Tomar is the jewel in the crown of Central Portugal. It is a magical city bursting with handsome architecture and historical significance. Visitors from Portugal and overseas arrive throughout the year to stay in its charming hotels, sample its tasty regional cookery, visit its famous monuments and explore the lush green mountains that surround the city.
If you are planning to visit Tomar, Portugal, tomarportugal.com provides you with all you need to know to plan your trip. We give you the low down on its treasured monuments and city centre attractions plus the best restaurants and most popular hotels in Tomar and the surrounding area.
Tomar is home to some of Portugal’s most significant historic sites. The Convento de Cristo was the medieval headquarters of the charismatic Templar Knights and subsequently of the Order of Christ. Henry the Navigator planned most of his New World Explorations from here in the 15th Century. It was justifiably designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for its significance in Portuguese history and Christian culture.
The Convento de Cristo complex is an enchanting fusion of architectural styles from Gothic to Renaissance, spanning some 500 years. Read on to find out more about the Convento de Cristo and the Templar Knights, and other must-visit monuments in Tomar, Portugal including the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, the Church of Santa Maria do Olival and the Church of São João Baptista.
The city is a feast for the eyes, a collection of attractive streets and well-preserved architecture, divided in two by the pretty Mouchão Park and the River Nabão that runs through its heart. There are restaurants and hotels in Tomar for every taste and budget and we give you our pick of the best, from quirky restaurants, popular amongst the glitterati to restored manor houses, ideal for a relaxing retreat against the backdrop of the Ribatejo.
Tomar’s charm does not stop at the city boundaries. It is set in a landscape of deep valleys, winding rivers and rolling mountains swathed in pines and eucalyptus trees. Stunning vistas, rural guesthouses and a whole host of Templar monuments are just begging to be discovered.
Whether you are travelling as a family, alone or with company, read on to find out how you can get the best from your stay in Tomar, Portugal.