Tomar is one of Portugal's most fascinating historic towns, with its history deeply entwined with the Knights Templar.

This influential religious order not only founded the town but left a lasting mark that still echoes through its narrow cobbled streets, traditional painted houses, and magnificent monuments. The town's history comes alive through its remarkable collection of landmarks, from the world-famous Convento de Cristo to medieval synagogues and historic churches.

This guide will help you discover the best of Tomar. We start with a map and overview of the main sights, followed by detailed descriptions of each location. The final section explores the wider Tomar region and its attractions, which make this area one of central Portugal's most rewarding destinations to explore.

The Nabão River flows through the centre of Tomar

Tomar is a small and compact town that can be easily explored on foot. The town offers sufficient attractions to fill a day of sightseeing.

Tomar can be visited as a day trip from Lisbon, Fatima, or Coimbra, but due to limited public transport, it is recommend spending one night in the town. The main sights to be visited during a day trip include:

Convento de Cristo
A UNESCO World Heritage masterpiece that served as the headquarters of the Knights Templar and later the Order of Christ. This vast complex showcases eight centuries of Portuguese architecture, from Romanesque to Manueline and Renaissance styles. Its most striking feature is the elaborately carved Manueline window in the Chapter House, an iconic symbol of Portugal's Age of Discovery.

Castelo de Tomar
Originally built in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, the castle formed part of the Templars' defensive line protecting access to central Portugal. The castle's robust walls and towers integrate seamlessly with the Convento de Cristo, creating an imposing fortress that dominates Tomar's skyline.

Charola (Round Church)
The extraordinary 12th-century Templar rotunda is the spiritual heart of the complex. Modeled after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, its sixteen-sided structure features vibrant medieval frescoes and elaborate Renaissance paintings. The unique circular design allowed knights to attend mass while mounted on horseback.

The beautiful interior of the Charola

Sinagoga de Tomar
Dating from 1438, this rare surviving example of a medieval synagogue reflects the once-thriving Jewish community in Tomar. Its simple exterior conceals an atmospheric interior with four pillars representing the matriarchs of Israel, Gothic vaulting, and excellent acoustics.

Igreja de São João Baptista
This 15th-century church dominates Tomar's main square, Republic Square. Its Manueline doorway, Gothic tower, and beautiful rose window make it an architectural highlight. Inside, you'll find impressive painted panels and azulejo tiles. The church bells still mark time for the city as they have for centuries.

Igreja de Santa Maria dos Olivais
Built in the 12th century, this church served as the pantheon for the Knights Templar and was a model for churches built in Portugal's early colonies. Its Gothic architecture and peaceful cemetery, where several Templar Masters are buried, create an atmosphere of serene dignity.

Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes
This 39-hectare urban forest park, once the Convento's olive grove, provides a peaceful retreat with walking trails, picnic areas, and magnificent views of the castle. Known as the "Convent's Garden," it features formal cypress alleys, ancient trees, and a charming 17th-century chapel.

Below is an interactive map highlighting the major tourist attractions of Tomar (Note: Zoom in or out to see all markers.)

Legend 1) Convento de Cristo 2) Castelo de Tomar 3) Claustro dos Corvos 4) Charola (Round Church) 5) Igreja de São João Baptista 6) Sinagoga de Tomar 7) Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes 8) Câmara Municipal 9) Igreja de Santa Maria dos Olivais 10) Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição 11) Museu dos Fósforos 12) Mouchão Parque 13) Igreja do Convento de São Francisco 14) Capela de Santa Iria 15) Ponte Velha (Old Bridge) 16) Núcleo de Arte Contemporânea

The majestic Convento de Cristo stands high above Tomar and is one of Portugal's finest historical monuments. This architectural masterpiece spans eight centuries of Portuguese history, seamlessly blending military, religious, and artistic elements.

Founded in 1160 as a Templar stronghold, the complex initially served as a crucial defensive structure along the Christian-Muslim frontier. Its imposing medieval walls, crenellated battlements, and robust towers proved their worth during the successful defence against Moorish forces in 1190. The complex's most striking feature is the unique 16-sided Charola, a circular church that serves as its spiritual heart. This extraordinary rotunda, inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, reflects the Templars' connection to the Holy Land.

The castle walls that surround the Convento de Cristo

When the Templars were dissolved in 1312, the complex found new life as the headquarters of the Order of Christ under Prince Henry the Navigator's patronage. This period marked the beginning of significant architectural expansions, including the magnificent Manueline window – a masterpiece of Portuguese Late Gothic architecture that incorporates maritime motifs celebrating the Age of Discoveries.

The interior of the Charola showcases stunning 16th-century religious paintings and gilt decorations, while the complex's eight cloisters demonstrate various architectural styles from Gothic to Renaissance. The Chapter House's ornate Manueline portal serves as a testament to Portugal's golden age of exploration.

Visitors typically spend 1.5-2 hours exploring this architectural marvel, with an entrance fee of €10.

The inner courtyard of the Convento de Cristo

This unique museum houses the world’s largest collection of matchboxes and matchbook covers, with over 43,000 pieces gathered from over 120 countries. What started as Aquiles da Mota Lima's personal collection in 1953 has grown into a fascinating showcase of commercial art and social history.

These tiny artworks reflect changing artistic styles, advertising trends and social history through their elaborate designs, making this quirky museum an unexpected cultural treasure in Tomar.

The huge collection of match boxes in the Museu dos Fósforos

The picturesque Parque do Mouchão lies on the banks of the Nabão River, offering beautiful views across the weir and town. This tree-lined park is an ideal spot to rest during a day of sightseeing and is particularly popular with Portuguese families.

The park's centrepiece is an impressive wooden waterwheel, which has become its defining symbol. Though decorative today, it commemorates Tomar's historical reliance on water power for milling and other industries.

The Parque do Mouchão follows the banks of the Nabão river

The Igreja de Santa Maria do Olival is one of Portugal's most significant Gothic churches and served as the main church of the Knights Templar. It was the burial site for Templar knights, including their grand masters, making it a significant religious site for their order. The church is the final resting place of Gualdim Pais, the Templar Knight who founded Tomar.

The Santa Maria do Olival's western façade features a large rose window that influenced many others throughout Portugal, including the one at Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon.

The church earned the nickname "Mother of All Templar Churches" as it functioned as the spiritual headquarters for Portugal's Templar activities. Inside, the three-nave interior leads to a main chapel containing medieval tombs of Templar masters, including Gualdim Pais, who founded Tomar in 1160.

The 14th-century bell tower, which locals still call the "Lighthouse of the Templars", stands apart from the main building and once guided travellers to the city.

The Praça da República is the main square of Tomar and is flanked some of the most important buildings of the town.

The impressive town hall stands at one end, while the Igreja de São João Baptista stands at the opposite end. At the center of the plaza stands a statue of Gualdim Pais, the Knights Templar master who founded Tomar in the 12th century.

The plaza is adorned with traditional Portuguese cobblestone pavement, featuring elegant black and white patterns in the calçada Portuguesa style, while a decorative 17th-century Renaissance fountain adds to its charm.

The pretty Praça da República is the heart of Tomar

The chapel is dedicated to Saint Iria (Saint Irene), a martyr from the 7th century. According to legend, she was a nun who met a tragic end due to her vow of chastity. The story goes that she was falsely accused and subsequently killed by being thrown into the Nabão River, which flows through Tomar. Her body is said to have been carried downstream until it was found near Santarém, where a shrine was later built in her honour.

The chapel stands on the bank of the Nabão River, near the Ponte Velha (Old Bridge), and is noted for its modest yet charming Gothic and Manueline architectural details.

The Sinagoga de Tomar, built in 1438, is one of the best-preserved medieval synagogues in Portugal. The plain limestone exterior gives way to a striking prayer hall supported by four elegant columns, which represent Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah - the matriarchs of Israel. Women would have worshipped from the upper gallery, while men gathered below beneath the impressive Gothic vaulting. The synagogue now houses a small Jewish museum that tells the story of Portugal's Jewish community, who flourished here until forced conversion in 1496.

The region surrounding Tomar boasts an array of fascinating historical sites and natural attractions, all within easy driving distance. Use this interactive map to discover the best day trip destinations from your Tomar base. (Note: Zoom out to see all of the markers)

Legend 1) Castelo de Almourol (Castle) 2) Basílica de Nossa Senhora de Fátima 3) Aqueduto dos Pegões (aquaduct) 4) Castelo de Ourém (Castle) 5) Grutas da Moeda (caves) 6) Albufeira do Castelo do Bode (Reservoir) 7) Pegadas de Dinossáurios de Ourém (Dinosaur trail) 8) Casa da Lúcia - Fatima 9) Museu de Cera - Fatima 10) Praia Fluvial do Agroal (river beach) 11) Bar das Caraíbas (swimming area) 12) Óbidos 13) Grutas de Mira de Aire (Caves) 14) Salinas de Rio Maior 15) Mosteiro de Alcobaça 16) Mosteiro da Batalha 17) Grutas de Santo António 18) São Martinho do Porto 19) Nazaré
Wineries: 20) Herdade dos Templários (Quinta do Cavalinho) 21) Quinta Vale do Armo 22) Quinta Casal das Freiras

Castelo de Almourol
A medieval fortress that rises dramatically from its own island in the Tagus River. This remarkably preserved Templar castle, which you can reach by a short boat ride, offers a glimpse into Portugal's 12th-century military architecture. The castle's isolated setting makes it especially atmospheric in the late afternoon light.

Fátima
One of Catholicism's most significant pilgrimage sites, where three young shepherds reported seeing the Virgin Mary in 1917. The vast sanctuary complex includes the original Chapel of Apparitions and the impressive Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Aqueduto dos Pegões
An engineering marvel near Tomar that stretches 6km across the landscape. Built in the 17th century, this double-tiered aqueduct reaches heights of 30 meters and once supplied water to the Convent of Christ. You can still walk along sections of its upper level.

Castelo de Ourém
A hilltop castle that stands guard over the medieval town of Ourém. Its unique design features two towers connected by a bridge, with the complex offering panoramic views across the region.

Grutas da Moeda
A network of limestone caves where you'll find extraordinary rock formations sculpted by water over millennia. Discovered by hunters in 1971, the caves maintain a constant 18°C temperature and are accessible through 45-minute guided tours that showcase their illuminated natural features.

Albufeira do Castelo do Bode
A vast reservoir where clear waters meet pine-forested shores. Popular with locals and visitors alike, the lake offers excellent conditions for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. You'll find several beaches and picnic spots along its shoreline.

Pegadas de Dinossáurios de Ourém
A remarkable window into the Jurassic period where you can see actual dinosaur footprints preserved in limestone. Information panels along the walking trail help bring the prehistoric landscape to life. Morning visits offer the best light for viewing the tracks.

Bar das Caraíbas
A natural swimming spot where limestone cliffs frame crystal-clear waters. This local favourite features small waterfalls and natural pools perfect for cooling off during summer months. While parking is limited, the peaceful setting makes it worth arriving early to secure a spot.

Places to visit while on holiday to Tomar

While staying longer in Tomar, consider exploring these worthwhile attractions in the wider region:
São Martinho do Porto
A seaside town wrapped around a perfectly curved, shell-shaped bay. The calm, protected waters make this beach ideal for families, while the long boardwalk lined with restaurants provides a pleasant setting for evening strolls.

Nazaré
A fishing town turned surf mecca where traditional Portuguese culture meets world-record waves. The lower town offers a broad beach and excellent seafood restaurants, while the clifftop district of Sitio, reached by funicular, provides spectacular coastal views. The famous giant waves arrive between October and March.

Óbidos
A wonderfully preserved medieval town circled by ancient walls. Its maze of cobbled streets, lined with whitewashed houses and bright flowers, seems frozen in time. While popular with day-trippers, it's most enchanting in the early morning or late afternoon when the crowds thin.

Grutas de Mira de Aire
Portugal's most extensive cave system, which descends 180 meters underground. The hour-long guided tours take you past underground lakes and dramatic rock formations illuminated to highlight their natural beauty. A constant 17°C temperature makes these caves a refreshing escape on hot summer days.

Salinas de Rio Maior
These fascinating inland salt pans have been in continuous use since medieval times. The site's distinctive wooden structures and white salt mounds create an unusual landscape, while the traditional harvesting methods remain unchanged through centuries.

Mosteiro de Alcobaça
A UNESCO-listed monastery that houses Portugal's largest church. The austere Gothic architecture contrasts with elaborate touches like the massive medieval kitchen and the ornate tombs of Pedro and Inês - Portugal's own Romeo and Juliet. The monastery's scale and craftsmanship make it one of the country's most impressive religious buildings.

Mosteiro da Batalha
Another UNESCO World Heritage site that showcases the height of Gothic and Manueline architecture. Built to commemorate Portugal's victory at Aljubarrota in 1385, its intricate stonework and soaring spaces reflect the kingdom's power and wealth. The unfinished chapels provide a fascinating glimpse into medieval construction methods.

Grutas de Santo António
These limestone caves reveal a hidden world of stalactites, stalagmites, and underground pools. The 45-minute guided tours are fully accessible and well-lit, making it easy to appreciate the cave's natural sculptures. Like other caves in the region, they maintain a year-round temperature of 16-18°C.

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