How long is the drive on the Tomar and Coimbra tour?

Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes total driving: 1h30 Lisbon to Tomar, 1h Tomar to Coimbra, 2h Coimbra to Lisbon. The circuit covers approximately 423 km. The guide narrates during all drives.

Do I need to pre-book the Joanine Library for this tour?

Yes, in summer (June-September). Timed-entry slots for the Joanine Library sell out days to weeks ahead and must be booked online by the client at uc.pt before the tour date. Outside summer (October-May), same-week booking is usually possible. The guide advises on slot timing to fit the itinerary.

What is the Convent of Christ entry fee?

€15 per adult at the gate. The fee covers the entire complex: the 16-sided Charola, the seven cloisters, the Chapter House with the Rope Window, and the castle walls. No advance booking required.

Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon:
Two UNESCO Sites in One Day

Duración

8 Horas

Tipo de tour

Visita privada

Tamaño

Máx. 8px/Van

Recogida y entrega

Recogida en hotel o apartamento en Lisboa, Sintra, Cascais, Estoril o en cualquier punto de la costa.

Aspectos Destacados

Convent of Christ, Santa Cruz Monastery, University of Coimbra, Biblioteca Joanina

Precios

From €360 per private vehicle (see pricing below)

Reservar ahora

Calificado 5/5 en TripAdvisor.
basado en +3387 reseñas

Resumen del recorrido

Duración: 8 horas.
Salida: Sugerido 08:30–09:00 – recogida en hotel o apartamento en Lisboa, Sintra, Cascais, Estoril, o en cualquier lugar de la costa.
Regresar: ~17:00–17:30 a su lugar de recogida.
Tipo de recorrido: 100% privado: solo para tu grupo.
Tamaño del grupo: Hasta 8 pasajeros.
Vehículo: Furgoneta privada con aire acondicionado.
Guía: Conductor-guía con licencia disponible en inglés, español, francés y portugués.
Destinos: Tomar and Coimbra.
UNESCO Sites: Convent of Christ (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983) and University of Coimbra (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013).
Distancia total de conducción: Approximately 423 km circuit.
Precio: From €360 per vehicle (see pricing details below).
Política de Cancelación: Cancelación gratuita hasta 24 horas antes de la salida; no reembolsable dentro de las 24 horas.
Valoración de TripAdvisor: 5,0/5 según 3.387 opiniones.
Licencia: RNAAT 119/2013.

Resumen del tour

En Tomar: the Convent of Christ, classified UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Knights Templar in Portugal, it is the most complete surviving monument of the Templar presence in Western Europe. When the Templar Order was dissolved by Pope Clement V in 1312, Portugal simply converted the knights into the Order of Christ – and kept building. The result is 400 years of consecutive architecture in one walled complex: Templar Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance, and Baroque.

In Coimbra: the Universidade de Coimbra, founded by royal charter in 1290 and permanently established on the city’s Alta hill in 1537. UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 (Property No. 1387). The Joanine Library, completed 1728, holds approximately 70,000 manuscripts and rare books – and a colony of bats that have been protecting them from insects for 300 years.

Tomar and Coimbra have no viable public transport connection between them; reaching both in a single day from Lisbon requires a private vehicle. The tour is 100% private: your group only, with a licensed driver-guide. Maximum 8 passengers. From €360 per vehicle.

Por qué los viajeros eligen este tour

3,387 verified Tripadvisor reviews with a 5.0 rating – Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best 2025. The only licensed private operator offering a Tomar and Coimbra day trip from Lisbon with transparent per-vehicle pricing.
Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites from different eras – the Convent of Christ (UNESCO 1983), showcasing the transition from the Knights Templar to the Order of Christ, and the University of Coimbra (UNESCO 2013), home to Portugal’s oldest academic tradition and the renowned Joanine Library.
Excellent value for groups – for 5–8 passengers, a total price of €590 works out to approximately €74–118 per person, compared with competitor tours typically priced at €150–180 per person.
A connected historical narrative across 423 km – rather than simply visiting two destinations, the tour links Tomar and Coimbra through the story of the religious-military orders that helped build Portugal’s power and later influenced the development of its leading university city.
Joanine Library planning assistance included – the guide advises on timed-entry availability and helps coordinate the visit schedule around your reserved entry slot.
Flexible itinerary – the order of visits and time spent at each stop can be adjusted before departure. Coimbra can be visited first if required by the Joanine Library entry schedule.

Qué puedes ver

University of Coimbra and the Joanine Library

The University of Coimbra has the oldest charter in Portugal – granted by King Dinis I in 1290 – and was permanently established on the Alta hill in 1537 when King João III requisitioned the royal palace and handed it to the university. The complex (Pátio das Escolas, Royal Palace, Joanine Library, St. Michael’s Chapel, University Tower) was inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 as Property No. 1387, recognising 700+ years of continuous academic tradition.

The Joanine Library (Biblioteca Joanina) was built 1717–1728 by King João V, the same monarch who commissioned the great Portuguese Baroque building projects of the early 18th century. Three interconnected halls, floor to ceiling: approximately 70,000 manuscripts, codices, and rare books. The painted ceilings and gilded shelves are the visual centrepiece. The practical centrepiece is less visible: a colony of Pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) that inhabit the library. The bats come out after hours and eat the insects — primarily book lice (Liposcelis spp.) – that would otherwise damage the leather bindings. Eighteenth-century librarians realised this and have protected the colony ever since. Leather desk covers prevent droppings from reaching the manuscripts. The bats are not a curiosity – they are part of the preservation system.

Timed entry mandatory June–September; pre-book at uc.pt before tour date.

Santa Cruz Monastery

Coimbra was the first capital of Portugal – the residence of Afonso Henriques, who declared the Kingdom of Portugal independent in 1139 and ruled until his death in 1185. Santa Cruz Monastery was founded in 1131, ten years before independence, by Afonso Henriques himself as an Augustinian canon house. His tomb is here. His son Sancho I (ruled 1185–1212) is also buried here. The monastery contains the only royal tombs of the founding dynasty that remain in their original location.

The church façade is Manueline, rebuilt by King Manuel I after 1507. The cloister (Claustro do Silêncio, completed 1524) is attributed to João de Castilho – the same architect associated with the Rope Window in Tomar. The monastery is in Coimbra’s lower town (Baixa), 5 minutes from the main square, making it the natural first stop after lunch before climbing to the Alta for the university.

Convento de Cristo, Tomar

When Pope Clement V dissolved the Knights Templar in 1312, Portugal responded by creating the Order of Christ in 1317 – inherited all Templar assets, same members, different name. The Convento de Cristo in Tomar was the headquarters of the original Templar presence in Portugal and became the new Order’s base. Between 1160 and the 16th century, every Portuguese military and royal priority was funded or legitimised through this complex. Vasco da Gama sailed under the Order of Christ’s cross. The monument you walk through today is the accumulation of those 400 years.

The site covers approximately 2 hectares. It contains the original 12th-century Templar castle, seven distinct cloisters built across different centuries (Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Manueline), the Chapter House with its famous Manueline window, and the Charola – the oldest surviving structure. UNESCO classified the entire complex in 1983. Entry: €15 per adult, tickets at the gate.

The Charola and the Rope Window

The Charola is the original Templar oratory, built in the 1160s. It is a 16-sided rotunda modelled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem – the military religious logic being that praying in an equivalent space to the Holy Sepulchre carried equivalent spiritual weight. Templar knights attended mass here on horseback. The painted panels inside the Charola date primarily from the 15th and 16th centuries, when the Order of Christ added a nave to the western face that altered the building’s function from military chapel to conventional church.

The Rope Window (Janela do Capítulo) on the Chapter House exterior is the finest example of Manueline decoration in Portugal. Commissioned approximately 1510–1515 and attributed to architect João de Castilho, it covers the full height of the façade in carved stone: ropes, coral, armillary spheres, seaweed, the Cross of the Order of Christ, and the personal emblem of King Manuel I. Most guides note it as the highlight of the Convent; it is directly accessible from the main courtyard.

Tomar Town Centre

Tomar’s lower town was planned in 1160 by the same Gualdim Pais who built the Convent – a grid layout, one of the earliest planned urban layouts in medieval Portugal. The central Praça da República contains the 15th-century Church of St. John the Baptist and the town hall. Five minutes east of the square is the Synagogue of Tomar (Sinagoga de Tomar), one of the best-preserved medieval synagogues in Portugal – built approximately 1430–1460, now a museum. Portugal expelled its Jewish population in 1496; this synagogue survived as a private building. The tour stop in the town centre is brief (10–15 minutes) – primarily a stretch and orientation stop before the drive to Coimbra.

Regreso a Lisboa

Tras un día lleno de historia, conocimiento y secretos seculares, regresamos a Lisboa, llevándonos la esencia de la profunda e interconectada historia de Tomar y Coimbra.

The itinerary is designed for an unforgettable experience, but the choice is yours -immerse yourself in the grandeur of Coimbra and Tomar with this exclusive tour made for you.

Yellow Cab TT Tours, siempre a su servicio, con la calidad a la que nuestros clientes están acostumbrados.

Qué incluye

8 hours with private licensed driver-guide
Vehículo privado con aire acondicionado (hasta 8 pasajeros)
Recogida y regreso en hotel/apartamento en Lisboa, Sintra, Cascais, Estoril o en cualquier lugar de la Costa del Estoril
Seguro obligatorio para pasajeros
Combustible, peajes y estacionamiento en todas las paradas

No incluido

Precios de los tours

Los precios son por vehículo privado (no por persona)

Hasta 2 personas €360
3 a 4 personas €460
5 a 8 personas €590

Cancelación gratuita hasta 24 horas antes de la salida. Las cancelaciones dentro de las 24 horas no son reembolsables.

Contáctanos y Reserva tu Tour

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Observaciones

Mejor época del año para este tour

The key practical variables for this tour are the Joanine Library timed-entry availability in summer and the Convent of Christ’s exposed stone terraces in July–August. Both are manageable with early departure and advance booking – but they define which months are easier to plan.

Marzo–mayo (recomendado): Temperatures 14–20°C in Tomar (inland, slightly warmer than Lisbon); 12–18°C in Coimbra (Atlantic-influenced). Joanine Library tickets available same week. Convent of Christ terraces comfortable through midday. Mondego river landscape at its greenest.

Junio–septiembre: Tomar can reach 35–38°C by midday in July–August – the 08:30 departure reaches the Convent before peak heat. Joanine Library timed entry books out days to weeks ahead in summer; pre-book before departure. Coimbra’s student population is largely absent in July–August (academic calendar) – the city is quieter than expected despite being peak tourist season.

Octubre–Noviembre: Water 16–20°C at Mondego; Tomar and Coimbra emptier than summer. Library tickets available within days. Convent of Christ in autumn light. Best balance of comfortable temperatures and access ease.

Diciembre–Febrero: Coolest months (8–14°C inland). Both sites virtually empty. Library tickets available on short notice. Short days – useful to confirm tour timing at booking to maximise light at the Convent’s exterior.

Preguntas frecuentes

Do I need to pre-book the Joanine Library?

Yes, in summer (June–September). Timed-entry slots for the Joanine Library sell out days to weeks ahead and must be booked online by the client at uc.pt/en/informacoes-e-servicos/turismo before the tour date. The guide advises on slot timing to fit the itinerary. Outside summer (October–May), same-week booking is usually possible.

How much time do we have in each city?

Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes in Tomar (Convent of Christ complex + brief town centre stop) and approximately 2 hours 30 minutes in Coimbra (Santa Cruz Monastery + University Alta + Joanine Library). If more time at one site is needed, confirm at booking — the guide adjusts the other stop accordingly.

Can we visit Almourol Castle on this tour?

No — Almourol Castle requires a boat crossing and adds approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to the day. Including Almourol on this itinerary would push the return to Lisbon past 20:00. If Almourol is a priority, book the dedicated Tomar tour, which includes Almourol and Santarém as the second and third stops.

Is this tour suitable for someone with limited mobility?

Partially. The Convent of Christ has uneven medieval cobblestone surfaces and rooftop staircases — the core visit (Charola + Rope Window) is accessible but the full cloisters circuit involves steps. Coimbra’s Alta is on a hill and requires a steep approach or the city lift. Santa Cruz Monastery is flat. Confirm any mobility constraints at booking so the guide can plan access accordingly.

¿Están incluidas las entradas a los monumentos?

No. Tickets are purchased individually on the day (Convent of Christ: €15 at gate) or pre-booked online by the client (Joanine Library: at uc.pt). The guide advises on pricing and queue strategy at each stop.

¿El precio es por persona o por vehículo?

Per vehicle. Up to 2 passengers: €360. 3–4 passengers: €460 (€115–€153 per person). 5–8 passengers: €590 (€74–€118 per person). The higher base price vs other tours reflects the ~423 km circuit distance.

¿Qué idiomas habla el guía?

Inglés, español, francés y portugués.

Can we customise the itinerary — for example, more time in Coimbra?

Yes. Private tours allow adjustments. If the Joanine Library is the priority, we allocate more time in Coimbra and shorten the Tomar stop. Alternatively, if the Convent of Christ is the priority, we spend more time on the cloisters and Rope Window. Confirm your priorities at booking.

¿Cuál es la política de cancelación?

Cancelación gratuita hasta 24 horas antes de la salida. Las cancelaciones dentro de las 24 horas no son reembolsables.

¿Está incluido el almuerzo?

No. The itinerary includes approximately 30 minutes for lunch in Coimbra’s lower town (Baixa), near Santa Cruz Monastery. The guide recommends restaurants based on group preference and dietary requirements.

Lo que dicen nuestros huéspedes

En primer lugar, Kate fue una guía turística maravillosa. En segundo lugar, los castillos templarios que visitamos eran fascinantes y preciosos. Fue una experiencia de primera categoría en todos los sentidos. Se la recomiendo encarecidamente a cualquiera que esté interesado en la historia.

Una excursión increíble; Kate estaba muy bien informada y fue muy atenta. Visitamos todos los lugares que queríamos ver e incluso almorzamos en una pequeña y preciosa tienda de bocadillos en Tomar. Estas excursiones privadas de Yellow Cab parecen más caras, pero valieron cada céntimo, ya que nos echaron una mano en el último momento cuando el operador de nuestra excursión en grupo la canceló a última hora. No puedo recomendarlas lo suficiente y, en el futuro, solo haré excursiones privadas. ¡Excelente!

Los guías más experimentados, excelentes conductores y el mejor conocimiento histórico que puedas pedir. Me sorprendió tanto que sentí que conocí nuevos amigos para el futuro en los dos días que pasé con ellos. Recomiendo encarecidamente sus servicios, el taxi amarillo es el mejor. Gracias Ruigeorge y Katarina por hacer mi estancia en Lisboa tan agradable. Un fuerte abrazo, Stefan Eklund.

Esta es nuestra segunda excursión con esta empresa. Nuestra primera excursión fue hace 4 años, así que creo que dice algo el hecho de que hayamos vuelto para una segunda excursión. Esta vez fuimos mi esposo, su padre y yo (no había una opción para "familia" de adultos, así que supongo que "pareja" +1). Una vez más, hicimos una excursión privada y de nuevo, creo que fue la mejor decisión para nosotros. Nos gusta tener un poco de flexibilidad en cuanto al ritmo de las visitas y no tener que esperar a nadie ni que nadie nos espere a nosotros. ¡Tuvimos un día maravilloso con Jorge! Mi esposo y su padre disfrutaron de toda la extensa información histórica y de las charlas. Los lugares son hermosos y tuvimos un almuerzo delicioso e incluso pudimos detenernos en un par de tiendas por el pueblo. Mi suegro tiene problemas de rodillas y Jorge se aseguró de preguntar para asegurarse de que todos estuvieran bien con el ritmo al que íbamos. ¡Recomiendo encarecidamente esta excursión para los amantes de los castillos y la historia y que tengan a Jorge como su guía!

Hacía un tiempo estupendo, así que Jorge pudo mostrarnos lugares preciosos, contarnos la historia y responder a todas nuestras preguntas sobre los Caballeros Templarios en Tomar. Además, a la hora de comer, Jorge nos descubrió un local secreto en una callejuela donde probamos el pollo peri-peri. Estaba delicioso y charlamos un buen rato. Esta visita guiada fue uno de los momentos más destacados de nuestro viaje.