Tomar

Tomar is a town in central Portugal best known for the Convent of Christ, a former Knights Templar castle and convent.

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Tomar is a city and municipality in central Portugal, in the historic Ribatejo province and the Santarém district. Visitors also see it spelled Thomar. It is the capital of the Médio Tejo region and sits in the fertile meadows along the Tagus river. Its main monument is the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that began in the late 12th century as a Knights Templar castle under Gualdim Pais. Its final form is Manueline, from the time of Manuel I, and the complex holds architecture and art from the 12th to 16th centuries.

The historic center has streets and squares laid out in a chessboard pattern, rare for a medieval city, set out under Prince Henry the Navigator. Many houses show Renaissance, Baroque and Romantic façades. The town sits on seven hills, and a park by the Nabão river gives views over the city. Plan at least a day for the convent and the old town. Tomar suits travelers who want one major monument and a walkable center.

Tomar in five

Buy the Convent of Christ ticket for 15 eurosMuseus e Monumentos de Portugal lists 15 euros for the Convent of Christ, with discounts for some ages. Allow a long visit, since it has seven cloisters.
Check the convent hours by seasonThe convent opens at 9:00 and closes at 17:30 from October to May, with last entry at 17:00; from June to September it closes at 18:30 with last entry at 18:00. Closed on 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25 December.
Decide between Lisbon and Coimbra as your baseTomar is a stop between the two, and most travelers add it to a north-south route rather than a loop. If you rent a car, it fits between Lisbon and Coimbra with room for a monastery or a castle on the way.Estremadura and Ribatejo
Pair the monument with the old townThe convent sits on a hill above the town. Walk down into the old center for lunch after the monument rather than driving across town.
Check the route if you driveThe official monument page lists the A1 (exit Torres Novas) and A23 (exit Tomar), and the EN110 from Coimbra. Check CP for train options, and pick the mode before you book a Lisbon return time.Trains in Portugal

Things to do in Tomar

See all attractions in Tomar

Museum · TomarConvent of ChristGo early or late in the day to avoid the busiest hours, and buy tickets in advance if you can.

green trees near brown and white house during daytime

Landmark · TomarCharolinha da Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes

Museum · TomarMuseu dos Fósforos - Aquiles da Mota Lima

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to TomarPut the places you like in Tomar on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Lisbon (LIS) or Porto (OPO), then train or car
Getting there: Train (check CP connections) or car via the A1 and A23 Read more
Getting around: Walking in the center; a steep climb or taxi to the convent
Best base: Near the river and the main square
Time needed: 1 long day; 2 days with Almourol or Coimbra

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Cool, quiet
FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Cool, showers
MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Mild, green
AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh21°Low10°Mild, spring
MayClear7 rainy daysHigh25°Low13°Warm, long days
JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh28°Low15°Hot afternoons
JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh32°Low16°Hot, busy
AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh33°Low17°Hot, busy
SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°Warm, calmer
OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Mild, calm
NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Cool, wet
DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Cool, short days

Average daily high and low in Tomar, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Tomar

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 16°
Humidity: 24%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Tomar

08:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today26°6°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue24°5°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed21°2°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 21°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu20°2°3%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 20°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
Fri16°1°29%Friday: Rain. High 16°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 29%.
Sat19°13°73%Saturday: Rain. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 73%.
Sun20°16°95%Sunday: Rain. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 95%.

Updated 05:13 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Coimbraby train or carA university city on the Mondego, a natural next stop north.Read the guide
Óbidosby carA walled hill town on the way back toward the coast.Read the guide
Almourol Castleby carA castle on an island in the Tagus; check access and boat times before you go.

Before you go to Tomar

Convent of Christ entryTickets sold online and at the doorBook timed entry

Trains to TomarRail from Lisbon or CoimbraRead the guide

eSIM for TomarRail apps and maps on arrivalRead the guide

Insurance for TomarCover for a hill climb in summer heatRead the guide

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Rules for Tomar, checked

Convent of Christ: 15 euros standard; 50% off for ages 13 to 24 and 65 and over; children to 12 free. Closed 1 Jan, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 25 Dec.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Convent of Christ hours: 9:00 to 17:30 October to May, 9:00 to 18:30 June to September; last entry 30 minutes before closing.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Tomar

Estremadura and Ribatejo

Monasteries and walled towns north of Lisbon

Read the guide Coimbra travel guide

The university city to the north

Read the guide Óbidos travel guide

A walled town on the same route

Read the guide Lisbon travel guide

The usual starting point

Read the guide Trains in Portugal

CP and buses compared

Read the guide All of Portugal

Cities, coast, islands and entry rules

Read the guide

Tomar FAQ

Is Tomar worth visiting?

Yes, mainly for the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO site with a round Templar church, a Manueline window and seven cloisters. The town itself is small, so many travelers visit for a day or a night.

How much does the Convent of Christ cost?

Museus e Monumentos de Portugal lists 15 euros for the standard ticket, with a 50% discount for ages 13 to 24 and 65 and over. Children up to 12 are free.

Can you visit Tomar as a day trip from Lisbon?

Yes, by train or car, with the convent as the main stop. A day gives you the monument and a town walk, but an overnight stay lets you see it in the quiet hours.

What are the Convent of Christ opening hours?

From October to May it opens 9:00 to 17:30 with last entry at 17:00; from June to September 9:00 to 18:30 with last entry at 18:00. It is closed on 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25 December.

Is Tomar better than Coimbra?

They are different. Tomar is a monument stop with a small river town, while Coimbra is a larger university city with more to do. Many travelers combine them on a Lisbon to Porto route.