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Discovering Portugal as a Nomad Family

If you are itching to travel again, we have the perfect destination for you and your family! Portugal for digital nomad families is a great choice – as it is an up and coming destination for nomad families. With lush green, clear water, and rich history, it has something for the whole family. Plus, it is home to The Family Workation retreat, a great escape and working holiday for you and your family.

The last year has been challenging for people for many different reasons. Extended time at home, not seeing loved ones, adapting to a new routine, and so much more. As we look forward to the future, we can only hope things go back to normal soon – whatever that may look like. 


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Central Portugal For Digital Nomad Families

Portugal is known for its laid-back lifestyle and fantastic nature. Many families tend to stick to the more popular stops, like Lisbon and Porto, but there is so much more to discover in this scenic country. Central Portugal is quickly becoming a travel hotspot for digital nomad families as it is an excellent destination known for its quality of life, affordability, and natural beauty. Central Portugal can be described as the interior area roughly between Lisbon and Portugal. This area is calmer and less crowded than its more traditional tourist destinations.

Portugal for Digital Nomad Families can use Tomar as a base for their stay.
Not an unusual sight: an old wooden door in the picturesque town of Tomar.

Just about an hour’s drive north of Lisbon is the town of Tomar. Tomar makes a great home base for your trip and will easily allow you to access the surrounding areas. Tomar is a picturesque town with a rich culture and history. The city is home to the Polytechnic Institute, which brings a young, lively spirit to the medieval city.

9 Reasons to Visit Tomar

  1. Castle and Convent of the Order of Christ

The Castle and Convent of the Order of Christ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It serves as the main monument in the city and an essential statue in Portugal. The convent is situated high up on a hill and is magnificent inside and out. You can explore the halls of the buildings – wandering and exploring the different rooms and corridors. There is a beautiful garden outside, setting the scene for this picture-perfect castle.

One site to visit in Portugal for Digital Nomad Families: The Castle and Convent of the Order of Christ.
Welcome history lovers!
  1. Aqueduct of Pegões

The Aqueduct of Pegões is an amazing monument spanning 6 kilometers. It was built in the 16th – 17th century to bring water to the Convent of Christ in Tomar. In some places, it reaches a height of 30 meters! If you feel adventurous, you can walk along the aqueduct to take in the beautiful surrounding views. You can also take the small “train tour bus” in the city center that takes you to the highest point of the monument.

Portugal for Digital Nomad Families: the historical church makes a great cultural experience while in Tomar.
One of the popular activities in Tomar: a visit of the Convent.
  1. Synagogue of Tomar

Tomar has the best-preserved medieval synagogue of Portugal. It was built in the mid-15th century and has an exciting interior with Gothic vaulting and columns with classic capitals. Since 1939, it has housed the small Jewish Museum Abraão Zacuto, which holds interesting pieces related to Jewish history in Portugal.

  1. Museums
  • Museu de Arte Moderna – Excellent modern art museum home to drawings, sculptures, and paintings of the 20th century
  • Casa Museu Fernando Lopes Graça – This museum is dedicated to the life of artist and composer Fernando Lopes-Graça as well as other local and Portuguese music. 
  • Casa dos Cubos – An art gallery with a beautiful photography exhibit. The gallery is hosted in a lovely space, with gorgeous views surrounding it.
A wall of colorfully painted tiles in Portugal for Digital nomad families
Even outside the many museums you can discover art in every corner!
  1. Festa dos Tabuleiros

Festa dos Tabuleiros (Trays Festival) is a lively festival that takes place in July, once every four years. The next one will be held in July 2023. It is the most important festival celebrated in the city and is an ancient tradition in Tomar. The locals parade in pairs with the girls carrying tabuleiros on their heads. The tabuleiro is made of 30 stacked pieces of bread in rows and decorated with flowers. It attracts people from all over the world and is truly a unique experience. 

  1. Praias Fluviais – River Beaches

The area around Tomar is another reason to visit. It has a diverse landscape featuring mountains, lakes, rivers, and eucalyptus forests. Praias Fluviais translates to lake or river beaches and is a fun and family-friendly activity. These natural waters have been modified to make them more family-friendly and accessible. There are artificial river beds, sand, guardrails, and more! They are free to visit and usually have a cafe on-site so you can relax and enjoy the day without a worry in the world.

A couple Praias Fluviais to visit:

  • Praia Fluvial do Mosteiro

About a 45-minute drive from Tomar, you will find a perfect day trip for the whole family. A gorgeous river beach surrounded by fields of green. The water is clear and crisp, perfect for the kids to swim in. You can bring a picnic and enjoy the picnic facilities, or purchase food from the cafe. There are numerous places to sit or lay with the family, allowing you to spend a full relaxing day here.

  • Praia Fluvial de Cardigos

This river beach is about a 1-hour drive from Tomar. It is another excellent day trip for the whole family. There is a swimming pool to enjoy, surrounded by sand and green. There are barbecues and picnic areas to enjoy a family lunch and have a chilled day.

  1. Hiking

Serra da Lousã (and the Schist villages) is only an hour away from Tomar. It is a super beautiful historical and natural place. The landscape is incredible, and you can spend an entire day exploring – stopping for lunch or coffee along the way. This scenery is different from what you may find in the rest of the country and feels like you have stepped into a medieval forest – a magical experience.

The Schist Village is a must-visit in Portugal for Digital Nomad Families.
The historical setting of the Schist Village.
  1. Food

Portuguese food is delicious! One of the Portuguese favorites is the famous pastel de Natas pastries which are a must-try. Throughout the country, you will find delightful seafood stews, as well as tasty meats, cheeses, and of course, wine. 

A few dishes special to Central Portugal that you must try include: 

  • Cozida Portugesa – A hearty stew with traditional Portuguese boiled meat, cabbage, and potatoes
  • Bacalhau – Bacalhau is the Portuguese word for Codfish, which can be enjoyed in many different ways – the Portuguese say there are over 1,000 ways to prepare this! A few methods are salted codfish cakes, roasted codfish, codfish with cream, baked codfish, and so many more!
  • Bifanas – Traditional Portuguese sandwiches made with thin slices of pork cooked in a delicious sauce. The secret is the marinated sauce – it is simple but delicious. This pairs perfectly with a local beer – Sagres or Super Bock. The perfect refreshing meal on a hot day.
Pastel de Nata is a traditional dish to try when in Portugal as a Digital Nomad Family.
Another favorite: Pastel de nata – so yummy!

If you need restaurant inspiration, here are some recommendations to try in Tomar:

  1.  The Family Workation

If you are a full-time location independent parent and want to relax and have someone else take care of logistics for once there is the perfect escape for you! It is a lot of work to plan a fun trip for the family and find the time to work.

The living room of the Family Workation in Portugal for Digital Nomad Families.

The Family Workation is a working retreat where you get the chance to live, play and work with your family and other like-minded people. You get to explore a new destination while also taking advantage of activities and coworking. Situated in Tomar, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and rich history, it is the perfect setting to get inspiration and focus on your work.

The perfect setting of the Family Workation in Portugal for Digital Nomad Families.
Beautiful scenery to unplug after some productive hours…

With licensed childcare providers on-site, you can focus on your work and relax, knowing your children are being looked after in the best way.

It is an extraordinary experience as you get to share this with similar families from all over the world. There are group activities such as wine tasting, surfing, day trips, and cooking classes to partake in.

A home in Portugal for Digital Nomad Families.
A home away from home!

The next Workation is happening in Summer 2021, with the first retreat in July 2021 and the second in August 2021. Check out the dates and full details here. 

You can use our promo code JEYJETTER for a special offer – check out the full offer here!

Swimming pool in Portugal for Digital Nomad Families.
Loads of opportunities to enjoy play time – for everyone!

Conclusion: Is Portugal a good choice for Digital Nomad Families?

Portugal is accessible, adventurous, and a beautiful country – the perfect place to discover with your nomad family. Now that you know more about Central Portugal, will you add it to your travel list?

Tomar offers culture, history, exciting experiences and is home to The Family Workation. It’s the perfect opportunity to explore a new city with your family while allowing time to focus on your work. 

It’s the best of both worlds – a working holiday with activities already planned for you and your loved ones. Don’t forget to check out my special offer here!

Happy workation!


Need More Family Travel Inspiration?

Check out our Family Travel Posts here!