Aqueduto de Pegões

The Aqueduto de Pegões, officially the Aqueduto do Convento de Cristo, was built to bring water to the Convento de Cristo, the hilltop headquarters of the Order of Christ in Tomar. That order took over from the Knights Templar in Portugal, which is why Tomar’s tourism route calls itself the Rota dos Templários (Templar Route). The aqueduct collected water from four springs in the countryside and carried it about 6 km to the convent, entirely by gravity.

The biggest and most impressive stretch is where it crosses the valley of Pegões, around 3 km outside the centre of Tomar. Here the ground drops away, and the builders had to lift the channel high above the fields. They did it with two tiers of arches, reaching about 30 metres at the deepest point. Wikipedia’s figures describe 58 rounded arches sitting on 16 pointed ones over the Pegões valley. Across the whole aqueduct there are 180 arches.

It has been a National Monument since 1910, and entry is free.

The design is by Filippo Terzi, an Italian architect who worked for Philip I, the Spanish king who also ruled Portugal at the time. Sources give slightly different dates, but the work ran from the 1590s into the 1610s. Tomar’s Templar Route says the first phase was finished in 1614, in the presence of King Philip II, and the work was completed in 1616 under the architect Diogo Marques Lucas. Público’s travel writers say the builders were inspired by the Roman aqueduct at Segovia, in Spain.

Children who like numbers can work with these: about 6.2 km long, 180 arches, a drop of about 26 metres from start to finish according to Wikipedia. That is a gentle slope over a long way, just enough to keep the water moving without any pump. At the convent end the water went through an underground gallery into the main cloister.

Look up at the access tower: the Templar Route says the Cross of the Order of Christ is carved at the top of its vault, along with early sketches of the design.

This is the question every parent should ask before going. Público describes small vaulted houses at the ends of the arches, where the water was once filtered, and says you can climb up through them onto the aqueduct. A 2025 magazine piece mentions people walking along the channel “with due care”.

A travel blog that climbed up gives a clear warning: the walkway beside the channel is 30 metres up with nothing to stop a fall, and in the writer’s view it is completely unsuitable for children. We agree. There are no railings, and a trip or a gust of wind could be fatal. The Templar Route page does not describe any official access to the top.

Enjoy it from the ground. Walking beneath the double arches is the real experience for a child: you get the sense of scale, the shade of the stone and the view of arch after arch running away across the valley.

• Walk along the valley floor under the arches and count them.
• Compare the two tiers. Público describes the lower arches as pointed and the upper ones as perfect half-circles.
• Look for the access tower and the carved cross.
• Picture the channel on top carrying water all the way up to the convent on its hill.

Tomar’s tourism route says it is a favourite spot for sunset, when the light comes low through the arches. It is also very quiet on most days, which suits children who find crowds hard.

The aqueduct is about 3 km from the centre of Tomar, so most families drive. The address is Vale dos Pegões, 2305-203 Tomar. We found no official information on parking, toilets or a café. Treat it as a countryside stop: bring water, hats and snacks, and wear shoes that cope with dirt paths.

The ground is uneven, so a carrier is better than a buggy for a toddler. In summer the valley is hot and exposed, so aim for morning or late afternoon.

For questions, Tomar’s tourist office is on 249 329 823 or turismo@cm-tomar.pt.

Children who love big buildings, bridges and open space will enjoy an hour here. It works well as a stop on the way to or from the Convento de Cristo, or as a leg-stretch on a day out in Tomar.

Children who need attractions with activities will run out of things to do fairly quickly. Anyone with a child who climbs everything should be ready to say no to the stairs up.

In Tomar, Taverna Antiqua serves medieval-themed food near the old town. Tomar’s Festa dos Tabuleiros, with its towers of bread carried on girls’ heads, is on our What’s on page. For a different outing nearby, the Borboletário Tropical in Constância has tropical butterflies, and Portugal’s other great aqueducts are in Elvas, Évora and Lisbon.

Is the Aqueduto de Pegões free?

Yes. Tomar’s Templar Route lists it as free to visit.

Can children walk on top of the aqueduct?

We don’t recommend it. The channel is up to 30 metres high with no railings, and a travel blog that went up warns it is unsuitable for children. See it from the ground.

How far is it from Tomar?

About 3 km from the town centre, in the valley of Pegões. Most people drive.

How long do you need?

About an hour to walk under the arches and look around.

Is it good for toddlers?

It is fine in a carrier, but the ground is uneven and there are no facilities mentioned. Keep a close eye on anyone who likes to climb.