Visiting Tomar, Portugal with kids
About halfway between Porto and Lisbon, Tomar is a little hidden gem straight out of a fairytale in Portugal.
On a hot September day, on our way to Lisbon from Porto, we stopped in Tomar to visit what my Portuguese husband announced was the last of the Templars' towns to be commissioned for construction. I had never heard of it.
After researching it, I discovered that, in 2013, The Guardian voted Tomar as the best day trip from Lisbon: "The Convento de Cristo in Tomar is probably one of the most spectacular places in Portugal. Founded by the Knights Templar, it's a beautiful, mysterious and magical place, wonderful to discover and enjoy." It is described as a hidden gem, straight out of a fairytale.
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Stroll around the city
The small city is a gem. We strolled around the narrow streets and the centre just before lunch.
Don’t miss the door of the Church in the main square. It is stunning and so quintessentially Portuguese.
From the central square, you can see a glimpse of the Convento de Cristo high up on the hill. You can hike up the hill but we decided to take our car there as it is not really child-friendly.
Visit the Castle and Convent of the Order of Christ
The real beauty in Tomar is the Castle and Convent of the Order of Christ, a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is a magnificent combination of castle and convent dating back from 12th- to 16th-century. Its architecture and art are stunning. It is the main monument of the city and one of the most important in Portugal.
Originally a 12th-century Templar stronghold, when the order was dissolved in the 14th century the Portuguese branch was turned into the Knights of the Order of Christ, that later supported Portugal's maritime discoveries of the 15th century.
The castle are full of small cloisters, stunning azulejos tiles, secret passages, stairs, chapels and beautiful windows. There is a different style of architecture at every turn and something amazing to look at behind every door.
The kids (5 and 18 months at the time) loved it. Our eldest loved hearing little stories about the knights and Portuguese explorers. Our youngest just loved being able to roam free, climb every stairs, run and look out every window. The visit can be quite long as there is a lot to see. But it is mostly open-air and you can go at your own speed (with an audio-guide). So it was not a problem with young children.
We highly recommend a stopover if you can. Beautiful place full of fascinating history.
How much does it cost?
Tickets for the castle and convent cost 10€. Children under 12 go free. You can book tickets here.
How to get there
Tomar is a great little day out from Lisbon (about 1h30min away). I highly recommend driving there. It is easy to park, not yet over-crowded and the drive is easy on motorways. You can, of course, book a tour to take you there if you prefer.
What else to see in the area
Here are two fun suggestions, completely off the beaten path.
Photo by Miguel Silva on Unsplash
Aqueduct dos Pegões Altos: this aqueduct built in the 16th century is a great little addition to your day out in Tomar. At its highest, it is 30m high. If you have older kids, you can even walk on it! Access the walkable part of the aqueduct from 1 of the 2 little towers which were settling basins. Just walk up the stairs and cross such little towers to start your journey… Warning: there are no health and safety measures. You might like to hang on tight to the small wall or just go up for the view and turn back.
Almourol
Almourol Castle: a medieval castle on an islet in the River Tagus. The castle was part of the defensive line controlled by the Knights Templar, and a stronghold used during the Portuguese Reconquista (the period during which Christians fought to conquer the Iberian peninsula from Muslims). Worth a little detour at least even if just for a quick look from the shore. You can go inside (though it is just a ruin) but the visiting times are a little erratic (often closed because of the water levels also). And don’t be scared by the surroundings that may look less than appealing. It is off-the-beaten path travel at its best.
