slabs of chocolate

If the thought of a whole festival dedicated to chocolate appeals to you, here’s my advice for getting the most out of annual chocolate festival in Óbidos.

UPDATE: The Chocolate Festival for 2024 runs from 1st to 17th March. Check here for more information.

1. There’s plenty to enjoy without buying a ticket

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t want to stump up the 10 euros to get inside the castle walls, it’s still worth heading to Óbidos while the festival is on.

There’s whole lot of chocolate activity going on in town, such as the chocolate sculptures on display at the catering school near the Pousada entrance and stalls selling all manner of sweet treats.

The chocolate fashion show (yes, I am serious!) is free, too.

Porto's landmark Casa da Musica made of chocolate.
Porto’s landmark Casa da Musica made of chocolate. On display at the catering school in Óbidos during the chocolate festival

Rivalling the prize-winning chocolate sculptures inside the festival, the cake decorators really went to town on the Disney theme. Best of all, because they were on display away from the castle, they were free to enjoy.

Lady and the Tramp cake
Lady and the Tramp cake at the Disney themed chocolate festival in Óbidos, Portugal

2. Buy your festival ticket early to avoid the queues

Don’t bother standing in the long queues for tickets at the main ticket office near the car parks. You can enter Óbidos without a ticket and buy one at the entrance to the festival where there are hardly any queues.

Better still, buy one from your Obidos hotel or one of the shops in town. Many hotels offer a package deal which includes accommodation and entrance fees for the chocolate festival.

3. Get away from the hoards

If you don’t like crowds, duck into one of the cobbled alleys off the main street in Óbidos and make your way towards the castle through deserted medieval streets that run parallel to Rua Direita.

4. Protect yourself from the sun 

Take a hat and sun cream if it’s a hot day, even in spring. There’s no shade and a long queue to get into the main tent with the chocolate sculptures.

The tent is blissfully air-conditioned but even if the chocolate is still holding its shape, you may be melting by the time you get inside.

Finding Nemo made of chocolate at the 2012 chocolate festival in Óbidos, Portugal
Finding Nemo made of chocolate at the 2012 chocolate festival in Óbidos, Portugal

5. Show cooking tasters are worth waiting for

Be patient but pushy at the live chocolate-making demonstrations. If you make your way to the front of the crowd, you will eventually be rewarded with a taster.

6. Not all chocolate treats are tasty

Unless you like thin chocolate shells filled with air and frothy, sickly sweet cream, avoid the Bembokas. They look like individual chocolate-covered cakes but taste revolting.

7. Try new flavour combinations

Try the unusual chocolate treats on offer, especially the chocolate cheese. I was a little skeptical at first but it’s creamy and the combination actually works well.

Chocolate cheese
Chocolate cheese tastes surprisingly good!

8. Check out the chocolate fashion 

If you can’t make it to the fashion show, most of the costumes will be on display in a marquee inside the castle walls and there’s a big screen in the main church square which plays a recording of the event on loop the following day.

Chocolate fashion at the 2012 chocolate festival in Óbidos, Portugal
Chocolate fashion at the chocolate festival in Óbidos, Portugal

9. Be aware of extra costs for activities

Even if you’ve paid the entrance fee, you still have to pay extra for cooking classes. Kids’ cooking classes are 3 euros and adult workshops are 7.50 euros – grown ups need to reserve their place.

10. Schedule your chocolate fun

Check the programme for other activities such as body painting demonstrations, show cooking by top chocolate chefs and concerts so you get the most out of your visit.

11. Double check the dates of the chocolate festival

Don’t make the same mistake I did and end up missing the festival altogether! For 2024, the festival begins 1st March and continues through until 17th.

Óbidos Chocolate Festival, 2012
Óbidos Chocolate Festival – Disney meets medieval castle

For more information and the programme, check out the official website for the international chocolate festival in Óbidos.

Find out how to include Óbidos in your Portugal travel itinerary.

Check out other festivals in Portugal.

17 Comments

  1. Hello!
    My name is Akzhan, from Kazakhstan.
    I want to ask about the chocolatier courses for beginners. I am very interested to make chocolate. Do I have any opportunities to take a course? Where could I ask?
    I will be in Lisbon for 2 weeks in July.
    Please, give me the contacts, if you have an information about this.
    Thank you!
    My e-mail: [email protected]

    1. Hello Akzhan, I am sorry but I don’t have any contacts in the chocolate world.

  2. if you know, could you tell me the exact date of this event in 2014??

    1. Author

      They’ve just announced the dates for 2014: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 14th March to 6th April. Have fun!

  3. Chocolate cheese – who’d have guessed?! 🙂

  4. It looks like a lot of fun, Julie. I guess 4 will have to read “and an umbrella” now?

    1. Yes, although I’m sure the sun will be out again soon.

  5. mmmmmmmmm! sounds like heaven to me !

  6. I agree with Marion, except I’ll be there in July, so please have them extend it to then!! 🙂

    1. A never-ending chocolate delight.

      1. All good things come to an end 🙁

    2. Thanks so much Julie. Maybe the timing of the Medieval Fair will work for me! 🙂

  7. Could you please please PLEASE make them continue this festival until we’re coming over at the end of April? 😀

    1. I would love to, Marion but the best I can do is mid-March, I’m afraid 🙁

  8. I’m not a chocolate fan, but diosssss it looks tasty!

    1. It is, although I enjoyed the chocolate cheese and cake more than the actual chocolate!

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