Yes, the jewel of the crown! Óbidos is a small, picturesque town with an eighth-century Moorish castle on top of a hill. It was considered by the Portuguese to be one of the seven national wonders, and walking through its narrow streets of whitewashed houses is like stepping back in time.
The town lies between the sea and the hills of the West, just an hour away from Lisbon by car and bus.
History of Óbidos
Roman origins and influence
The occupation of the territory where the town of Óbidos is located today dates back to prehistoric times, and it is believed that the Celts were here between the second and third centuries BC. However, it was the Romans who had the greatest influence, creating roads to facilitate trade and the defense of the territory.
It was also the Romans who brought the famous Óbidos fruit to Portugal: the sour cherry!
The Muslims and the Christian Reconquest
The Muslims were in Óbidos for five hundred years. They turned the town into a stronghold. The church of Santa Maria de Óbidos, for example, is thought to have been a mosque before being baptized by the first Portuguese king, Afonso Henriques. Óbidos was conquered by the Portuguese a year after the conquest of the castle of Lisbon, in 1148.
Vila das Rainhas: A gift from King Dinis to Queen Santa Isabel
The fact that Óbidos is so well preserved to this day owes a lot to the legacy that the Portuguese queens left here.
It all began in the 13th century when King Dinis gave his wife Queen Isabel the castle and lands of Óbidos. And with this gesture a tradition began in which kings offered the town and its lands to their queens as a dowry, and today the town is known as “Óbidos the town of queens”.
The recent past and the present
The twentieth century brought major changes to the town of Óbidos. Major reconstructions were carried out within the town. One of these was the Moorish castle, which was transformed into a Pousada. This hotel model was implemented in Portugal during the 1940s and 1950s by the Estado Novo, and the Óbidos castle is the first example of all.
What to do in Óbidos
Strolling through its narrow, medieval streets
This is a unique experience because Óbidos is a beautiful picturesque town, with its whitewashed houses and blue, yellow or red stripes. There are fantastic corners that will add even more life to your Instagram. Rua Direita (the main and most popular street) has craft stores and cafés where you can stop (or as many as you like) to shop or have a drink.
Visit the Moorish Castle
This eighth-century castle at the top of the hill is one of the stops you can’t miss. From here you’re sure to get some of the best views of the picturesque village. Today it houses a luxury inn, but you can still visit its courtyard and get an idea of what the castle would have looked like in medieval times.
Taste the Ginjinha from Óbidos
As written before, sour cherries were brought to the region by the Romans from what are now Greece and Turkey, but it wasn’t until the 12th century that the first monks at the Santa Maria de Alcobaça monastery began to develop the fantastic nectar we have today.
Nowadays, the great “new” tradition is to drink your ginjinha in a glass of chocolate, providing a unique experience.
Exploring religious heritage
Church of Santa Maria de Óbidos
This church was baptized in the 12th century by the first Portuguese king D. Afonso Henriques and is today the town’s main church. We highlight the artistic tile work from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, as well as a unique treasure: the five paintings by the Baroque painter Josefa de Óbidos known as the “Holistic Marriage of Saint Catherine”.
Church of São Pedro
This Baroque church was built during the 13th century but was extensively damaged during the 1755 earthquake, which severely damaged the structure of the town of Óbidos.
Highlights of the visit include its imposing Baroque altar and the Portuguese choir on the church’s ceiling.
Sanctuary of Senhor Jesus da Pedra
The main feature of this church is that it is hexagonal. It was built in the eighteenth century and is associated with one of the local legends.
Themed festivals in the town of Óbidos
In recent years, the town of Óbidos has been transformed culturally and is now home to some of the biggest festivals in Portugal.
Christmas Town: It takes place during the winter and has a different theme every year. This is probably the biggest festival of them all and is focused on a younger audience.
Medieval Market: It’s held in the summer and usually takes place in July and August. In addition to the medieval theme, this event is made even more popular by the fact that you can rent medieval costumes. Food, drink and shows are always present.
International Chocolate Festival: As you can already tell, this festival is a favorite with the sweet tooth. Just like Vila Natal, it changes its theme every year. It takes place in March and April.
FOLIO: This international literary festival brings writers from all over the world to Óbidos. It takes place in October and turns Óbidos into a giant bookshop! The town is part of UNESCO’s network of literary towns.
Here are some tips for visiting Óbidos:
When is the best time?
Yes, you can choose any time of year to visit the town of Óbidos! Entrance to the walled town is free and you can stroll through its streets at any time of day, but there are “times” and “seasons” to do so:
- Spring and fall: Pleasant weather and probably fewer tourists
- Summer: Busier, but the Medieval Market festival is definitely worth a visit
- Winter: Perfect time to visit the Christmas Town festival.
How to get to the village
The town of Óbidos is about an hour away from Lisbon.
- By car: The quickest way is to take the A8 highway, taking the exit that says “Óbidos”
- By bus: There are regular bus departures from Lisbon from the Campo Grande terminal
- By train: It is also possible to get to Óbidos by train, but it takes longer and the train station is a long way from the town.
Where to eat
Being an international destination, there are many restaurants with a varied gastronomic offer (sometimes it is more difficult to find options for vegetarians).
Where to stay
For a small town like Óbidos, there are many choices for overnight stays or longer vacations. You can choose from hotels inside and outside the walls, as well as local accommodation.
Conclusion
This is certainly a destination not to be missed in Portugal. If you’re planning your next trip, book a guided tour of Óbidos with us and have a unique experience.
If you want to have a greater experience at the Silver Coast book your Óbidos Tour!