🏰🎒 Backpacker Essentials: Discovering Tomar on a Budget

#backpackeressentials

Tucked away in central Portugal, Tomar is a backpacker’s dream — rich in Templar history, charming streets, and low-cost experiences that don’t sacrifice depth or magic.

🧭 Start your adventure with the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s an architectural masterpiece linked to the Knights Templar, and student/youth tickets cost just a few euros.

🌳 Take a peaceful walk through the Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes, a lush forested park next to the convent that offers shade, silence, and sculpture — all for free.

🏞️ Stroll along the Nabão River, where footbridges and riverside cafés make it easy to soak up the city vibe without spending a cent.

🕍 Explore Tomar’s historic center, filled with tiled façades, local bakeries, and friendly faces. Don’t miss the Igreja de São João Baptista — the medieval heart of the town.

Backpacker money saving hack:

🥖 Grab a budget-friendly meal at a tasca — Tomar is known for hearty Portuguese dishes like “ensopado de borrego” and grilled fish, often under €10.

🎒 Bring sturdy walking shoes — the convent is a steep walk from the center, and Tomar’s cobbled streets aren’t flip-flop friendly.

💧 Carry a refillable bottle — water fountains are available throughout the old town and parks.

🛏️ Stay at a central hostel or guesthouse — you’ll find dorm beds starting around €20–25 per night, often in charming old buildings.

🚆 Get there cheaply by train from Lisbon for under €10, with scenic views included.

📅 Visit in the spring or early fall for the best weather and fewer crowds, especially if you want those Instagram shots without too many photo-bombers.