Best of Tomar

Top itineraries and travel advice in and around Tomar
Set along the Nabão River in the Ribatejo region, Tomar has an array of historic sites and a picturesque old quarter dotted with cobblestone lanes. The city’s most famous landmark is the Convento do Cristo, a Unesco World Heritage site on the western edge of town. You’ll also find other monuments from the past, including a 400-year-old aqueduct and one of Portugal’s best-preserved medieval synagogues. A visit to Tomar makes a great combination of a full-day trip to see two other Unesco-listed sites in the region: the Monastery of Alcobaça and the Monastery of Batalha. You can also tie in a visit to the Castelo de Almourol, a medieval castle set on a rocky island in the Tejo River.  

Guided visits to the convent showcase the building's extraordinary architecture, a mix of Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance and even Spanish plateresque elements. You’ll also learn about the Knights Templar, the mysterious and powerful organization that bankrolled construction and used the convent as their headquarters from the 12th to the early 14th centuries. Walking tours through the historic center reveal the many layers of Tomar’s past, from its Roman roots as the city of Sellium, to its mythical connections in the Middle Ages to Jerusalem, Rome and Constantinople. The city later played a role in Portugal’s 15th-century maritime exploits during the Age of Discovery.
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Colorful Streets of Óbidos, Portual
Portugal's Jewish Heritage, Porto and Lisbon - 5 Days

This trip explores the Jewish heritage of Portugal, starting with a visit to the medieval town of Óbidos and a tour of the city of Porto. You'll discover unknown Jewish history in the Templar City of Tomar, examining the historic synagogue and heritage museum. You'll end in Lisbon, where visits to synagogues, memorials, and old Jewish quarters in the city expose the turbulent and unique history of the capital.

Jewish Quarter in Castelo de Vide, Portugal
Portugal's Jewish Heritage - 13 Days

Explore the history and heritage of Portugal's Jewish communities in this 13-day tour, which guides you through cities like Porto, Lisbon, Évora, and Tomar, as well as Sintra and the National Palace of Pena. You'll enjoy a wine tasting and river cruise in the Douro Valley, plus visits to Almourol Castle, the Portuguese Riviera, and the monasteries of Batalha and Alcobaça. Discover synagogues, old Jewish quarters, monuments, and museums in the country's small villages of Belmonte, Monsanto, and Sortelha, as well as Monsaraz, Elvas, and Castelo de Vide.

Bridge of S. Gonçalo in Amarante, Portugal
Portugal's Jewish Heritage - 14 Days

This trip takes you from north to south, discovering Portugal's Jewish heritage with city tours in Porto, Lisbon, Évora, and Tomar, plus a visit to Sintra with its National Palace of Pena and the Portuguese Riviera. Relax in the Douro Valley with a wine tasting and a river cruise, and then explore the monasteries of Batalha and Alcobaça, the castle in Amourol, and the synagogue and old Jewish quarter of Castelo de Vide. Other highlights include the community museum in Belmonte, the Amoreira Aqueduct in Elvas, and Amarante's iconic stone bridge.

Almourol, Portugal
Portugal's Jewish Heritage - 11 Days

Explore Portugal's Jewish history with guided tours of cities like Porto, Lisbon, and Évora, visiting synagogues, museums, monuments, and castles. You'll learn all about Jewish heritage in the small villages of Portugal, such as Belmonte, Monsanto, Trancoso, and Sortelha, plus discover the Templar City of Tomar. Enjoy the Douro River Valley with a wine tasting and a boat cruise, then end your trip with a tour of Sintra, National Palace of Pena, and the Portuguese Riveria. 

Castelo de Vide, Portugal
Portugal's Jewish Heritage - 12 Days

This trip takes you through Portugal's Jewish history, with guided tours of several cities and sites, including Lisbon, Porto, Évora, Belmonte, and the monasteries of Batalha and Alcobaça. You'll explore synagogues, museums, and old Jewish quarters throughout the country, including in the small villages of Monsanto, Sortelha, Marvão, and Castelo de Vide. Enjoy some time to relax with a wine tasting and river cruise in the Douro Valley, plus a tour of Almourol Castle, Sintra, the National Palace of Pena, and the Portuguese Riviera.

Coimbra Riverfront at Night
Portugal's Jewish Heritage - 15 Days

This 2-week trip takes you through Portugal, revealing its Jewish heritage with visits to synagogues, museums, monuments, and old Jewish quarters in towns like Belmonte, Monsanto, Sortelha, and Castelo de Vide. You'll enjoy guided tours of cities like Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra, and Évora, as well as Sintra with its National Palace of Pena and the Portuguese Riviera. Relax along the Douro River with a wine tasting and river cruise, plus explore the castle in Amarante, the monasteries in Batalha and Alcobaça, and the Amoreira Aqueduct in the walled city of Elvas.

Ponta da Piedade near Lagos
Map of Portugal Castles, Beaches & Vineyards: Lisbon to the Algarve - 15 Days
Portugal Castles, Beaches & Vineyards: Lisbon to the Algarve - 15 Days

Discover all four corners of Portugal in this epic 15-day road trip. Start in Lisbon, where the sounds of live fado music will lead you on a drive north to Porto and the wine country of the Douro Valley. Turn south and stop in historic towns like the Knights Templar-built Tomar and ancient Roman Évora on your way to coastal Lagos, where you'll beach-hop under the spectacular cliffs of the Algarve.

Charming town of Cascais
Exploring Portugal's Heritage - 8 Days

Combining the exploration of vibrant cities like Porto, Lisbon, and Coimbra with exceptional nature in Tomar and the Portuguese Riviera, this trip showcases the unique and diverse culture of Portugal. You'll peruse historical city streets and monuments, plus UNESCO sites like the Roman ruins of Évora, the Pena National Palace and forest in Sintra, and the birthplace of Portugal, the town of Guimarães. Escape the city vibes with the impressive Almourol Castle along the Tejo River, the scenic town of Cascais along the Riviera, and the most westerly point in mainland Europe, Cabo da Roca.

Other popular travel destinations in Portugal
Lisbon · Porto · Algarve · Alentejo · Évora · Douro Valley · Lagos · Sintra · Coimbra · Cascais · The Azores · Nazaré · Madeira · São Miguel Island · Braga · Funchal · Óbidos · Tavira · Sagres · Marvão · Guimarães · Peneda-Gerês National Park · Batalha · Mértola