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By Monika

Best Things to Do in Óbidos: How to Plan a Perfect Day Trip.

Are you planning a trip to Portugal and wondering if Óbidos is worth adding to your itinerary? After visiting this postcard-perfect town twice, I can confidently say – yes!

With its cobbled streets, medieval walls, and colorful houses, Óbidos is one of the most charming spots in central Portugal.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know: the best things to do in Óbidos, how to get there, how long to stay, and share tips from my own experience to help you make the most of your time in this storybook village.

Ready to plan a day trip to Óbidos, one of Portugal’s prettiest hidden gems? Let’s go!

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Where is Óbidos?

Óbidos is located 84 km north of Lisbon, approximately a one-hour drive.

How to get to Óbidos from Lisbon

Drive:

The easiest way to get to Óbidos is by car. As I mentioned above, it’s an easy, straightforward one-hour drive from Lisbon.

If you’re coming from Porto, the drive is just as easy, but a little longer – about 2 hours 20 minutes.

Where to park in Óbidos?

The good news is that there are several parking walls around the town, one of them conveniently located right across the street from the main gate. It’s just a packed dirt lot, but it’s large and FREE.

Fun fact: You can see the Aqueduct of Óbidos (Acueducto de Óbidos) from this parking lot. It was commissioned in the 16^th century to carry water to the town from the nearby spring. To this day, it stands pretty much intact.

By bus:

There is a bus departing from Lisbon’s Campo Grande terminal that has a stop right outside the walls of Óbidos, so it is very convenient. Just like a car ride, the bus ride takes about an hour, with only one stop between the two towns.

You can check the bus schedule here.

It runs every hour in the morning and in the evening, and every 15 minutes during the day.

By train:

This option is there, but it’s not the most convenient one.

The trains run very infrequently and take over 2 hours to get to Óbidos. Then you’ll have a solid 20-minute walk to the town gate.

With a tour:

If you’d rather join a guided tour, there are SO MANY to choose from! They typically include some of the sites in the surrounding towns as well.

Here are the best-reviewed day trips from Lisbon that include a visit to Óbidos:

• From Lisbon: Fátima, Nazaré, Batalha, and Óbidos Guided Tour
• From Lisbon: Fatima, Batalha, Nazare, Obidos – Small Group
• Lisbon: Fátima, Óbidos, and Nazaré Day Tour + Ginja Tasting

How to get around Óbidos?

Just walk! The town is tiny but SO charming – you’ll want to explore every little nook and cranny, and you can only do it on foot!

Best things to see and do in Óbidos

This little village is packed with things to see and local charm, starting right at the entry gate!

1. The town gate (Porta da Vila)

This medieval stone arch is the main entry into the town. It’s massive, with a part of it decorated with beautiful azulejo tiles.

It also serves as a stage for street musicians playing local tunes to visitors’ delight.

We were lucky to hear performances during both of our visits.

2. Walk the city walls

This is definitely one of the main attractions of Óbidos. The whole town is surrounded by defensive walls which you can access from several points along the perimeter.

The most convenient spot to climb up is through the stairs located right inside the gate, on the left side.

You can walk as much as you like – the walls provide an amazing view of the town, the area, and of course, the castle.

Just be very careful – the are no railings or barriers, so watch your step!

3. Taste the local cherry liqueur: Ginja de Óbidos

Ginja (also known as ginjinha) is the sour cherry (Morello cherry) liqueur produced locally in Óbidos and it’s the town’s signature drink.

It’s sold in many shops and small wineries here and a lot of times you can taste a sample before you buy more!

The traditional recipe goes back to the 17^th century when it was created by monks from a local monastery.

These days, there are several varieties of the drink, some with chocolate or cinnamon added.

My favorite is still just plain ginja liqueur served in a chocolate cup! You can sample it just inside the town gate at Ginja Porta da Vila.

4. Stroll the streets of Óbidos

This is my favorite Óbidos activity – just walking around the charming cobblestone streets.

Start by strolling down Rua Direita (Main Street), popping into its many cafes, shops and galleries full of souvenirs and local crafts.

Enjoy the pretty buildings, decorations, and the fairytale vibe.

Even the entrance to a public restroom is adorned with beautiful Portuguese tiles!

Don’t miss the side streets!

They are so pretty and you’ll find hidden gems like The Chocolate House there, offering delicious sweets and, of course, more ginja!

5.  See the Óbidos Castle (Castelo de Óbidos)

The Castle is the main building of Óbidos, and you’ll reach it by walking down Main Street till its very end.

It’s a Moorish fortress dating back to the 12^th century that is now converted into a luxury hotel.

If you walk around the Castle towards the back, you’ll find a square where many town events take place.

If you walk down the street in front of the castle just a bit, you’ll have a great view of the town and the area.

Good to know: the Óbidos Castle is on the list of “Seven Wonders of Portugal” – a list of monuments of cultural and historical importance created in 2007 by a public vote initiated by the Portuguese Ministry of Culture and the Portuguese Institute for Architectural Heritage (IPPAR).

6. Visit the town’s many bookstores

In 2015 Óbidos was recognized by UNESCO as a Literary City and joined the Creative Cities Network.

It is known for converting various unused spaces into bookstores and hosting Literary Festivals.

Visit Livraria Mercado, located right on Rua Direita, where you’ll find books in many languages as well as produce and other local treats.

You’ll also find books in the famous sardine store “Comur”, also on Main Street.

Even in the Church of St. James (Igreja de Santiago), located right next to the Castle of Óbidos, now converted to a bookstore (Livraria de Santiago)

I didn’t get a chance to go inside as both times I visited the church was closed, but I’ve seen photos and it’s beautiful inside. It’s on my list for next time!

Take a look at what’s inside on the Óbidos Tourism official website.

You’ll also find a tin of books decorating every possible space inside the Literary Man Hotel, considered the largest literary hotel in the world.

Get a list of all Obidos bookstores here!

7. Church of Saint Mary (Igreja de Santa Maria)

This is the town’s main church, located in the town square just before you get to the castle.

You’ll know you’re there when you see the stone column (called “the pillory”).

Take the stairs down to the square. You’ll have a fountain just below the column and the church on your left.

Inside of the church is beautiful – azulejo tiles galore!

8. Igreja de São Pedro

This is one of the spots we missed (yes, both times! How? I’m not sure, but I will be there next time!)

We captured the entrance to the church in one of the photos as the pretty street caught our eye, but we didn’t go inside.

It’s another significant church of Obidos, as a famous local painter, Josefa De Óbidos, was laid to rest there.

9. Igreja da Misericordia de Óbidos

Another church we missed completely! Who knew the tiny town of Óbidos had so many churches! It went on my growing list of things to see on my next visit!

You can learn more about this church on the Óbidos Tourism official website.

Where to eat in Óbidos

There are cafes everywhere, so getting something to eat in Óbidos is not a problem.

We chose a small, casual café, near the castle, located off one of the side streets in a courtyard, and we loved it. A quiet place called Nata, with tables outside, good food, and relatively quick service.

How Much Time Do You Need in Óbidos?

You need just a few hours to see the highlights but Óbidos is one of those places where you can just walk and get lost in the streets for a day.

Is Óbidos worth visiting for one day?

Absolutely! It’s one of our favorite spots in Portugal. I’ve been there twice and still have things to see and want to come back.

Our second trip there was on Easter Saturday, so while it was very beautifully decorated, some things were closed.

If you love historic towns, full of charm and photo spots that look straight out of a postcard, you’re going to love spending one day in Óbidos.

And who can resist local treats like ginjinha in chocolate cups?

👉 Don’t forget TRAVEL INSURANCE! I don’t travel without it. Get a quote from my personal #1 choice – Travel Guard – or check more options here!

Best time to visit Óbidos

Óbidos is a popular day trip destination from Lisbon and can be visited any time of the year. 

It does get crowded in season. We visited in April both times and it was pretty busy.

If you’d like to avoid crowds, try to travel off-season and visit the town in the morning or later in the afternoon, after the group tours leave. 

Where to Stay in Óbidos

The two most unique places to stay are the Óbidos Castle Hotel (Pousada Castelo de Óbidos) and the Literary Man Hotel.

Check more Óbidos accommodation options here or search on the map below:

Nearby attractions:

• Alcobaça Monastery
• Batalha Monastery
• Nazaré
• Fátima

Looking to put Óbidos in your Portugal travel plans? Check out my Lisbon and Algarve Itinerary You’ll Love: 7 Days in Portugal.

Need help planning your Portugal adventure? Here is a perfect guide for you: How to Plan a Trip to Portugal in 7 Easy Steps.

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