Adventure Collective
Templars’ Tour & Wine Tasting with Lisbon on Wheels - Lisbon

Templars’ Tour & Wine Tasting with Lisbon on Wheels

Lisboneasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

8 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for most fitness levels; involves moderate walking and short boat ride.

Overview

Step into Portugal’s Templar past with Lisbon on Wheels. Tour the 12th-century castles, cruise the Tagus River to Almourol’s fortress, and savor local wines and cuisine on this unforgettable day trip.

Algueirão-Mem Martins, Lisboa

Small Group Templars’ Tour & Wine Tasting

Starting at €350 per Adult | 8 Hour Private Tour

Private
Wine

Select participants and date

Adventure Photos

Small Group Templars’ Tour & Wine Tasting photo 1

About This Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Templar history! Explore the majestic 12th-century Templar Castle and the serene Almourol Castle, savor exquisite wines at Herdade dos Templários, and enjoy a delicious local lunch. This immersive experience combines breathtaking views, rich culture, and delightful culinary treats.

Come visit the capital of the Templars


Rates

  • Adult (Ages 13+): €350
  • Child (Ages 7-12): €150
  • Infant (Ages 6 & Under): 90

Duration

8 hours


About

Learn the secrets of the Templars and enjoy a unique wine tasting in this fabulous region rich in history!

Highlights

  • Marvel at breath-taking views
  • Get excellent value for money
  • Explore Almourol Convent’s main Cloister
  • Discover Herdade dos Templários

Departure & Return Location

  • Free pick-up and drop-off in Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais in a range of 30km
  • Extra charge of €20 if outside

Departure Time

  • 9 am

Included

  • Driver/Guide
  • Lunch
  • Bottled Water
  • Pick-up and Drop-off
  • Private Tour
  • Wine tasting

Excluded

  • Guide inside monuments
  • Any private expenses

Itinerary

Bright and early out of Lisbon, taking the eastbound highway, following the wide Tagus up-stream river line, with its banks spotted by livestock, pastureland and family farms aged but ageless. A general aspect of grassy, marshy wet soil, evergreen, even in the middle of Winter. Estremadura and Ribatejo at their most. At Vila Franca de Xira we veer North, now with olive groves insterspersed with wild pine, more livestock, vineyards, sunflower farms and cork oaks lining both sides of the freeway, right up to the turn-off onto the national two-lane blacktop leading to Tomar, the renowned Templar town. The first order of business, naturally, will be to visit the iconic, world famous 12th century Templar Castle and the Convent, a historic heavyweight, and its typical escarpment walls and rectangular keep. You’ll be hit by the sheer imponent silence of the Convent’s main Cloister, where the Gothic Middle Ages were turned into the Manueline ornate nationalism and the cosmopolitanism of Renaissance. The Convent’s Chapter House is something to behold, and you may recognize it, together with the main Cloister, from the 2018 release,Terry Gilliam movie “The Man Who Killed D. Quixote”, where pivotal scenes were shot. On to Herdade dos Templários (Templars’ Wine Estate), for a guided stroll through the vineyards and winery and a sampling of five wines combined with local cheeses and bread, all artisanal. A mood setter for lunch, which will be in a restaurant whose patronage is almost totally local. A simple, though not simplistic, homecooked meal, washed down with whatever your palate demands of you for the case. Local wine comes to mind, though. Happily fed, we set forth to Almourol, a 12th Century Templar Castle, erected on a granite outcropping islet in the middle of the Tagus River by the Order’s Master D. Gualdim Pais, almost at arm’s length from the left bank, in the village of Tancos, famous for its military Barracks and Armoury. The access is by small boat, quite exciting and quaint. The return to Lisbon will be leisurely and rife with commentary, questions and answers conjecture and fact flying back and forth, a bit of take home history just acquired.


What to Bring

We suggest bringing comfortable clothing, sunglasses, a hat and your camera

Adventure Tips

Comfortable Footwear Recommended

Castles and vineyards involve walking on uneven stone and gravel paths—sturdy shoes will keep you steady.

Bring a Camera with Zoom

Capture distant castle vistas from the boat and fine details inside medieval cloisters with a good zoom lens.

Prepare for Variable Weather

Layered clothing helps adapt to temperature shifts between sunny vineyards and shaded castle interiors.

Hydrate and Protect Against Sun

Pack water and a hat—Portuguese summers can be hot, especially during outdoor portions of the tour.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • European kingfisher along the river
  • Moorish gecko on castle walls

History

Tomar’s Templar Castle was a center for the Order of the Knights Templar and later the Order of Christ, pivotal in Portugal’s maritime era.

Conservation

The vineyards and surrounding natural areas benefit from sustainable agriculture practices preserving soil and river ecosystems.

Select participants and date

Adventure Hotspots in Lisbon

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Comfortable Walking Shoes

Essential

To navigate historic castle grounds and vineyard trails safely and comfortably.

Sun Hat and Sunglasses

Essential

Protect against sun during vineyard strolls and river boat rides.

spring|summer|fall specific

Light Layers

Essential

Adjust to temperature changes between warm outdoor areas and shaded interiors.

spring|fall|winter specific

Water Bottle

Essential

Stay hydrated during the tour, especially in warm weather.