Óbidos, Portugal: travel guide
A walled medieval town of whitewashed lanes and cherry liqueur
Picture-perfect walled medieval town famous for its castle, whitewashed lanes and ginjinha cherry liqueur served in chocolate cups.
About Óbidos
Óbidos is a small walled town north of Lisbon, still enclosed by its medieval ramparts and crowned by a castle. Whitewashed houses trimmed in blue and yellow line the cobbled lanes, with bougainvillea spilling over the doorways.
Things to do in Óbidos are gentle ones: walk the top of the town walls, wander Rua Direita to the castle, look at the aqueduct and the church of Santa Maria, and taste ginjinha, the local cherry liqueur served in a small chocolate cup. It takes a couple of hours to see, and longer if you stay for the quiet evenings.
Óbidos suits couples and day trippers from Lisbon. Visit in spring or autumn for fewer people and comfortable walking along the walls.
- Country
- Portugal
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Lisbon
Last updated
Top places to visit in Óbidos
Óbidos Castle
Fort · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Restored medieval castle at the top of the walled town, now a historic pousada hotel.
Óbidos Town Walls
Heritage · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Encircling medieval ramparts you can walk (no railings) for views over red rooftops and countryside.
Rua Direita
Heritage · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Main cobbled street of whitewashed, flower-draped houses lined with shops and ginjinha stalls.
Igreja de Santa Maria
Church · about 0.4 h · check the fee at the gate
Church on the main square lined with 17th-century blue azulejos; site of a royal child wedding.
Aqueduto de Óbidos
Heritage · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
16th-century aqueduct running ~3km to the town, commissioned by Queen Catherine of Austria.
Things to do
- Óbidos Walking Tour with Ginjinha Walking Tour · 1.5 h · from EUR 20 per person
- Óbidos Castle & Town Visit Cultural · 2 h
Day trips and tours
- Óbidos Medieval Town Walk 2 h · from EUR 20
Where to stay in Óbidos
- Walled Town about EUR 120 per night
Inside the medieval walls for a storybook stay; limited parking.
Hotels
- Pousada Castelo de Óbidos 4-star · EUR 180 to EUR 360 per night
- The Literary Man Óbidos Hotel 3-star · EUR 90 to EUR 180 per night
Where to eat
- Petrarum Domus Portuguese · about EUR 22 per person
- A Nova Casa de Ramiro Portuguese · about EUR 28 per person
Getting to Óbidos
Nearest airport: Sintra (Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport) (LIS), about 64 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Óbidos
- What are the main places to visit in Óbidos?
- Places covered in our Óbidos guide include Óbidos Castle, Óbidos Town Walls, Rua Direita, Igreja de Santa Maria, Aqueduto de Óbidos.
- Where should I stay in Óbidos?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Óbidos: Walled Town.
- How do I get around Óbidos?
- Ways to get around Óbidos covered in our guide: Walking.