# A Templar Weekend in Tomar, an Hour and a Half from Lisbon: Convent, Almourol, Medieval Banquet and Castelo de Bode

Two nights on Tomar's main square: the Convent of Christ and the synagogue, the Pegões aqueduct and Almourol Castle on the Tagus, and on Sunday a medieval banquet and a boat on Castelo de Bode.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/central-portugal/tomar/itineraries/templar-weekend-with-almourol · Revisado: 2026-11-12

Dónde: Tomar

Tomar was the seat of the Templars in Portugal and later of the Order of Christ, and what they left fills the city: the fortified convent on the hill, with the knights' round Charola; the 15th-century synagogue in the old town; the aqueduct that carried water to the friars. With two nights there is time to see it all without hurry, to cross by boat to Almourol Castle, on an island in the Tagus, and to finish Sunday with a medieval banquet and an hour's boat trip on the Castelo de Bode reservoir.

## How do you get there from Lisbon?

By car, along the A1 and A13, about 140 km and a little over an hour and a half. Without a car, a direct CP train leaves Lisbon and reaches Tomar in about two hours; from the station you walk to the centre. If you fly from Spain, you land in Lisbon and choose: train to Tomar or a hire car at the airport.

## Where to sleep?

AccommodationAreaWho it suits

Hotel RepúblicaPraça da RepúblicaAnyone arriving by train who wants everything on foot

Hotel dos TempláriosBeside the NabãoCar, families, pools and parking

Thomar StoryHistoric centreGuesthouse with rooms with kitchens

## How much does it cost?

The Convent of Christ, €15. The boat and entry to Almourol, €4 from age 7. The banquet at Taverna Antiqua, €35 per adult and €20 per child. At O Praça, from €17 to €45 per person according to the tourist office; at Restaurante Tabuleiro, dishes from €9.50 to €12.90. The boat on Castelo de Bode, by quote.

## El plan

### Friday · 19:00 · Arrival and dinner at O Praça
Leave your bag at the Hotel República and have dinner in its ground-floor restaurant, open until 22:00. Order the tradição salt cod.

### Saturday · 09:00 · Convent of Christ
Walk up from the square and go in when it opens: the Charola, the cloisters and the chapter-house window. Come down through the Mata dos Sete Montes.

### Saturday · 12:00 · Synagogue
The oldest in Portugal, two streets from the square. Closed at midday and on Mondays.

### Saturday · 13:00 · Lunch at Tabuleiro
Portuguese cooking on Rua Serpa Pinto: salt cod, porco preto or cozido. Call ahead to confirm.

### Saturday · 15:00 · Pegões aqueduct and Almourol
By car, the arches of the aqueduct on the outskirts and, about 25 km away, the boat to the castle on the Tagus islet, which crosses from 14:30.

### Sunday · 13:00 · Banquet at Taverna Antiqua
In Madalena, on the outskirts: period costume, music and theatre at the table. Sunday at midday only, by reservation.

### Sunday · 16:00 · Boat on Castelo de Bode
An hour with a skipper on the Zêzere reservoir with Barcaça Atividades Náuticas. Ask for a quote beforehand.

### Sunday · 17:30 · Back to Lisbon
You arrive around 19:15.

## Consejos

### Book the Taverna and the boat before you leave
Both need notice.

### In July 2027, the Festa dos Tabuleiros
From 3 to 12 July; book a bed months ahead.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Can it be done without a car?
On Saturday morning, yes, all on foot from the square. Almourol, the Taverna and the reservoir need a car or taxi.

### How long do you need for the convent?
Between two and three hours.

### Is the synagogue open at the weekend?
Yes, Tuesday to Sunday, with a break at midday.

### Is it a good getaway with children?
Yes: the castle on the island, the banquet with a show and the boat appeal to them.

## Dónde dormir if you're driving
- **Hotel dos Templários**: Tomar's big hotel, by the river
The Hotel dos Templários is Tomar's four-star hotel, of the GJC Hotels group, on Largo Cândido dos Reis, on the banks of the Nabão and about five minutes' walk from the historic centre. It is a large building, surrounded by gardens, that looks out over the river; from the outdoor pool you see the Nabão and, high above, the Convent of Christ. It is the hotel of conferences and groups, but also the most comfortable if you travel by car with a family: private parking, pools and plenty of space.
The rooms
It has 177 rooms, including 8 superior, 4 junior suites, 5 duplex suites and a presidential suite. All have a balcony and a view, of the gardens, the river or the city's monuments, and adjustable air conditioning, satellite TV, minibar, free wifi, bathrobe and slippers. The bathrooms have natural light.
Pools, spa and services
In the garden there is an outdoor pool with a view of the river and the convent. The health club is open all year, with an indoor pool heated to 28 ºC, a gym, sauna, hot tub, hydromassage and spa treatment rooms. There is a tennis court, a games room, a playground, a laundry, room service and, on request, tuk-tuk rides and private transport.
Eating and drinking
Buffet breakfast is served in the Sala Terraço from 7:30 to 10:30. The Grão-Mestre restaurant, with a large fresco telling scenes from the life of Tomar, has a regional and international menu and buffets. The lobby bar, next to the outdoor pool and with a view of the river, is open every day until 1:00, with live piano on Fridays from 19:00 to 24:00.
Getting there
By car, along the A1 and A13 or the A23: Lisbon is 130 km away, Coimbra 80 and Fátima 31. The hotel has private parking and advertises free parking if you book directly with them. Tomar train station is a walk through the centre.
What is nearby
You cross the bridge and you are in the centre, with the synagogue and Praça da República. The Convent of Christ is on the hill, about twenty minutes' walk through the Mata dos Sete Montes. Among the nearby places the hotel lists are Mouchão park, on an island in the Nabão, and the church of Santa Maria do Olival.
- **Thomar Story**: A 19th-century house in the old town
Thomar Story is a guesthouse on Rua João Carlos Everard, in the heart of Tomar's historic centre. It occupies a late 19th-century building completely refurbished, with a design of simple, contemporary lines. From its balconies and windows you see the Nabão river and, high on the hill, the Templar castle that encloses the Convent of Christ. It is registered as local accommodation under licence 9504/AL and belongs to the same group as the Ninho do Falcão residence, next to the Castelo de Bode reservoir.
The rooms
There are twelve, and each tells a piece of the city's history with its name and its decor. The Janela do Capítulo is named after the convent's famous Manueline window. Santa Iria recalls the love legend of the young Benedictine nun. Gualdim Pais is dedicated to the Templar grand master who founded Tomar castle and is buried at Santa Maria do Olival. All have their own bathroom with a rain shower, air conditioning, TV and wifi. Some have a small kitchen, useful if you stay several days or travel with children.
Getting there
From Tomar train station you walk through the centre in a few minutes. By car, the old town has narrow streets: the house has a parking section on its website, but gives no details, so ask when you book where to leave it. From Lisbon it is a little over an hour and a half along the A1 and A13.
What is nearby
The synagogue and Praça da República are a few streets away. The Nabão river, with Mouchão park, is just round the corner. The Convent of Christ is climbed on foot in about fifteen minutes. For dinner, O Praça is on the main square, and at the weekend you have the medieval banquet of the Taverna Antiqua on the outskirts.

## Dónde dormir without a car
- **Hotel República**: On Tomar's main square
The Hotel República is on Praça da República, the heart of Tomar's historic centre, facing the town hall and the church of São João Baptista, with its Manueline tower. It was opened by a man from Tomar who returned to his city and wanted to set up a refuge here; it was built, fitted out and decorated by Portuguese companies, and the house sums it up in its motto, Made in Portugal. It is a small hotel, of 19 rooms, designed for exploring Tomar on foot: the Convent of Christ is about fifteen minutes' walk away and the synagogue two streets off.
The rooms
There are two suites and seventeen doubles, all with a queen bed and a marble bathroom. The two suites face the square and the church: they have a sitting area with a sofa and desk, a fireplace and a whirlpool bath; the Deluxe is the largest. The Deluxe doubles with a view of the square and the Queens also look onto Praça da República, with a walk-in shower. The Deluxe with balcony and the Deluxe face one of the streets of the old town, and the Standards, the inner courtyard, which are the quietest. Some rooms see the Convent of Christ high above.
Eating in the house
On the ground floor is O Praça, the hotel's restaurant and seafood house, open every day for lunch and dinner, with the entrance on Rua Silva Magalhães. Its house dish is the tradição cod, served in homemade bread; you have its listing in the where-to-eat section for Tomar. There is also a bar.
Getting there and parking
If you travel by train from Lisbon, Tomar station is a few minutes' walk from the centre, along flat streets. By car, the historic centre has narrow streets and the hotel does not list parking of its own on its website: leave the car in a nearby paid car park or by the Nabão river and walk in.
What is nearby
Everything. The synagogue is on Rua Dr. Joaquim Jacinto, a few steps away. The Convent of Christ is climbed on foot from the square. If you come in July 2027, the procession of the Festa dos Tabuleiros passes through the centre.
- **Thomar Story**: A 19th-century house in the old town
Thomar Story is a guesthouse on Rua João Carlos Everard, in the heart of Tomar's historic centre. It occupies a late 19th-century building completely refurbished, with a design of simple, contemporary lines. From its balconies and windows you see the Nabão river and, high on the hill, the Templar castle that encloses the Convent of Christ. It is registered as local accommodation under licence 9504/AL and belongs to the same group as the Ninho do Falcão residence, next to the Castelo de Bode reservoir.
The rooms
There are twelve, and each tells a piece of the city's history with its name and its decor. The Janela do Capítulo is named after the convent's famous Manueline window. Santa Iria recalls the love legend of the young Benedictine nun. Gualdim Pais is dedicated to the Templar grand master who founded Tomar castle and is buried at Santa Maria do Olival. All have their own bathroom with a rain shower, air conditioning, TV and wifi. Some have a small kitchen, useful if you stay several days or travel with children.
Getting there
From Tomar train station you walk through the centre in a few minutes. By car, the old town has narrow streets: the house has a parking section on its website, but gives no details, so ask when you book where to leave it. From Lisbon it is a little over an hour and a half along the A1 and A13.
What is nearby
The synagogue and Praça da República are a few streets away. The Nabão river, with Mouchão park, is just round the corner. The Convent of Christ is climbed on foot in about fifteen minutes. For dinner, O Praça is on the main square, and at the weekend you have the medieval banquet of the Taverna Antiqua on the outskirts.

## Dónde dormir if you're flying
- **Hotel dos Templários**: Tomar's big hotel, by the river
The Hotel dos Templários is Tomar's four-star hotel, of the GJC Hotels group, on Largo Cândido dos Reis, on the banks of the Nabão and about five minutes' walk from the historic centre. It is a large building, surrounded by gardens, that looks out over the river; from the outdoor pool you see the Nabão and, high above, the Convent of Christ. It is the hotel of conferences and groups, but also the most comfortable if you travel by car with a family: private parking, pools and plenty of space.
The rooms
It has 177 rooms, including 8 superior, 4 junior suites, 5 duplex suites and a presidential suite. All have a balcony and a view, of the gardens, the river or the city's monuments, and adjustable air conditioning, satellite TV, minibar, free wifi, bathrobe and slippers. The bathrooms have natural light.
Pools, spa and services
In the garden there is an outdoor pool with a view of the river and the convent. The health club is open all year, with an indoor pool heated to 28 ºC, a gym, sauna, hot tub, hydromassage and spa treatment rooms. There is a tennis court, a games room, a playground, a laundry, room service and, on request, tuk-tuk rides and private transport.
Eating and drinking
Buffet breakfast is served in the Sala Terraço from 7:30 to 10:30. The Grão-Mestre restaurant, with a large fresco telling scenes from the life of Tomar, has a regional and international menu and buffets. The lobby bar, next to the outdoor pool and with a view of the river, is open every day until 1:00, with live piano on Fridays from 19:00 to 24:00.
Getting there
By car, along the A1 and A13 or the A23: Lisbon is 130 km away, Coimbra 80 and Fátima 31. The hotel has private parking and advertises free parking if you book directly with them. Tomar train station is a walk through the centre.
What is nearby
You cross the bridge and you are in the centre, with the synagogue and Praça da República. The Convent of Christ is on the hill, about twenty minutes' walk through the Mata dos Sete Montes. Among the nearby places the hotel lists are Mouchão park, on an island in the Nabão, and the church of Santa Maria do Olival.
- **Hotel República**: On Tomar's main square
The Hotel República is on Praça da República, the heart of Tomar's historic centre, facing the town hall and the church of São João Baptista, with its Manueline tower. It was opened by a man from Tomar who returned to his city and wanted to set up a refuge here; it was built, fitted out and decorated by Portuguese companies, and the house sums it up in its motto, Made in Portugal. It is a small hotel, of 19 rooms, designed for exploring Tomar on foot: the Convent of Christ is about fifteen minutes' walk away and the synagogue two streets off.
The rooms
There are two suites and seventeen doubles, all with a queen bed and a marble bathroom. The two suites face the square and the church: they have a sitting area with a sofa and desk, a fireplace and a whirlpool bath; the Deluxe is the largest. The Deluxe doubles with a view of the square and the Queens also look onto Praça da República, with a walk-in shower. The Deluxe with balcony and the Deluxe face one of the streets of the old town, and the Standards, the inner courtyard, which are the quietest. Some rooms see the Convent of Christ high above.
Eating in the house
On the ground floor is O Praça, the hotel's restaurant and seafood house, open every day for lunch and dinner, with the entrance on Rua Silva Magalhães. Its house dish is the tradição cod, served in homemade bread; you have its listing in the where-to-eat section for Tomar. There is also a bar.
Getting there and parking
If you travel by train from Lisbon, Tomar station is a few minutes' walk from the centre, along flat streets. By car, the historic centre has narrow streets and the hotel does not list parking of its own on its website: leave the car in a nearby paid car park or by the Nabão river and walk in.
What is nearby
Everything. The synagogue is on Rua Dr. Joaquim Jacinto, a few steps away. The Convent of Christ is climbed on foot from the square. If you come in July 2027, the procession of the Festa dos Tabuleiros passes through the centre.
- **Thomar Story**: A 19th-century house in the old town
Thomar Story is a guesthouse on Rua João Carlos Everard, in the heart of Tomar's historic centre. It occupies a late 19th-century building completely refurbished, with a design of simple, contemporary lines. From its balconies and windows you see the Nabão river and, high on the hill, the Templar castle that encloses the Convent of Christ. It is registered as local accommodation under licence 9504/AL and belongs to the same group as the Ninho do Falcão residence, next to the Castelo de Bode reservoir.
The rooms
There are twelve, and each tells a piece of the city's history with its name and its decor. The Janela do Capítulo is named after the convent's famous Manueline window. Santa Iria recalls the love legend of the young Benedictine nun. Gualdim Pais is dedicated to the Templar grand master who founded Tomar castle and is buried at Santa Maria do Olival. All have their own bathroom with a rain shower, air conditioning, TV and wifi. Some have a small kitchen, useful if you stay several days or travel with children.
Getting there
From Tomar train station you walk through the centre in a few minutes. By car, the old town has narrow streets: the house has a parking section on its website, but gives no details, so ask when you book where to leave it. From Lisbon it is a little over an hour and a half along the A1 and A13.
What is nearby
The synagogue and Praça da República are a few streets away. The Nabão river, with Mouchão park, is just round the corner. The Convent of Christ is climbed on foot in about fifteen minutes. For dinner, O Praça is on the main square, and at the weekend you have the medieval banquet of the Taverna Antiqua on the outskirts.