Tomar

A medieval town with Templar history

Tomar is a historic town in central Portugal known for its medieval roots and religious heritage. The town features the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site with Gothic architecture and ties to the Knights Templar. Its cobblestone streets wind past traditional houses and small cafes serving local dishes like bacalhau à brás. Tomar’s riverside location provides quiet walks along the Nabão River. The town balances preserved heritage with modern life, offering museums, cultural events and access to nearby natural parks for hiking or cycling.

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Town in Portugal

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$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.9

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	9

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most tourist spots, hotels, and restaurants. However, in smaller shops and local markets, some basic Portuguese or Spanish can be helpful.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Tomar Summary

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Famous for historic monasteries and heritage sites. Tour the impressive Convent of Christ, walk quiet historic streets, visit museums and relax in riverside parks.

Place score

7.6

Best at:

Historic sites

Castles

Walkable

Spotless

Architecture

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

💻 9

Digital Nomads

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Portugal – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Portugal has widespread acceptance of cashless payments, particularly in urban areas and larger businesses. Cards are commonly used, and mobile payment options are increasingly available. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary but not mandatory in Portugal. In restaurants, leaving a 5-10% tip is common, especially if the service is exceptional. Taxi drivers usually expect a small tip of around 5-10%, and hotel staff appreciate tips for their services.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally accepted in most public spaces, such as parks and beaches. However, certain municipalities may enforce restrictions in specific areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in public places like restaurants and bars. Designated smoking areas are available in many public spaces.

Portuguese Republic Day (October)	National holiday with public celebrations and some closures, particularly in Lisbon.
Christmas (December)	Holiday celebrations and increased tourism, expect crowded areas and higher accommodation prices.
Carnival (February)	Festive celebrations with parades and events, especially in Lisbon and Madeira. Expect lively crowds.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Uber
Other:	Portugal boasts rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and historic landmarks. Public transport is reliable, and the country is known for its mild climate, especially in the southern regions.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

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Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Tomar, Portugal

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Feb

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	April - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March, Oct.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Festa dos Tabuleiros, a major festival held every four years in early July (next in 2027)

Summer afternoons often above 35°C, visit the Convent of Christ early morning or late afternoon

Don't miss

🏰 Tour the UNESCO-listed Convent of Christ complex
🌉 Walk along the impressive Pegões Aqueduct arches
🏯 Explore the historic Tomar Castle and gardens
🌳 Stroll through the tranquil Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes
🏺 Visit the medieval Sinagoga de Tomar museum

You've been here?

Why travel to Tomar?

Tomar is a dream for history lovers, with its stunning medieval architecture and Templar heritage. The town’s relaxed atmosphere, cobbled streets and beautiful riverside make it a perfect escape from the crowds of Lisbon or Porto. It’s also a great base for exploring central Portugal’s hidden gems.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Praça da República
2 Castelo de Tomar
3 Museu dos Fósforos

🎡Places for activities

1 Convent of Christ
2 Mouchão park

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Rio Zêzere
2 Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes
3 Rio Nabão
4 Praia Fluvial do Agroal
5 Olhos de Água do Alviela

🛍️Shopping

1 Casa dos Cubos
2 Mercado Municipal
3 Papagaio Louro - artesanato

🎈Events

Festa dos Tabuleiros (every 4 years)
Tomar Templar Festival
Tomar Medieval Fair
Easter Week Celebrations
Tomar Jazz Festival
Christmas Market & Lights Festival
São João Baptista Festival
Feira de Santa Iria
Knights Templar Conferences
Tomar Photography Exhibition

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Buy Convento de Cristo tickets early, arrive before tour buses.
Expect lots of stairs and uneven stone paths inside the Convent-Castle complex; wear grippy shoes.
Pause in Praça da República for the church façade and café culture, then stroll the Nabão riverside.
Walk out to the Pegões Aqueduct near sunset; the long arches glow and crowds thin quickly.

How to travel to Tomar

Tomar is well-connected by train from Lisbon (about 2 hours). The nearest airport is Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS). Buses also run from major Portuguese cities and driving is an easy option via the A13 highway.

Access summary

From Lisbon Airport (LIS): Train via Oriente station, about 2–3 hours total.
From Lisbon city: Direct regional trains from Santa Apolónia/Oriente, about 1.5–2 hours.
From Coimbra: Regional trains or buses to Tomar, usually about 2–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Tomar

Tomar has a range of accommodations, from charming boutique hotels in historic buildings to budget guesthouses. Staying near the historic center offers the best experience for exploring on foot.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Hotel Dos Templarios

9.2

Casa dos Oficios Hotel

9.5

Thomar Boutique Hotel

Quinta de Santa Barbara

9.4

Apartamentos do Lago

8.1

Made Inn Entroncamento

8.8

Casa do Trovador

10.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Tomar

Tomar is a walkable town with most attractions within the historic center. Taxis and buses are available for longer distances. Renting a car is recommended for exploring nearby areas like Castelo de Bode Lake or Almourol Castle.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-42 %

Daily expenses in Tomar are around 42% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£52	£102	£240
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£53	£113
🍝 Food per day	£20	£40	£104
🚕 Transportation per day	£9	£9	£24

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£15
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£10.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£7
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7
☕ Cappuccino	£1.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.80