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Tomar? and general itinerary feedback

Hi all - I have a trip coming up to Portugal very soon - in less than 3 weeks! Here's my itinerary

Sintra - one night, 1.5 days
Lisbon - 3 nights, 2 days
Pick up a car at Lisbon airport, stopping in Obidos and Alcobaca on the way to Nazare
Nazare - 1 day, 2 nights.

Drive Nazare to Coimbra
Coimbra - 1 night, 1 day
Drive Coimbra to Porto, stopping at Tomar and Aviero along the way
Porto - 2 nights, 2 days

Feels like a lot but we are constrained by how much time we have...there are also 5 of us, all with opinions, although I do most of the planning :-) we're also a pretty easy-going group, so anything you would leave out, or that we definitely should not miss?

Tomar is a last minute add to the original agenda. A couple of questions - is Tomar a good place to visit? - I was surprised that Rick's books don't mention it at all. I am also considering a tour conducted by Templar Knights eu group, apparently headquartered in the UK. http://www.templarknights.eu/about-tomar/ Anyone have experience with this tour provider? We have an option of a 2 hour tour (cathedral and convent) or 4 hour (which adds the aqueduct and walk/tour of the town)

Appreciate any thoughts - thank you!

Posted by
7312 posts

Tomar is not between Coimbra and Porto, so I wouldn't go there that day. You could however stop there between Nazaré and Coimbra, it is worth it.
I would leave out Óbidos and Aveiro, as it's hard to do both Óbidos and Alcobaça the same day, and you need more time in Coimbra on the day you're leaving for Porto.

The trip happens soon, so I don't know if I should comment on the itinerary, which is feasible as it is. But if you still have flexibility, I'd drop Nazaré entirely and add a night to Coimbra and a night to Porto.

Posted by
7229 posts

Tomar is covered in the latest edition
But Tomar is south of Coimbra so it makes no sense to visit Tomar where you have it
Better from Nazare/ Alcobaca area

Posted by
10 posts

Thank you all - cannot believe that I mixed up where Tomar is! Thank you for the correction. In your opinion, is Tomar worth the tip>

Posted by
511 posts

Tomar's location and coverage in newer RS book were already mentioned; it is also in an RS video. I agree it is worth visiting. If you don't do the UK tour -- which sounds interesting -- then I would recommend getting the newer RS book because the convent and church are very interesting but there is not that much explanatory material, at least that I found. I found the RS book was very helpful in what to look for in various floors and rooms of the convent The old part of the town is not big; wandering is very pleasant and easy.

I agree with the person who suggested skipping Aveiro given your limited time and other plans. While it is a nice enough place to visit, there is not that much to see. I would take Tomar over Aveiro if you need to choose.

Posted by
2 posts

I hope you'll come back and let us know how that Templar tour is - we're planning on doing it next October. My husband is very into it!

Posted by
15794 posts

I liked Coimbra much more than Tomar. I used Tomar as a convenient base for day-tripping with the car, but you don't need that. I encourage you to visit Batalha as well as Alcobaca. Both are beautiful, but they are very different. You could visit one of the monasteries and/or Tomar on your full day in Nazare. Unless you are planning to spend the day on the beach, I don't think there's all that much to see and do there.

When you are planning your time, take into account the time it will take to find parking, which can be a problem in Obidos and Tomar. The monasteries had ample nearby parking when I was there in late May. Also be aware that driving times are often longer than what the apps and gps suggest.