. Parking is available near the river and on the edges of the old town.
• Taxi: Taxis are available and handy if you do not want to walk up to the convent, though many visitors prefer the climb. Ridesharing services are limited here.
• Bike: Cycling around the town itself is straightforward, though some cobbled streets can be rough. For countryside rides, the roads around Tomar are quieter and scenic, especially if you want to link small villages and river valleys.

How long to spend in Tomar?

You can see the main sights of Tomar in a full day. Start with the Convento de Cristo, then work your way down into the old town for the Synagogue, Praça da República, and a walk along the Nabão. That itinerary gives you a good sense of the town without rushing.

If you stay overnight, the pace shifts. The streets grow quieter after dark, the convent is beautifully lit, and the cafés around the square are filled with locals rather than visitors. An evening in Tomar lets you enjoy the atmosphere that day-trippers miss.

If you have a longer, 10-day Portugal itinerary, two days here is ideal. Spend one inside the convent and old town, then use the second for nearby sights such as the island castle of Almourol or the lakeside village of Dornes. Having more time also means you can see Tomar at different hours, from misty mornings on the river to sunset views from the convent hill.

Where to stay in Tomar

Tomar has a good mix of small hotels, guesthouses, and rural escapes. Most are either in the historic center or along the river, with countryside stays just a short drive away. Here is where to base yourself depending on your style of trip.

• First-time visitors: Historic center. Staying around Praça da República or the surrounding streets puts you right among cafés, restaurants, and shops, and you can walk to the Convento de Cristo in about fifteen minutes. Rooms here often come with views of tiled rooftops or the convent hill, but parking is limited.
• For couples: Riverside. Guesthouses by the Nabão offer quieter settings with romantic views of the water. Evening walks along the river are a bonus, and you are still close enough to stroll into the old town for dinner.
• For families: Edges of the old town. Small hotels and apartments on the outskirts of the historic center usually have easier parking and more space. You can reach the main sights on foot, while still having room to spread out and relax.
• For exploring the region: Countryside retreats. Farm stays and rural guesthouses in the Ribatejo countryside give you a peaceful base within fifteen to twenty minutes of Tomar. They are ideal if you want to combine town visits with day trips to Almourol Castle, Dornes, or river beaches on the Zêzere.

What to do in Tomar

Tomar is compact enough to see in a day but layered enough to reward a longer stay. At its heart is the Convento de Cristo, but the appeal runs far deeper: leafy gardens, medieval chapels, a remarkable aqueduct, and a town square that still feels lived in. Here are the best things to do in Tomar, each worth taking your time over.

#1 Explore the Convento de Cristo

The Convento de Cristo is Tomar’s headline act and one of Portugal’s most important historical sites. Founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, the master of the Knights Templar, it later became the headquarters of the Order of Christ, which financed Portugal’s voyages during the Age of Discoveries.

Inside, you move through centuries of architecture. The round Charola chapel, modeled on Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is covered in frescoes and gilded woodwork. Later cloisters reflect Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance, and even Baroque styles, each with its rhythm of arches and courtyards. The famous Manueline window, carved with ropes, corals, and fantastical creatures, is worth lingering over; it captures the optimism of a country looking out to the seas.

It takes at least half a day to do the site justice. Wear comfortable shoes, bring water in summer, and don’t rush. The convent’s scale and variety can overwhelm, so take breaks in the gardens, where orange trees and cypresses soften the fortress walls.

#2 Cross the Old Bridge over the Nabão

Tomar grew up along the Nabão River, and the Ponte Velha, built in the 16th century, remains its most atmospheric crossing. Standing midway, you see the town on one side and the convent rising above it on the other. The bridge leads directly to the riverside park, a quiet place for a shaded stroll or a picnic.

It is worth crossing at different times of day. In the morning, the convent glows in soft light. In the evening, the river reflects the town’s lamps and gives a sense of calm after the crowds leave. If you have time, sit on a bench along the riverside walk and just listen — you’ll hear church bells, kids playing, and the faint splash of ducks on the water.

#3 Visit Tomar’s Synagogue and Jewish Museum

This small building on Rua Dr. Joaquim Jacinto is easy to miss, but it carries enormous historical weight. Built in the mid-15th century, it is one of only a handful of medieval synagogues still standing in Portugal. Four stone columns support a vaulted ceiling, designed for perfect acoustics, and the small museum displays tombstones, inscriptions, and artifacts linked to the Jewish community.

Standing here, it is impossible not to think of the expulsion of Jews from Portugal in 1496 and the Inquisition that followed. Yet the synagogue’s survival adds another layer to Tomar’s story as a crossroads of cultures. It rarely feels busy, and if you step inside when it is empty, the quiet stone chamber has a contemplative power that rivals larger monuments.

#4 Walk the Aqueduct of Pegões

Two kilometers from the town center, the Aqueduto dos Pegões is a masterpiece of Renaissance engineering. Built in the 16th century to carry water to the convent, it runs for nearly six kilometers and includes 180 arches, some reaching thirty meters in height.

You can walk along parts of the aqueduct, and the sense of balance and perspective as the arches march across the valley is extraordinary. From the top, the views stretch across olive groves, vineyards, and the rolling hills of the Ribatejo. Few visitors make it here, so you often have the place almost to yourself. Bring sturdy shoes and a head for heights if you plan to walk along the aqueduct wall.

#5 Stroll through the Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes

This park spreads across 39 hectares between the town and the convent hill. Legend says the Templars once cultivated gardens here, and today it offers olive groves, cypress alleys, and shaded paths where you can escape the heat.

The walk from town through the Mata to the convent is one of the best ways to approach the monument. Instead of heading straight up the main road, you pass wells, terraces, and quiet corners where locals picnic. Stop at the Charolinha, a small circular temple in the middle of the gardens, which echoes the design of the convent’s round church.

#6 Pause in Praça da República

Tomar’s central square is both a stage set and a lived-in meeting place. The Igreja de São João Baptista dominates one end, its Gothic tower a reminder of Tomar’s medieval roots. On the opposite side, the town hall occupies what was once the Templars’ palace.

Sit at a café terrace and watch the rhythm of daily life. You will see schoolchildren racing across the cobbles, elderly men chatting in the arcades, and the occasional busker setting up. If you visit during the Festa dos Tabuleiros, this square becomes the heart of the parade, filled with towering trays of bread and flowers. At other times, it is simply where Tomar breathes.

#7 Step into the Igreja de Santa Maria do Olival

A short walk from the center, this church looks plain from the outside, but its history is extraordinary. Built in the 12th century, it was the burial place of the Knights Templar in Portugal, including Gualdim Pais, the town’s founder.

Inside, the Gothic arches are understated, the light soft, and the atmosphere hushed. Unlike the grandeur of the convent, this church has a simplicity that feels closer to the spirit of the Templars themselves. The surrounding cemetery, with its whitewashed tombs, adds to the sense of continuity with the past.

#8 Time your visit with Festa dos Tabuleiros

Every four years, usually in July, Tomar stages one of Portugal’s most striking festivals. Women parade through the streets carrying trays up to two meters high, stacked with bread and decorated with flowers, each weighing more than fifteen kilos. The event has medieval roots, linked to harvest rituals, and fills the town with color and music.

The festival draws thousands, so if you plan to visit at this time, book accommodation well in advance. Even if you miss the main parade, the preparations and decorations in the days before are fascinating in their own right.

#9 Taste Ribatejo cooking

Tomar’s tascas and restaurants offer hearty regional food. Expect dishes like roasted kid, migas made with bread and herbs, or river fish stews. The convent tradition of sweets lives on in queijadas de amêndoa, small almond tarts, and other pastries that pair perfectly with an afternoon coffee.

Meals are often slow affairs, and many restaurants are family-run. Ask about the house wine: it is usually a good, inexpensive red from the Ribatejo or nearby Tejo region.

#10 Take a day trip to Almourol Castle

About twenty kilometers away, Almourol Castle rises from a tiny island in the Tagus River. Rebuilt by the Templars in the 12th century, it looks like something straight out of a legend, complete with battlements and towers mirrored in the water.

You reach it by small boat, and once inside the walls, the views along the Tagus are unforgettable. The combination of history, setting, and sheer romance makes Almourol one of Portugal’s most atmospheric castles. Combine it with a riverside lunch in Constância for a perfect day out from Tomar.

Weather in Tomar

Tomar has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild but wetter winters. Being inland, it sees bigger temperature swings than coastal cities such as Lisbon, though it is less extreme than mountain villages like Monsanto. Average temperatures range from 46°F (8°C) in January to 86°F (30°C) in August. The Nabão River helps cool summer evenings, but afternoons can feel intense. For current forecasts, check IPMA (Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere).

When you are deciding on the best time to visit Portugal, Tomar is at its most rewarding in spring and autumn. The weather is comfortable, gardens and parks are at their greenest, and the town is lively without being crowded.

• Spring (March to May): Days are pleasantly warm, climbing from 64°F (18°C) in March to 75°F (24°C) in May. This is an excellent season for visiting the convent gardens or walking through the Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes. Rain tapers off, and hotel rates hover around €65-€95.
• Summer (June to August): July and August can be scorching, with highs often above 86°F (30°C). The walk up to the convent is demanding in the heat, so bring water and sun protection. Nights are cooler by the river, and festivals keep the town buzzing. Expect room rates closer to €95-€130.
• Autumn (September to November): September still feels summery at 81°F (27°C), with October dipping into the low 70s. This is a great season for exploring both Tomar and nearby sights such as Almourol Castle or Dornes. Prices ease to €55-€85, and the crowds thin out.
• Winter (December to February): Daytime highs average 54°F (12°C), with nights dropping near 41°F (5°C). Rain is most frequent in December and January, but clear days offer a beautiful contrast of blue skies and the convent hill wrapped in mist. Rooms are cheapest in this season, often €50-€70.

Where to eat in Tomar

Tomar’s food scene balances hearty Ribatejo cooking with convent-inspired sweets and a few modern touches. Most restaurants are small, family-run, and tucked into the historic streets, though you’ll also find riverside cafés and rural taverns just outside town. Expect simple, filling meals: grilled meats, river fish, bread-based dishes, and pastries rooted in centuries-old monastic recipes.

Must-try dishes

• Migas à Ribatejana: A bread-based side flavored with garlic and olive oil, often served with pork or grilled meats.
• Cabrito assado: Roast kid goat, marinated with wine, garlic, and herbs, a Sunday favorite in central Portugal.
• Peixinhos do rio: Freshwater fish from the Nabão or Zêzere, usually fried and served with salad.
• Fatias de Tomar: Slices of sponge-like egg yolk cake, a local convent sweet originally made by nuns at the Convento de Cristo.
• Queijadas de amêndoa: Almond tarts sold in bakeries across town, best with a strong bica (espresso).

Top restaurants and cafés

• Taverna Antiqua: Right on Praça da República, this medieval-style restaurant leans into atmosphere with candlelit tables and hearty dishes such as cabrito and wild boar. It is touristy but fun if you want a sense of theater with your meal.
• Infante: A long-running local favorite near the river, known for generous portions of grilled fish, lamb stew, and migas. Reliable, authentic, and very much a place locals recommend.
• O Tabuleiro: Casual and central, good for traditional dishes at reasonable prices. The house specialty is roasted kid goat with potatoes.
• Café Paraíso: An old-school café on the main street, perfect for a quick coffee, a pastry, or a light snack between sights. Its tiled interior and slightly faded charm feel unchanged for decades, making it a good place to pause and watch local life.
• Pastelaria Estrelas de Tomar: One of the best bakeries in town for convent sweets. Try the fatias de Tomar and queijadas with a coffee in the late afternoon.

Trips and tours to Tomar

Here are some unique experiences we can arrange for your tailor-made Tomar trip: all private, flexible, and designed by our local travel experts.

• Tomar history and convent tour: Explore Tomar’s historic center with a local guide before heading up to the Convento de Cristo. Learn about the Knights Templar, walk through the Charola chapel, and trace Portugal’s Age of Discoveries in the Manueline carvings. The tour ends in the Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes, where the Templars once kept their gardens.
• Jewish heritage and synagogue visit: Discover the story of Tomar’s Jewish community with a guided visit to the 15th-century synagogue and its small museum. The walk continues through lanes where Jewish families once lived, paired with stories of resilience and loss during the Inquisition. For context, the tour can be combined with a visit to the nearby Castelo de Bode reservoir for a contrasting afternoon in nature.
• Ribatejo food and wine experience: Join a local food guide for a tasting tour that begins in Tomar’s markets and tascas. Sample migas, roasted kid goat, and convent sweets such as fatias de Tomar. Then head to a family-run winery in the Ribatejo countryside for a tour and tasting session. This is a slow, indulgent way to connect Tomar’s history with its flavors.
• Family-friendly Tomar discovery: A gentle walking tour of the old town tailored for children, with storytelling about knights and castles, a scavenger hunt around Praça da República, and plenty of pauses for ice cream. The day finishes with a riverside picnic and optional boat trip on the Zêzere, perfect for younger travelers.
• Tomar and Almourol Castle adventure: Start in Tomar with the convent and synagogue, then travel to Almourol Castle, perched on an island in the Tagus River. Arrive by boat for a fairy-tale experience, and enjoy a private guided tour of the fortress. The combination of Tomar’s Templar roots and Almourol’s romantic setting makes this one of the region’s most memorable day tours.