See & do

Tours & guides · Museums & culture · Monuments & churches

Immersive Private Templar Tours Led By Local Expert Darren Keohane. Explore the history and legends of Tomar and the Convent of Christ with a family-run tour built on research and passion. Uncover the fascinating story of the Knights Templar in the medieval city of Tomar. Whether you’re drawn to the Crusades, the Order of Christ, or simply want a deeper connection to one of Portugal’s most captivating historic cities, our tours are designed around you. Your Templar Tour, Your Way.

templarknightstours.com

Opening hours

Mon	09:00–18:00
Tue	09:00–18:00
Wed	09:00–18:00
Thu	09:00–18:00
Fri	09:00–18:00
Sat	09:00–18:00
Sun	09:00–18:00

We also open for early bird coffee sessions talks from 08:00

RNAAT nº 1155/2025

Monuments & churches

The Templar headquarters, founded 1160. UNESCO World Heritage. The Charola, the Manueline window, eight cloisters. Some areas are closed for restoration — check before you go.

Adults €15 · Jun–Sep 9:00–18:30 · Oct–May 9:00–17:30 · Closed 1 Jan, 1 Mar, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 24–25 Dec

Opening hours

Mon	09:00–17:30
Tue	09:00–17:30
Wed	09:00–17:30
Thu	09:00–17:30
Fri	09:00–17:30
Sat	09:00–17:30
Sun	09:00–17:30

Jun–Sep: 9:00–18:30 · Oct–May: 9:00–17:30 (times below are Oct–May)

Monuments & churches · Kids & family

The Templar castle above the Nabão, begun 1 March 1160 under Gualdim Pais on the model of the castles of the Holy Land, with a sloping alambor at the foot of the outer wall. Inside the walls were the village (the Almedina), the parade ground, and the citadel with its keep. Shares grounds with the Convento, and the same ticket.

Included with the Convento de Cristo ticket

Monuments & churches · Museums & culture

Portugal's best-preserved medieval synagogue, c. 1430–1460, built in the old Jewish quarter. After the Jews were expelled in 1496 it served as a jail and then a warehouse. The four columns survive, and so do the clay jars set into the walls to carry the sound. Named for astronomer Abraão Zacuto.

Rua Dr. Joaquim Jacinto 73

Monuments & churches · Walks & trails

A 17th-century aqueduct, roughly 6 km long with 180 arches, built to supply the convent.

N113 toward Leiria, ~2 km from town

Monuments & churches

Tomar's central square, watched over by a statue of founder Gualdim Pais, with the town hall and Igreja de São João Baptista alongside it.

Town centre

Monuments & churches

The Templars' own church, begun in the 12th century and rebuilt in Gothic style in the 13th. Gualdim Pais and other Masters of the Order are buried here, and for centuries this was the mother church of every parish the Order held overseas. The free-standing bell tower began as a watchtower, and legend says tunnels run from here up to the castle.

Free entry · Largo Cândido dos Reis area, east bank

Monuments & churches

The church on the main square, 15th–16th century, with a Manueline doorway and an octagonal bell tower. Inside are six painted panels by Gregório Lopes from the 1530s, and a Flemish triptych of the Baptism of Christ.

Praça da República

Monuments & churches

A small Renaissance church below the convent, begun by João de Castilho in 1535 and finished by Diogo de Torralva. It was meant to be João III's tomb. Corinthian columns, and skulls and a phoenix carved into the vault — death and resurrection.

Below the Convento de Cristo

Monuments & churches · Walks & trails

A hilltop chapel from 1397 looking straight across at the castle, reached by a stone stairway of 292 steps built in the 1800s. Best view in Tomar, and you earn it.

Free · The climb takes about 15 minutes

Monuments & churches

A riverside chapel to the young nun whose story gave Santarém its name, on the site of a Visigothic monastery. Rebuilt in the 16th century, it has a carved Renaissance doorway and window, and in the side chapel of the Valle family a Calvary altarpiece attributed to João de Ruão. The Santa Iria procession ends here every 20 October.

By the Nabão, near the Mouchão

Museums & culture · Monuments & churches

The old industrial waterworks on the Nabão, reopened as a cultural complex: the Fundição Tomarense foundry, the town's first power station, and two flour mills — A Portuguesa, with its 1912 machinery still in place, and A Nabantina.

Lagares d'El Rei, on the river

Monuments & churches

The town pillory, a Baroque column topped by an iron armillary sphere. The original was pulled down in 1870; its scattered pieces (one had become a lamp base) were found and put back up in 1939–40.

Largo do Pelourinho (Várzea Pequena), Tomar

Monuments & churches

Gothic arches built into a modern façade: what is left of the inns Prince Henry the Navigator put up in the early 1400s for traders at the town's toll-free fair. The old Jewish bazaar worked under these arcades.

Corner of Rua dos Arcos and Rua Torres Pinheiro, Tomar

Monuments & churches

A small 16th-century octagonal chapel with a Renaissance dome, a Manueline doorway and 18th-century blue-and-white tiles of St Gregory's life. Currently closed inside — worth the walk for the outside.

Largo Cândido dos Reis, at the start of Estrada do Prado, Tomar

Monuments & churches

On 10 August 1385, four days before Aljubarrota, João of Avis met Nuno Álvares Pereira's army here. A 1948 tile panel tells the story; the stone column beside it marks the spot. National Monument; closed inside for now.

Av. D. Nuno Álvares Pereira (south entrance to town), Tomar

Monuments & churches

A Mannerist church begun in 1567, with a painting by Gregório Lopes. The recent restoration uncovered four original 16th-century windows. Closed for visits for now, but it hosts concerts.

Av. Dr. Cândido Madureira, Tomar

Monuments & churches · Museums & culture

A Franciscan convent founded in 1624, with a gilded altar in the church. Its cloisters now hold the Matchbox Museum, the Tabuleiros exhibition and a pottery and tile workshop. Open daily 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00.

Av. General Bernardo Faria (Várzea Grande), Tomar

Museums & culture · Monuments & churches

An early 16th-century Renaissance house, believed to be where the architect João de Castilho lived. Once the town library, it is now a gallery for temporary exhibitions.

Rua da Silva Magalhães 92, Tomar

Monuments & churches

The old stone bridge over the Nabão, where the Corredoura meets the river. Rebuilt many times, above all under Manuel I in the 16th century, it still has the look of a Roman bridge. Every 20 October the Santa Iria procession throws petals into the river here.

Between the Corredoura and the Capela de Santa Iria

Monuments & churches · Walks & trails

A small chapel cut into the rock beside the Nabão, north of town at Além da Ribeira. A quiet stop on a riverside walk; the rock face is also used by climbers.

Além da Ribeira, by the Nabão · open air

Monuments & churches

A 16th-century covered bridge over Rua de Santa Iria that once linked the Convent of Santa Iria with the palace across the street, so the nuns could cross unseen. Free to see from the street.

R. Santa Iria 4, 2300 Tomar

Museums & culture · Kids & family

Europe's largest matchbox collection — around 60,000 boxes from 127 countries, given to the town in 1980 by the Tomar-born collector Aquiles da Mota Lima. Free entry.

Convento de São Francisco, Av. General Bernardo Faria

Museums & culture

Over 200 works of Portuguese art from 1932 onwards — modernists, the Lisbon surrealists, abstraction — given to the town in 2004 by Professor José-Augusto França, who was born in Tomar. A serious collection in a small house, which also hosts the town's temporary exhibitions.

Rua Gil Avô 7

Museums & culture

A 15th-century warehouse where the Order of Christ kept the rents paid in kind, given an award-winning renovation. Now the town's contemporary arts building — exhibitions, residencies and workshops, and home to the Centro de Estudos em Fotografia de Tomar. Worth checking what's on before you go.

Historic centre · Programme changes through the year

Museums & culture · Kids & family

Tomar's municipal theatre and cinema: around 400 seats for theatre, music, dance, comedy and weekend films. There has been a stage here since about 1800 — it reopened in 1876 as the Teatro Nabantino, and Tomar saw its first film here in 1901.

Rua Infantaria 15, Tomar · box office Tue–Sat 15:00–18:00

Opening hours

Mon	Closed
Tue	15:00–18:00
Wed	15:00–18:00
Thu	15:00–18:00
Fri	15:00–18:00
Sat	15:00–18:00
Sun	Closed

Box office. On show days also 20:00–21:30.

Museums & culture

The house where the composer Fernando Lopes-Graça (1906–1994) was born, now his memorial and study centre: scores, recordings, papers and personal belongings, down to his birth certificate. On the old Jewish quarter street.

Rua Dr. Joaquim Jacinto

Museums & culture · Kids & family

The place to get the Templar story straight before you walk up to the convent — who the Order were, what they built here, and what happened to them.

Lagares d'El Rei, at the Levada

Museums & culture

The permanent exhibition on the Festa dos Tabuleiros, in the same convent as the matchbox museum. The best way to understand the festival in the three years when it isn't happening.

Convento de São Francisco · Free

Museums & culture

A neo-Manueline house by the old bridge, built in 1920–22 by the historian José Vieira Guimarães and left to the town for culture. Temporary exhibitions downstairs; the Festa dos Tabuleiros committee works upstairs.

Rua Serpa Pinto 6, Tomar

Museums & culture

Tomar's 1901 power station, from when the town was one of the first in Portugal with electric light. Part of the Levada complex. Tuesday to Sunday; winter hours 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–17:00.

Rua João Carlos Everard (Levada), Tomar · Apr–Sep 10:00–13:00, 14:00–18:00

Museums & culture

The old iron foundry on the Levada, now a museum of the town's industrial past. Open Wednesday to Sunday afternoons, 14:00–17:00 in winter, to 18:00 from April.

Rua João Carlos Everard (Levada), Tomar

Museums & culture

The five-storey flour mill on the Levada, now the Fábrica das Artes: a home for local artists, with exhibitions and workshops.

Complexo Cultural da Levada, Tomar

Parks & gardens · Walks & trails · Kids & family

A wooded park below the convent: the Order of Christ's old walled enclosure, the Cerca do Convento, once farmland watered by an irrigation system from the Philippine period. Look for the Charolinha, a miniature temple that echoes the convent's Charola. Now the city's green heart.

Free entry · Below Castelo de Tomar

Parks & gardens · Kids & family

A river-island garden in the centre of town, reached by footbridges, with a big playground and the Roda do Mouchão: a wooden water wheel with clay buckets, a design the Arabs brought, that once drove mills and watered the riverbanks. It has become a symbol of the town.

Rio Nabão, town centre

Parks & gardens · Kids & family

A small environmental centre inside the Mata dos Sete Montes, explaining the trees, water and wildlife of the old convent estate. Good with children, and it makes the walk mean more.

Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes · Free

Outdoor & adventure · Kids & family

Kayak trips on the Nabão, inflatables and other outdoor adventures, based in town. Top marks from more than 130 reviewers.

Rua da Fonte do Choupo, Tomar

RNAAT nº 134/2022

Outdoor & adventure · Kids & family

A 50-acre farm with a zip line, climbing, canoes, a Himalayan bridge and donkey rides. Best known for its summer camps for children.

Quinta dos Ganados, Tomar

RNAAT nº 548/2016

Outdoor & adventure · Kids & family

A riding school just outside town, rated 4.8 by its riders. Call ahead to book a lesson; opens at 9:00.

Estrada Vale Saz 1, Tomar

Outdoor & adventure · Kids & family

Playful challenges for families and small groups, plus team building and summer camps. From €30 for a group of 4–6.

Rua Infantaria 15, nº 93, Tomar

RNAAT nº 300/2012

Parks & gardens

A dog park in town. Free and open at all hours.

Tomar · free · open 24 hours

Walks & trails

A 9.2 km loop along the river, easy, about 3 hours. Starts at Póvoa, by the walking and cycling centre. Waymarked red and yellow.

Loop · 9.2 km · easy · start: Póvoa

Walks & trails

The longest of Tomar's marked trails: a 13.6 km loop, easy, about 4 hours, from the 'green giants' down to the Póvoa stream. Starts at Póvoa.

Loop · 13.6 km · easy · start: Póvoa

Walks & trails

A 10.8 km loop on the lower Nabão, shared with Vila Nova da Barquinha. Moderate, about 3 hours.

Loop · 10.8 km · moderate

Walks & trails

A 10.3 km loop from Cem Soldos, the Bons Sons village. Moderate, about 2¾ hours, with a 5.2 km short cut.

Loop · 10.3 km (or 5.2 km) · moderate · start: Cem Soldos

Walks & trails

The second loop from Cem Soldos: 8.6 km, moderate, about 2½ hours, or 4.6 km on the short variant.

Loop · 8.6 km (or 4.6 km) · moderate · start: Cem Soldos

Walks & trails

A 6.1 km one-way walk through the limestone gorge of the upper Nabão, near the Agroal river beach. Moderate; it is linear, so plan the way back.

Linear · 6.1 km one way · moderate · Agroal

Walks & trails

The Caminho Português Central from Lisbon comes up through Asseiceira, crosses Tomar and heads north to Calvinos. Follow the yellow arrows; pilgrims' hostels at Asseiceira and Calvinos are in Stay.

Asseiceira → Tomar → Calvinos

Walks & trails

Viewpoint on the castle hill looking out over the old town's rooftops and the Nabão valley. Worth a stop on the walk up to the Convento.

R. Dr. José Maria de Sousa 28, 2300 Tomar

Outdoor & adventure

A water-ski school on the Castelo de Bode lake at Serra, running since 2018. Lessons and sessions on the water.

Rua do Vale 57, Levegada, Serra

RNAAT nº 2313/2018

Outdoor & adventure

Boat hire and boat trips on Castelo de Bode, plus jet ski, paddle board, canoes and towables. Same base as the Water Ski Academy.

Rua do Vale 57, Levegada, Serra

RNAAT nº 2313/2018

Outdoor & adventure

A wakeboard school on the Castelo de Bode lake at Vale da Menina, Serra, with top marks from its riders.

Vale da Menina, Serra, Tomar

RNAAT nº 935/2019

Outdoor & adventure

Wakeboard, wakesurf, water-ski, barefoot and wakefoil, plus boat trips, on Castelo de Bode since 2019.

Estrada do Barrinho 36, Castelo de Bode

RNAAT nº 414/2021

Outdoor & adventure

Off-road buggy tours from the same base and team as Barcaça, near Castelo de Bode.

Estrada do Barrinho 36, Castelo de Bode

RNAAT nº 691/2024

Outdoor & adventure

Padel courts at Vale Cabrito, open late into the evening. Book a court by phone or on their site.

Rua D. João I s/n, Vale Cabrito, Tomar

Tours & guides · Outdoor & adventure

Tomar's long-running activity company: walks, canoeing, cycling and trips around the Castelo do Bode lake, the Templar heritage and the Ribatejo Norte. Mostly team building, but individuals can book too. Office in the São Francisco convent.

Convento de São Francisco, 1º piso, Av. General Bernardo Faria, 2300-535 Tomar

Opening hours

Mon	09:00–18:00
Tue	09:00–18:00
Wed	09:00–18:00
Thu	09:00–18:00
Fri	09:00–18:00
Sat	09:00–12:30
Sun	Closed

RNAAT nº AV909/1997

Outdoor & adventure

Canoe and kayak trips, adventure activities and team events, run by a Tomar-based operator. Book ahead.

R. João Carlos Everard 3, 2º E, 2300-329 Tomar

Opening hours

Mon	09:00–19:30
Tue	09:00–19:30
Wed	09:00–19:30
Thu	09:00–19:30
Fri	09:00–19:30
Sat	09:00–19:30
Sun	09:00–19:30

RNAAT nº 39/2021

Outdoor & adventure

Kayak and canoe hire and guided river descents, based at Peralva, just outside Tomar.

R. Quatro nº 7, Peralva, 2305-516 Paialvo

Opening hours

Mon	09:00–19:00
Tue	09:00–19:00
Wed	09:00–19:00
Thu	09:00–19:00
Fri	09:00–19:00
Sat	09:00–19:00
Sun	09:00–19:00

RNAAT nº 127/2023

Outdoor & adventure · Tours & guides

Private boat trips on the Castelo de Bode reservoir. Friday to Sunday; book by phone.

Albufeira de Castelo de Bode

Opening hours

Mon	Closed
Tue	Closed
Wed	Closed
Thu	Closed
Fri	10:00–20:00
Sat	10:00–20:00
Sun	10:00–20:00

RNAAT nº 393/2021

Outdoor & adventure

The town's main indoor sports hall, named after Tomar's Olympic judo medallist. Hosts club games, tournaments and big indoor events.

R. Centro Republicano 50, 2300-593 Tomar

Tours & guides

Tuk-tuk tours around the historic centre, running since 2013.

yellowcabtttours.pt

RNAAT nº 119/2013

Tours & guides

Tuk-tuk tours around Tomar, leaving from the main square. From about €15 to €110, depending on the tour.

Praça da República, Tomar

RNAAT nº 265/2015

Tours & guides

Guided tours of Tomar's history, with top marks from more than 60 reviewers.

Tomar

RNAAT nº 1148/2024

Tours & guides

Local guides for Templar, Order of Christ and Jewish heritage routes in Tomar and beyond. They also lead the Câmara's free walks on World Tourism Day.

Rua João Carlos Everard 3, 2º A, Tomar

RNAAT nº 14/2012

Tours & guides

Themed walking tours from the main square, best known for the night-time Legends and Myths tour. Also the convent and the old town. €8–22.

Praça da República, Tomar

RNAAT nº 83/2023

Tours & guides

A professional guide for the Templars, the Order of Christ and Tomar's Jewish history, in Portuguese, English and French. Also Batalha, Alcobaça, Almourol and Fátima. Price on request.

Tomar · PT / EN / FR

RNAAT nº 1523/2018

Nature and Adventure Park in the Sabacheira Mountains (next to the GDR Serras-Sabacheira), 5 minutes from Fátima Station and 10 minutes from the Agroal River Beach. Leisure space for adults and children with good access, nature, PICNIC space, parking and activities such as Paintball, hiking along the Nabão trails, etc. They organize outdoor activities for groups, companies, associations and create dynamic events, always associated with Nature.

Perto da Praia Fluvial do Agroal

Price Desde 18€

Opening hours

Mon	Closed
Tue	Closed
Wed	Closed
Thu	Closed
Fri	Closed
Sat	08:00–20:00
Sun	08:00–20:00

Aberto todos os fins de semana das 08:00h às 20:00h