Tomar with Teenagers
Things to do in and around Tomar as a family
Tomar has plenty to keep a family occupied, whether you're interested in history, being outdoors, trying something adventurous or simply finding somewhere nice to spend an afternoon.
Of course, the Templars are the main attraction. The castle and Convent of Christ are at the heart of the city, but there is much more to Tomar than its history. The Nabão runs through the centre, the Mata dos Sete Montes provides some welcome shade, and the Castelo do Bode reservoir is close enough for a day by the water.
We've put together some of the places and activities you might like to consider while you're staying at O Templário Sonolento with your teen.
Explore the Convent of Christ and Templar Castle
The Convent of Christ and Castle of Tomar are the obvious place to begin exploring Tomar.
Once the headquarters of the Knights Templar, the complex includes the castle, walls, towers, cloisters and the remarkable Charola. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You can explore the different parts of the complex, and look out for the many details in the stonework and Templar symbolism. From the castle there are also wonderful views across Tomar and the surrounding countryside.
From the gardens there is a small path that leads to a hidden gate connecting the castle to the Mata dos Sete Montes park, a fun way to combine the two activities and walk back from the castle.
Walk the escadórios de Nossa Senhora da Piedade in Tomar
This is the long monumental staircase leading up to the chapel on the hill opposite the Castle and Convent of Christ. There are 292 or 365 steps, depending on who you ask and who counts them! It may be a fun challenge to see if each member of the family ends up with the same final count! The stairs are quite steep but have landings along the way. Great views back to Tomar!
Admire the Aqueduto dos Pegões Altos
This aqueduct, just outside Tomar, it is one of the city's most impressive pieces of engineering. It is massive! It was built in the 1600's to bring water to the Convent of Christ. There were no water pumps involved, the system relied on a slight gradient all the way to the convento!
See Tomar by tuk-tuk
A tuk-tuk is a fun alternative to exploring the town entirely on foot and gives you a chance to see some of Tomar while hearing a little about its history.
It can also be a good way to get an overview of the town before deciding which parts you'd like to explore more closely.
Luís and Catarina run Tuk Lovers and they are super friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
Wander through the Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes
The Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes begins just below the castle and is a lovely place to escape the streets for a while.
There are paths through the trees, a giant swing, historic features, including some Roman ruins and plenty of shade. It's an easy addition to a morning exploring the castle and old town.
Cool down by the River Nabão and Mouchão Park
The Nabão is one of the things that makes Tomar particularly pleasant.
Mouchão Park, in the middle of the river, is a good place to stop for a while, with its trees, paths and views back towards the town. In the summer months there are often activities for kids such as an inflatable climbing wall or hamster balls on the river.
You can combine a walk along the river with a visit to the old centre, stop for a drink or ice cream.
Discover the city with a treasure hunt
There is plenty to discover simply by walking through Tomar's historic centre, but there are also organised treasure hunts for families or groups. Search online for Scavenger Hunts Tomar to find several options.
Go at your own pace with a self guided walking tour
Find the QR codes on the signs posted in the town, and pick up the tour at any point for a relaxed way to discover more about Tomar at your own leisure.
Spend a day at Castelo do Bode
In warmer weather, the Castelo do Bode reservoir is one of the obvious places to head for.
There are several river beaches in the area, including Praia Fluvial de Montes and Praia Fluvial de Vila Nova da Serra, where you can spend the day swimming and relaxing by the water.
There are also various water-based activities available around the reservoir, including kayaking, paddle boarding and wakeboarding.
It's always nice to go to the water, whatever the weather, but availability of activities varies according to the season, so it is worth checking what is operating during your stay.
Challenge yourself at Corda Bamba, Campo Jovem and Wakevilla
For something more active, there are several outdoor activity providers in the area.
Corda Bamba offers activities including climbing, rappelling, slides and outdoor games.
At Campo Jovem, near Tomar, you can find activities including climbing, canoeing, bridges, slides and other outdoor challenges.
Wakevilla, on the Castelo do Bode reservoir, offers wakeboarding, wakesurfing, water skiing, tubing, kayaking and paddle boarding.
These are options worth considering if you'd like to include something a little different in your holiday.
Be amazed at the Match Museum and Tile Workshop
One of Tomar's more unusual attractions is the Museu dos Fósforos, housed in the former Convent of São Francisco.
The collection contains more than 60,000 matchboxes, labels and matchbook covers from around the world.
It is opposite the tile workshop, Officina de Ceramica Azulejos, where you can watch the artists making tiles and other ceramics, and buy some unique souvenirs to take with you. If you are staying a bit longer, you can also have something custom made for your home! This is where the tile image of our sleeping templar on the front of the house comes from.
Take a journey through the National Railway Museum
A short drive away in Entroncamento is the National Railway Museum.
It houses locomotives, carriages and other railway objects covering more than 160 years of Portuguese railway history, including the former Portuguese Royal Train.
It's an interesting option for a change of scenery, particularly if you have anyone in the family interested in trains, engineering or industrial history.
Dive into the past at the dinosaur footprints and caves
For a day trip, head towards Pegadas de Dinossáurios da Serra de Aire, where you can see dinosaur footprints preserved in the rock. You start the visit in the information center with a short video, then walk around the excavated area, a nice walk in itself and exciting to imagine the large animals walking there in the far past.
The Grutas de Mira de Aire are also in this general area. They are Portugal's largest public caves, very well organised and impressive, and an opportunity to learn about science, adventure and history.
Delve into the defense of the Tagus at Almoural Castle
Half an hour by car, Almoural Castle is a beautiful Templar castle on an island in the Tagus, reached by boat.
Join the world's largest treasure hunt and become a geocacher
Turn exploring Tomar into a treasure hunt with geocaching. Using the Geocaching app, you can search for hidden caches around the town and surrounding countryside, following GPS coordinates and clues to find them. It’s a fun way to discover corners of Tomar you might otherwise walk straight past.
Places to eat
These are some recommendations we have for lunch or dinner with your teens.
Taverna Antiqua is a natural choice if you want to continue the medieval theme after visiting the castle. The restaurant has a medieval setting and atmosphere and is quite different from a conventional restaurant. It's a 15 minute drive from the center of Tomar.
For something more casual, Enigma serves burgers, while La Bella is a good place for pizza and pasta.
For something sweet, Gelatomania is a very popular ice cream shop in the center, and the recently opened Fruyo, also on the main shopping street, offers frozen yoghurt and açaí.
Café Paraíso is an iconic Tomar stop for coffee, drinks and something small to eat.
Biscaia, also in the center, is best known for their pulled pork sandwiches.
And if you're keen to try Portuguese food, look out for local dishes and specialities such as bifanas (marinated pork sandwiches), grilled meats, bacalhau (cod fish, typically from dried cod) and fatias de Tomar, a typical dessert originating from the convent in Tomar.
Staying at O Templário Sonolento
Our house is right in the historic centre of Tomar, so many of these places can be reached on foot and older, independent children may be able to venture out by themselves.
The home is a convenient base for exploring the town, while the river beaches, Castelo do Bode and the other attractions around the region are an easy drive away.
The house has two bedrooms (one with double bed, one with two single beds) which each have their own bathroom, so you won't have to share with your teenagers! The comfy living room lets you unwind together and a fully equipped kitchen gives you the option to stay in for meals for a change. Fast internet allows for smooth screen time.
Hopefully this gives you a few ideas for your stay — whether you are here for a few days or a little longer.
Até breve!
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