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Templar KnightsAlmourol & Tomar.

The Private Day Trip from Lisbon to Almourol & Tomar

Nine hours. A private van. An experienced local guide. Cross the Tagus to Almourol Castle, then follow the Templar Knights to Tomar and the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Walk Tomar’s historic centre, hear the story of Gualdim Pais and the town’s medieval Jewish history, and stop for a medieval-style lunch at Taberna Antiga.

  • 9 hours
  • 100% private
  • Hotel pickup
  • Tickets included
Almourol Castle on its rocky island in the Tagus River under a blue sky

Castles, knights and centuries of mystery — in one private day.

What makes this day trip special Explore the itinerary

Book Your Templar Knights Tour

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The little things make the difference

Why Travelers Love This Tour

  • The crenellated walls of Tomar castle rising above a grassy slope

    Into Templar Country

    Leave the city behind for the heart of Portugal — the land along the Tagus that mattered so much to the Knights Templar.

  • Three people looking out from an arched gallery towards the Convent of Christ

    A Local’s Perspective

    Gualdim Pais, the Templars and Tomar’s Jewish history — told by a guide who knows the stories behind the stones.

  • A medieval-style table set with clay goblets, plates and a parchment menu

    A Medieval Lunch

    Lunch at Taberna Antiga in Tomar turns into a medieval experience, with goblets, platters and candlelight.

  • The painted and gilded ceiling of the Charola in the Convent of Christ

    Manueline Masterpieces

    Inside the Convent of Christ, centuries of art and architecture in one extraordinary building.

The journey

One day. Into Templar country.

A castle on the Tagus, a Templar town and the convent that was the Knights’ headquarters — private, from your door in Lisbon.

  • The wide Tagus River near Almourol, with wooded hills on the far bank
    01 · ALMOUROL

    A castle on the Tagus

    Cross the river by boat to Almourol Castle and look out over the countryside from its tower.

  • The statue of Gualdim Pais in Tomar’s main square
    02 · TOMAR

    The Templar town

    The story of Gualdim Pais, the medieval synagogue and a medieval-style lunch at Taberna Antiga.

  • The great Renaissance cloister of the Convent of Christ with its central fountain
    03 · CONVENT OF CHRIST

    The Knights’ headquarters

    The Templars’ seat until the order was dissolved — today a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Explore the full itineraryHide the full itinerary

From Lisbon

  • 01

    Pick up

    Starting in Lisbon, we pick you up at your accommodation to take you on this day trip.

Almourol & the Tagus

  • 02

    Vila Nova da Barquinha

    We’ll take you to the charming village beside Almourol Castle, for a glimpse of the region’s strategic importance to the Templar Knights. Our destination is the town’s recreation centre, where you can immerse yourself further in the history and atmosphere of this historically vital area.

  • 03

    Almourol Castle

    Experience the enchantment of Almourol Castle as we cross the Tagus River by boat — the perfect moment to delve into its rich history. Your guide brings centuries past to life within the castle’s walls. From the tower of this unique castle, capture stunning photographs of the picturesque countryside.

Tomar

  • 04

    Tomar

    Discover the charm of this unique town in the heart of Portugal, and its pivotal role in shaping the identity of the country and its people. Unearth the story of Gualdim Pais, hailed by some as one of the forefathers of the nation. Wander the narrow streets of the historic centre with a guide who unravels the Jewish history of the Middle Ages, with a visit to the synagogue. Finish with a stroll through town and a visit to “Taberna Antiga” for an immersive medieval lunch experience.

The Convent of Christ

  • 05

    Convent of Christ

    The Convent of Christ in Tomar is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was the headquarters of the Templar Knights until the order was dissolved, opening a new chapter with the Order of Christ. Its highlight is its exceptional Manueline architecture — a living tribute to Portugal’s cultural heritage, where artistic styles from across the centuries meet.

Optional extension · extra charge

  • 06

    Batalha

    If you’re interested, we can extend the tour to 11 hours (extra charge). The extension takes you to Batalha, to explore the Battle of Aljubarrota, also known as the Battle of the Three Johns: its pivotal role in establishing Portugal’s second dynasty and how the victory became one of the country’s founding myths.

This is an illustrative route, not a fixed stop-by-stop guarantee. Stops can vary with traffic, access restrictions and guest preferences. Tickets to Almourol Castle and the Convent of Christ are included; lunch is not.

Your guide for the day

Meet the locals who bring Portugal’s story to life.

Great tours aren’t just about the places you visit. They’re about the people who bring them to life. Our guides combine local knowledge, genuine warmth and a passion for sharing the country they love.

  • Three men talking as they walk across Tomar’s main square
    Real people. Real connections.
  • Three people talking inside the painted Charola of the Convent of Christ
    Local knowledge, shared with heart.
  • A man explaining an exhibition panel to two visitors in a museum
    Stories worth remembering.

Every guide brings their own personality, favourite stories and local perspective. Guides are assigned shortly before your tour, but if you have someone special in mind, let us know when booking. We’ll do our best to accommodate your request!

Meet the whole team

The difference

Why Book With Us?

A private day out of Lisbon, with the details taken care of.

  • The ornate Manueline stonework of the Convent of Christ

    Locals, Not Just Tour Guides

    Your guide gives live, personal commentary all day — the stories, the history and the little details that make each stop come alive.

  • Two people on a stone balcony looking over green countryside at sunset

    Picked Up at Your Door

    Your guide meets you at your hotel or Airbnb entrance in Lisbon. A private, air-conditioned vehicle for your group alone, with bottled water on board.

  • Arched cloister galleries lined with blue and white tiles at the Convent of Christ

    Tickets Included

    Entry to Almourol Castle and the Convent of Christ is in the price, so the day is about the places, not the paperwork.

Lunch and gratuities are not included. The Batalha extension is optional, at extra charge.

Your Templar day starts here

Ready to follow the Templar Knights?

Nine hours, a private vehicle and a local guide who brings Almourol and Tomar to life.

  • 9 hoursprivate day trip
  • Up to 8guests per booking
  • Free cancellationup to 24 hours before
Check availability

Takes you back to the booking calendar at the top of this page.

The practical details

Everything you need to know.

  • What’s included

    • A private, air-conditioned vehicle for your group alone
    • Pickup at your hotel or Airbnb entrance in Lisbon
    • At the end of the day, tell your guide where you’d like to be dropped off
    • Live commentary from an experienced local guide
    • Tickets to Almourol Castle and the Convent of Christ
    • Bottled water

  • What’s not included

    • Lunch — we stop at Taberna Antiga in Tomar for a medieval-style lunch
    • Gratuities
    • The optional Batalha extension (11 hours in total, extra charge)

  • The day & group size

    • Starts at 8:00 am and lasts about nine hours
    • Part of the day is spent driving between stops, plus a lunch break
    • Up to eight guests per booking
    • Guided in English, French or Spanish
    • Prefer to meet us? Our start point is by the Hard Rock Cafe on Avenida da Liberdade

  • Comfort & accessibility

    • Some walking, from short to moderate distances — wear comfortable shoes
    • Bring a jacket or cardigan for later in the day
    • Suitable for all ages — tell us about children under 7 so we can arrange child boosters
    • Ages 1 to 99; infant seats are available
    • Not wheelchair accessible; strollers are fine

Good to know

Questions? We’ve got answers.

FAQs

Templar Knights Route

Who is this tour for?

This tour offers a comprehensive exploration suitable for all ages, providing a deeper understanding and experience of our country. However, it’s important to note that the tour is not wheelchair accessible. If there are children under the age of 7 in your group, please inform us in advance so we can arrange child boosters accordingly.

What languages are our tours offered in?

Our tours are offered in English, Portuguese, Spanish and French.

Travelling with mobility issues?

While this guided van tour offers the convenience of easy access and modern comforts, it does involve walking segments, varying from short to moderate distances. It’s important to note that we cannot guarantee the accessibility of the attractions on the tour itinerary and associated facilities. There may be ramps, steps, stairs, etc., which could affect accessibility for some individuals.

Is this tour customizable?

All our guided tours are private and fully customizable. This means that during the tour, you can request alterations to the itinerary, such as extending stays at points of interest or shortening stays at others. If you have any significant alterations in mind, such as replacing one town with another entirely, please inform us in advance. This allows us to assess the feasibility of the change within the tour timeframe or determine if an extension is necessary.

Need help planning your lunch break during the daytrip?

Our day trips typically span between 8 and 12 hours, and as such, we incorporate a lunch break into the itinerary. Upon booking your tour, feel free to contact us for a curated selection of restaurant recommendations. We can provide information on their price range and accommodate any dietary restrictions you may have. Once you’ve made your selection, leave the reservation details to us. We’ll handle the booking process for you.

What should I take with me?

Our van tours offer an extended and enjoyable experience throughout the day. For your comfort, we recommend bringing comfortable shoes and a jacket or cardigan, particularly useful while visiting our coastal towns, or as the day winds down. Don’t forget to pack your camera to capture the numerous picturesque moments you’ll encounter along the way.

Book with confidence

Your Templar day trip starts here.

A real local team, here to make every detail effortless.

  • Secure online paymentYour payment is securely processed.
  • Free cancellationUp to 24 hours before your tour.
  • A real team behind every bookingPersonal support from our Lisbon-based team.

10,000+ 5-Star Reviews

across Viator & Tripadvisor