Mixed bag of architecture, Óbidos

If you’re looking for a quaint medieval town that’s not too far from Lisbon, try Óbidos. The various things to do in Óbidos itself include tasting the lip-smackingly good ginjinha de Obidos and exploring the pretty cobbled streets.

Most people visit Obidos as part of a day trip but I also enjoy the peaceful experience of staying overnight.

If you do stay longer, there are other attractions in this part of the Silver Coast, including the gorgeous beaches at Foz do Arelho lagoon and the pretty town of Caldas da Rainha.

TOP PICKS FOR YOUR TIME IN OBIDOS
 Take a private guided tour of Obidos, Fatima, Batalha and Nazare. LEARN MORE  

Discover the historic village of Obidos and Mafra Palace. LEARN MORE  

Spend the night in a medieval castle. LEARN MORE

Stay in an enchanting family-run guest house located just outside the city wall. LEARN MORE

1. Wander and marvel at medieval cottages

One of the greatest pleasures of visiting Óbidos is wandering around its cobbled lanes, especially away from the main thoroughfare that is Rua Direita.

Venture along any lane to find tiny whitewashed cottages trimmed with blue and yellow paint, often with low arched doorways or stone ledges and steps that have been there for centuries. Some have been here since the Moorish occupation which ended in the 12th century.

Tip: Look out for the sign off Rua do Facho pointing up a set of steps to the Miradouro (viewing terrace). As an incentive, Esplanada Miradouro café bar awaits you at the top.

Learn local medieval history as you explore the ancient streets on a 2-hour guided tour that starts and end in Óbidos – book this tour online.

2. Discover Obidos Castle and walk the walls

Panoramic view of Castle and walls of Obidos, Portugal
Castle and walls of Obidos, Portugal

Unless you’re staying at the luxury Pousada inside the castle, you’ll only be able to admire this medieval fortification from the outside.

The Obidos Castle grounds are the site of many of the town’s annual events (see below), during which you’ll need to pay to enter. Otherwise, you should be able to go through the grand arched gateway and walk around the gardens.

If the weather or lack of safety rails don’t put you off, you can walk the castle walls at any time of year but be careful! The full circuit is 1.5 km and offers fabulous views of the cute historical centre and surrounding countryside.

3. Experience a themed festival in Óbidos

As if the charms of this pretty town weren’t enough to attract visitors, Óbidos knows how to host a good festival. Every year, you’ll find the castle grounds and public squares are taken over by fun events such as the Chocolate Festival, Opera Festival, Medieval Fair, or Christmas Village (Vila Natal).

It can get a little crowded when these events are on, especially at weekends, but even then it’s possible to find quiet cobbled backstreets if you can’t cope with the sea of people on Rua Direita.

Tip: If you can go to these festivals on a Friday instead of Saturday or Sunday it should be calmer but check the programmes and schedules first to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Find out about other Portuguese festivals in this article

4. Appreciate the 16th century aqueduct  

One of the first things you’ll see as soon as you arrive in Óbidos is the aqueduct. It was a gift from Queen Catherine of Austria, (wife of Portugal’s King João III) and commissioned in 1573.

She very kindly sold much of her land around Óbidos to pay for it and it supplied drinking water to the town, even surviving the great earthquake of 1755. That’s quite something considering it’s 3 km long and is still intact.

Its splendour is a little diminished these days as the area in front is used as a huge car park.

Tip: If you have a meal or drink at Jamón Jamón, you’ll get great views of the aqueduct from the outdoor seating area.

5. Enter the old town via Porta da Vila

Porta da Vila is the double-arched main entrance to the old town and is richly decorated with 18th century tiles and a painted ceiling. There’s often an elderly lady sitting here doing and selling embroidery.

Azueljos and painted archway, Porta da Vila, Obidos
Azueljos and painted archway, Porta da Vila, Obidos

6. Peek inside the charming Capela de Sao Martinho

This small gothic chapel was built in 1331 and is Óbidos’ only surviving completely medieval building. It is usually empty but you may find something displayed there during special occassions such as this sculpture.

Sculpture inside Capela de São Martinho, Óbidos
Sculpture inside Capela de São Martinho, Óbidos

7. See azulejos at Igreja Santa Maria

The parish church of Santa Maria is in the square just below Rua Direita. This is where the young King Afonso V and his child bride and cousin Isabel I were married in the mid 15th century. (When I tried to check ages and dates, I found so much conflicting information that I’m reluctant to pick any numbers.)

What’s indisputable is the quality of the painted barrel ceilings and the blue and white painted azulejos that decorate the walls.

Igreja da Santa Maria, Obidos
Igreja da Santa Maria, Obidos

Before leaving the square, take a moment to notice the 15th century pillory to which wrongdoers would be tied naked for public humiliation and punishment.

8. Enjoy the patterns at Igreja da Misercordia

The street that leads off to the right of the square holds the 16th century Igreja da Misericordia, also worth a look for its tiles and painted columns. The adjacent 16th century tower was originally part of the castle but now offers accommodation.

See my Óbidos accommodation guide for more suggestions

Painted column and 17th century Lisbon ceramic tiles, Igreja da Misericórdia Óbidos, Portugal
Painted column and 17th century Lisbon ceramic tiles, Igreja da Misericórdia Óbidos, Portugal

9. Seek sanctuary near Óbidos

The massive Baroque church you can see from the town walls is actually a sanctuary, namely Senhor Jesus da Pedra. The name stems from the legendary stone cross bearing a sculpture of Jesus which is located near the altar.

According to the most popular version of the story, during severe droughts in the 1730s the long-lost 15th century cross was rediscovered by a local farmworker. The cross “demanded” that he worship it and as soon as the labourer obliged, the long-awaited rains came.

When I visited, the doors were closed so I was only able to admire the building from the outside. In theory, its open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 12:30 and 2:30 to either 5 or 7 pm, depending on the time of year.

Sr Jesus da Pedra Sanctuary, Óbidos
Sr Jesus da Pedra Sanctuary, Óbidos

10. Travel back in time at the Municipal Museum

Located on Rua Direita, Óbidos’ main street, this museum displays the town’s artistic heritage from many centuries. The highlights are paintings by the great Josefa de Óbidos, one of the most prolific Baroque artists in Portugal, and André Reinoso, both painters from the 1600s.

You’ll find all kinds of pieces of sacred art previously displayed in the town’s churches. Besides Roman artefacts and baroque furniture, look out for French and English weapons from the Napoleonic Wars. A battle ensued a few kilometres from Óbidos and you can see more of its collection here.

Opening hours: 9:30am to 1:00om – 2:00pm to 5:30pm.
Closed on Monday.

11. Understand why Óbidos is a UNESCO Creative City

As you wander around Óbidos one of the things you may notice are books. For such a small town, population 3,100, you’ll find half a million books within its walls. You can see them in a church, an old fire department and an old wine cellar as well as the Mercado Biologico de Obidos, an organic grocery store with shelves full of books.

The bookshop in the church mentioned above, (the Livraria de Santiago in Igreja de São Tiago), is a splendid place to visit. Not only can you buy a range of books (in both Portuguese and English) but keep a look out for bobbin-maker and poet Natalia Santos who can often be found giving demonstrations.

And don’t forget, The Literary Man Hotel is the only literary hotel in Portugal and one of the few in the world.

In 2015, Óbidos was classified by UNESCO as a Creative City of Literature, the only one in Portugal. Since then an annual FOLIO International Literature Festival takes place, attracting the likes of Salman Rushdie and other literary figures.

For details of times and dates, check here.

12. Drink the famous Ginjinha de Óbidos

One of my favourite Portuguese liqueurs is the cherry brandy called ginjinha and the one from Óbidos is renowned for its quality.

Ginjinha bars may be popular in Lisbon but there’s no escaping them in Óbidos, especially during festival periods. If you buy it from a streetside stall, you can either have it served in a chocolate cup which you get to eat or in a plastic or ceramic keepsake cup.

The atmospheric Bar Ibn Errik Rex on Rua Direita serves a generous glassful of ginjinha. It’s also a good place to try flame-grilled chouriço.

13. Go souvenir shopping in Óbidos

Among the general tourist tat, you’ll find some excellent quality crafts and souvenirs in Óbidos, especially on and around Rua Direita.

One of my all time favourite craft shops is Olaria de Obidos, which sells modern ceramics and quirky artworks. Ana Alpoim’s is another great find for fashion and unusual accessories – it usually has a decorated bicycle outside.

Book and healthy food lovers should head for Mercado Biológico de Óbidos, which sells organic produce in a book-lined store.

If you don’t have room in your luggage for gifts, find out which Portuguese souvenirs you can also buy online.

14. Explore the beaches near Óbidos

The lagoon-side beach at Foz do Arelho is possibly one of my favourite beaches in Portugal. Unlike the waves on the windy ocean beach next to it, the water in the lagoon is calm and slightly warmer than the sea. It’s still patrolled by lifeguards in summer and is understandably popular with families.

If you’re hungry, there are several beachfront bars. I’ve eaten twice at the glass-fronted Cais do Praia and would go back.

Baleal beach, near Peniche, is another good option, especially if you like interesting rock formations. See this post for more information.

15. Use Óbidos as a base for exploring close by

There are many places to explore in this part of the silver coast and using Óbidos as a base is a great idea. The spa town of Caldas da Rainha is only 7 km away and just a 23 minute drive will get you to the coast at Peniche.

With a car you could try my 6 Day Central Portugal road trip from Lisbon to Porto and really get to know the region.

6-Day Lisbon to Porto Road Trip Itinerary digital product mockup
Explore the delights of Central Portugal on this 6-Day Lisbon to Porto Road Trip Itinerary

Staying overnight in Óbidos

While it’s possible to ‘do’ Óbidos in a couple of hours, I’m all for slow travel. I’ve stayed overnight a few times, mainly because of the festivals, and the atmosphere changes at night.

During events, the streets and bars are still lively but during the week, it’s almost deserted. If that appeals to you, consider staying inside the ancient walls.

There are plenty of accommodation options in and around Óbidos.

Getting to Óbidos

By car

Óbidos is about an hour north of Lisbon, depending on how you travel. If you are driving, don’t bother trying to drive into the old part of town inside the citadel walls.

You’ll find several parking areas just outside the walls.

Public transport from Lisbon to Óbidos

There is a train station but if you’re coming from Lisbon, it’s quicker and easier to take the bus unless you’re driving or coming on an organised tour.

The Rodo Tejo Verde (Green) bus from Campo Grande station takes just over an hour.

Organised tours that include Óbidos

There are several tours from Lisbon that include a couple of hours in Obidos as well as tours of nearby towns and sights. 

This private tour by one of my trusted partners not only includes off the beaten track destinations but an emphasis on meeting local producers and craftspeople. Complete this enquiry form.

You can try this private tour, which also includes time in Fatima, Batalha and Nazare.

If you want to avoid Fatima this Óbidos historic village and Mafra Palace Private Tour gives you your own professional guide.

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4 pictures of Obidos. Óbidos, a charming medieval town in central Portugal, is within easy reach of a day trip from Lisbon. But with its delightful architecture, varied events (the Chocolate Festival and the Medieval Fair, to name just two!) and 'Ginjinha' - Portuguese cherry brandy - you'll probably want to stay there longer, so check out the accommodation link!
What To See And Do In Óbidos, A Pretty Medieval Town In Portugal

26 Comments

  1. hi julie! i am enjoying your posts so much. planning 2 months of wondrous exploration. we will be in cascais and/or setubal during the dates for the golega horse festival. aside from just showing up in golega (probably not the smartest option), is there a day tour or anything that will enable us to experience this fair? we will have a car and can get there or near there to meet a guide, or have a guide from our home base?

    1. Author

      Hi Bonnie, to be honest, I don’t know the answer to that question, except to say that it is unlikely that you will find anyone in the bases where you are staying so if you can find a guide, it’s probably better to meet them there. I would enquire at the local tourist information office to see if they have any leads on suitable guides: https://www.visitportugal.com/pt-pt/content/posto-de-turismo-goleg%C3%A3

  2. Hi
    I had the most delicious marshmallow Chocolate treats, do you know the name of them, and store name?

    TY

    1. Author

      Sorry, I don’t

  3. We are planning to spend one night in October and your tips will certainly come in handy. We are both so looking forward to it. Thank you.

    1. Author

      I’m sure you’ll love it, Joanne.

      1. We are planing an extended stay in Portugal, possibly a year or two, maybe longer. Would you suggest Obidos as a place with low rent ( less than 600 Euros) and easy access to market for food? Is there public transportation there?
        Thanks for your lovely blogs. Your knowledge of Portugal is making it easier to decide on a location to start our journey,
        Obragido ,Marie

        1. Author

          Hello Marie,

          I’d imagine that Caldas da Rainha would be cheaper, easier to get to and it has a daily fruit and veg market in the main square. It’s not far from Obidos.

  4. We stayed at The Literary Man Óbidos Hotel last September, 2016. It was the worst stay of our month-long trip. Our room smelled horrible (like sewer) and we were worried about a hotel fire all night. No smoke detectors and the walls are lined with wood strips and totally covered with paperback books. Very unsafe and a fire death trap!! The desk girl didn’t seem to care much about the odor in the room and just said she would tell housekeeping when they next arrived. Just thot you and your readers would want to know.

  5. Hello Julie!
    Thank you for your article about Obidos. Very inspiring!
    Tell me, please, what happens there on Sundays? Are there many tourists, do souvenir and ginjinha-shops work?
    I would like to make a love-story photo session here, but I noticed that on our trip we will be here from Saturday evening to Monday morning. A little worried.
    Thank you in advance for the advice!
    All the best,
    Rita

    1. Author

      Hi Rita, The souvenir shops and ginjinha places will be open on Sundays as it’s one of the busiest days for tourists so you should have no problem getting some good shots. You’ll have some quiet times, too, which will provide a pleasant contrast.

  6. I really enjoyed Obidos, especially early morning when it is still sleepy an quiet. But the festival must quite a lot of fun! I will have to go back lol…

  7. Obidos is a little gem.Great article Julie.

    1. Author

      Thanks, Sami 🙂

  8. One of our favourite places to visit(and drink ginginha). Hope to be tthere again in Feb/Mar.

    1. Author

      Yes, it’s one of those places that’s always good to go back to. Have fun, Frank.

  9. I visited on a weekday during the Chocolate Festival a few years ago and was surprised at how many places sold chocolate as well as how quiet the whole village was. I think it’s busiest at weekends then. So walking the ramparts was easy and exciting and the back streets were practically empty and wonderful to wander through.

    1. Author

      That’s pretty much what happened to me the first time I visited. Missed the frstival itself but found lots of chocolate and hardly any people. My idea of heaven 😉

  10. I love the little Portuguese villages and cities and Óbidos looks like a gem. Your photos are gorgeous and, when we head north to explore more of Portugal, you can be sure that Óbidos will be on my list for an overnight stay. Thanks for sharing, Julie! Anita

    1. Author

      Glad to hear it, Anita. It’s a charming little place and I love the fact that you can easily give other tourists and visitors the slip and find peaceful streets to explore.

  11. Thanks Julia,
    spending a month in Portugal in Feb. planned on going to Obidos, but without your post probably would have missed some terrific sites. Was mainly going for the Grand Livraria de Santiago

    1. Author

      You’re welcome, Barbara. Have a great time!

  12. As always Julie your blogs are so descriptive. I can’t wait to visit some of the lovely places you have described.

    1. Author

      Thank you, Christine. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do 🙂

  13. Had 24 hours there last May with a overnight stay at Casa das Senhoras Rainhas hotel, which was lovely. The staff were brilliant. The Rua Direita was very busy but away from that one street, it was exceptionally quiet. I’d definitely recommend a visit.
    The motorway is nearby so it’s a decent place to use as a base. The only thing to be wary of is parking if your hotel is within the city walls. It wasn’t designed with cars in mind so best to know whether a) you can park and b) how to get to your hotel before you arrive!

    1. Author

      Hi Pete, glad to hear you also enjoyed Óbidos. And thanks for the tips about parking – I’m working on another article about where to stay in Óbidos and plan to mention that but it’s helpful for people to see it here, too.

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