Tomar

Portuguese city popular with pilgrims

City Overview

The town of Tomar was created inside the walls of the Convento de Cristo, constructed under the orders of Gualdim de Pais, the fourth Grand Master of the Knights Templar in Portugal in the late 12th century.

Tomar was the last Templar town to be commissioned for construction and one of Portugal's historical jewels. The town was especially important in the 15th century when it was a centre of Portuguese overseas expansion under Henry the Navigator, the Grand Master of the Order of Christ, successor organization to the Knights Templar in Portugal.

Places to stay

Hotels in Tomar offer a variety of accommodation options, ranging from historic family homes and rural guesthouses to modern hotels and aparthotels.

Hotels in Tomar’s city centre provide easy access to the famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Convento de Cristo and the Templar Castle.

Sightseeing

Tomar with its Templar Castle and Convento de Cristo to became the national headquarters of the Templar Knights in the middle ages.

The Convento de Cristo forms the centrepiece of historic Tomar. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for its architectural and historic significance. The Convento de Cristo is located within the walls of the Templar Castle, which consists of an outer defensive wall and a citadel with a keep inside, and boasts many architectural points of interest.

Perched on a hill, a short walk beyond the Templar Castle is the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao. It was constructed in the 16th Century and was originally intended as a funerary chapel for King João III, though he was eventually buried in Lisbon for political reasons.

At the foot of the hill below the castle lies the main centre of Tomar. The city boasts many old buildings, well preserved since their construction in the 17th and 18th Centuries.

Cafes & Restaurants

Eating and drinking is a delight in Tomar. The city and surrounding areas are well served of interesting hotels and restaurants that cater for its local residents and the many visitors.

The historic city centre comes to life at night around the Praça da Republica and the surrounding streets in early evenings. Restaurants in Tomar mostly serve regional Portuguese dishes and there are some delicious examples to be tried. Cod, pork and beef feature strongly on most menus along with rice dishes and tasty fresh salads. Some restaurants stick to traditional dishes whilst others succeed in putting their own unique twist on some of Portugal’s most traditional fare.

Other

Currency - Euro (EUR)

Language - Portuguese

Visas - Not needed for travellers from the US, Canada and Europe

Best Time To Visit - March – October

Timezone - Western European Standard Time (GMT)

Homosexual Activity - Legal