Discover the magnificent medieval village of Obidos in Portugal.
A fantastic place to visit, where you can tour the fortifications for amazing views!
Below is my guide to plan your visit with map, photos, tips and the best things to do in Obidos (walls, castle, liquor...).
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Why visit Obidos in Portugal?
Is the village of Obidos worth a visit?
Yes, Obidos is worth a visit. It is popular, one of the most charming villages to visit in Portugal, for good reasons.
It offers:
- Fortification walls all around offering beautiful views of the village and the region,
- A maze of white houses with orange roofs,
- A castle,
- Good food and a historical vibe.
Village of Obidos, Portugal
What is Obidos known for?
The main 3 reasons Obidos is a famous village are:
- The fortifications where you can walk and enjoy great views
- The liquor Ginja de Obidos, served in chocolate cups
- The festivals, especially the medieval fair
Video - Virtual tour
Let's start with a short video showing what it is like to tour the village of Obidos Portugal:
This is one of the best places to visit in Portugal.
Many photos and details avec the planning tips.
Planning Tips and Map - Obidos, Portugal
Where is Obidos in Portugal? Map
Map - Obidos in Portugal
All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates, map and tips) in my travel guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Portugal road trip:
Plan your ideal road trip around Portugal
- 13 easy-to-plan Maps
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- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
How to get to Obidos
Because it is close to Lisbon and very popular, there are many ways to visit Obidos
- By car - my favorite options to be able to visit at sunrise and sunset away from the crowds - access is very easy
- Lisbon to Obidos by bus - the Rapida Verde Bus (Express Green) takes over an hour from Campo Grande Station in Lisbon (managed by Rodo Tejo)
- By Day trips organized from Lisbon or Porto - if you want to just sit and relax and they are combined with other stops such as Fatima, Nazaré and the Monastery of Batalha - see options
Need to rent a car in Portugal?
My tips:
- Compare car rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best rated sites!
- Choose the car and company you prefer (remember the villages' narrow streets)
- Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Arriving at Obidos
Obidos Parking
- At the foot of the village, you can find several carparks with access to the entrance Porta da Vila.
- They are around the aqueduct. One is paved, the others are dirt/gravel carparks.
- Parts can be free when others require a small fee (donation towards the firefighters) - cash only
- Sorry, I forgot to take pictures
- Avoid entering the village with a car. The alleys are very narrow!
How much time to visit Obidos?
Half a day is the minimum to explore most of the village and get a feel for it.
However, to discover all its hidden gems and walk the entire wall, I recommend an afternoon, a night there and then a morning.
This way you can enjoy the stunning views at sunset and sunrise
Best time to visit Obidos?
It is a very popular destination, probably the most visited fortified village in Portugal because of its proximity to Lisbon. Therefore, visit early or late to avoid the day trippers.
Also consider the festivals. Obidos is famous for them.
They mean a lot of fun but also a lot of people you have:
- The medieval fair that takes place for 2 weeks every July
- The chocolate festival in Spring
- The opera festival
- The Christmas village
Sunrise at Obidos
Obidos opening hours
The gates to Obidos are never closed. You can enter any time.
However, churches and the museum have varying opening hours.
Normally, the museum opens every day, except Mondays, from 9:30am to 1pm and 2pm to 5:30pm.
Visit tips
- Price - Access to the village is free
- Wear good shoes because the streets are paved and the walls are uneven
- There are plenty of cafés and restaurants within the fortifications and just outside
Obidos Hotels - Where to stay in Obidos?
Obidos is a touristic place, so you will find plenty of accommodations. You can stay inside or just outside the walls.
There are many small guesthouses, which is great to have a chat with locals!
- Where I stayed - Casa de Fontanerio de Obidos just outside the wall. The atmosphere was excellent and the family owning the guesthouse was adorable - see photos and availability
- LUXURY AND HISTORY - a fantastic option is of course to stay in the Obidos Castle Hotel i.e. Pousada Castelo de Obidos. Some rooms even include stone walls!!! See photos and availability
- INSIDE THE WALLS - if you want to stay inside you should consider Casal da Eira Branca. It has a beautiful terrasse to relax at the end of the day. Check photos and availability
- FAMILY - It is a bit further away from Obidos (but not that far...), but you can fit many people in Valentine's House which is decorated with a lot of taste. This is one of the best rated accommodations on Booking.com - See photos and availability
- CHEAPER OPTION - Hostel - For those on a budget the Hostel Argonauta has really good reviews and is really well located - See photos and availability
- Or check out the best rated accommodations in Obidos
Best things to do in Obidos & tourist map
Best things to do in Obidos
I will list all the places to notice as you explore the village further down, but if you are limited in time, my top 5 things to do are:
- Admire Porta da Vila, the gate and its tiles, typical of Portugal
- Climb on the fortification wall at the opposite end of the castle for the best views of the entire village
- Walk main street
- Enter the castle grounds to admire the impressive fortress
- Enjoy sunrise from the fortifications
Obidos Tourist Map
Close to the main gate, you can find a map of Obidos Portugal (left is South and right is North).
1 is the main gate (Porta da Vila) and around 6 is the access to the Obidos Castle.
Warning
Walking on the wall is a lot of fun. However, it requires steep stairs and there is no protection in some places.
Be cautious and pay full attention, especially with children.
Brief history of Obidos
Before I take you on a visit via my photos, here are few interesting facts about Obidos Portugal:
- It is thought that the name comes from the Latin word Oppidum that means fortified city
- Archeological surveys indicate settlements on that hill back to the Celt and the Romans
- In the 8th or 9th century, fortifications were established by the Moors
#1 to 7 - Exploring the streets
#1 - Admire the Main Entrance - Porta da Vila
The main entrance is from the Town Gate built in 1380 - Porta da Vila. Obidos has been a national monument since 1951. However, 2 other doors allow access to the village on the same side.
As you enter, you discover the oratory or Our Lady of Piety which was created during the 17th century. It is a covered with beautiful tiles (Azulejo) from the 18th century.
#2 - Walking up Main Street - Rua Direita
From the gate you can climb to the fortifications right away. And I will show you that later. But first let's discover the main street that leads you from the gate to the Obidos Castle.
The main street is the busiest. This is where you can find all the souvenir shops and opportunities to drink the specialty Ginjinha de Obidos (see later in the post).
#3 - Leave the beaten path to discover side streets
Don't just stay on the main street, go explore and get lost! (Well, you can't really get lost, there is a wall and it is not that big...).
It is great to discover the side streets leaving from it.
Manu of them are colorful and decorated with flowers.
#4 - Notice the tiles and changes in colors
All the houses are white.
However, many have lines of colors. Colors vary: blue, orange, grey, brown... Have fun collecting colors!
Plus, on many of them you can find beautiful tile decors. Make sure to pay attention to the details.
#5 - Find the other gates
Porta da Vila is the main entrance with a beautiful tile decor.
However, there is another access point to the village you can discover as you explore: Porta do Vale also known as Senhora da Graça.
And there is another gate for which I don't have the name.
#6 - Obidos Museum
The Museu Municipal de Obidos is a small one.
It houses different exhibits:
- Sacred art (paintings and sculptures)
- French and English weapons from the Peninsula war
- Baroque pieces of furniture
- Pieces of architectural ruins from around the village
#7 - Arco de Cadeia
Behind the Municipal museum of Obidos, you can find a steep street with the 3/4 of an arch. You can walk under it.
#8 to 11 - Collecting the churches of Obidos
For such a small village, there is an impressive number of churches and chapels...
#8 - Santa Maria Church
On your way to the castle, along the main street, you will walk by Santa Maria Church, a white and brown building.
It is on the main square of Obidos.
This is where King Afonso V and Isabella of Coimbra were married in 1441 when they were just kids.
#9 - Santiago Church
And at the end of the main street, just before the castle, is Santiago Church between the 2 fort towers.
Once again, you can see the whitewashed building with lines of colors. For this one, the color is grey.
#10 - Misericordia Church
Next to it is also a small church.
If open, have a look inside for the chapels with typical blue tiles.
#11 - Igreja de Sao Pedro
Igreja de Sao Pedro is striking with its contrast in colors.
But I think it is best seen from the walls because of the beautiful top of the tower.
#12 - Capela de Sao Martinho
A hidden chapel in a primitive Gothic style.
One of the oldest buildings in the village
#13 - Admiring the Obidos Castle (Castelo do Obidos)
The main Obidos attraction, apart from walking on the walls (I will show you that soon), is the Obidos Castle a.k.a Castelo do Obidos in Portuguese.
The best view is from the back.
Go through the gate near the Santiago church and walk towards the North end of the hill.
Light would be better in the afternoon, with the sun rays hitting the façade, but it is still quite impressive. It is really massive with very few openings.
The entrance to the castle is actually on the city side of the wall. But the Castle cannot be visited because it is today a hotel: the Obidos Castle Hotel.
#14 to 16 - Walking on the Obidos fortification walls
And here is the highlight of any visit: walking on the fortified walls of Obidos.
#14 - Climb on the fortification wall to admire the village
Several staircases allow you to climb up there. They have between 40 and 60 steps each. The steps are high and uneven, but it is worth the climb!
The staircase near the main gate is actually one of the hardest. If you follow the fortification at the bottom on your right after entering, you will find a straight staircase that is larger and has only 40 steps.
How long to tour the Obidos fortifications?
It is possible to tour the whole fortifications. It is a 1.5km walk (so 1 to 2 hours depending on how many pictures your take).
Some sections are large and with a border, but others are narrower and with the big drop just next to you (be aware if you suffer from vertigo)
Here is the view right after the climb at the main gate.
#15 - Head to the west side for views of the surrounding countryside
From the west side, you have beautiful views of the area and agricultural fields.
The mix of stone wall and white houses is really stunning. Don't you think?
#16 - Climb the Obidos Tower
At the South end of the fortifications, you can continue climbing big steps to reach the top of the tower. It is quite impressive and definitively not for people with vertigo!!!
From up there you can see the whole village of Obidos in its length.
#17 - Tasting the famous Ginja De Obidos (Ginjinha de Obidos)
Obidos is also famous for the quality of its cherry brandy liqueur: Ginjinha.
You can pay for a shot just on the stalls outside. However, the classic way is to drink it in a chocolate cup. Drink and eat!
#18 to 22 - What to do near Obidos - Lagoon and more
You can also stay in Obidos to explore the region which has a lot to offer
Need to rent a car in Portugal?
My tips:
- Compare car rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best rated sites!
- Choose the car and company you prefer (remember the villages narrow streets)
- Consider their full coverage option - I always take it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
#18 - Sanctuary Senhor Jesus da Prada
Outside the town wall is a large Baroque church, a sanctuary.
Legend says that a long lost 15th-century cross was found during a drought and worshipping it brought the rain.
Opening times vary. But you can always see it from the outside.
#19 - Obidos Lagoon
Obidos is not right by the sea, but it is not far.
If you want a little of fresh air, you can head to the Obidos Lagoon for white sand and enjoyable waters.
#20 - Peniche
Berlengas Island
A beautiful peninsula. It is the access point to the Island or Berlengas and its fort
Obidos to Peniche = 30min
#21 - Nazaré
Coastal town famous for its giant waves during certain times of the year
Obidos to Nazaré = 35min
#22 - Batahla Monastery
One of the most impressive monastery in Portugal with its famous unfinished chapels.
Learn more in my article
Obidos to Nazaré = 45min
Want to see more of the best Portugal has to offer?
- 30 Most beautiful landscapes in Portugal - read article
- Best things to do in Portugal - read article
- The best beaches in Portugal - read article
- The best villages in Portugal - read article
- Lisbon vs Porto - where to go? - read article
- Driving in Portugal - read article
- The best of the Algarve region - read article
- The highlights of Sintra and the Sintra-Cascais Nature park - read article
Planning a trip to Portugal?
Check out my travel guide to help you plan:
Plan your ideal road trip around Portugal
- 13 easy-to-plan Maps
- 120+ pre-selected scenic locations
- Planning tips to make the most of your time
- 200+ large photos to decide where to go
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And keep track of your own trip!
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Looks amazing! I definitely want to add this village & castle for a future trip to our list.