Óbidos, Portugal

Óbidos, Portugal. Photo: Oren Rozen/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Óbidos is a town and a municipality in the Oeste Subregion in Portugal. The town is a popular destination due to its walled hilltop medieval centre.

The area of the town of Óbidos is located on a hilltop, encircled by a fortified wall. Óbidos remains a well-preserved example of medieval architecture; its streets, squares, walls and its castle are a popular tourist destination. The castle now houses a pousada. The municipality is also home to the famous Praia D'el Rey golf complex, one of the top golf resorts in Europe, and Royal Óbidos - Spa & Golf Resort.

Get in

Óbidos village lies on both the A8 and A15 motorways. Rodoviária do Oeste's Rápida Verde coach bus service provides frequent connections to Lisbon, Bombarral, and Caldas da Rainha.

The Óbidos railway station is served by Comboios de Portugal's Linha do Oeste (Western Line).

What to See in Óbidos

The village is dominated by an old medieval castle with a portion of the village located within the fortress walls.

• Clock Tower.

• Mother Church of Saint Mary. Was the setting for the wedding of King Afonso V to his cousin, Princess Isabella of Coimbra, on 15 August 1441, when they were both still children aged 9 and 10, respectively.

• Municipal Museum, located in the old Council Chamber House

What to Do in Óbidos

• Walk the 1.5-km walls of the fortress.

• Óbidos Medieval Market. Each July Óbidos castle hosts a traditional 'Medieval Market'. For two weeks the castle and the surrounding town recreate the spirit of medieval Europe.

Visitors can shop at the traditional handcrafts fair or watch medieval shows, horse displays and a costumed parade that winds its way through the streets. There are also displays of jousting knights and armed combat.

Spit roasted hog, hearty soups, rabbit, lamb, cod, quail, sausages and other grilled meats are just some of the many medieval style meals on offer from dozens of "taverns" and stalls spread throughout the market. Drinking from pewter tankards and eating from wooden trencher all adds to the experience.

Buy

A typical cherry liquor with a strong taste. You can buy small or medium bottles to drink or take home.

Go next

• Fátima — the city and the Marian shrine of the worldwide famous apparitions of the Virgin Mary.

• Batalha — near Fátima is located the beautiful Monastery of Saint Mary of the Victory of the Battle.

• Tomar — the city of the Knights Templar: it is highly recommended to visit the medieval castle and the Convent of Christ.

• Alcobaça — monastery and excellent conventual sweets and pastries.

• Nazaré — a lovely village that became an international surf spot and entered into the Guinness World Records for its gigantic sea waves.

• Peniche and the Berlengas islands. (Wikivoyage, Wikipedia)

See also Óbidos in Pictures

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