This tour will follow the path of the Knights Templar in Portugal, a religious/military order full of mysticism that became one of the most powerful flags of Christianity in medieval Europe.
We start our visit in Santarem, the city of gothic architecture, where we can observe several monuments built under this medieval style.
Next, we stop along side the Tagus River and cross it by boat to the castle of Almourol, one of the most spectacular Portuguese castles built by the Knights Templar, on a small island in the middle of the river.
Next we head to Tomar, a UNESCO World Heritage city, with its charming historic center on the banks of the Nabao river and visit the headquarters of this amazing religious/military order, the Convent of Christ with its eight cloisters.
Whether you choose a single-day or a multi-day tour, you will always be driven in the comfort of our Mercedes-Benz vehicles and escorted by our certified professional driver-guides.
Total Cost in €: Euros |
1Person: 300€ |
2People: 310€ (155€ per person) |
3People: 315€ (105€ per person) |
4People: 340€ (85€ per person) |
5People: 360€ (72€ per person) |
6People: 372€ (62€ per person) |
7People: 399€ (57€ per person) |
8People: 440€ (55€ per person) |
9 or more passengers please contact us: info.premiere.tours@gmail.com |
Private and exclusive
Daily
Up to 8 hours
9:00 AM
Place designated by you in accordance with Premiere Tours
The capital of Portuguese Gothic architecture, Santarem was founded by the Romans in the first century B.C., reaching its height of prosperity during the domain of the Moors. It was conquered by the first king of Portugal, Afonso I in 1147 and became the regional capital of the province of Ribatejo. We will visit the Church of Graça (13th century Gothic) where we can find the tomb of the great Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral, the discoverer of Brazil.
The Castle of Almourol is one of the best examples of 12th-century military Templar architecture. It is strategically located on an island in the center of the Tagus River. This fortress was considered invincible and was part of a line of defense composed of 5 castles that protected Coimbra, the capital of Portugal, at the time. We will visit the Castle of Almourol, by crossing the river on a very pleasant boat ride. From the walls of the castle, we will enjoy the wonderful view of the winding course of the river around the valleys of “Ribatejo.”
The Order of the Knights Templar, or Templars, entered in Portugal in the beginning of the 12th century, even before the founding of the Portuguese kingdom. This Order became prominent in Portugal when the Portuguese Knight Gualdim Pais was instructed by the founder of the Templars in Jerusalem, Hugo of Payens to establish the first Templar headquarters in Europe. The city of Tomar was than built as a replica of the Holy City of Jerusalem. On its dominant hill, the Convent of Christ proudly stands guard over the city. Walking tour through the old streets of Tomar.
If you wish to have lunch, your guide can recommend restaurants in or around Tomar.
With the extinction of the Knights Templar in 1307, all of its wealth and assets became part of the new Portuguese Order of Christ. We will visit the headquarters of the Knights Templar in Europe, the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place of inspiration for legends and stories written in books and adapted for the cinema.
A private tour with an accredited professional driver-guide, exclusively at your disposal, who will accompany you on visits to monuments and other places of interest whenever possible, (in certain areas of the city, car parking is not available or not allowed in which case the driver-guide will drop you off and schedule a time with you for pick-up, back at the same place of drop-off).
The start and ending of the tour will always be at a place designated by you, in accordance to the agreement previously established between you and Premiere Tours .
This tour is completely personalized. If you wish to change our suggestions of places to visit with others chosen by you, we will gladly do our best to accommodate your choices or options.