Get ready to be enchanted by the beauty of Óbidos! The medieval town of Óbidos is one of the most characteristic and well-preserved in Portugal, offering a unique setting for a journey back in time. Explore its narrow streets, admire the architecture and let yourself be enveloped by the magical atmosphere.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy our private tours , as well as our tour of Central Portugal , with a local guide.
Close enough to the capital and situated on a high point near the Atlantic coast, Óbidos had a strategic importance in the territory. Already occupied before the Romans arrived in the Iberian Peninsula, the town became more prosperous from the moment it was chosen by the royal family. Ever since King D. Dinis offered it to his wife D. Isabel, in the 13th century, it belonged to the House of Queens who, over the course of various dynasties, continued to benefit and enrich it. This is one of the main reasons why there are so many churches in this small town.
Within the walls, we find a well-preserved castle and a maze of streets and white houses that enchant those who stroll through them. Among Manueline porticos, flower-filled windows and small squares, there are several reasons to visit, good examples of religious and civil architecture from the town's golden age.
The Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria , the Igreja da Misericórdia, the Igreja de São Pedro, the pillory and, outside the walls, the aqueduct and the round-shaped Sanctuary of Senhor Jesus da Pedra, are some of the monuments that deserve a close visit. The same goes for the Museu Municipal de Óbidos , which houses the works of Josefa de Óbidos. In the 17th century, she was a renowned painter and a woman with an irreverent artistic attitude for her time. Her paintings reflect her learning from great masters of the time, such as the Spaniards Zurbarán and Francisco de Herrera, or the Portuguese André Reinoso and Baltazar Gomes Figueira, her father.
Any time is a good time to visit Óbidos. With its love stories and medieval atmosphere, it is an inspiring suggestion for a romantic or simply peaceful weekend. And if you include a night's stay in the castle, then the setting will be perfect.
Visiting Tip
Climb the walls
Try the famous Ginginha
In the local cuisine , the fish stew from the Óbidos Lagoon stands out, even better when accompanied by wines from the Western Demarcated Region. Another attraction is the famous Ginjinha de Óbidos , which can be enjoyed in several places, preferably in a chocolate cup.
Throughout the year, a programme of events brings some excitement to this small town, but without a doubt the most popular are the International Chocolate Festival , the Medieval Market and the Óbidos Christmas Village , where the town is decorated with motifs alluding to the season. Also worth mentioning are the FOLIO – Óbidos International Literary Festival, the SIPO – Óbidos International Piano Week, the LATITUDES Festival – Literature and Travellers and, more recently, the Óbidos Gaming Village, which give the place a special atmosphere. Since 2015, it has been a UNESCO Creative City of Literature.
Not far away is the long sandy beach of Praia d'El Rey , where golfers can enjoy a golf course with views of the Atlantic Ocean. Passing the town of Caldas da Rainha, whose history is also linked to the Casa das Rainhas, is the beach of Foz do Arelho, connecting the Óbidos Lagoon to the sea. A good place for a seafood and fresh fish lunch or for a late afternoon at sunset, by the sea.
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