Would You Live in this Ancient Templar City in Portugal?

Tomar, the Templar city of Portugal, isn’t the typical destination for expats moving to Portugal.  However, with a small but growing expat community, this charming locale is attracting interest with its enticing mix of history, culture, and affordability. 

Tomar: A City Steeped in History

Located in central Portugal, around 90 miles from Lisbon, Tomar is famously known for being the former stronghold of the Knights Templar. The town was initially built within the walls of the iconic Convento de Cristo, a complex housing multiple ancient monuments, including a convent and the Castle of Tomar. Constructed in the 12th century, the Convento de Cristo served as the headquarters of the Knights Templar until after the religious order was disbanded and Portugal’s King Dinis created the Order of Christ, which later became instrumental in Henry the Navigator’s explorations. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Convento de Cristo is a history buff’s dream. 

But you may be wondering how Tomar has blended its past with modern day living. Among the cobblestone streets and old-world charm, you’ll find a nice array of local shops, cafes, and restaurants serving up traditional Portuguese cuisine. You won’t have as much international cuisine here as in a bigger city, but if authentic living is your goal, then Tomar will happily deliver. 

Even though the city is inland, Tomar lies along the Nabão River. You can enjoy beautiful strolls along the historic architecture and across a charming bridge that looks straight out of fairytales. 

Expats Everywhere took a special day trip with Patreon supporters to Tomar earlier this year, and we loved it. Our guide took us through Convento de Cristo and Tomar Castle. Although we didn’t have time to explore the whole city, it’s definitely a place we’d return to in the future. 

Expat Life in Tomar

Tomar may not be one of the most popular options for expats, but there is a growing population of British, Dutch, American, and Canadian expats there. And this may be perfect if you’re interested in a smaller community with close connections. 

While you can get away with not speaking much Portuguese living in larger cities like Lisbon and Porto where people commonly know English, that won’t be the case in a smaller inland city. 

Learning Portuguese will be important to your daily living here. It will be much easier to integrate and participate in community events if you’re learning the language. 

If you need help with your Portuguese, Kalie and Josh recommend Portuguese with Leo; he has an amazing course. Use the “expatseverywhere” special link here and get 15% off.

Cost of Living

Living outside of the more popular cities means reaping the savings of more affordable housing in Portugal. Well, at least, depending on what you’re looking for. A quick search on Idealista shows a wide array of options for every budget, from a T4 house for under €200,000 to new luxury properties valued at over a million. There are also many opportunities to purchase historic homes in need of renovation. 

Rental prices are also far less than those in Lisbon and Porto, with T2 apartments listing for €700-850 per month.

Dining out will also cost you less. At a moderately priced restaurant, you can expect to spend around €30 for two. 

Things to Consider Before Moving to Portugal

Tomar has a lot to offer expats. It’s a charming, historic town with a calm-pace, mild weather, and lower cost of living. But, it may not be everyone’s speed. The more authentic Portuguese experience means less diverse restaurant and entertainment options. If you’d need employment after moving, there will be less opportunities than in the bigger cities. And the language barrier will impact your daily life if you don’t learn Portuguese. 

With all of this in mind, I still think it’s a great location and perfect home for those who fit the lifestyle. Check out the ExpatsEverywhere video:

So, what do you think? Would you live in this ancient Portuguese city? See the Expats Everywhere Guide to Tomar here to learn more about this charming town.

Thinking of moving to Portugal?

Kalie is available for one-on-one consultations, or you can bundle a course and a consult.