Pilgrims on the road and friends along the way send me changes every day, and they go out the same day. The Camino Portugués app carries all of it offline, and it's still being built — new features arrive routinely.
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The ground behind you: what the walk into Tomar crosses, and where it could have been broken.
Tomorrow from Tomar
Nothing says you have to stop here, or there. These are simply the towns within a comfortable day's walk, so you can decide tonight.
| Town | km from here | Shared | Private | The walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calvinos | 10.8 | ✓ Yes | — No | The walk from Tomar to Calvinos |
| Areias | 19.3 | ✓ Yes | — No | The walk from Tomar to Areias |
| Cortiça | 25.8 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Tomar to Cortiça |
| Alvaiázere | 32.0 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Tomar to Alvaiázere |
Tomar deserves at least a half-day. The Convento de Cristo, perched on the hilltop above the town, is one of the great monuments of Portugal — and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. Built as the headquarters of the Knights Templar in the 12th century, it was expanded over four centuries and the result is a layered masterpiece of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architecture.
The star is the Janela do Capitulo — the Chapter Window, a riot of Manueline stonework depicting ropes, coral, seaweed, armillary spheres, and the cross of the Order of Christ. It's the most famous window in Portugal, reproduced on everything from postcards to euro coins.
Inside the complex, the Charola — the original Templar rotunda, modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem — is the oldest section. The knights attended mass on horseback here, riding their horses into the circular nave.
Across the river, the Igreja de Santa Maria do Olival served as the Templar mother church and pantheon — many Grand Masters are buried here. The Sinagoga de Tomar, on Rua Joaquim Jacinto, dates from the mid-15th century and is one of the few pre-expulsion synagogues surviving in Portugal. It was converted to a prison, then a chapel, then a warehouse before being recognised and restored as a Jewish museum.
The Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes, the woodland park adjacent to the Convento, is a welcome respite on a hot afternoon. Services are plentiful in the town centre.
Tomar's history is inseparable from the Templars. Gualdim Pais, the fourth Grand Master of the Order in Portugal, founded the town and castle in 1160. The Templars defended this stretch of the Tejo against Moorish counter-attacks and were rewarded with vast landholdings across central Portugal.
When Pope Clement V dissolved the Templars in 1312 under pressure from Philip IV of France, the Portuguese king Dinis I simply renamed them. The Order of Christ inherited the Templar properties, personnel, and mission — many of the same knights continued serving under the new name. Prince Henry the Navigator later became the Order's administrator and used its wealth to finance the Age of Discoveries. The cross of the Order of Christ — a red cross with splayed arms — flew on the sails of Portuguese caravels that reached Africa, India, and Brazil.
The Festa dos Tabuleiros, held every four years (next in 2027), fills Tomar's streets with processions of women carrying elaborate towers of bread and flowers on their heads — 30 loaves high, topped with a crown and the cross of Christ or a dove. The tradition may predate Christianity, linked to ancient harvest celebrations.
To leave town cross the river over the Marques do Pombal bridge (it is a single lane bridge with a pedestrian path, and you will be going against the car traffic). Turn left at the start of the Alameda, left again onto Joao dos Santos Simaos, and then right onto Avenida Doutor Egas Moniz.Just past the bullring turn left and then right slightly. Not far ahead you will pass the very prison-like (literally and metaphorically) Infantry Barracks.The road gives way to a country trail and in a short distance arrives at the locally renowned Ponte de Peniche.Keep straight at the junction after the bridge, and continue to cross under the IC9, keeping to your left after doing so. It is pleasant country roads through planted forests.At the first paved intersection (a four-way intersection 3km after passing under the IC9), turn right onto the road. Follow it to the first fork and veer right into Casais.
6. September 2026 - 18:12
I had a very decent lunch in Picka Pau Amarelo. It was a set menu of soup, Bread, olives, half a liter of wine (or any other drink like you), main course, dessert and coffee. And the cost was only 11.50. That is directly on the camino amd price was incredible.
12. June 2026 - 22:05
Lovely vintage hotel with a wonderful interior. Located on the Camino and with restaurants and shops just around the corner. Well-equipped kitchen, but no washing machine. Wonderful hostess.
29. October 2025 - 12:53
We arrived absolutely soaked so it was great to be able to use the drying machine to dry our kit. Good, clean hostel with good cooking facilities and simple breakfast. A little on the expensive side for a private room (€60) but overall pleasant.
16. August 2025 - 14:45
Camino Passport is available at the Tourism Office in town. Got one today, 16 Aug 2025
30. June 2025 - 14:16
Good location by the river. Simple but comfortable and clean room. A plain breakfast of ham, cheese, bread but great coffee. Very quiet room for weary travellers
13. September 2024 - 21:32
Fantastic hostel, cannot recommend more highly. Clean, friendly, just the right balance of beds per room, great hosts.
Tomar is fantastic- good point for a rest day, beautiful town.
Paula, Australia
12. September 2024 - 17:06
Had to get a cab to Quinta da Cietica instead because of huge blisters.
11. September 2024 - 7:56
Not relating to albergues, accommodation or restaurants but important nonetheless I feel.
For those struggling at this stage with their walking shoes, there is a store in town with quite a selection. Merrell, Salomon, Keen.
It’s called ‘Trilhos Urbanos’ and it’s the north side of Tomar. Probably about 5mins walk from the central roundabout.
22. April 2024 - 22:23
Tomar is must see and worth a stop, especially the castle/convent on the hill above town.
31. March 2024 - 15:57
Stayed two nights so I could walk about explore. Nice place
25. February 2022 - 11:05
I did good until i got ponte piedre, a nice cascading waterfall where i stayed on the upper trail. It eventually took me to the dirt road where i went left and regained the trail in about a Km.
25. April 2019 - 16:24
Hotel Luanda per above comment.
25. April 2019 - 16:22
We spent 2 nights here for rest. Pilgrim friendly, super clean, convenient to everything, and English speaking host. For 2 people, private room with bath; includes breakfast-$42.50. Booking.com
Esta entidad ha sido beneficiaria de una ayuda del Programa de incentivos a la movilidad eficiente y sostenible (MOVES III), gestionado por la Xunta de Galicia a través del Instituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA) en el marco del Real Decreto 266/2021, y cofinanciada por la Unión Europea — NextGenerationEU, dentro del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia.
