Small-Group Templar Tour: Tomar & Almourol from Lisbon
Description
Embark on a full day journey from Lisbon into the fascinating world of the Knights Templar, exploring castles, convents and legends that shaped Portugal’s medieval past. Begin at the dramatic Almourol Castle, perched on a small island in the Tagus River. Cross by boat and wander through the towers and battlements of this picture-perfect fortress once linked to Templar defense. Continuing to Tomar, the historic headquarters of the Order. Visit the majestic Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site blending Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance styles. Step inside the round Charola and admire the famous Manueline window. Conclude at the Church of Santa Maria do Olival, the spiritual pantheon of the Templars, where their masters were once buried. Perfect for history lovers, culture seekers and curious travelers, this tour combines iconic landmarks, rich storytelling and unforgettable scenery in one memorable day.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Begin your visit with a scenic boat ride across the Tagus River to reach the Castelo de Almourol, a medieval fortress dating back to the 12th century. Enjoy the river views and surrounding landscape as you approach this iconic island castle. Step inside to explore the ancient walls, towers, and interior chambers, imagining life as a knight defending the fortress. Learn from your guide about the castle’s history, legends, and strategic role during the Reconquista. Climb the battlements for panoramic views of the river and lush countryside, and capture memorable photographs of this historic landmark. This experience combines adventure, history, and stunning scenery, offering an unforgettable journey into Portugal’s medieval past.
Enjoy free time in Tomar’s charming historical center, a perfect opportunity to stroll the streets, explore local shops, and soak in the atmosphere of this picturesque town. Take your time for lunch at one of the local restaurants or cafés, sampling traditional Portuguese cuisine and relaxing before continuing your journey. Optionally, visit the Igreja de São João Batista, a beautiful church with historic architecture and serene interiors, adding a cultural and spiritual touch to your exploration of Tomar. This stop offers a flexible and relaxing experience, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in Tomar’s heritage, enjoy local flavors, and explore at their own pace.
Pass by the Igreja de Santa Maria dos Olivais, an elegant church in Tomar known for its historic architecture and cultural significance. Admire its stone façade, detailed windows, and traditional Portuguese design from the outside. Your guide will share brief insights into the church’s history, its role in the community, and architectural highlights, offering context to this historic landmark. This stop allows travelers to appreciate Tomar’s rich religious heritage while enjoying a leisurely stroll through the surrounding streets, capturing photographs and soaking in the town’s atmosphere.
Step inside the Convento de Cristo, a magnificent 12th-century monastery and UNESCO World Heritage site, originally built by the Knights Templar. Marvel at its unique blend of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architecture as you explore cloisters, chapels, and grand halls. Learn from your guide about the history of the Templars, the monastery’s role in Portuguese exploration, and the fascinating symbolism found throughout the complex. Walk through the elegant courtyards, spiral staircases, and ornate details, capturing photos of this historic landmark while immersing yourself in centuries of Portuguese heritage. This visit offers travelers a deep cultural and historical experience, combining architectural beauty, rich storytelling, and the mystique of one of Portugal’s most iconic sites.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
For logistical reasons and due to traffic restrictions, a nearby alternative pick-up point may be assigned, always within a short walking distance from your accommodation.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Please look for a guide holding a blue and yellow flag at the Meeting Point.
- The standard group size is limited to 8 participants per vehicle (Van). At certain times, the tour may be operated in a larger vehicle with more participants.
- The tour may be conducted by a multilingual guide, depending on group composition.
- A minimum of 3 participants is required for the tour to operate.
- Children over 1 and under 12 (or under 135 cm) must use a suitable child seat, by law. We do not provide baby seats for children under 1 year (rear-facing, up to 13 kg), customers must bring their own.
Reviews(714)
The tour of the Templar Almourol Castle was first, and was the highlight of and best part of this tour, very interesting and was worthwhile . Spending 2 hours at the Convento de Cristo afterward was much too long, we would prefer shortening that to one hour so the overall tour would be shorter like 7 hours instead of 8 hours. The town of Tomar was a let down, one street town, not much there other than lunch, mostly burger and sandwich shops. The tour was well organized with a good driver and tour guide who provided a lot of good commentary.
been to Sentra and fatima tours and they are worth the mony, this one not so much as there is not much to see. the convent of christ is beautiful, the free time at Tomar is not enough as the wait time to get luch used it all
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.We are glad you enjoyed Sintra and Fátima and that you found the Convent of Christ beautiful. However, we are truly sorry that this specific tour did not meet your expectations regarding the itinerary and the free time in Tomar.Your comment about the lunch wait time is very helpful. We will review our schedule to ensure our guests have enough time to both eat and explore the town comfortably.We appreciate your honesty, as it helps us improve, and we hope to welcome you back for a better experience in the future
Jose was a great guide, very knowledgeable. Drove us safely around and made great recommendations for lunch. Enjoyed the tour with him.
Thank you so much for the great review! We are delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour with our guide and appreciated his knowledge, safe driving, and excellent lunch recommendations. We will certainly pass your kind words on to him, and we hope to welcome you back again in the future
Awesome visit to castles! No tourists - you could hear birds! Boat ride to Almoural. Tomar was awesome as well- lunched at a medieval restaurant. Tour guide was knowledgeable and patient!
We really enjoyed this tour - the castle and monestery complex was amazing and we had lots of time to explore.
Visiting the Templar Castle was an eye-opening experience. It is very well worth your time. To think that the castle that we visit was one of important places that helped the Christians defeat the Moors. WOW!
This was a last minute decision and I’m really glad I took it. Definitely places that are worth visiting if you are around Lisbon with really interesting history.
Ines (sorry for spelling) was amazing! Super friendly and informative. The Almourol Castle alone was worth the trip. So beautiful
We learned all about the Templar knights and their history. The castle/church/covent was amazing to visit. The tour guide did a great job despite the damage from a recent storm having closed or limited access to many of the site.s. We were able to view the castle in the afternoon but not visit it due to the river level. The guide was able to get the local tourist center open for us to see a video of what it would have been like to walk inside the castle. Also it was all done on a rainy day!
Hugo was a great guide. He knew a lot of history, and treated his guests well. He had an excellent presentation style.
