Tomar City
Historic city in Santarém, Portugal
Tomar unfolds around the Convent of Christ and a compact medieval hilltop town; tourists come for Templar architecture, castle ramparts, leafy river walks and regional patisseries serving almond sweets and olive-oil breads.
67°F
Why Visit Tomar?#
Historic river town centered on the Convent of Christ and its medieval Templar castle draws history and architecture lovers; wander the cobbled Old Town to study Manueline portals, cloisters and castle walls. Summer’s Festa dos Tabuleiros, when women carry ornate bread-laden trays through the streets, offers a rare living tradition. Combine leisurely riverside cafés, regional pastries and an approachable size, and Tomar becomes a relaxed base for Portuguese history and culture.
Best Things to Do in Tomar#
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Tomar Bucket List#
Convento de Cristo - 12th-century Templar convent with cloisters and ornate Manueline architectural details.
Igreja de Santa Maria do Olival - Gothic Templar church where many knights were buried, quiet historical atmosphere.
Synagogue of Tomar - Medieval synagogue restored as Jewish museum exhibiting local Jewish history.
Aqueduto dos Pegões - Restored 17th-century aqueduct with scenic countryside walks and panoramic views.
Museu Luso-Hebraico Abraham Zacuto - Small museum detailing Tomar’s Jewish community history and restored synagogue exhibits.
Tomar Riverside Promenade - Riverside paths with cafés and views of the Nabão River and old bridges.
Mosteiro da Batalha - Gothic monastery UNESCO site featuring intricate stonework and soaring vaulted chapels.
Santuário de Fátima - Major Catholic pilgrimage site with basilica, museums, and expansive pilgrim grounds.
Castelo de Almourol - Isolated Templar castle on a Tagus islet reachable by short boat trip.
Best Time to Visit Tomar#
Visit Tomar in late spring or early autumn for pleasant temperatures, blooming countryside, and thinner crowds around the convent and Templar sites. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are mild and rainy.
December - February
8 - 15°C (46 - 59°F)
Quiet, off-season charm with fewer tourists, cool damp days, and open castle interiors - bring a rain jacket for occasional showers.
March - May
12 - 25°C (54 - 77°F)
Warm mornings, mild afternoons and blooming landscapes; ideal for wandering cobbled streets and nearby vineyards comfortably before summer heat arrives.
June - August
20 - 33°C (68 - 91°F)
Hot, sunny days with sparse rain; best for late-evening walks but expect larger crowds and higher temperatures during mid-July and August.
Tomar's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (756 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Light rainfall.
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July
July is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 7 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (96 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Tomar#
Tomar is easiest reached from Lisbon (Humberto Delgado Airport) by train or intercity bus; Entroncamento is the rail junction for rail connections from Porto and Lisbon. The town itself is compact and most visitors arrive by CP (Comboios de Portugal) regional trains or Rede Expressos coaches.
Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS): From Lisbon Airport take the Metro (Red line) to Oriente (about 20-25 minutes, single-ticket ~€1.65 with a reusable card) and change to a Rede Expressos bus or a Comboios de Portugal (CP) train for Tomar. Rede Expressos buses from Oriente/Sete Rios take about 1h30-1h45 to Tomar and cost around €6-€9; regional CP trains from Lisboa (Santa Apolónia or Oriente) take about 1h30-1h45 and typically cost in the €7-€12 range.
Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro (OPO): If you fly into Porto you can take a train from Porto Campanhã toward Entroncamento and change for the short regional service to Tomar (total journey around 3-3.5 hours depending on connections). Intercity tickets between Porto and central hubs vary (often €15-€30); the Porto-Entroncamento + regional leg to Tomar adds a relatively low regional fare (single-digit euros) depending on the exact routing.
Train: Tomar is served by Tomar station (Estação de Tomar) on regional CP services. There are regular regional trains from Entroncamento (the main junction on the Lisbon-Porto line) - Entroncamento→Tomar is about 35-45 minutes and costs only a few euros. Direct regional services from Lisbon (Santa Apolónia / Oriente) take roughly 1h30-1h45 and are the most reliable public-transport option.
Bus: Rede Expressos and a few regional carriers run coaches to Tomar from Lisbon terminals (Sete Rios and Oriente) and from cities across central Portugal. Journey time from Lisbon is about 1h30-1h45; typical fares are around €6-€9. Local buses within the Santarém district link surrounding villages to Tomar but schedules can be sparse outside peak hours.
How to Get Around Tomar#
Tomar is best navigated by a combination of regional train or intercity bus for arrival and walking inside town. Renting a car helps for day trips, but inside the old town walking is the simplest and most pleasant option.
- Comboios de Portugal (regional train) (€3-€12) - Regional CP trains are the best way to reach and leave Tomar for comfortable, low-cost travel. Trains from Entroncamento take about 35-45 minutes; direct regional trains from Lisbon take ~1h30. Buy tickets at stations or online; arrive early on busy holiday days.
- Rede Expressos / intercity bus (€6-€9) - Coaches to Tomar depart Lisbon from Sete Rios or Oriente and are competitive with trains on price and sometimes faster depending on timetable. Coaches are a good option if you prefer a direct bus to the town centre; services are frequent during the day.
- Car / Rental (€10-€40 (fuel + tolls, one-way estimate)) - Driving gives the most flexibility for exploring the surrounding region (Almourol, Conímbriga). From Lisbon the drive is roughly 1h20-1h45 depending on traffic; expect some tolled motorways on the route. Parking in Tomar’s centre is limited but manageable outside peak festival days.
- Taxi / Private transfer (€100-€160 (approximate long-distance transfer)) - A taxi or private transfer from Lisbon will take about 1h30-1h45; this is convenient for groups or if you have lots of luggage. Agree a fixed price with the driver or use an official transfer operator rather than relying on a meter for long-distance trips.
- Local bus / shuttle (€1-€4) - Local buses serve neighbourhoods and nearby villages but run less frequently than trains/coaches. Check local timetables in Tomar - services are useful for short hops but not ideal for tight schedules.
- Walking - Tomar’s historic centre is compact and best explored on foot. Most sights (Convent of Christ, riverside, old town) are walkable from the station or the main coach stops.
Where to Stay in Tomar#
Old Town - €25-50/night
Basic guesthouses and a couple of hostels near the historic centre; options are limited but affordable and convenient for sightseeing.
Casa do Adro - Central B&B near the castle
Tomar Hostel - Simple beds, very central location
Ribeira/Center - €60-110/night
Comfortable hotels within walking distance of Convent of Christ and the main sights - good value for the location.
Hotel dos Templarios - Comfortable rooms beside the river
NH Collection Tomar (NH Hotels listing) - Reliable mid-range chain option
Near Convent of Christ - €120-220/night
A couple of upscale, characterful stays - historic convent and boutique country properties. Choices are limited but memorable.
Pousada Convento de Tomar - Historic convent, elevated rooms
Quinta da Terra (small country boutique) - Quiet country estate, upscale amenities
Where to Eat in Tomar#
Tomar mixes convent-era tradition with regional Alentejo and Ribatejo cuisine: hearty stews, grilled fish and tavern-style petiscos.
- Mercado Municipal de Tomar - Fresh fish, produce and snacks
- Restaurants near Convento de Cristo - Regional dishes and river views
- Local tascas and cafés - Petiscos, coffee and light meals
Tomar’s bakeries and confectioneries serve regional pastries and sweets-perfect with a coffee after visiting the Convento de Cristo.
- Local pastelarias - Traditional Portuguese pastries and coffee
- Confectioneries - Sweets served beside the river
- Weekend market stalls - Artisanal foods and local cheeses
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Tomar’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Tomar#
Shopping is modest and focused on the town centre: small shops along pedestrian streets and a municipal market sell regional foodstuffs and tourist souvenirs tied to the convent and local history. You’ll find modest artisan and gift shops rather than large malls-good for local ceramics, olive oil, cheese and regional produce.
Nightlife in Tomar#
Nightlife in Tomar is relaxed and centred on the Praça da República and nearby riverside cafés and bars; evenings are usually low-key outside festival periods. There are occasional live-music nights and seasonal events (Medieval Festival draws the biggest crowds), but don’t expect a late-night club scene.
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