The Town Rick Steves Loves To Experience Portugal Without The Crowds
By Dhruv Trivedi
VACATIONS
Travel guru Rick Steves loves Portugal, and he recommends the small, historical town of Tomar if you're looking for an authentic taste of the country without the crowds.
Tomar's history goes back over 900 years, and a castle-turned-convent overlooks the city. The town can be explored on foot, is picturesque, and is just 90 miles from Lisbon.
The Nabão River runs through the town's center, and you can see Portuguese culture and creativity on display at museums, ornate chapels, and The Center for Contemporary Art.
The heart of Tomar is its chequerboard square, Praça da República. Many cultural festivals take place in the city and its square, the biggest of which is the Festa dos Tabuleiros.
Tomar has a deep association with the Knights Templar. Its castle, the Convent of Christ, takes cues from Gothic, Renaissance, and Middle Eastern architecture.