Some towns have history. Tomar has the kind of history that changed the world, yet somehow it remains one of those day trips you come back from wondering why nobody told you sooner.

This is where the Knights Templar built their Portuguese headquarters, where the red cross that would sail on Portugal's ships of discovery was born, and where the monastery on the hill still feels more fortress than place of worship.

Within the town you will find a UNESCO World Heritage monastery-fortress, a medieval castle, and cobbled streets that have changed little in centuries. Yet Tomar is also a living, working Portuguese town with riverside cafes, a busy main square, and a pace of life that feels entirely its own.

I regard Tomar as one of the best day trips from Lisbon, even given the distance, 90 minutes by train. It is worlds away from the over-tourism of Sintra, the coach tours of Óbidos, and the bustle of Lisbon. This is a town where you can take in the sights and still slow down to the pace of small-town Portugal.

Tomar is a town my Portuguese wife and I keep returning to, and after more than twenty years of exploring Portugal together it remains one of our favourites. We have friends who live in the town, and we love coming back for the calm, unhurried atmosphere it offers. This guide provides everything you need for the perfect day trip to Tomar, drawn from our personal experience and two decades of visits.

Convento de Cristo

The reason most people come to Tomar, and it does not disappoint. This vast monastery-fortress took eight centuries to build, and every era left its mark, from the austere Templar fortress to the extraordinary Manueline cloisters. At its heart is the Charola, a 16-sided round chapel where knights once attended mass on horseback. The lavish 16th-century paintings and gilded woodwork feel entirely unexpected against the sombre tone of the rest of the monastery - Guide to the Convento de Cristo

Castelo de Tomar

The 12th-century castle that wraps around the Convento de Cristo is the earliest example of Portuguese fortification to use circular towers. While walking the restored battlements you quickly understand why the Templars chose this defensive hill. The scale of the fortifications gives a real sense of the military power the order once held.

Historic centre

Tomar's old town is compact, walkable and quietly ignored by the tourist crowds. The cobbled streets lead naturally to the Praça da República, watched over by a statue of Gualdim Pais, the Templar Grand Master who founded the town in 1160. The Nabão River runs along the edge of the historic centre, and the riverside Parque do Mouchão is my favourite place to sit on a hot summer's day with an ice cream and let Tomar slow you down.

Pegões Aqueduct

One of Tomar's most underrated sights. This 16th-century aqueduct stretches six kilometres across the valley to supply the convent, with its mighty arches rising 30 metres above the valley floor. For me though, the real draw is the walk along the top of the arches outside the town, with open views across the valley on both sides.

In my opinion Tomar is a fantastic destination for a day trip from Lisbon. The Convento de Cristo is often regarded as one of Portugal’s finest historic buildings and tourist sights, both due to its history and size. To give a sense of its scale, the Convento alone takes around 90 minutes to visit, roughly the same time most people spend in Óbidos entirely. Beyond the convent the town is pretty and peaceful to wander but Tomar does not have the breadth of sights as with Evora or Sintra.

A day is enough for a relaxed visit, but with a car Tomar makes a natural base for the surrounding area. There are the extensive caves of Mira de Aire, the pilgrimage town of Fátima,, or the Templar castle of Almourol. Travelling a little further afield, you have Nazaré, Óbidos, Batalha and Alcobaça.

My main concern with a day trip is the distance. It’s a long drive from Lisbon or a long time spent on the train, which is inexpensive but slow. In summer the heat is worth factoring in, as Tomar runs noticeably hotter than Lisbon. I have been caught out by this, walking from the town up to the convent in the heat of midday and having to stop at the Cafetaria do Convento for a cold drink and a rest.

If you are still at the planning stage of your Lisbon holiday, I would place Tomar as the fourth or fifth day trip. Sintra first, Cascais second, Évora or Setúbal third, and then Tomar alongside Óbidos. Tomar is a great place when you start to tire of tourist queues, wannabe influencers and the sense of being exploited as a tourist. In my opinion this is small-town Portugal at its finest.

How about a small group tour?
If you would rather leave the planning to someone else, a small group tour can be the better option. A good guide changes the experience at a place like Tomar, where so much of what you are looking at only makes sense with context.
I have used and recommended GetYourGuide tours for seven years. The options below are among their highest rated for this region, and ones I am happy to recommend.

The map below is a suggested walking tour of Tomar and is the exact route I took when my brother visited. It gives you enough time to take in the main sights without feeling rushed, and time for lunch along the way. The route covers 7km but at a gentle pace allows around 4 to 5 hours of sightseeing.

The tour starts from the train station, which is also next to the main car park (Várzea Grande) where I would suggest for you to park if you are driving. Full descriptions of each sight follow later in the guide. (Note: zoom out to see all of the points.)

Sights of the walking tour: 1) Train Station 2) Parque do Mouchão 3) Ponte Velha 4) Rua Serpa Pinto 5) Sinagoga de Tomar 6) Praça da República 7) Igreja de São João Baptista 8) Câmara Municipal de Tomar 9) Castelo de Tomar 10) Convento de Cristo (entrance) 11) Charola 12) Nossa Senhora da Conceição 13) Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes 14) Igreja de Santa Maria dos Olivais 15) Museu dos Fósforos 16) Igreja de São Francisco 17) Pegões Aqueduct 18) Castelo de Almourol
Note: Castelo de Almourol is a separate excursion approximately 20km south from Tomar.

Tomar's restaurants offer authentic Portuguese cuisine at prices well below the coastal tourist areas. The town excels at traditional Ribatejo dishes, with generous portions of meat and river fish. Here are five excellent, real options for your midday meal.

1. O Tabuleiro - Price: €€ (Mains approx. €12-€18)
A local institution just off the main square, Praça da República. This is the place for hearty, no-nonsense traditional food served in a bustling, friendly atmosphere. Their half portions (meia dose) are famously generous and often enough for one person. It's a true taste of the region.

2. A Brasinha - Price: € (Full meal often under €15)
For a quick, delicious lunch at unbeatable value, try a classic Portuguese churrasqueira. A Brasinha is a popular local choice for perfectly grilled chicken (frango assado) and fish, served with chips, rice, and salad. It's simple, fast, and always satisfying.

3. Restaurante Bela Vista - Price: €€€ (Mains approx. €18-€25)
If you want your lunch to come with a view, this is the spot. As the name suggests ("Beautiful View"), its terrace offers a wonderful panorama of the Nabão River with the castle perched above. The food is traditional Portuguese, well-prepared and presented. It's ideal for a more leisurely and scenic lunch.

4. Cervejaria do Fernando - Price: €€ (Mains approx. €15-€25)
If you're a fan of fresh seafood, head to this lively cervejaria (beer hall/seafood restaurant). It's a casual spot popular with locals for its excellent shellfish (marisco), fresh fish, and classic dishes such as pica-pau (marinated meat bites). The atmosphere is loud, fun, and quintessentially Portuguese.

5. Taverna Antiqua - Price: €€€ (Mains approx. €25-€35)
While often seen as a dinner destination, this medieval-themed tavern can be an unforgettable lunch experience if you have the time. You'll dine by candlelight on historical recipes served by staff in period costume. It's theatrical and unlike anywhere else in Tomar. Booking is highly recommended, even for lunch.

Getting to Tomar from Lisbon is relatively straightforward, though the town's limited public transport connections mean some planning is required.

By Train
The train is the most convenient option for a day trip from Lisbon. Direct regional trains depart regularly from Santa Apolónia and Oriente stations in Lisbon, with the journey taking around two hours. A single ticket costs around €11.30, and a return is €22.60.

Tomar is the final stop on the line, and its station is located about 800m south of the historic centre. It is an easy eight-minute walk from the station to the Praça da República. For the latest timetables and to purchase tickets, visit the official Comboios de Portugal website at www.cp.pt.

Insight: When searching for tickets, you may also see more expensive express train services. Be aware that these require a change at Entroncamento, and once that is factored in they are often no faster than the direct regional train but considerably more expensive (€15.70 or €21.30 for a single). For these reasons I always take the regional train, and it is what I choose when travelling with my brother and his young family.

By Car
Driving offers more flexibility for exploring the surrounding region. The 135km journey from Lisbon takes about 90 minutes via the A1 motorway. To reach the town, take the A1 north from Lisbon, exit at junction 6, and then follow the N110 directly to Tomar. Free parking is usually available at the large Várzea Grande square (GPS 39.599, -8.413) near the train station, though there is paid parking closer to the Convento de Cristo entrance (GPS: 39.604, -8.417).

By Bus
While possible, bus connections are less convenient than the train. Rede Expressos operates services from Lisbon's Sete Rios terminal, but journey times can exceed 2.5 hours and connections are often required, making it a slower option for a day trip.

When planning day trips in central Portugal, each town offers something different. Here are my honest comparisons:

Tomar vs Óbidos: Óbidos is one of Portugal's prettiest towns, but it is relatively small and sadly always crowded with tours and day trippers. Tomar is almost as pretty and offers a much more authentic Portuguese experience.

Tomar vs Batalha: The Mosteiro da Batalha is architecturally stunning, but beyond the monastery there is not much else to see, which is why it is often combined with Alcobaça and Nazaré.

Tomar vs Coimbra: Coimbra is a large, bustling city with many sights associated with the university. Tomar is much smaller, calmer and has fewer attractions. However, if you are taking a day trip from Lisbon, do you really want to visit another large city?

Tomar vs Sintra: Sintra, with its palaces and castles, is world renowned. There is much more to see in Sintra, but the town struggles with its popularity. If you are new to Portugal, visit Sintra before Tomar, and come to Tomar when you are tired of tourism.

Tomar vs Fátima: Fátima is fantastic for the deeply religious, but for casual visitors it can seem rather bland, with huge modern complexes built for the important feast days when tens of thousands of visitors flock here. For most visitors, Tomar is much more charming and interesting.

The Hotel dos Templários

Tomar was established in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Knights Templar in Portugal, as their religious headquarters in the country.

When the Templars were dissolved in 1312, Portuguese King Dinis cleverly rebranded them as the Order of Christ, allowing Portugal to retain their wealth and knowledge. This order, under Prince Henry the Navigator, later financed the Portuguese Age of Discovery, meaning the caravels that discovered new worlds were funded from Tomar.

That history is still visible everywhere you look, from the Templar castle on the hill to the Manueline stonework celebrating the sea. For anyone trying to understand how a small nation came to build a global empire, Tomar is where that story begins.

The Charola inside the Convento de Cristo

This walking tour covers all the major attractions of Tomar in a logical route that allows you to experience the town's rich heritage. The entire walk takes about 4-5 hours at a relaxed pace and the green line cover 7km. The tour begins from the train station, which is where most visitors arrive.

Begin your exploration at Tomar's train station (1), a charming building adorned with traditional blue and white azulejo tiles depicting local scenes.

From the station, walk straight ahead down Avenida Dr. Cândido Madureira for approximately 600 metres. The tree-lined avenue leads you gently towards the historic centre, with the castle on the hill ahead offering fair warning of the climb to come.

Your first proper stop is the delightful Parque do Mouchão (2), an island park in the middle of the Nabão River. With shaded paths, it is an ideal spot for an ice cream when the heat of the day builds. The park's centrepiece is an enormous wooden waterwheel, a reminder of how the river once powered the town's mills and industries.

Cross the Ponte Velha (Old Bridge) (3) to enter the historic centre. Despite its name suggesting Roman origins, this stone bridge dates from the medieval period.

Follow Rua Serpa Pinto (4), Tomar's main pedestrian shopping street. Known locally as the "Corredoura", this bustling thoroughfare is lined with traditional shops, cafés and bakeries. It is worth stopping at one of the pastelarias for Tomar's famous conventual sweets, the Fatias de Tomar (egg yolk pudding) or the wonderfully named Beija-me Depressa, which translates as "Kiss me Quick”.

Turn into the narrow Rua Dr. Joaquim Jacinto to discover the Sinagoga de Tomar (5). This unassuming building houses one of only two pre-expulsion synagogues still preserved in Portugal. Built between 1430 and 1460, its interior features four columns representing the matriarchs of Israel, and remarkable acoustics created by clay jars embedded in the ceiling.

Continue to the Praça da República (6), Tomar's magnificent main square. The distinctive black and white calçada Portuguesa pavement radiates from the central statue of Gualdim Pais, the Templar Grand Master who founded Tomar in 1160. Take time to admire the square's harmonious architecture, including the 17th-century Câmara Municipal (Town Hall) (8) with its elegant arcade.

On the western side of the square stands the Igreja de São João Baptista (7). This 15th-century church showcases a flamboyant Gothic portal and an octagonal bell tower with a 16th-century clock that still keeps time for the town. Inside, look for the six remarkable panels by Renaissance artist Gregório Lopes and the intricately carved stone pulpit.

From the Praça da República, the impressive castle is clearly visible above you. The most direct route is the Calçada de São Tiago, a steep but rewarding cobbled path that begins near the town hall. The 10-minute climb takes you directly up the hill to the castle or the main entrance (which is on the eastern side of the complex).

The Castelo de Tomar (9) has massive 12th-century walls and crenellated battlements that demonstrate the Templars' military might. These fortifications successfully withstood a Moorish siege in 1190, cementing the castle's reputation as an impregnable stronghold. If you have time and it's not too hot, I always walk the ramparts for the views over the region.

After the castle it is the main sight of Tomar, the Convento de Cristo (10). Allow at least an hour and a half exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it is simply vast. Every cloister leads onto another of a completely different style, and there are eight in total, with hallways, chambers and dormitories spread between them.

Beyond the walking itself, the convent tells the story of eight centuries through its architecture, from the austere Templar fortress to the ornate Manueline monastery. A full guide to the Convento de Cristo can be read here.

The highlight for me is the Charola (11), the enigmatic round church at the heart of the complex. Built in 1162, this 16-sided rotunda was modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Its unique design allowed mounted knights to attend services without dismounting. The interior dazzles with 16th-century paintings, gilt woodwork and vibrant frescoes added during the reign of Manuel I.

Another highlight on the western side of the church is the Chapter House Window. This Manueline masterpiece incorporates intricate maritime motifs, including ropes, coral, seaweed and armillary spheres, all celebrating Portugal's Age of Discovery.

Explore the eight cloisters, each reflecting different architectural periods. The Gothic Cemetery Cloister offers peaceful contemplation, while the Renaissance Main Cloister impresses with mathematical precision and elegant spiral staircases at each corner.

After finishing in convent complex, a worthy detour before heading back into the centre of Tomar is the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição (12). This small chapel is a gem of pure Renaissance architecture from the 1530s. The real reason I come here is the view over Tomar from the terrace.

This is an ideal point in the day for a coffee, a light lunch or a longer meal. Tomar has many excellent restaurants, which I find are much cheaper than Lisbon, and invariably with much better service.

Depending on time you may wish to take a relaxing stroll through the Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes (13). This 39-hectare forest park, was once the convent's private garden. Its shaded paths are perfect for a peaceful walk, allowing you to appreciate the scale of the convent's former estate. Along the way, you might spot the "Charolinha", a small romantic-era temple hidden among the trees.

Crossing the town leads to the Igreja de Santa Maria dos Olivais (14). This 13th-century Gothic church served as the Templars' pantheon, housing the tombs of several Grand Masters, including Gualdim Pais himself. Its unusual free-standing bell tower was known as the "Templars' Lighthouse", guiding travellers to the city.

The day ends at the Museu dos Fósforos (15), a museum that charms through its wonderfully quirky focus and the pure passion of its original collector. Housed in the former Convent of São Francisco, this unique museum displays over 43,000 matchboxes from 127 countries - a colourful journey through 20th-century graphic design and social history.

The Igreja de São Francisco (16) is a 17th-century church whose simple façade conceals a surprising interior of carved and gilded woodwork.

If you have a car, the area surrounding Tomar offers two great additions to the day trip:
Pegões Aqueduct (17): The aqueduct stretches six kilometres across the valley, with its arches rising 30 metres above the valley floor. Follow it outside the town and you can walk along the top of the arches themselves, with open views across the valley on both sides.

Castelo de Almourol (18): For a dramatic conclusion to your Templar focused day, consider the nearby Castelo de Almourol. Positioned scenically on a small, rocky island in the middle of the Tagus River, this is one of Portugal’s most iconic castles.

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