Things to do in Tomar
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Charola
Thought to be in imitation of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the 16-sided charola dominates the Convento de Cristo complex. The interior is otherworldly in its vast heights - an awesome combination of simple forms and rich embellishment. It's said that the circular design enabled the nights to attend mass on horseback. In the centre stands an eerily gothic high altar, like a temple within a temple. Restored wall paintings date from the early 16th century.
A huge funnel to the left is an ancient organ pipe (the organ itself is long gone). Dom Manuel was responsible for tacking the nave on to the west side of the Charola and for commissioning the architect D…
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Igreja de São João Baptista
The old town’s most striking church faces Praça da República, itself an eye-catching ensemble of 17th-century buildings. The recently restored church dates mostly from the late 15th century. It has an octagonal spire and richly ornamented Manueline doorways on its northern and western sides. Inside are 16th- and 17th-century azulejos; Gregório Lopes, one of 16th-century Portugal’s finest artists, painted the six panels hanging inside.
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Museu Luso-Hebraico Abraham Zacuto
On a charming cobbled lane in the old town, you’ll find the country’s best-preserved medieval synagogue. Built between 1430 and 1460, it was used for only a few years, until Dom Manuel’s convert-or-leave edict of 1496 forced most Jews to do the latter. The synagogue subsequently served as a prison, chapel, hayloft and warehouse until it was classified as a national monument in 1921.
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Museu Dos Fósforos
This museum, reached via the lovely courtyard of the Convento de São Francisco, contains Europe’s largest collection of matchboxes. Amassed by local ‘phillumenist’ Aquiles da Mota Lima, the 40,000-plus matchboxes from countries around the world depict everything from bullfighters to bathing beauties, and from dinosaurs to French cuisine.
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Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
Downhill from the monastery sits the strikingly simple, small, pure Renaissance basilica, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, built in the 16th century. It's believed to have been designed by Diogo de Torralva, who is also responsible for the Convento cloisters. At the time of writing it was closed for restoration.
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Convento de Cristo
The monastery was founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Templars. It has chapels, cloisters and chapter houses in widely diverging styles, added over the centuries by successive kings and Grand Masters. You can follow a short route (45 minutes) or take a more comprehensive 90-minute tour.
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Aqueduto de Pegões
The impressive Aqueduto de Pegões, striding towards the monastery from the northwest, was built from 1593 to 1613, to supply water to thirsty monks. Its 180 arches, some of which are double-decker, are thought to have been designed by Italian Filippo Terzi. It's best seen just off the Leiria road, 2.3km from town.
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Restaurante Tabuleiro
Located just off Tomar’s main square, this undistinguished-looking eatery with multilingual menus posted out front doesn’t immediately inspire confidence, but step inside and you’ll discover a family-friendly local hang-out with warm, attentive service, great food and ample portions.
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Restaurante Tomaz
Popular with locals, this simple, appealing place has a cosy tiled dining room and outdoor seating on a wide, leafy street. Specialities include Portuguese dishes such as bacalhau à brás (salt-cod fried with onions and potatoes).
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Fatias de Cá
This Tomar-based theatre company presents highly innovative and entertaining weekend performances such as The Name of the Rose and The Tempest, often in amazing locations.
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Akiákopus Bar
This place looks intimidating because you have to ring the doorbell, but inside it’s a cosy little drinking hole with stone walls, beamed ceilings and a surprisingly good margarita.
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Café Paraíso
This old-fashioned, high-ceilinged deco cafe serves as a refuge for the town’s alternative scene, as well as for anyone in need of a snack and a shot of caffeine or whisky.
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Calça Perra
Eat in the pretty pink-walled dining room or the breezy courtyard below. Best in the off-season, when €7 lunch specials include beer or wine, soup, main course and coffee.
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Restaurante Bela Vista
The views are lovely from Bela Vista’s wisteria-bedecked terrace overlooking the river, but service and food (standard Portuguese fare) are somewhat less dependable.
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Restaurante Nabão
Just next door to the Bela Vista, this modern place also has very good, carefully presented regional cuisine, plus large windows looking out onto the river.
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La Bella
People flock to this brightly lit, mirror-walled pizzeria just behind Igreja de São João Baptista. Pasta and meat dishes are excellent.
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Via Aventura
Via Aventura organises canoe trips on the Rio Nabão as well as to Constância and Castelo de Almourol (€15 per person).
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Cine Teatro Paraíso
Showing movies five nights a week, this community-run theatre also hosts occasional live music and drama performances.
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Núcleo de Arte Contemporânea
This recently opened museum showcases the work of modern artists from all over Portugal.
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Snack Bar 15
Simple but good food at bargain prices served up in a bright, modern café.
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