Óbidos is a small walled medieval town north of Lisbon, compact enough to see in half a day, built around a single main street inside intact stone walls that visitors can walk along the top of. It suits a shorter day trip or a stop combined with other towns further north, since the town itself is tiny and the appeal is mostly the walls, the castle, and wandering the whitewashed lanes rather than any single major sight.
| Distance | 83 km north of Lisbon |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 75 minutes by bus |
| Getting there | Rede Expressos or Rodoviária do Oeste bus from Campo Grande terminal (75 min, €9/$9.70); or drive via A8 (60 min) |
| Address | Rua Direita, 2510-001 Óbidos |
How to get there
- Mode
- Bus (Rede Expressos)
- Cost
- €9 ($9.70) each way
- Frequency
- Several daily; Campo Grande terminal (Metro: Campo Grande)
- Mode
- Car
- Cost
- Fuel + parking free outside city walls
- Notes
- Drive north via A8 motorway; 60 min
Location
Rua Direita, 2510-001 Óbidos
39.3608, -9.1580 View on map
Highlights
- Óbidos Castle - a medieval castle at the top of the town, now partly converted into a pousada (hotel), with the walls extending from it around the whole town
- Town walls walk - the walkway along the top of the walls circling Óbidos, with no railings in most sections, giving views down into the town and out over the surrounding countryside
- Rua Direita - the main street running through town, lined with shops selling local crafts and the ginjinha (sour cherry liqueur) that Óbidos is known for, often served in a small chocolate cup
- Igreja de Santa Maria - the main church on the town's central square, with an interior of painted azulejo tiles
- Óbidos Christmas Market or the Medieval Market (if visiting during their respective seasons) - the town runs well-known seasonal events that significantly change the atmosphere and crowd levels