Visit Óbidos – the perfect day trip from Lisbon

Visit Óbidos – The perfect day trip from Lisbon.

The small town of Óbidos has become very popular among tourists who want to explore Portugal beyond Lisbon. This medieval town is like a journey back in time, a labyrinth of lovely cobbled streets within the castle walls. It is known as the Village of the Queens, as it was once given by King Dinis to his queen.

How to get to Óbidos from Lisbon
When to visit
What to do and visit
Óbidos attractions map
Where to eat
Where to stay

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1. How to get to Óbidos from Lisbon

By bus (“Rápida Verde” route), from Campo Grande (yellow and green line of the Lisbon subway): you can check the bus timetable here. Each ticket costs 8€ and can only be bought on the spot.

Group tours (usually by bus): there are group tours that depart from Lisbon, and some of them include several destinations in the same day. Check some examples here.

Rental car: If you decide to rent a car consider spending a night in Óbidos and explore other places like Peniche, Nazaré and Batalha.

2. When to visit

This village is beautiful and worth a visit at any time of the year. However it also has some special events and fairs that make it even more magical, which you can visit by buying an entrance ticket:

Vila Natal: one of the most famous Christmas markets in Portugal takes place in Óbidos, with activities dedicated to the little ones, shows, music, food, crafts and even an ice rink.

Mercado Medieval: during some weekends in the summer, usually around July, the town is transformed into a medieval market, where visitors and inhabitants dress accordingly.

Festival do Chocolate: during the spring it is possible to visit this chocolate festival, where you can find, taste and buy different kinds of chocolate, admire amazing art pieces made of chocolate, and participate in many different activities.

FOLIO: the Óbidos International Literature Festival is a paradise for book lovers, who have the opportunity to meet several artists and writers and find a giant variety of literary works.

In addition, large groups of tourists visit the town especially during the weekend, more in the late morning and all afternoon. So if you don’t come on a guided tour and want to enjoy the village without too much hassle, give preference to visiting during a weekday, and the earlier the better.

3. What to do and visit

Explore the streets of the village. Besides the right street (the main and busiest street) where you can find lots of souvenir and handicraft stores, there are many other streets that are equally beautiful and allow you to escape the crowds;

Visit the traditional stores;

Visit Óbidos libraries and bookstores;

See Óbidos from above: walk around town from the castle walls;

Take pictures in the Óbidos Swing;

Visit the churches and chapels of Óbidos: Santa Maria Church, Senhor Jesus da Pedra Church, Porta da Vila (chapel), São Tiago Church;

Visit the sardine store/museum: “O mundo fantástico da sardinha portuguesa”.

Tip: If you feel like exploring other places nearby Óbidos, try Nazaré! You can find my guide to visit Nazaré HERE.

4. Óbidos attractions map

5. Where to eat

Try Ginjinha d’Óbidos (sour cherry liqueur) in a chocolate cup;
Restaurant Pousada de Óbidos (lunch/dinner);
Avocado Coffee and Healthy Food (breakfast, lunch);
Jamón Jamón (dinner/lunch, tapas);
Pontinha (lunch/dinner);
Capinha D’Óbidos (bakery);
A Nova Casa de Ramiro (lunch/dinner).

6. Where to stay

If you want to spend a night in Óbidos, you have the advantage that you can explore the town late in the day or early the next morning before all the tour groups arrive. Accommodation in Óbidos sells out quickly, so it should be booked in advance. Besides the many options of hotels, airbnbs and hostels, inside and outside the walls, there is also a Pousada inside the castle.