Our family is a big fan of the Knights Templar and their history. Over the years we’ve been lucky to learn more about them by visiting some of their temples scattered around Europe. So when we learned that the seat of their order had been located in Portugal, we knew we had to visit! And that’s how we decided to visit Tomar and the Knights Templar’s sites.
Getting There
Getting to Tomar from Lisbon is super easy! Trains leave every hour, and it takes approximately 2 hours to get there. This is a commuter train, so you can’t (and don’t need to) reserve seats. I’d recommend catching it at the start of the line in Santa Apolónia station in the old city center. We caught it at Oriente and there were basically no seats left. Fortunately, it slowly emptied as we approached Tomar.
The walk to town from the train station is pretty quick, maybe 10-15 minutes without any incline.
Where to Stay
Tomar is a small compact town so it’s best to stay in the city center. We stayed in a nice Airbnb on Rua Serpa Pinto, which is the main street in town. This location worked really well for exploring the town.
What to Do
We had 2 full days to explore Tomar, which gave us plenty of time to check out the main sites at a leisurely pace.
Convent of Christ and Templar’s Castle
This is basically the reason why we came to Tomar! Originally built in the 12th century, the Convent of Christ was a Templar stronghold. Over the centuries the complex has grown with additions, making it a grandiose monument. Both the castle and the convent complex are historic and cultural monuments designated as UNESCO World Heritage in 1983.
We visited the complex early in the morning. The walk up the hill to the castle was very pleasant in November, but I can imagine it being quite hot during the summer months. First we visited the back area of the castle with a view of the gardens and the intricate outside of the convent. We ended up here by accident while trying to find the main entrance, but it turned out to be a good mistake as we got to see a different part of it. Also, we got to enter through the main portico, which is also fun!
Afterwards, we found the correct entrance and started our visit. Portuguese residents can visit the castle for free, and so can children under 12, so we all got in for free. The self-guided tour was easy to follow. The complex is huge inside! We spent the entire morning exploring the grounds. The stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, and panoramic view from the hilltop castle are definitely worth the visit!
Charola
We were blown away by this chapel! The Charola is an integral part of the Convent of Christ complex. It was the Knights’ Templar’s private chapel within the castle. This sixteen-sided chapel was finished in 1190, and it is said that the knights would enter it on horseback to get their blessings before setting off to do their work.
We spent a good amount of time admiring this space. It had so much energy within it. I could almost hear the clip clops of horseshoes going in and out of the chapel. And the longer you stay there, the more you notice in it as it is so intricately decorated.
Manueline Window
This is where I learned that Manueline was an architectural style, and what a place to learn that! A beautiful example of Manueline style is seen on the Capitulum Window. The window is full of maritime themes like ropes and buoys, the Order’s distinctive cross and the kingdom’s coat of arms.
You can see this window up close from a terrace, and then again from a small window within the complex.
Church of Santa Maria do Olival
This Catholic Church was built in the 12th century by Gualdim Pais, the provincial master of the Order of the Knights Templar. It was used as a burial place of the Knights Templar of Tomar, and later by the Knights of the Order of Christ. Gualdim Pais is buried there, which is why we went to visit this church. His tomb slab, dated from 1195 is still preserved inside, and you can find it on the right side wall in the second chapel to the right.
Museu dos Fósforos
If you want a break from all the Knights Templar and the Order of Christ history, then head to the Museu dos Fósforos to see the world’s largest matchbox collection. Aquiles da Mota Lima, a Tomar native, donated his collection to the Municipality of Tomar in 1980. There are more than 60,000 match boxes, match labels, and matchbooks from all over the world in this collection! Looking at these boxes is almost like traveling through time, as you’ll find some from countries that no longer exist!
Synagogue de Tomar
The Tomar Synagogue is the only medieval Jewish temple to have been fully preserved in Portugal. It was originally built in the mid-15th century, and today it also houses a museum next to the temple.
Praca da Republica
This lovely square was even more lively and filled with Christmas decorations during our visit in late November. The praça is the heart of the town and it’s lined with charming buildings including Igreja de São João Baptista, built in the 15th century.
Parque do Mouchão
This park is a green paradise in the middle of town. Located on a small island in the middle of the Nabão River, it is connected to the city by footbridges. Near the entrance to the park there is a huge wooden waterwheel that was used to irrigate the surrounding fields and to carry water to the mills and presses. Fun fact: the waterwheel still works!
There’s a playground inside the park, as well as a cafe and restaurant, sports equipment, and a bandstand. This is a great place to take a break from exploring. The beautiful mature trees provide lots of shade, making it a great spot to rest during the hot summer months!
Tomar City Sign
If you walk from the train station to town you’ll see the big Tomar sign. This is a fun place to take a photograph with the hilltop castle on the background.
Where to Eat
Taverna Antiqua
If you are going to eat at only one restaurant in Tomar, then it should be Taverna Antiqua. Taverna Antiqua is a restaurant that offers a unique experience of medieval ambiance, and serves upscale medieval food based on historical research and with traditional ingredients used at that time! It is such a wonderful experience, and the food is very good too! Make sure you make a reservation as they fill up quickly!
Clandestino
We ate at Clandestino twice for lunch because it was so good (and really affordable!). This restaurant served tasty Portuguese food in a warm environment. The staff were very helpful and welcoming!
Final Thoughts
Most people visit Tomar as a stopover on their way from Porto to Sintra, or the other way around. I personally think Tomar deserves a full day of exploration. Just the Convent of Christ can take the better part of a day of exploring, and it’s really worth not rushing through it. Still, if you only had time for a stopover here, it would still definitely be worth the stop.
We are a family of four who moved to Portugal in July 2024. Our family loves exploring our new home country, and enjoy sharing our adventures with others. To learn more about our adventures in Portugal, click here.
