Tomar is a charming city in central Portugal, known for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and breathtaking natural scenery. It is a popular destination for tourists and travelers looking to explore the country’s culture and history.

Tomar is located in the Santarem district of Portugal, approximately 135 kilometers north of Lisbon. It is on the banks of the Nabão River (River Nabão) and surrounded by lush forests and hills. The city’s history dates back to the 12th century. From this castle, the Knights Templar, a military order, played an essential role in the Christian Crusades.

One of the most iconic landmarks of Tomar is the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the headquarters of the Knights Templar. The Convent is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture and features a stunning cloister, a fortified wall, and an impressive church. Visitors can explore the Convent’s many rooms and learn about its fascinating history.

A fertile region of central Portugal, Ribatejo Tomar features its 12th-century château and its Convent de Cristo, among Portugal’s best-known religious sites. The mythology of Tomar is written in history by legend and lore. The seat of Tomar’s mystery lay with the Order of the Knights Templar and later the Order of Christ in Portugal. This consecrated monastery has two churches and many cloisters, making for an incredible experience. This quaint and small village lies at the mouth of the sparkling River Nabão. When you arrive you can easily explore by foot, bicycle or car. The TukTuk tours are a great quick way to see much of Tomar.

What to do in Tomar, Portugal?

The museums in Tomar are well known. However, it does have a reasonably strong connection with modern art. Important Portuguese art critic José-Augusto França was born in Tomar, and he has donated hundreds of pieces of contemporary art to the Núcleo de Arte Contemporânea bearing his name.

Tomar is a charming city located in the central region of Portugal. Visitors can explore the historic center’s medieval buildings, picturesque streets, and historical landmarks. Here are some of the main tourist attractions in Tomar:

Travel ideas

1. Convent of Christ—This medieval fortress-turned-monastery, dating back to the 12th century, is one of Portugal’s most impressive landmarks. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers an immersive experience of Portugal’s history, art, and architecture.
2. Church of Santa Maria do Olival – This Gothic church dates back to the 12th century and is famous for its ornate tombs of the Knights Templar. Visitors can explore the church’s impressive architecture and learn its role in Portuguese history.
3. Pegoes Aqueduct – This impressive engineering feat dates back to the 16th century and spans over 5 kilometers. Visitors can walk along the aqueduct and admire the views of the surrounding countryside.
4. Tomar Castle – This 12th-century castle offers panoramic views of the city and is an essential landmark in Portuguese history. Visitors can explore the castle’s walls, towers, and dungeons.
5. Museu dos Fosforos – This quirky museum inside Convento de São Francisco has matchboxes and discusses their history. Visitors can see over 43,000 matchboxes worldwide and learn about the art, design, and culture of matchboxes.

These top-rated tourist attractions in Tomar and easy day trips offer visitors diverse experiences, from exploring medieval castles and monasteries to admiring stunning natural landscapes and learning about Portugal’s culture and history.

The Knights Templar began to influence Tomar as a town. Therefore, if you want to know about Tomar, you must know a little about the Knights Templar.

Who Were The Knights Templar?

The Knights Templar was a medieval Christian military order established in the 12th century to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. The order was first established in Jerusalem in 1119 by a French knight named Hugues de Payens and eight other knights. The Knights Templar was also known as the Order of the Temple, the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ, and the Temple of Solomon.

The Knights Templar was initially a small group of knights who vowed to protect Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land. They earned recognition by the Catholic Church in 1129 and soon became a powerful force in Europe. The support of wealthy donors, nobles, and even some monarchs provided power to these noble knights.

The order had a strict code of conduct that required its members to live a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The Knights Templar were courageous in battle and committed to protecting the innocent. They were also bankers and financiers essential in developing early banking systems.

In addition to their military and financial activities, the Knights Templar were into Christian mysticism and esoteric practices. The Pope accused them of practicing heretical beliefs, and the Catholic Church eventually persecuted them. In 1312, Pope Clement V disbanded the order, and many members were arrested, tortured, and executed.

Despite their controversial history, the Knights Templar are a popular cultural subject. As a result, they have been romanticized in books, movies, and television shows. The order’s grand masters have also inspired many secret societies and conspiracy theories, contributing to their enduring legacy in popular culture.

The Knights Templar Castle is where they resided and is where you can find the Convento de Cristo.

Convento de Cristo

There are plenty of things to see and do at Convento de Cristo in Tomar, Portugal. Here are some of the highlights:

1. Explore the Convento de Cristo – Visitors can explore the various parts of the Convento de Cristo, including the main cloisters, the dormitory, the chapter house, the sacristy, and the church. Each area has its unique architecture and history.
2. Visit the Charola – The Charola is the iconic round church at the center of the Convento de Cristo. It was built in the 12th century and is an excellent example of Romanesque architecture. Visitors can admire the intricate carvings, sculptures, and frescoes inside.
3. Admire the Manueline Window – The Manueline Window is a stunning example of the Manueline style of architecture, which was popular in Portugal in the 16th century. The window features intricate carvings of ropes, knots, and sea monsters.
4. See the Cloister of John III – This abbey was built in the 16th century and featured beautiful Renaissance architecture. Visitors can admire the intricate carvings, columns, and arches.
5. Visit the Gothic Cloister – The Gothic Cloister was built in the 14th century and features Gothic architecture with intricate arches and columns. Visitors can see the remains of the original frescoes on the walls.

The Convento de Cristo is a must-see attraction in Tomar, Portugal. It offers a unique glimpse into Portugal’s history and architecture and plenty of things to see and do to keep visitors entertained.

Castelo de Tomar

A nearby castle protects the Convent in this compound. The surrounding towering walls contain the crosses of Malta and some more arcane symbols. During the 12th-century Reconquistancy, the Château was on the Linha do Tejo, a diagonal line with castles at the front between future Portuguese and Moors to the north. The scale and preservation of the building are impressive despite the destruction suffered during the Napoleonic war against Germany. The city has Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance remains.

Walk Tomar Castle’s Walls

Walking around the castle walls is the easiest thing in Tomar! While Castelo de Tomar is on the same site as the Convent, you can visit each separately. It is a fantastic castle! Moreover, this section of Portugal is part of its defense line called Linha do Tejo — a line that protects other courts strategically positioned to prevent these snarling Moors from advancing. The view from the walls and towers is quite incredible from Tomar and the adjoining countryside, and it gives you a chance to put yourself in a similar position to the Templars who roamed these walls.

Walk along Aqueduto Dos Pegões (Pegões Aqueduct)

The renowned 6 km waterway was built by the congregation in 1614 to provide water in the building. There’s an option to walk to the top, offering fantastic views over the surrounding countryside. You can follow this structure along the base to see its 30-meter curved arches. Practicalities: Traveling from the Convent to the aqueduct takes five minutes. Immediately following a blue sign to Aqueduto Dos Pegões. A small parking lot is behind the entrance tower for walking up the stairs.

Explore Tomar’s Attractive Old Town

The heart of the historical center lies Rua Serpa Pinto, which links the Nabo River to the city’s center. Therefore, this is a beautiful avenue, particularly when you leave from the river, and the church is on the hill below. At the appropriate time of the year, the claim flowers make this place even more spectacular. Watch for tiles and azulejos in the building. It has many quirky shops, cafes, and bakery shops on the street and nearby. Take a walk and find the place you want to be. Tomar is surprisingly small, so you keep sight of it.

Synagogue-Museu Luso-Hebraico de Abraham Zacuto

One of the unusual things to do in Tomar is visit the city’s cobblestone streets and visit the Jewish museum. Its home is in a historic Portuguese synagogue. Originally constructed from 1430 – 60, it was only used for tens of thousands of years before King Manuel I exterminated Jewish converts to Christianity. The drab, unprepossessing facade ruins the quiet interior, featuring vaults, four linear and smooth columns, and 12 pointed arches.

Take a Stroll down Rua Serpa Pinto

Rua Serpa Pinto is the main pedestrianized route of Praça da Repinada towards the river and is a spectacle in the eyes of Azulejo tile and attractive stores. The streets of Cobbled Street are lined with small community businesses that can be seen on Ponta Velha over Nabó. Explore the paved roads of The Tomar Old Town by an excursion into this lovely hamlet’s charming shops. They are so friendly, even though none speaks your language.

Take a stroll around Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes.

Next to the Convent lies the city’s best green space, the Seven Hills National Forest. This pine forest is an understandably popular spot for walking, jogging, picnics, or a stroll.

The ornamental gardens near the park’s entrance are flanked by trees and footpaths, and the castle walls are on the hill above.

You can follow a couple of marked walking and fitness trails through the small forest to the Charolina fountain, a small circular fountain built for retreat and meditation by the Convent. 

Carolina fountain, Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes, Tomar, Portugal

Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm October to May and 8:30 am to 7:30 pm June to September.

Explore Tomar’s Attractive Old Town.

The heart of the historical center is Rua Serpa Pinto, which connects the Nabão River with the city hall. It’s a beautiful street, especially as you head away from the river, with the Convent on the hill above. At the right time of year, the pink blossom of the Olaia trees makes it even more picturesque. 

Pay attention to the tile work on the buildings and the azulejo panels on this street.

You’ll find many quirky shops and plenty of cafés and bakeries on this and the neighboring streets. Go for a wander and see what you find. Tomar’s old town is small enough that you won’t get lost.

Hang out in Praça da República

The patterned paving stones around this main square are tributes to the Knights Templar, which is only fitting since it’s home to the statue of Guladim Pais, Grand Master of the Knights Templar and the city’s founder.

Here, you will find the Statue of Gualdim Pais, founder of Tomar

The imposing city hall building dominates Tomar’s main square. Still, the most attractive feature is the intricately sculpted stone Manueline doorway to the church of St. John the Baptist, on the opposite side.

Walk around Parque do Mochão

Tomar’s pretty riverside park is draped with weeping willows, some of which overhang the Mouchão water wheel, an example of the wheels essential for irrigating the fields in times gone by. There’s an attractive bandstand and plenty of benches should you need a rest.

Take a quick peek at the Chapel of Saint Gregório.

Near the entrance to the Hotel dos Templários, the tiny but unusually-shaped 16th-century Chapel of São Gregório lies at the far end of the park. It wasn’t open when I visited last, but its octagonal floorplan is evident even from the outside.

Pick your favorite matchbox at the Museu dos Fósforos.

This quirky little museum is one of my favorite Tomar attractions. Housed in a series of rooms within the former Convent of São Francisco, it houses a colorful collection of 43,000 matchboxes worldwide.  

The collector, a Tomar local named Aquiles de Mota Lima, was inspired to build his collection after visiting London for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation, where he met an American matchbox collector. Unique books marking Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation or the USSR sending Yuri Gagarin into space are also here. What’s impressive is that all these pieces were collected by just one man, Aquiles da Mota Lima, who donated them to the town in 1980.

Images range from severe political leaders and historical figures to cartoons. 

Some reasonably risqué matchboxes exist, so I imagine school trips are fun!

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10-1 and 3-6. Closed Mondays.

Go to Oficina de Olaria e Azulejaria and Watch the Creation of Tiles

Ceramicist at work, Oficina de Olaria e Azulejaria, Tomarde Olaria e Azulejaria, Tomar

In the opposite corner of the convent courtyard is a beautiful ceramics workshop where you can watch the two female ceramicists painting, glazing, and shaping their pieces.

Hundreds of finished products are on display and available for purchase. I expect they will also take custom orders. 

Open Monday to Friday from 2-6 pm.

Marvel at the Presses, Mills, and Power Station in Levada D’el Rei

This cultural complex is a relatively recent addition to Tomar’s sights and a worthy one. The former millhouses that lined the water channels have been converted into a mix of museum and exhibition space.

The river’s water powered the mills and olive presses, some of which have been painstakingly restored. There’s also an exciting exhibition about how Tomar got electricity and some of the machinery involved.

When I visited the Levada de Tomar, there were a couple of exhibitions in one of the old factory buildings. We roamed floor after floor, filled with original old machinery, chutes, and mysterious contraptions.

Visit the Synagogue-Museum of Tomar

This 15th-century synagogue is the only remaining one of its kind in Portugal. It’s had a busy and varied existence.

Built as a predominantly religious space, it also served the local Jewish community as a school, meeting hall, and court. When King Manuel I decided to expel Jews from Portugal in 1496, it was used as a prison. In the 19th century, the former synagogue was a storage space for hay, wine, grain, and other goods. 

Bought in 1923 by a Polish mining engineer, the building was carefully restored and now acts as a museum of Jewish artifacts.

Open 10–12 and 2-5 pm in winter, 10 am to 1 pm, and 2-6 pm in summer months. It is closed on Mondays.

Admire Igreja de Santa Maria (Church of Santa Maria)

This beautiful old church was initially built in the late 12th century by Gualdim Pais to serve as a final resting place for the Knights Templar and, subsequently, the Order of the Temple. The great man himself is interred here. The Gothic rose window and façade are part of a 13th-century reconstruction; additional chapels were created in the 16th century.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10-1 and 2-6. Closed Mondays.

Bonus thing to do in Tomar: Witness the Festa dos Tabuleiros

Men help steady the heavy trays at the Festa dos Tabuleiros in Tomar, Portugal.

Tomar’s most spectacular festival occurs every four years. The next Tray Festival is due this year in 2023. Consider visiting Tomar this year to see this unique festival.

The infrequent nature of this Portuguese festival means that the chances of you seeing it on your next trip back to Portugal are slim. Still, it’s a big part of the local culture, so you will undoubtedly see references to the Festa dos Tabuleiros even when it’s not a festival year. The sculpture on the roundabout near the river is a case in point.

Waiting by the sculptures for the real-life tabuleiros to parade the streets of Tomar

During this event, local women carry a tray on their heads laden with bread and flowers as tall as she is. In the July heat!

They have to pose for photographs before the parade begins and go through the city streets accompanied by marching bands and a male escort in case they topple.

Tomar’s historical center is beautifully decorated with flowers, and there is lots of festive fun in the days before the main parade. 

What to Do Nearby Tomar?

Castelo de Almourol or Almourol Castle

Castelo de Almourol is a medieval castle in central Portugal in the middle of the Tagus River. The castle is situated on a small island near the town of Vila Nova da Barquinha, and it is one of the most impressive and well-preserved medieval fortresses in Portugal.

Castelo de Almourol is a popular tourist attraction and one of Portugal’s most important historical and cultural landmarks.

Visitors to Castelo de Almourol can take a boat to the island and explore the castle and its surrounding areas. The castle offers stunning views of the Tagus River and the surrounding landscape, and it is a popular spot for photographers and history enthusiasts. Castelo de Almourol is also a designated national monument, which means that it is protected by law and cannot be altered or demolished without permission from the government.

Barragem do Castelo de Bode

Barragem do Castelo de Bode is a large reservoir in central Portugal on the Zêzere River, a tributary of the Tagus River. Therefore, the reservoir’s name came from the nearby Castelo de Bode castle.

The dam was built between 1945 and 1951. It provides hydroelectric power and irrigation for agriculture. The reservoir has a capacity of around 1,150 million cubic meters of water and covers an area of approximately 60 square kilometers.

Barragem do Castelo de Bode is a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts, as it offers excellent conditions for swimming, boating, water skiing, and fishing. However, the reservoir is near beautiful landscapes and natural scenery. You can easily get lost in the hills and forests, which provide a backdrop to the blue waters.

Visitors can explore the medieval castle of Castelo de Bode, which dates back to the 13th century and overlooks the reservoir. They can also visit the historic town of Tomar, home to several important landmarks, including the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Overall, Barragem do Castelo de Bode is a popular destination for locals and tourists, offering a range of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages and interests. Whether relaxing by the water, exploring the surrounding landscapes, or delving into the region’s history and culture, the reservoir and its surroundings have plenty to offer.

Atypical Last Thoughts – Central Portugal

When you visit Portugal, you should certainly stop in Central Portugal. You might wonder if Tomar is worth visiting. It is a quaint little town with delicious Portuguese food. Therefore, the charming town has a main shopping street near the Praça da Republica. You can stroll through the city and visit the Renaissance remnants of the Templar masters.

Tomar is a charming city in central Portugal. The town has a rich history, beautiful architecture, and breathtaking natural scenery. Tourists visit Tomar because it is a popular destination for travelers exploring the country’s culture and history.

The crystalline river Nabão runs through the UNESCO site surrounding the Tomar. Nearby is the town hall.

Tomar is in the Santarem district of Portugal, approximately 135 kilometers north of Lisbon. It is situated on the banks of the Nabão River and surrounded by lush forests and hills. The city’s history dates back to the 12th century. Therefore, the Knights Templar was an essential military order in the Christian Crusades.

One of the most iconic landmarks of Tomar is the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the headquarters of the Knights Templar. The Convent is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture and features a stunning cloister, a fortified wall, and an impressive church. Visitors can explore the Convent’s many rooms and learn about its fascinating history.