Obidos (Portugal) is one of the most ancient and truly fabulous towns in the country. The settlement was founded by the Celts and during the heyday of the Roman Empire, the city was considered an important port. In the 12th century, during the reign of the monarch Alfonso Henriques, the settlement became part of Portugal. The architectural appearance of Obidush has incorporated unique elements and details from different cultures, traditions and faiths. Today, the city is filled with flowers, snow-white villas, quiet, picturesque streets and paved paths.
General information
Obydush has a unique feature – it is a gift city. At the end of the 13th century, King Denys I gave it to his wife in honor of the wedding. Since then, Obidos has been known all over the world as the city of weddings. Newlyweds like to arrange wedding photo sessions here or spend a few days of their honeymoon.
The name “Óbidos” probably comes from the Latin term oppidum, which means “citadel” or”fortified city”.
Obidos stretches from the Atlantic to the interior of Extremadura along rivers and lakes, the distance to the capital of Portugal, Lisbon, is 100 km.
Now the population of the amazing resort settlement is 3 thousand people, and you can walk along just two streets.
What to see
The Portuguese honor their history, so since the 13th century, the appearance of Obidos has not changed much. Local residents and authorities strongly support the atmosphere of the Middle Ages here-they hold thematic fairs and festivals.
Obydush-a town from a fairy tale
Seven centuries have passed, but Obidos has changed little during this period, it has remained a unique museum exhibit. People come here to plunge into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, walk through the streets where a car can barely squeeze through, and, of course, visit souvenir shops and eat in a small, cozy cafe.
This is interesting! The city library, which is located next to the castle, is a hangar, quite a modern building, and books are displayed in the open air, along three walls.
It is better to come to Obidos in the afternoon, when there are no large crowds of tourists. The most majestic building is the castle. Travelers can climb the walls, but it is important to be careful, since there are not fences everywhere and the passageways are narrow enough.
Not only is Obidos popular for its amazing medieval atmosphere and ancient attractions, but there are many old shops, huge beaches and a comfortable climate for tourists.
While strolling through the streets, be sure to try the famous cherry liqueur, which is sold in a chocolate cup for just 1 EUR.
Obidouche Castle
This is one of the most popular and visited attractions in Obidush. The castle is included in all tourist routes.
Interesting fact! The castle complex has two statuses-a national monument of history and architecture, as well as one of the 7 wonders of Portugal.
Construction work began in the 12th century, and the castle’s appearance has changed over the centuries. The palace has a square shape with a length of 30 meters on each side. The towers are 15 meters high. The castle is built at an altitude of almost 80 meters and is decorated in the Manueline style. The building was completed in the early 13th century.
The castle is conveniently located in relation to the capital, so members of the royal family often came here, arranged celebrations and balls.
However, in the 18th century, the palace was forgotten, as a result it began to collapse, and in 1755 the central palace was almost completely destroyed after an earthquake. For the first time, the castle was remembered in 1932, and its reconstruction began.
Please note! The entrance to the castle of Obidusa is free, and part of the building is occupied by a luxury hotel where you can rent a room.
Castle location: Rua Direita Santa Maria, Obidos 2510-079 Portugal.
Central Gate of Porto da Vila
The charm of the settlement begins with a picturesque gate decorated with Azulejo ceramic tiles, traditional for Portugal. The gate has a shape and double doors, like a traditional Portuguese castle.
Just outside the gate there is a staircase that allows you to reach the hill and take picturesque photos of Obidush. Another feature of the gate is a small chapel with a balcony, organized in the wall. According to one legend, it was built by a local resident in memory of his deceased daughter. On the balcony, the rulers of the city met the guests of honor.
It is better to come here in the evening to avoid a large crowd of people. There are gates within walking distance from the parking lot and bus stop, getting here on foot is not a problem.
Church of Santa Maria
Another attraction of Obidos in Portugal is the Church of Santa Maria. It is an elegant church, decorated with a snow-white bell tower and a portal decorated in the Renaissance style. To get to the temple, you need to walk along RuaDireita Street.
Construction work began in the 12th century, over the course of three centuries the building was reconstructed several times and the final appearance of the church, which has survived to this day, dates back to the 16th century. The interiors are decorated with azulezoush ceramics and paintings by a local artist. Also inside is an altar and a tomb decorated with carvings.
Interesting fact! In the middle of the 15th century, it was in this temple that the future Portuguese monarch married his cousin Isabella. Next to the entrance to the attraction is a pillory.
Central Street
The main street of the city leads to the castle of Obidos (Portugal). There are numerous shops and souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants where delicious ginya – cherry liqueur in a chocolate cup-is served for 1 euro.
As you walk along the main street, be sure to turn into small streets covered with flowers, with elegant balconies and wooden shutters.
The street is closed to traffic, and only a few cars come here to bring the necessary goods to shops and hotels. In the daytime, the street turns into an endless stream of tourists and visitors to the city of Obidos.
Medieval Fair – Mercado Medieval
Medieval reconstruction is a tradition started more than 10 years ago to attract foreign visitors.
These days, the entire local population takes to the streets to experience the history of Portugal and the city of Obidos live. Every vacationer can join the event, just rent a suit. For those who come to the fair in stylized clothes, a discount is provided. Of course, it is not necessary to buy a ticket, because during the holidays, Obidos is shrouded in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages-mysterious and a little scary.
Every year in the summer, Obidos seems to be transported back in time to the distant past – knights, ladies in old clothes, artisans, Templars and even executioners appear on its streets. Here you can smell a wild boar roasted on a spit, seasoned with exotic spices, aromas of flowers. Bagpipes sound, ringing laughter and horse neighing are heard.
Main events of the holiday:
- pre-Columbian cuisine;
- street theater;
- performances by medieval musicians;
- tournament of knights.
Guests of the festival are offered to taste fried quails, stewed wild boar, and monastery beer. As a souvenir of the fair, you can buy leather sandals and silver jewelry. Children will surely enjoy riding a donkey and admiring a real hunting falcon. Dancing in the city square will finally take you back to a distant era and make you forget about today.
Chocolate Festival
Another annual event known all over the world that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists is the Chocolate Festival, which is why the city of Obidos is called the Chocolate Capital of Portugal. The event is held in spring, enveloping the streets of the city with an incredible aroma of chocolate and coffee.
Useful information! The ticket price for adults is 6 euros, a ticket for children from 6 to 11 years old costs 5 euros on weekends, 5 and 4 euros on weekdays, respectively.
In addition to chocolate, during the festival in Obidos, you can try original liqueurs that are prepared only in this town.
Confectioners from all over the world come to the festival, a branded car arrives where you can buy the most delicious ice cream. Guests of the city and tourists are invited to attend master classes on making chocolate. There are exhibitions of chocolate sculptures, and even a fashion show where chocolate clothes are shown. Every year, a certain theme is chosen for the chocolate festival – in 2012 it was Disneyland, in 2013-Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, in 2014-Lisbon Zoo, the capital of Portugal, in 2015-the festival was dedicated to love.
Please note! Children are attracted to master classes where they learn how to make sweets, the ticket price is 7.5 euros.
Some useful tips:
- buy tickets at the ticket offices in front of the main entrance for a holiday or in stores. as a rule, there are always a lot of people at the ticket offices near the parking lot;
- the chocolate show on the last Saturday of the holiday is free of charge;
- before going to the festival, get ready-take a hat and apply sunscreen on your skin;
- if you want to attend a cooking show, try to be in the first row, otherwise you will simply not see anything and will not be able to taste the prepared food;
- be sure to try something new, such as chocolate cheese.
It is important! The festival lasts 4 weeks, but the main events take place only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
More information about the event can be found on the official website of the event — http://festivalchocolate.cm-obidos.pt/.
How to get to Obidos
The most convenient route to the atmospheric town is from the capital of Portugal. That is why we will tell you how to get to Obidos from Lisbon.
Metro and bus services
At MartimMoniz Square, take the MetroVerde (trains run every 5 minutes). At the Campo Grande station, transfer to the Verde bus (Rodoviariado Tejo — http://www.rodotejo.pt), flights run every hour. The final stop is Óbidos.
The total travel time is about 2.5 hours, the cost is from 8 to 10 EUR, for children the ticket is twice as cheap.
Read how to use the Lisbon metro here.
Train
The journey takes 2 hours, 15 minutes — 3 hours, tickets cost from 9 to 14 EUR.
At Lisboa Santa Apolonia station, you need to take a train (Portuguese Railways, trains run every 4 hours). The final stop is Óbidos. Check the schedule and ticket prices on the official website — www.cp.p.
Taxi
Transfers can be arranged directly from the Lisbon airport or from the hotel. The cost of the trip varies from 55 to 70 euros.
The car
Independent travel takes about 60 minutes and requires 6-7 liters of gasoline (from 11 to 17 EUR).
Obidos (Portugal) is a lovely, flourishing town, and once you are here, you will plunge into the atmosphere of the festive Middle Ages. The settlement resembles a museum, where every house, every stone is an exhibit with a centuries-old history.
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