Portugal is a treasure trove of small, picturesque medieval towns like Obidos. It’s a charming walled city whose highlights can be seen in just a few hours. At only an hour’s drive from the capital, it is ideal for a day trip from Lisbon.
While a day tour from Lisbon to Obidos would have spared us from a bit of confusion, we would have sacrificed our story: The sun was nearing the horizon as we drove up the narrow, windy, cliff edge dirt road that leads to the walled city of Obidos. The road was a bit nerve-racking, but when we reached the top, the real problem was staring us in the face. The closed Obidos city gates had a padlock and chain holding them tight. The sign plastered across the former entrance informed us of an upcoming Medieval Fair that starts in four days.
Our pre-paid apartment was inside those gates, the ability to turn around was difficult, and darkness was descending. However, we made our way back down, parked the car outside a pedestrian gate, and found our apartment. We shared a laugh with the proprietor, and he shared a Ginja with us. Then he went with hubby to move the car just outside a nearby walk-in entrance.
It was a long day. We opted for dinner and an early night.
Things to do in Obidos Portugal:
Study the Porta da Vila
Inside the main (south) gate into Obidos is Porta da Vila, a small Baroque chapel decorated with traditional azulejos tiles that depict the Passion of Christ.
Walk the cobblestone streets
Climb the steps to the city wall and walk the perimeter
Partake in a Ginja in a chocolate cup
Ginja is a local speciality sour cherry liqueur that was initially made by Benedictine monks. For hundreds of years, the recipe remained secret until the 20th century. Ginja (more officially called Ginjinha) is now made only in the Obidos region.
Medieval churches
Admire the flowers that seem to grow everywhere
Stand under the Aqueduto of Óbidos
More things to do in Obidos Portugal
- Fantastic and far off views will reward your efforts if you climb the stairs in the tower along the wall.
- Visit the Obidos Castle (any time of year other than the few days before the Medieval festival).
- If you plan well in advance, you can stay at the castle as it is now a hotel.
- Enjoy the Museu Municipal de Óbidos, the local art and municipal museum.
- Play golf at one of the two nearby courses.
Note: there is no Obidos parking (or driving) inside the city walls. In fact, there is only one car park, and it sits outside of the main gate to the south.
There are two festivals in this town worth note
Mercado Medieval de Óbidos
The Medieval Market and Festival takes place at the castle for three weeks each July. The next Obidos Medieval Festival takes place from July 12 to Aug 5, 2018.
The Obidos Castle closes for a time before the event, so we didn’t get a chance to enter. We did enjoy a medieval festival in the medieval portion of La Coruna Spain.
The International Chocolate Festival
This delicious event takes place in April or May each year. The 2019 dates are not yet announced. Check their website for details.
Take a Tour of Obidos
Obidos is a town that can be enjoyed in just a few hours which is what makes it such a popular day trip option from Lisbon. Not only is a guide interesting, but you can also avoid the hassle of parking in Obidos.
| TOUR | HIGHLIGHTS | DURATION |
| Fatima Nazare and Obidos Small Group from Lisbon | Guided tour of the Fatima sanctuary Attend mass at Fatima’s famous basilica Visit Obidos and Nazare | 8 hrs |
| Private West Tour – Peniche, Obidos, Sao Martinho do porto from Nazare | Visit coastal villagesSao Martinho do Porto,Foz Do Arelho, Peniche, Obidos and Caldas Da Rainha Private small group tour from Nazare | 8 hrs |
| Obidos medieval village & Buddha Eden | Stroll the town of Obidos and its castle Taste Ginja Visit the Buddha Eden wine farm Wine tasting | 3 to 4 hrs |
| Fatima, Obidos and the Atlantic Coast from Lisbon | Visit the Batalha Monastery Obidos and Ginja Liqueur Tasting Have lunch in Nazare See the sanctuary of Fatima Drive along the Atlantic Coast | 9 hrs |
| Natural Caves – Alcobaca – Nazare – West Coast – Obidos from Lisbon | Stop at Porto de Mós Medieval Castle See the natural caves in Candeeiros Natural Park See the Cistercian Monastery of Alcobaca Visit Nazare, Sao Martinho do Porto, Foz Do Arelho and Obidos | 8 hrs |
Where to Stay in Obidos Portugal:
If you choose to spend the night, there are plenty of options. If you are planning on attending either of the festivals be sure to book early, as Obidos accommodations fill up. Here are our recommended places to stay in Obidos:
- Casal Da Eira Branca – this is where we stayed and where we recommend. There are hotel rooms as well as apartments, all rustic, decorated with local wood, natural stones and tiles. Modern amenities and a shared kitchen for those who want to use it. We stayed in a huge two bedroom apartment with our own kitchen.
⇒ Check availability at Casal Da Eira Branca
- Pousada Castelo de Obidos – this is the castle and generally requires booking well in advance. With modern facilities, castle room features, and breakfast included, it is your chance to stay in one of the seven wonders of Portugal.
⇒ Check availability at Pousada Castelo de Obidos
- Or, if you want something different, check out other hotels in Obidos at Booking.com.
We entered Portugal from the west, our first stop being Evora followed by Sintra, Obidos, and Alcobaca before driving north and returning to Spain.
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Sandy N Vyjay
Obidos looks like a charming Portuguese town that makes for an enjoyable day trip from Lisbon. Definitely, think I’ll visit Obidos when I head down that way now. The gorgeous historic center and its labyrinth of cobblestoned streets and flower-bedecked, whitewashed houses livened up with dashes of vivid yellow and blue paint, call out for an enchanting stroll.
Rhonda Albom
I think you will love Obidos, especially with your choice of flowery words to describe the photos.
Reshma
Thanks for bringing in another place close to the capital of Lisbon. I loved the charm of Obidos, which are reflected in your beautiful pictures. The city looks like a perfect place for a lazy vacation. Ginji looks too tempting!
Rhonda Albom
Ginja is fantastic. I wish I brought some home with me.
Charles McCool
The parking situation sounds challenging but oh what a beautiful place. Looks like somewhere to spend a week or more. Love Portugal!
Rhonda Albom
Truth be told, there is a huge parking lot outside the walled city. We just didn’t read enough before we arrived, as we were so taken in by Sintra. Plus we arrived much later than we had thought, again due to Sintra.
Gokul Raj
Looks like a quiet place for to stay. I would probably get lost trying to explore the architecture of the place. Also looks like and offbeat destination,
Rhonda Albom
It’s not that big, you would find your way again.
Roma Small
So is it a car-free city? Sounds like an interesting place, walled medieval cities are certainly charming, those cobblestones though, oh ouch you need good shoes
Rhonda Albom
If I remember correctly, cars were not driven in the old town.
Kristin Aquariann
Pretty place! I love how the flowers frame so many of the photos.
Rhonda Albom
I loved how the flowers framed so many of the walls.
Trekking with Becky
I LOVE city walls! I can’t get enough of them. 😀 It’s great to know that they don’t take ages to trek.
Rhonda Albom
This one is a bit scary in spots, but walkable.
kelleyn rothaermel
Such lovely architechture!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Kelleyn.
Andrea
Thank you so much for the tour, i had fun and been informed. I smiled at eating the cups after drinking the content. Of course the photos are always awesome. I would like to share this in my FB wall for my friend who missed Portugal.
Rhonda Albom
Of we ate the cups, they are chocolate. What else would we do with them? And, yes, please share this anywhere you would like.
Anna Vasquez
Such a lovely town! The traditional houses and buildings are always fascinating. It tells us history as well as its beauty. Everything seems magical and comes from a different time! Looks like you and your family had a great time exploring the town! If you do love a traditional place you guys definitely should come and visit Bali. The traditional life is still thick! You’d love it here, so come and please do check our website out, thank you.
Rhonda Albom
I had my first exposure to Indonesia a few months ago with only one day in Bali. And you are correct, I loved it. We spent most of our time in Ubud and I cannot wait to go back.
Julie Kemp Pick
Lovely photos as always! So glad you decided to repost your trip to Portugal! It really
makes me smile after looking out at our dreary rainy weather. You and your family really have a lifetime
of magnificent memories from your travels.
Rhonda Albom
We have been having some pretty dreadful weather too. Nothing like a tropical storm to keep you indoors for a while.
Birgitta
Interesting photos!
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Brigitta
Bill
Superb place to visit. I love old city walls to walk around, few left on the UK. That certainly looks like a date on the door lintel
Rhonda Albom
This wall doesn’t feel as safe as some of the others we have walked around, but it was equally as exciting. I love the old cities.
Handmade Jewelry Haven
Your beautiful photos transport us to magical places…as always.
Thank you for sharing.
– Lisa
Rhonda Albom
Wonderful compliment Lisa.
Ruth
You keep surprising me with your beautiful pictures of Portugal. This town is another one for the list. I enjoy small but picturesque places like this.
Rhonda Albom
Yes, and Portugal kept surprising us.
[email protected]
Majestic! Well seen and well taken.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Colleen 🙂
Patrick Weseman
What a beautiful and wonderous place to travel. Very nice pics, thanks for sharing.
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Patrick. It’s a fascinating little town.
Carol
Lovely – you go to the most wonderful places!
Rhonda Albom
We try 🙂
ladyfi
I was in Obidos two years ago – it’s lovely! I love the ginja in chocolate cups… Gorgeous shots.
Rhonda Albom
The ginja in chocolate was wonderful.
David @Travelsewhere
Like the update Rhonda. Definitely think I’ll visit Obidos when I head down that way now. Glad to have your blogs on this region to help with my planning 🙂
Rhonda Albom
It’s a bit farther off the beaten track, depending on where you are headed, but worth a visit. We were heading back to Spain to the North, so it was on our way.
Barbara
That sour cherry liquoir sounds amazing! it makes me want to visit Obidos tomorrow!
Rhonda Albom
I wish I had bought more, that’s for sure.
Photo(Geo)grapher
What a beautiful and peaceful city. These streets are just lovely … I would love to see this place on my own eyes
Rhonda Albom
Completely encased by a wall, the city streets have almost no auto traffic, making them even easier to walk.
Teresa Kindred
I love that blue and white tile! So pretty!
Rhonda Albom
Imagine if we had done it correctly, that would have been our first view of the town (rather than the locked gates).
indah nuria Savitri
It is beautiful indeed! I love looking at all those pretty details in this beautiful town. That tiled chapel is pretty!
Rhonda Albom
I like the details too.
carol mckenna
Gorgeous place with lovely building, balcony and chocolate cups for special drink ~ glad you are enjoying it and bet the teen(s) are too ~ What an opportunity for them ~ thanks,
Wishing you delightful days in your week ~ ^_^
Rhonda Albom
Yes, my girls enjoyed it all, although they didn’t get to try the Ginja. Too bad, it was delicious.
Gemma Wiseman
So many intriguing buildings here in Portugal. Love the art of stonework. And the gorgeous sunlight highlights the beauty of all those flowers.
Rhonda Albom
I was pretty impressed with Obidos as well.
Amy Franks
oh a medieval fair, how exciting!
Rhonda Albom
Too bad we missed it.
stevebethere
What a beautiful place your photos always look crystal clear 🙂
Have a tanfastical week Rhonda 🙂
Tanja (the Red phone box travels)
such a pretty town! I need to explore more of Portugal:)
Rhonda Albom
Me too. We only touched on the country.
Sandee
What a lovely place to visit. I will never go there, but you already know that. Some are meant to travel and I’m not one of them.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
Rhonda Albom
That’s okay, I am happy to take you with me in photos. I was just glad you travelled to meet us in San Francisco.
Cheryl
Hi Rhonda,
This looked like an amazing trip! The liquor filled chocolate cups really caught my attention. I love your photos too. Hopefully someday we will make it to Europe. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Safe Travels,
Cheryl
Rhonda Albom
LOL – that liquor filled chocolate cup photo is well cropped. It is possibly the worst photo I have of hubby and I when we are trying to look good for the camera. I am glad it works in its tiny format.
napoleon Pilarta
beautiful place.. you may find Gandalf posing at the entrance, at times 🙂
Rhonda Albom
LOL – I am sure my girls looked 🙂
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda – amazing place – and how lovely you were able to stay there … wonderful photos – and another place I’ve added to my list should I get to the south of Portugal… fantastic to see – and I’ll have some of the Ginji … cheers and thank you – Hilary
Rhonda Albom
I could use a bottle of the Ginja right now 🙂
Lexa Cain
Too bad you missed the Medieval Fair. I bet it would be awesome in such a scenic place. At least you made it inside despite padlocked gate and enjoyed lots of lovely sights!
Rhonda Albom
I know, and it was the same evening that we visited Sintra, a town that was having a medieval fair that we didn’t stop at as there wasn’t time to do it all. I was not popular with one of my girls on that day. Of course, we would have had to plan for Obidos overnight during the fair well in advance, something we are not too good at doing.
Laura Roberts
Lovely photos! Thank you for sharing them. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Laura. It’s a lovely town.
Tony Payne
Looks wonderful. I think the more you travel, especially in fascinating places like this, the harder it will be to stay put in somewhere like Auckland. Well at least it will make you want to spend several months of the year travelling.
Janis
Beautiful town. Love the wall.