Tomar may be best known for its Templar history and the magnificent Convent of Christ, but it’s also a brilliant base for exploring towns, villages and sights in Central Portugal. Within half-an-hour’s drive you can explore medieval castles, swim in hidden river beaches and wander little stone villages where time does stand still.
Whether you’re tracing the footsteps of the mysterious Knights Templar or simply seeking out beautiful places, here’s a handful of ideas for day trips that you can take from Tomar.
Visiting Tomar? Check out my detailed Tomar guide covering the best things to do there and where to stay, and my guide on where to eat in Tomar.
Day trips to Tomar from Lisbon or Coimbra
Before we dive into the best day trips from Tomar, I wanted to share some day trips to Tomar.
If you’ve landed here searching for the best guided excursions from Lisbon, there are a handful of outrs that blend rich storytelling with Tomar’s stunning architecture and mysterious legacy. Here are four options:
- From Lisbon: Boat to Almourol Castle, a guided visit to the Convent of Christ, and time to explore Tomar’s old town. ➡️ Book this small-group adventure, usually max. 8 people – or go private with this tour.
- From Lisbon: Visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites in one day: Tomar, Batalha and Alcobaça. Private tour. ➡️ Check your dates and book
- From Lisbon: Visit both Tomar and the religious site of Fátima. ➡️ Book this small-group tour, or a private tour.
- From Coimbra: Visit the Convento de Cristo in Tomar, with a bonus stop at the Castelo de Soure. Small-group tour, max. 4 people. ➡️ Check your dates and book.
Otherwise, read my guide to Tomar and plan your independent journey – it’s possible to catch a train from Lisbon or drive.
South: Almourol Castle & Constância
Drive from Tomar: 30-minute drive south of Tomar, I recommend stopping on the journey from Lisbon.
You’ll audibly gasp when you see Almourol Castle for the first time. There’s no other way to react when you turn a corner and the small, fairytale Templar fortress pops into view, set on a small island in the middle of the Rio Tejo. Visiting the ancient stone castle is a little adventure.
Almourol is easily one of Portugal’s prettiest castles. It is said to have existed before 1129 – though the main door says the foundation was from 1171 when it was rebuilt by the Knights Templar. To reach the castle, catch a small boat from the river’s edge nearby or from the village of Tancos. We drove directly to the castle area where there is plenty of parking, then waited five minutes for the little boat to come around – it was €4 for the return ride, which dropped us and a small family there for 40 minutes.
After, you could visit the small village of Tancos or larger village of Constância. Both are very cute, filled with whitewashed buildings trimmed in mustard yellow and villagers who take pride in making the streets beautiful with flowers.
If you don’t have a car, no problem. There are a handful of tours from Lisbon that stop to explore Almourol Castle and Constância before reaching Tomar. Try this small-group adventure or go private.
Need to know: There is no water or bathrooms on the island – use the kiosk before you go. Also, the ferry boat left early, so we almost missed our ride back to the mainland before they took a longer break for lunch – be back 5 minutes early!
Tickets: Buy direct from the captain (bring cash).
West: Ourém & Fátima
Drive from Tomar: Ourém is a 25-minute drive, Fátima is 30 – and it’s 15 minutes between the two.
Continue on the trail of the Knight’s Templar with a day trip to Ourém, a small city near Tomar with an epic castle. After the earthquake of 1755, villagers built a new town centre two kilometres (1.2 mile) away, leaving the historic village to be preserved. Park the car, enter the village walls and stroll along cobbled streets until you reach Ourém Castle.
There’s a lot of history in these walls. After its reconquest from the Moors, Portugal’s first king donated Ourém to his daughter, Dona Teresa, in 1178. The castle sits strategically at the highest point and has been adapted over time – most notably in the 15th century with the addition of the Palace of the Counts of Ourém.
Pass back through the village, stopping for a coffee and Ginjinha d’Castelo de Ourém, a local liquor. It’s worth popping inside the Igreja da Colegiada / Igreja Matriz de Ourém. And if you’re really keen, you can stay the night at the Pousada de Ourém, a 3-star hotel with a pool in the walls.
From here, many travellers continue to Fátima, one of the world’s most important Catholic pilgrimage sites, where three children reported visions of the Virgin Mary in 1917. While I respect its spiritual significance, I found the endless fringe of souvenir shops and neon-lit stalls a little overwhelming – more religion-as-commerce than peaceful retreat.
My preference would be to instead cool off at Praia Fluvial do Agroal, a natural swimming spot in a clear spring-fed creek. Perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day.
Need to know: You can drive right up to the Ourém Castle, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re not a confident driver. There’s a small entry fee for the castle.
North: Dornes & Casal de São Simão villages
Drive from Tomar: 30 minutes to Dornes, 40 minutes to Casal de São Simão
A cute Templar village by a lake, and a hidden freshwater swimming spot? When you head north of Tomar, this is the day trip you can take. Let’s start with the small schist village of Casal de São Simão – it’s a tiny, beautiful aldeia with just one street tucked into the Lousã mountains north of Tomar.
From the village, there’s a steep path down to an epic river beach – it takes about 15 minutes, but we opted to drive closer to the Fragas de São Simão. Here the crystal-clear Alge Creek, lined with tropical greenery, is paradise on a hot day. Keep following the stream and you’ll hop from waterhole to waterhole until you’re between two towering cliffs and the pools are bathed in sunshine. It’s a magical spot.
After, or alternatively, you could explore the small village of Dornes, set on a rocky peninsula above the Zêzere River. The stunning location, 13th-century Templar tower and handful of whitewashed streets have gained Dornes a place on lists about Portugal’s most beautiful villages. When we visited, we met my friend Cristina (from Choice of Magic) for a sunset dinner at Fonte de Cima – she and her husband visit every year and had spent the day on a private river beach with their dogs. From the village, boats can drop you anywhere.
Read next… Most beautiful villages in Portugal
More day trip ideas from Tomar
Tomar is well-positioned for day trips. Here are a few more ideas:
North from Tomar
- Coimbra, Portugal’s medieval capital, is a 50-minute drive north – I have a guide to the city here.
- In the hills south of Coimbra lie a handful of Schist Villages, quaint stone aldeias set in nature. Perfect for a quiet hike or hearty lunch.
- The Roman ruins of Conímbriga, one of the largest excavated Roman settlements in Portugal, are a 50-minute drive
West from Tomar
- It’s a 35-minute drive west to the Batalha Monastery, a mega Gothic church constructed over 150 years.
- Pair that with a visit to the beautiful Castelo de Porto de Mós, and pass by the workshop of Victoria Handmade baskets.
- Explore the Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros, 40 minutes west. Here you can visit many caves, and explore textile and watercolour museums
- Hit the beach: The coast is about a 1-hour drive away. Visit Nazaré for big waves (in the winter) or a quieter patch of coast.
- Explore Portugal’s glass-making history at Marinha Grande, a 50-minute drive.
South and east from Tomar
- Continue inland on the Tejo River, east of Almourol Castle there’s the town of Abrantes and its castle
- Go see the Oliveira do Mouchão, a 3,350-year-old olive tree that still bears fruit.
- Visit Belver, a 45-minute drive south-east, to explore the castle, swim at Praia Fluvial do Alamal river beach, and walk the Passadiço de Alamal boardwalk.
- Close to Tomar is Castelo do Bode Dam where there are tons of river beaches plus activities like wakeboarding.
Did you use any of these day trip ideas near Tomar? I’d love to hear about it – leave me a comment…
Keep reading….
- Where to eat in Tomar
- Guide to Tomar: Portugal’s city of Templar legends
- 10 perfect days in Portugal: A fast-paced classic itinerary
- 13 best day trips from Lisbon
- Lisbon’s best restaurants: 41 great places to eat
- My favourite tascas in Lisbon: Where to eat traditional Portuguese food
- Local’s guide to the LX Factory, Lisbon’s creative micro neighbourhood
- Best places to eat octopus in Lisbon
- Best boat tours in Lisbon
