Óbidos walking tour & city guide
A whitewashed medieval town inside castle walls.
Video by POV Tours on YouTube. All rights belong to the creator. Like or comment on YouTube ↗
Óbidos is one of Portugal's most charming towns, a perfectly preserved medieval village of whitewashed houses trimmed in blue and yellow, enclosed by castle walls. In 1282, King Dinis gave the town to his bride, Queen Isabel, as a wedding gift, and it remained a traditional gift to Portuguese queens for centuries.
Inside the walls
Visitors enter through the Porta da Vila, a gate lined with 18th-century azulejo tiles. From there, Rua Direita, the main street, leads through the village past shops selling ginjinha, crafts and books, to the castle, which is now a historic hotel. Bougainvillea and flowers climb the white walls of the houses.
The Church of Santa Maria, in the main square, has walls covered in blue and white tiles. Óbidos is a UNESCO City of Literature, and several shops and even a former church have been turned into bookstores.
Walking the walls
A walk along the top of the medieval walls gives wonderful views over the rooftops and the surrounding countryside. Be careful: the walkway is narrow and has no railings in many places.
Festivals and tips
Óbidos hosts popular events, including a medieval market in summer, an international chocolate festival in spring and a Christmas village in winter. It is about an hour north of Lisbon by bus or car, and is often combined with the seaside town of Nazaré, famous for its giant waves.
Top sights in Óbidos
- 1
Porta da Vila
The tiled gateway into the medieval town.
- 2
Óbidos Castle
A medieval castle, now a historic hotel.
- 3
Town walls
A walkway with views over the village.
- 4
Rua Direita
The charming main street.
- 5
Church of Santa Maria
A church with tile-covered walls.
- 6
Livraria de Santiago
A bookshop inside a former church.
Food markets & where to eat in Óbidos
Ginjinha stalls on Rua Direita
Cherry liqueur served in chocolate cups.
Traditional taverns
Portuguese dishes inside the walls.
Castle restaurant
Dining in a medieval castle setting.
Cafés by the main square
Coffee and pastries in the heart of town.
Food to try in Óbidos
Ginjinha in a chocolate cup
Óbidos's famous cherry liqueur treat.
Pão com chouriço
Bread baked with chorizo sausage.
Grilled sardines
A Portuguese classic.
Pastéis de nata
Custard tarts from local bakeries.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Óbidos
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in ÓbidosCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Óbidos.
- eSIM for PortugalStay online from the moment you land.
Some links may be affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
More cities in Portugal
▶ 6 videosLisbon
Seven hills, yellow trams and golden light.
▶ 6 videosPorto
Riverside houses, port wine cellars and blue tiles.
▶ 6 videosSintra
Fairytale palaces and mysterious gardens in the hills near Lisbon.
▶ 6 videosFunchal
Madeira's sunny capital of gardens, markets and wine.
▶ 6 videosLagos
Golden cliffs, hidden coves and a historic Algarve town.
▶ 6 videosFaro
The Algarve's walled capital beside the Ria Formosa lagoon.
▶ 6 videosCascais
A chic seaside town of beaches, cliffs and royal summers.
▶ 6 videosCoimbra
Portugal's historic university city on a hill.
▶ 5 videosÉvora
A Roman temple, a chapel of bones and the heart of the Alentejo.
▶ 6 videosAveiro
The 'Venice of Portugal', with painted boats and striped beach houses.
▶ 6 videosBraga
Portugal's religious capital, with a famous Baroque staircase.
▶ 6 videosGuimarães
The birthplace of Portugal, with a perfect medieval center.