Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars
Traveler rating
4.1/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars worth booking?
Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars is a 8-hour experience in Lisbon, Portugal, from €119 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.1/5 (7)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- €119 per person
Travel back in time on a private journey that weaves through Portugal’s soul—where sacred legends, royal grandeur, and quiet beauty come to life. Begin in Tomar, the once-mysterious home of the Knights Templar. Explore the majestic Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that still echoes with centuries of power and devotion. Walk the winding lanes of the old town, where stone walls whisper ancient stories. Then, head north to Coimbra—Portugal’s cradle of knowledge. Wander the halls of its historic university, marvel at the baroque Joanina Library, and feel the rhythm of a city shaped by poetry, music, and memory. Gaze over the Mondego River, where past and present meet. With private transport, a relaxed pace, and your own guide to bring it all to life, this is more than a tour—it’s a deep, unforgettable journey through Portugal’s heart.
What you get
About this experience
Travel back in time on a private journey that weaves through Portugal’s soul—where sacred legends, royal grandeur, and quiet beauty come to life. Begin in Tomar, the once-mysterious home of the Knights Templar. Explore the majestic Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that still echoes with centuries of power and devotion. Walk the winding lanes of the old town, where stone walls whisper ancient stories. Then, head north to Coimbra—Portugal’s cradle of knowledge. Wander the halls of its historic university, marvel at the baroque Joanina Library, and feel the rhythm of a city shaped by poetry, music, and memory. Gaze over the Mondego River, where past and present meet. With private transport, a relaxed pace, and your own guide to bring it all to life, this is more than a tour—it’s a deep, unforgettable journey through Portugal’s heart.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Certified Tour Guide
- Local pastry
- All entrances and tickets
Not included
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Lisbon
Pick up
10 minutes here
Convento de Cristo
The Convent of Christ in Tomar, Portugal, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a monumental complex with deep historical significance. Originally built as a Templar stronghold in the 12th century, it later became the headquarters of the Knights Templar in Portugal. The complex includes the iconic Templar Castle and the Charola, a remarkable round church with intricate architectural details. Renowned for its Gothic and Renaissance elements, the Convent of Christ is a testament to Portugal's medieval history and craftsmanship. Visitors can explore its courtyards, cloisters, and chapels, experiencing the unique blend of military and religious architecture that makes this site a captivating cultural treasure.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Coimbra
Coimbra, situated in central Portugal, is a city steeped in history and academic prestige. Home to one of Europe's oldest universities, the University of Coimbra, the city exudes a vibrant student atmosphere. The historic university buildings, including the Joanina Library and the Royal Palace of Alcáçova, showcase impressive architectural and cultural heritage. Nestled on the banks of the Mondego River, Coimbra offers a picturesque setting with charming streets, historic squares, and panoramic viewpoints. Its rich tapestry of culture, from Fado music to ancient Roman ruins, makes Coimbra a captivating destination for those seeking a blend of academia, history, and traditional Portuguese charm.
120 minutes here
Universidade de Coimbra
Coimbra University, perched majestically atop a hill overlooking the Mondego River in central Portugal, is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe. Founded in 1290, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a rich history and architectural splendor. The university's iconic Joanina Library, a Baroque masterpiece, houses an impressive collection of rare manuscripts. The Royal Palace of Alcáçova, another highlight, reflects the grandeur of Portugal's royalty and is an integral part of the university complex. Steeped in academic tradition, Coimbra University's atmospheric courtyards and historic halls provide a captivating glimpse into centuries of scholarly excellence.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Biblioteca Joanina
The Joanina Library, a jewel within Coimbra University in Portugal, is a captivating blend of architectural beauty and academic history. Built in the Baroque style in the 18th century, the library houses a remarkable collection of rare manuscripts, ancient books, and scholarly treasures. What sets it apart is its unique feature – a colony of bats that help preserve the delicate manuscripts by preventing insect damage. Visitors are enchanted by the library's ornate interiors, including gilded woodwork and frescoed ceilings. The Joanina Library stands not only as a testament to the pursuit of knowledge but also as a living, breathing example of innovative preservation techniques in the world of academia.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Tomar
Tomar is a historic town located in central Portugal, known for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance. At the heart of Tomar stands the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former headquarters of the Knights Templar. The convent includes the Templar Castle and the Charola, a unique round church. Tomar's medieval streets, traditional architecture, and charming atmosphere create a captivating backdrop for exploration. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic surroundings, including the Nabão River, and immerse themselves in the town's unique blend of historical and contemporary elements. Tomar is a destination that offers a glimpse into Portugal's past and a chance to experience its cultural richness.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- YesExperiences Portugal
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Driver never showed up
The driver never showed up and did not respond to viator message, WhatsApp or Viator attempt at contact.
Response from the operator: I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused. Our account was hacked, and for several months we were not the ones properly accessing or managing it. After changing the credentials for security reasons, we also lost partial access to account notifications, which meant that some reservations and messages were not visible to us in time. This was not intentional and does not reflect our normal standard of service. The issue has now been corrected, the account has been secured, and we have taken steps to prevent this from happening again. We have also asked the platform to review these comments, as they relate to a security and technical issue outside of our control. Again, I am truly sorry for the inconvenience caused. Kind regards,
via Viator
Tour to Tomar and Coimbra
This review is an 4.5. Our guide, NuNu was very kind and knowledgeable. He did everything to make us comfortable on the trip. He gave interesting information about the sites. To make the trip even better, I would have liked time for lunch and also for him to go into the sites with us and explain. We liked touring with NuNu so much we are planning to book another tour with him this trip.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience with us! 🌟 We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour with Nuno and that his knowledge and kindness made your trip special. We truly appreciate your feedback regarding the time spent inside the sites. While we always aim to provide a balance between guided explanations and free exploration, we’ll certainly take this into account for future tours to ensure an even better experience. As for lunchtime, we always allow at least an hour and a half for a relaxed meal, but we understand that sometimes guests prefer to use that time to explore more sites instead. We’re happy to adjust to each group’s preferences whenever possible! It means a lot that you’re considering booking another tour with us—Nuno will be thrilled to see you again! Looking forward to welcoming you back soon for another unforgettable experience. Kindest regards , YesExperiences Portugal
via Viator
Memorable Coimbra
Coimbra's old-world charm is very captivating. The city is full of history. Ricardo, our tour guide, did so well in introducing us to many interesting and beautiful places around and we really enjoyed the tour. Thanks Ric!
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience exploring Coimbra's captivating old-world charm! We are delighted to hear that Ricardo, our tour guide, made your tour enjoyable by introducing you to the city's rich history and beautiful places. We will be sure to pass on your kind words to Ricardo! We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for more adventures in the future. Kindest regards, YesExperiences Portugal
via Viator
Great day with Ricardo and Coimbra and Tomar
This tour was a enjoyable tour we covered a lot of territory in just one day traveling from Lisbon to Coimbra and Tomar home of the Templars. Ricardo was knowledgeable, helpful courteous, thorough, and interested in what we wanted to do. Good guide.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your enthusiastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found Ricardo to be knowledgeable, helpful, and courteous. It's great to know that you covered a lot of territory and had a good time exploring Coimbra and Tomar with us. We appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again on another adventure soon! Kindest regards, YesExperiences Portugal
via Viator
Disappointed
We had a full day (10 hour) 2 city trip with a car and driver/guide. It began by the driver calling at 9 AM to say that he was running late. He showed up in a 13-year-old van with 300,000 km on it, with a stained roof, a cigarette burn in the seat and a broken arm rest. The driver/guide smokes incessantly (although thankfully not in the van) and his clothes and person reek of smoke. When we arrived in Coimbra, the driver had difficulty finding his way up the hill because of road construction. One would assume that a local guy should know his way around. He said he was picking up the tickets for the famous library. I had read they were hard to get and often they sold out. I assumed he booked in advance. We had about 15 minutes to get the tickets and get to the library for the alleged time-slot. As it turned out, he did not book the tickets in advance. So we then had three hours to spend in the city before the 2:20 slot he was able to get. I asked if we could see some of the other sights at the university. he said the tickets covered everything and we would probably be able to see the chapel and great hall. Unfortunately this was not true as everything was closed for lunch until 2. Shouldn't a local guide know that? We arrived in the second city, Tomar, at 4:30. Allegedly this gave us 2 hours to see the famous castle/chapel. He bought the tickets but did not accompany us which surprised me because the place is large and some guidance would have been nice. 15 minutes into the visit, a guard advised us we had to “move along” because they were closing early for an event. The driver/ guide did try to show us some other things. he took us to see the church in the downtown area and to a nearby aqueduct. Overall I was disappointed. I paid $593.96 to see two cities in a relaxed manner and instead was rushed seeing the important things I booked the tour to visit. I know Viator will say they contract out the service, but shouldn’t they do a better job of vetting the people they contract with?
Response from the operator: We are truly sorry to hear about your experience during the city trip. Your feedback is valuable to us and we apologize for the inconveniences you faced with the minivan (it’s one of the top models of Mercedes Benz, used for various tours, so may have a couple of stains, which we will pay more attention), the tour guide (which we will talk to, since we always strive to provide an excellent service and he is a certified and experienced tour guide, who happened to arrive 10 minutes late due to bad traffic in Lisbon city center, but we don’t allow smoking etc and will make sure this does not happen again) and the tour itinerary (usually at lunch time we give free time to have something to eat at a local restaurant, since you didn’t want to, the guide explained the area and the Temple of Christ in detail, which we can’t control when they have events and close earlier, so that you could explore. Regarding the library tickets, when you booked your tour with us, it’s was already sold out online for the date of your tour, but sometimes they have tickets available on site, so the guide tried that option). We strive to provide a high-quality service and we regret that we fell short of your expectations on this occasion. We will address these issues with the tour guide and our partners to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future. Thank you for bringing this to our attention and we appreciate your understanding.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- €119 to €318
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by YesExperiences Portugal, who run 7 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 59.7.
See everything YesExperiences Portugal runsWhy this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Lisbon.
How much does Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars cost?
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Prices start at €119 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Lisbon usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Lisbon is not rushed.
Is Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Lisbon, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Lisbon can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Lisbon and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Lisbon within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Lisbon?
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On Outty we rank every Lisbon experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Lisbon City Center Tour - The Unmissable Lisbon, Sintra Private Trip from Lisbon Customizable Dreamlike Experience, True 4Hour Private Tuk Tuk Tour: Discover Lisbon with a Local!. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Lisbon?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Lisbon?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars?
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Included: Private transportation; Bottled water; All Fees and Taxes; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Certified Tour Guide. Not included: Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 499 listed pickup locations in and around Lisbon. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars offered in?
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It is offered in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Lisbon. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Private Tomar & Coimbra Tour from Lisbon – Templars & Scholars?
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Across 7 reviews averaging 4.1 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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