Tomar: The Templar Town and the Convent of Christ

Tomar is one of Portugal’s most fascinating towns: the headquarters of the Knights Templar, with a castle-convent that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a peaceful riverside old town and one of the country’s most spectacular festivals. It’s easy to visit from Lisbon by train, and pairs well with Fátima.

Quick answer: take the train from Lisbon (about 1h55). Spend the morning at the Convent of Christ (€15), with its round Templar church and the famous Manueline window, then wander the old town, the 15th-century synagogue and the riverside. Nearby: the Almourol castle on its river island. The Festa dos Tabuleiros returns in July 2027.

Getting there

• Train: direct regional trains from Lisbon Santa Apolónia or Oriente take about 1h55, from about €10–20 depending on the train.
• Car: about 1h30 on the A1 and A23 (tolled).
• Tour: often combined with Fátima. See our Fátima day trip or see Tomar tours.

The Convent of Christ

Founded by the Knights Templar in 1160, this huge castle-convent is the reason most people come to Tomar, and it’s spectacular. Entry is €15 (free for under-13s). Some areas may be closed during restoration works, so check before you go.

• The Charola: the round church of the Templars, modelled on the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, painted and gilded inside. Knights are said to have attended Mass on horseback.
• The Manueline window: an astonishing carved window covered in ropes, coral, seaweed and nautical symbols, a masterpiece of the Age of Discoveries.
• The cloisters: eight of them, from Gothic to Renaissance.
• The castle walls and views over the town.

A combined “Heritage Route” ticket also covers Batalha and Alcobaça monasteries.

The old town

• Praça da República: the main square, with the Gothic church of São João Baptista and the town hall.
• The synagogue: built in the 15th century and the oldest well-preserved medieval synagogue in Portugal, now a small museum.
• The Nabão river: a riverside park, an old waterwheel and the island park of Mouchão.
• Mata dos Sete Montes: the green park below the convent.

Festa dos Tabuleiros

Every four years, Tomar holds one of Portugal’s most extraordinary festivals: hundreds of young women parade through the streets balancing towering trays of bread and flowers on their heads, some as tall as they are. The next edition is in July 2027, with the main procession expected around 11 July. Dates are being confirmed, so book accommodation early.

Nearby

• Pegões Aqueduct: a 6km aqueduct built to bring water to the convent, with a dramatic double-arched section just outside town.
• Almourol Castle: a fairy-tale Templar castle on a tiny island in the Tagus, about 30 minutes away, reached only by a short boat ride. Buy your ticket on board.
• Fátima (35 minutes) and the monasteries of Batalha and Alcobaça.

Food

Try the local convent sweets like fatias de Tomar (egg-yolk slices in syrup), and hearty dishes like roast kid and lamprey in season.

Staying overnight

Tomar is a quiet, good-value base for central Portugal. See places to stay in Tomar, or continue on a Portugal road trip to Coimbra.

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