Tomar

Day Trip Travel Guide + Top Things To Do in Tomar, Portugal

Tomar, Portugal is a quaint city located about 90 miles northeast of Lisbon. It is the former seat of the Order of the Knights Templar and known for its artistic and cultural wealth. Most tourists come to Tomar as part of a circuit to see the major UNESCO World Heritage Sites dotted around the Portuguese countryside.

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While you may be initially drawn to Tomar to visit the Convent of Christ and the Templars’ Castle, there is more to see and do here for those who are inclined to spend a little more time. Tomar was one of our major stops while road tripping from Porto to Lisbon during during early autumn. We had gorgeous weather and no crowds — a dream!

Where to stay in Tomar
Top things to do in Tomar
Tours in Tomar

Above photo: Flowering vines in Old Town, Tomar, Portugal

Where to stay in Tomar

Before we decided just to make a day trip of our visit to Tomar, I researched some accommodation options for us. We had it narrowed down to Hotel Dos Templarios and Hotel República Boutique Hotel. For a hotel that is in the center of the city and within easy walking distance to the major attractions, Hotel República wins. For more amenities and a stay overlooking the Nabão River, Hotel dos Templários looks amazing!

Check rates & availability for hotel accommodations in Tomar below:

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Top things to do in Tomar

We drove into Tomar from Coimbra to the north. It is also possible to reach Tomar by train from Lisbon. A regional train operated by Comboios de Portugal (CP) departs hourly from Lisboa Oriente station and takes about 2 hours. If you arrive by train, you may be somewhat limited to the attractions within walking distance of the train station. At one point we attempted to track down an Uber or taxi to take us back to our parked car, to no avail. Just something to keep in mind as you map out your plans (and parking).

Pegões Aqueduct
Castle of the Templars – Convent of Christ
Seven Hills National Forest
Praça da República
Church of St. John the Baptist
Synagogue of Tomar
Mouchão Park
Old Town

Pegões Aqueduct

Pegões Aqueduct is also known as the Convent of Christ Aqueduct, Aqueduto do Convento de Cristo. The 180 arches track over the Pegões Valley, hence the name Pegões Aqueduct. But, it was built to supply water to the Convent of Christ, hence its alias Convent of Christ Aqueduct.

The Pegões Aqueduct is located about 1.5 miles from the Convent of Christ. It is possible to walk, I guess. This was our first stop coming into Tomar. Then, it only took about 5 minutes to drive from the aqueduct to the parking lot for Convent of Christ. The benefit to walking is the opportunity to hike through the Seven Hills National Forest and enjoy some nature!

The aqueduct is one of the largest and most important Portuguese aqueducts. It was constructed in the late-16th & early-17th centuries during the reign of King Filipe I and under the charge of the convent’s architect Filipe Terzi.

Above photo: Pegões Aqueduct, Convent of Christ, Tomar, Portugal

The aqueduct is a little over four miles long and has a max height of 98 feet (~30 meters). Here’s the fun part: You can walk across the top of it! There is a flat, narrow path along that top that is open to anyone who is up for the walk. The only dicey part is that there are no handrails, guardrails, or safety mechanisms in place should you misstep or lose your balance. It is definitely not for children or those unsteady on their feet.

Above photos: Pegões Aqueduct, Convent of Christ, Tomar, Portugal

Castle of the Templars – Convent of Christ

The Convent of Christ is a former Catholic convent dating to the 12th century, founded by the Order of the Templar Knights. In the 13th century, Tomar was transferred into the control of the Templars. The castle became part of its defensive system, protecting the convent and its inhabitants. After the Order of the Templar Knights was dissolved in the early 14th century, control was replaced by the Order of Christ.

Above photos: Convent of Christ, Tomar, Portugal

The history and events surrounding the castle are complex. All along, more additions to the structures were made bringing together Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architectural styles. The major areas of the compound include the Castle of the Templars and the Convent of Christ “Charola”, Manueline Nave, and Cloisters.

Above photos: Convent of Christ “Charola”, Tomar, Portugal

Online tickets: Purchasing tickets online in advance for Convent of Christ and other monasteries was not straightforward. I finally tracked down the website for Museums & Monuments of Portugal and was able to purchase tickets for multiple places we planned to visit. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets in person upon arrival.

There is so much gorgeousness here, I couldn’t begin to narrow down which photos to post. Please click HERE to visit my additional photo gallery of photos from the Convent of Christ.

Seven Hills National Forest

Surrounding the Convent of Christ, Seven Hills National Forest covers 39 hectares and is laced with walking trails. The land was set aside by the Order of Christ as as a natural preserve and garden, and still is today. Part of the forest lies between the convent and old town, making it easy to experience some of its features en route from one of these places to the other.

The park is very well maintained and full of hidden gems such as terraces, viewpoints, rolling hills, meadows, and a variety of flora and fauna, as well as a panoramic swing located at one of the park’s highest elevations.

Above photo: Miraduoro in Seven Hills National Forest, Tomar, Portugal

Praça da República

Praça da República is the vibrant, historical center of Tomar. As such, it is a busy place and often used to host festivals, including the Festival of Trays. The black and white checkered mosaic lends a certain formality to the aesthetic. Surrounding the square are beautiful buildings showcasing 17th century Portuguese architecture, the city Town Hall, and the Church of St. John the Baptist.

Above photo: Praça da República, Tomar, Portugal

The center Praça da República is a larger than life monument of D. Gualdim Pais, fourth Grand Master of the Knights Templar in Portugal and founder of the city. Although there isn’t much to do here except feel the shadows of hundreds of years of history, that is the beauty of it. Everywhere you look there are reminders of the deep past of the city. It is a great place to nurse a beverage and people watch as locals and tourists file through.

Above photos: D. Gualdim Pais Monument, Praça da República, Tomar, Portugal

Church of St. John the Baptist

The Church of St. John the Baptist was established in the 12th century, but the current building was largely rebuilt in the 16th century and is the main Catholic church in Tomar. From the outside, it is a little plain with the exception of its grand Gothic portal and Manueline tower.

Above photos: Church of St. John the Baptist, Tomar, Portugal

Inside, it is much more interesting. Columns supporting Gothic arches and painted panels by Gregório Lopes lead the way to a white and gold baroque altar. The diamond-tip tiles in the side chapel and the stone carved pulpit are also really impressive. It is worth slowing down to appreciate the details.

Above photos: Church of St. John the Baptist, Tomar, Portugal

Synagogue of Tomar

The Synagogue of Tomar is a medieval Jewish temple and only one of its kind from the mid-15th century. It is such a unique site to visit that you won’t find in other places. While the columns and whitewashed walls may seem simple, the architectural details include many symbolic references from the Old Testament of the Bible.

The synagogue was closed in 1496. The space was then utilized for various purposes including a prison, hayloft, granary, warehouse, wine cellar, and store (not necessarily in that order). It was purchased in 1923 by Samuel Schwarz, a Jewish mining engineer from Poland, who completely restored it and donated it as a museum.

Above photos: Synagogue of Tomar, Portugal

Mouchão Park

No visit to Tomar is complete without taking a stroll along its riverside and Mouchão Park. The Nabão River flows through the middle of town, joined by the old bridge, Ponte Velha. Keep an eye out for the Mouchão Waterwheel just a few steps away. The one currently in place is a reproduction of the one built in 1906, for the purpose of bringing water to the mills.

The Old Bridge, Ponte Velha, Tomar, Portugal

Above photos: Nabão River (left); The Old Bridge, Ponte Velha (right)

In between the trees and flower beds of zinnias, there is also a romantic gazebo bandstand. It is a very serene and peaceful place where you can sit and enjoy the views of the river or the sounds of local children that come here to play.

Above photos: Mouchão Park, Tomar, Portugal

Old Town

The Old Town center of Tomar is a great place to wander around. It is a small, compact area that is easy to navigate of foot in a short period of time. The narrow cobblestone streets are lined with homes covered with flowering vines.

Above photos: Old Town, Tomar, Portugal

We ducked into a few of the shops selling medieval themed souvenirs, chess sets, and swords. The town completely embodies the cultural ambiance of its famous fortress, and that’s what makes it so irresistibly charming.

The main “drag” that connects Praça da República with the Nabão River is called called Rua Serpa Pinto. It is a pedestrianized street lined with shops, the centenary Café Paraíso, and other historic buildings. We stopped at the adorable Hanne Café for brunch and rested up before walking back up the hill to our parking spot.