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.