The ticket on its own scores 3.9 from 173 ratings, and every one of the ten written reviews is five stars
The score is the lowest in this catalogue and the written reviews do not account for it
3.9 is the lowest number on this site apart from a two-rating listing whose guide twice failed to arrive. It sits below every guided product here, several of which are fives. And the ten written reviews recovered for it are, without exception, five stars.
So the material that would explain the gap is not in anything I can read. I am not going to guess at it. What I can tell you is what its own reviewers raise, which is the castle.
The title promises the Templar castle and two reviewers say it was shut
The listing is called “Tomar: Convent of Christ and Templar Castle Tour Ticket”. Two of the ten written reviews say the castle was closed when they came, in their own words and not the operator’s:
“we purchased the experience that included a visit to the Templar Castle, which was already closed at the time”
“The castle is currently shut... but the convent more than makes up for it”
“The adjacent Templar castle, unfortunately, can't be visited inside, but you can skip the walk on the crenellated walls and just enjoy the view for a couple of photos”
That is three reviewers, not the operator. Nothing on the operator’s own pages that I have read says the castle is closed, and I am not going to put it in their mouth. What the operator does say is that restoration work is under way and that parts of the site are restricted; the scope of that changes, so the visiting page sends you to their page rather than printing a list that will be wrong by the time you read it.
Four of the ten reviews describe a guide, on a listing that includes none
This is the oddest thing about the page and I am going to describe it rather than explain it. The inclusions are one line long and that line is a ticket. Yet four of the ten reviews talk about somebody showing them round, and three of those give a name.
“Our tour guide Sara was very knowledgeable and tailored the tour to the group’s interests. We enjoyed that it was a small group tour.”
“Our guide Monica was exceptional. Kind and attentive, and above all very knowledgeable about history. Highly recommended in this beautiful, enchanting city.”
“mark's a fab storyteller. put the history together well. good coverage of high points & leaves you at the convent”
There are readings of that which are perfectly innocent and there are readings which are not, and I have no way to choose between them from here. What it does mean in practice is that a five-star review on this listing may be praising something the listing does not sell you. If you want a guide, book one: the two-hour walking tour includes admission and a guide, and is the cheapest way to get both.
What the ten do agree on
The building. Every one of them is positive about the convent itself, including the reviewer who was disappointed by the castle. Two are worth having for opposite reasons.
“I expected more than explanatory panels, perhaps a museum”
“I thought the visit was well planned and explained - such an incredible place to still be intact and standing- not to be missed”
“I was really impressed with how well everything was maintained here, and the staff on site were super friendly and helpful.”
Enrica’s is the only note of disappointment in the ten and it is still filed as five stars, which is its own small lesson about what a star means. She wanted more than panels. If that is you, the answer is not this listing.
What works
- The convent is unanimously praised, including by the people complaining about the castle
- Bought in advance rather than queued for on the day
- No group, no timetable, no minimum number to make the departure
- The cheapest thing on this site that gets you through the door
Worth knowing
- The lowest score in this catalogue, and nothing in the written record explains it
- The Templar castle is in the title and three reviewers say it was shut
- Nobody explains anything to you — and the Charola is not self-explanatory
- Restoration is under way; check the operator’s page before you travel
If you are buying admission only, read what to see on the train. The round Templar oratory, the window and the eight cloisters make a route that is not obvious from the signage, and this listing gives you nobody to ask.
If you want somebody to explain it instead
Cheapest with a guideTomar: Walking Tour to Convent of Christ Small Group & Tickets
Cheapest privateTomar: Private walking tour to Convent of Christ with tickets
Priced per partyTomar: Knight's Templar Castle and Convent of Christ Tour
The comparison that matters most on this listing is not with those, though. It is with the operator’s own counter, and it is on tickets.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Convent of Christ ticket rated only 3.9?
Nothing this site can read explains it. The score is 3.9 from 173 ratings, the lowest in this catalogue, and all ten written reviews recovered for the listing are five stars. What its own reviewers raise is the Templar castle in the title, which three of them say was closed. Beyond that, any reason you see given for the score is somebody guessing.
Does this ticket include the Templar castle?
The listing is titled “Tomar: Convent of Christ and Templar Castle Tour Ticket” and its inclusions name one thing: entry to the Convent of Christ. Three reviewers here say the castle could not be visited inside when they came. That is their account, not the operator's, and the operator's own page is the thing to check before you travel.
Is there a guide with this ticket?
No. The inclusions are a single line and it is a ticket. Several reviews on the listing nevertheless describe a guide by name, which this page reports and does not explain. If you want a guide with your admission, the two-hour walking tour includes both.
Is it cheaper than buying at the door?
No, and this site will not tell you it is. The operator charges about fifteen euros and this listing charges the same, so what it buys you is a booking made in advance. The figures, side by side, are on tickets.