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(723)
Our guide Hugo was great. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable. I was a little disappointed that the K Templar's castle was closed as was most of the town of Tomar but still enjoyed the trip.
Incredible day with a kind guide who was a well of knowledge.
The trip itself was ok regarding the rute. The big problem (from my point of view) was the guide: a very nice boy, with a lot of interesting facts, but he talked A LOOOOT, saying the same thing 5-10 times extremely loadly. To make matters worse, the other 3 clients "encouraged" him, so..for me, it was horrible in that regard
Our guide, Carllos, was excellent. Very knowledgeable and passionate about all of the points of interest on the tour. Also gave us some great guidance about other things to do in the area. Very happy with the overall experience.
Hugo was an excellent tour guide, between the flawless pick up and drop off, and his extensive knowledge of the sites he brought us to. My husband is a history fanatic and Hugo was eager to answer the many, many questions he had, which we appreciated a lot. Additionally, he pointed us in the direction of good food when it was time for lunch and all in all made the whole tour an unforgettable experience.
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear that Hugo made your tour such a memorable experience. It’s wonderful to know that his knowledge, enthusiasm, and attention to detail were appreciated, especially by a fellow history enthusiast! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Hugo. We hope to welcome you back to Portugal soon
We went on the on the Templar Tomar, Convent of Christ & Almourol Castle tour. The boat ride over to Almourol Castle was incredible and a stand out part of the trip for us, the location and castle are stunning. Our tour guide Hugo, was very knowledgeable. You could sense his interest and enthusiasm for the places we visited and the history surrounding them. There was never a dull moment, he kept us interested throughout the tour. Big shout out for Hugo!!!! He made it a very special day for us. This was a fantastic tour, and we would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Portugal! John & Kim
Thank you so much for this amazing review! We are pleased to hear that the boat ride to Almourol Castle was something different and that Hugo made your day so special with his knowledge and enthusiasm. We will gladly give him that big shout-out! Hope to welcome you back soon
Couldn’t ask for a better Templar tour of Tomar and nearby towns Our tour guide Alex was exceptional and gave us so many facts truth we never knew about. Definitely go if you’re a history nerd or just like taking a trip back in time Very highly recommended Please go
"Thank you so much for this amazing review! We are happy to hear that you had the perfect Templar experience in Tomar Alex will be delighted with your feedback. Thanks for highly recommending us to fellow history enthusiasts .
1.. Confusion with pickup point. It was supposed to be at our hotel (Avani) but instead it was a block away. 2. The vehicle was uncomfortable, too small for my 6 feet 2 frame. My wife was also cramped in the back. 3. We could not visit the Almourol castle. We should have been informed ahead of time. (1.5 hour drive) 4. We based our choice on Viator publicity which did not meet our expectations. We did not get our money’s worth 5. Our guide Carlos was friendly and knowledgeable.
Thank you for sharing your experience. We are sorry to hear the tour did not meet your expectations. We appreciate your compliments about Carlos, but we regret the discomfort in the vehicle and the pickup communication gap. Regarding Almourol Castle, its closure was beyond our control, and we aimed to warn you as soon as we were notified the evening prior. We take your feedback seriously to improve our logistics and vehicle comfort. We wish you better travels ahead.
The tour was very informative and the guide provided a lot of great information on the Templar Knights and their role in the area. Visiting both castles gave a great perspective on how they built and used their buildings.
Thank you for the fantastic feedback! Our main goal is to bring the history of the Templars to life, so we are pleased that the architecture and insights from both castles made your day memorable. Thank you for choosing us, and we look forward to seeing you again!
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.
Thank you for the great feedback on Almourol Castle and our guides! We appreciate your suggestions regarding the time at the Convent and Tomar town, and we will use them to help refine our tour durations. Safe travels!
