Tomar – a quaint settlement

Destinations

Portugal : Tomar

Central Portugal is known for its fertile lands, diverse topography, and natural wonders which lure thousands of tourists on an annual basis. Among the many interesting places to see there, you should definitely check out Tomar enshrouded in Templar legends.

The town’s mesmerising setting by the crystal clear River Nabão and the diversity of things to pursue will surprise even the most experienced globetrotters. A plethora of family-run restaurants with local specialties, cosy plazas, and fancy shops will be a perfect blend both for a long and short stay.

Tomar and its highlights will stay within your reach with a rental car which will guarantee you travelling comfort and convenience. All Portuguese cities, including Tomar, offer a wide choice of car hire companies. If you want, you can also rent a vehicle at one of the airports.

  • Tomar
    Tomar

Tomar's attractions

Starting your journey around Tomar from the Old Town, you should definitely direct your steps towards the Praça da República, which is the town’s urban heart. It is here where you’ll come across tourists flocking in stylish restaurants offering local specialties. 

Around the main plaza, you’ll find one of the most important landmarks in Tomar. These include the town hall, the Igreja de São João Baptista, and the statue of Gualdim Pais, who was the founder of the settlement. All around the square, you can explore multiple narrow cobblestone streets and admire the interesting Portuguese architecture enchanted in the small houses.

One of the most popular highlights of Tomar is the Convento de Cristo, a fortified convent with long and eventful history. Its past is reflected in the many styles incorporated into its main construction. The defensive elements include stunning medieval walls, large battlements, and tall towers.

Yet another interesting place to see is the Museu dos Fósforos, a place dedicated to matchstick boxes. Inside, you’ll find a large collection that amounts to as many as 40,000 boxes displaying stunning artworks and brilliant designs. The entrance to the museum is free of charge which is yet another advantage of this attraction.

If you’d like to escape the touristy centre, head to the Parque do Mouchão located on one of the banks of the Nabão River. There is plenty of space to take a long and relaxed walk or simply take a break from sightseeing on one of the park benches.

  • Tomar
    Tomar

Driving around Tomar

If you’ve already have your dream vehicle, the only thing that is left to do is to buckle up and start your journey around Tomar and the surrounding region. Due to the town’s favourable location in close proximity to such places as Lisbon, Fatima, or Coimbra, it will be an equally great choice to incorporate Tomar as a one-day trip into your holiday plans. 

Tomar is also a very compact town, owing to which you can easily leave your rental car on one of the municipal parking lots and explore it on foot. There are a number of outdoor parking lots where you can safely leave your car for a small parking fee. There is also a free parking area in the Varzea Grande Square located just in front of Tomar Station.

There exist a number of roads leading to Tomar depending on the direction you are coming from. These include: A13, A23, N113, and N110. The nearest airport is Lisbon Airport located 130 km from Tomar. You can take the A1 motorway from the airport to Torres Novas and then A23 motorway. If you are coming from Coimbra, take A13 motorway or N110 road to reach the town.

Keep in mind that there exists a special toll road system in Portugal. Thus, it would be advisable to familiarise yourself with it beforehand to avoid any misunderstanding. The toll system won’t be a greater obstacle if you rent a vehicle equipped with a transponder. Such a device allows you to pay the tolls without the need to stop at each gate.

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