Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Tomar, Portugal

The city of Tomar was established by the Knights Templar in the 12th century on land conferred by Portugal’s inaugural king. The order established a convent positioned on a hill and alongside the river, designing what would become the final Templar town globally. The Convent of Christ is recognized as a World Heritage Site, showcasing magnificent architecture refined over more than three centuries.

Following the transition from the Knights Templar to the Order of Christ, Tomar became a significant site where many Portuguese expeditions during the Age of Discovery were initiated. The renowned explorer Henry the Navigator, serving as the order’s governor, resided in Tomar and oversaw its expansion during the 15th century.

Let us delve into the premier attractions in Tomar:

1. Convent of Christ

In the 12th century, King Afonso Henriques bequeathed the area surrounding Tomar to the Knights Templar, leading to the creation of a convent celebrated for its circular church.

This UNESCO site is essential, both for what it offers and its historical significance.

Perched above modern Tomar, distanced from the Nabão River, it is fortified by a castle and defensive walls.

The buildings exemplify Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architecture in the church, chapterhouse, and cloister, leaving visitors in awe.

Upon the dissolution of the Knights Templar in the 14th century, the Order of Christ succeeded it, utilizing its considerable wealth to support expeditions during the Age of Discovery.

2. Castelo de Tomar

Adjacent to the convent stands the Templar castle designed to protect it.

This fortress is characterized by its impressive curtain walls and towers, all embellished with the Cross of Malta and other esoteric symbols.

During the Reconquista in the 12th century, the castle was positioned along the Linha do Tejo, a fortification line separating the future Portuguese to the north from the Moors to the south.

Despite suffering damage during the Peninsular Wars from the presence of Napoleon’s troops, the scale and preservation of this structure are remarkable.

You will encounter Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance remnants, all clearly marked with informative signs for visitors.

3. Aqueduto dos Pegões

The Convent of the Order of Christ required a reliable water supply; hence, this splendid six-kilometre aqueduct was constructed to channel water from four springs at Pegões.

Initiated in the 1590s, the project was designed by the Italian military architect Filipe Terzio, commissioned by the Portuguese crown.

Construction persisted for 21 years, yet Terzio did not live to witness its completion.

This aqueduct is particularly stunning as it traverses the steep Vale da Ribeira dos Pegões, featuring two tiers of arches (ogival below, round above), reaching a maximum height of 30 meters.

For the adventurous, it is possible to walk along the conduit at the top.

4. Tomar Synagogue

As you walk along the cobblestone Rua Dr Joaquim Jacinto, the synagogue remains discreetly hidden, only identifiable by a subtle Star of David.

The interior features tall groined vaults supported by corbels and four columns adorned with foliage motifs.

This masonry bears symbolic significance, representing the four Matriarchs with the columns and the Twelve Tribes of Israel with the corbels.

Established in the mid-15th century, the synagogue was only in use for about 50 years due to the expulsion or forced conversions of Jews mandated by King Manuel I at the close of the 1400s.

Since 1939, it has been restored and now houses Tomar’s Jewish Museum.

5. Igreja de São João Batista

This church, completed at the end of the 15th century during the reign of Manuel I, serves as both the spiritual and physical nucleus of old Tomar. It represents an era renowned for its elaborate sculptural detail and features a magnificent portal with intricately detailed stonework executed by an anonymous French artist.

Inside, visitors should not miss the stunning tiles exhibiting 16th-century “ponta de diamante” (diamond tip) patterns that create an optical illusion.

The church also showcases exceptional artworks, including the Last Supper painted by the Portuguese Renaissance maestro Gregório Lopes.

6. Old Town

One notable aspect of Tomar is its layout as a planned city.

The oldest district adheres to a strict grid pattern designed by the Knights Templar in the 12th century.

Interestingly, it is shaped like a four-armed cross, with each arm directing towards one of the city’s convents.

This pattern is complemented by the central positioning of the Igreja de São João Batista, which delineates a perfect circle that aligns several oratories and convents, constituting the “sacred space” in which Tomar was established.

7. Praça da República

For those looking to commence their exploration of the city, this square, situated in front of the Igreja de São João Batista, serves as an excellent starting point.

The 16th-century Mannerist town hall, opposite the church, presents a picturesque sight, adorned with Portuguese pavement, a statue of the Templar Knight, and Tomar’s founder, Gualdim Pais, set against the ancient castle walls.

A closer inspection of the town hall’s facade reveals subtle hints of Manueline decoration, visible in the armillary sphere, which was King Manuel I’s personal symbol.

8. Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição

This hermitage was constructed on a hill near the Convent of Christ during the mid-16th century.

Though modest in size, it is regarded as one of Portugal’s purest examples of Renaissance architecture.

The chapel was originally intended to serve as the pantheon for King John III, though this purpose was never fulfilled.

Devoid of the opulent embellishments common in later Portuguese churches, it follows the design of a classical basilica featuring a barrel vault sustained by Corinthian columns, complemented by Ionic pilasters adorning the walls.

Generous openings allow ample light to fill the interior, with a lunette above the door and leaded windows topped with regal pediments.

9. Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes

This park demarcates the border between the Convent of Christ and old Tomar.

It offers a pleasant route to the convent, featuring a challenging yet picturesque ascent through oak and cedar forests.

The lower sections comprise meticulously groomed terraces with geometrically arranged hedges, topiaries, fountains, and classical stone vases.

Historically, this park served as the site for initiation rites of the Knights Templar and the Order of Christ, with slopes abundant in orchards and vegetable gardens.

Seek out the Charolinha, a charming miniature replica of the convent, crafted in the 16th century by João de Castilho, the most prominent architect of the period.

10. Igreja de Santa Maria dos Olivais

Another essential visit within the Knights Templar legacy is this 12th-century church, which served as the order’s headquarters in Portugal and housed the pantheon for the order’s Grand Masters.

During the 13th century, 22 Grand Masters were interred here, and their names are inscribed on a memorial stone.

While the architecture exudes a minimalist aesthetic, it is imbued with symbolic significance: the number eight, of great importance to the Knights Templar, recurs in various elements, including the number of windows, the staircase steps, and the columns in the nave.

This church is easily accessible from the center of Tomar, located on the opposite bank of the Nabão.

11. Castelo do Bode

A dam located on the Zêzere River, approximately 15 minutes south of Tomar, creates a 3300-hectare lake.

The dam itself is an impressive structure, rising to 115 meters and supplying a 138 MW hydroelectric power station.

A road runs across the top of the dam, with designated parking areas for visitors to admire the valley below.

The lake serves as a reservoir for Lisbon; however, it also offers a serene environment for summer cooling.

The southern shores feature a campsite nestled within a pine forest, complete with a small beach and swimming area.

An alternative option is to explore a woodland trail for a scenic view of the dam from its base.

12. Anta do Vale da Laje

For a supplementary excursion during your visit to Castelo do Bode, venture along the lakeshore to this Megalithic site.

It is recognized as the oldest funerary monument north of the River Tagus, with a history exceeding 7,500 years.

This site features a chamber constructed from five granite slabs that you access via a narrow corridor formed by smaller stones.

Adjacent to the chamber, there exists a courtyard that is believed to have hosted a circular altar.

Recent enhancements have improved accessibility, with overgrown vegetation cleared and new informational boards installed.

13. Museu dos Fósforos

Tomar’s unique, albeit flammable, museum is situated within the Convento de São Francisco, dedicated to matches, matchbooks, and matchboxes collected from various regions worldwide, showcasing an array of sizes.

A notable Belgian specimen features matches measuring 40 centimeters in length.

This exhibition evokes nostalgia, mainly comprising items from the mid-20th century, an era when smoking prevalence was high.

Special collections commemorate significant events, such as Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and Yuri Gagarin’s historic journey into space.

Remarkably, this extensive collection was amassed by a single individual, Aquiles da Mota Lima, who generously donated it to the town in 1980.

14. Festa dos Tabuleiros

This festival is held every four years, with the latest edition occurring in 2015. Visitors travel from afar to partake in this extraordinary public celebration, distinct from any other in Portugal.

The Festa dos Tabuleiros typically takes place during the initial weeks of July, highlighted by vibrant parades.

During the parades, young girls don towering headdresses referred to as tabuleiros.

These headdresses are immensely tall, featuring stacks of bread adorned with flowers, crowned with either a dove, an armillary sphere, or a Templar cross.

This tradition dates back to the 1200s and is rich in religious symbolism.

15. Delicacies

In a town like Tomar, renowned for its convents, a variety of sweet dishes prominently feature eggs as a key ingredient.

During medieval times, convents often experienced an abundance of eggs, as they were commonly donated for good fortune before marriages.

Fatias de Tomar (Tomar Slices) are crafted using solely egg yolks and sugar, cooked in a specialized pan available exclusively in this town.

This dish resembles a pudding, presented in slices infused with flavors of cinnamon, anise, or lemon.

These treats are available in beautifully designed containers for those wishing to take them home.

Another popular sweet, beija-me depressa (kiss-me-quicks), consists of delicate egg-based confections dusted with icing sugar, sold in retro-style boxes of 12 reminiscent of the 1960s.