Óbidos and its ramparts are to be made on a trip to Portugal
Perched on a hill in the area Oeste of the Portugal , Óbidos is encircled by a fortified old quarter.
The name of Óbidos probably derives from the Latin term oppidum , which means "citadelle", or "strengthened city". The Romans lived there until the 5th century before abandoning the city after the fall of Rome.
In the 8th century, the Moors established a fortification at the top of the hill. The latter was taken over by the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques (Alphonse I of Portugal), in 1148 and was modified in the 14th century.
Flickr – Eva Sofia
Besides the wall, the magnificent medieval castle and Historic Centre Obidos is the main attraction of the city and can be easily visited by foot. The labyrinth of narrow and paved alleys will lead you to lively places, pleasant cafés, picturesque shops, local craft markets, and you will see everywhere the whitewashed houses decorated with flowers and beautiful colored paintings. A street not to be missed: Rua Direita .
Fotopedia – Mirari Erdoiza
Old elegant churches like those of Santa Maria and São Pedro are decorated with tiles ( azulejos ), ceilings and walls painted by hand, for the greatest pleasure of the eyes.
Interior of the Church of Santa Maria – Flickr – Francisco Antunes
The castle, imposing, has huge doors, and its towers and ramparts are decorated with a manulin style architecture. Today a luxury hotel (pousada), there is still a wonder to admire.
In an alley of Óbidos – Flickr – Melissa Toledo
Each month of July, Óbidos returns to the past with its medieval festival Annual report Medieval market ), which includes a costume parade, jugglers, troubadours, knights who jurt, and other performances (firecrackers...), as well as a handicraft market with medieval products and food like meat cooked on the spindle, tasty sausages, soup and beer served in tin cups.
The Mercado Medieval Festival – Fotopedia – Pedro Araújo Pina
If unfortunately you don’t have time to wait until July, you will still find many restaurants of all types of cuisine, including medieval style.
In addition, other festivals are held all year round here in Óbidos. For more information, see official website City.
How to go to Óbidos from Lisbon?
If you rent a car in Lisbon , you can get to Óbidos in less than an hour’s drive. To do this, take the A8 motorway and take exit 15. On site you will find easily one of the parking spaces that are indicated by signs.
Here is the itinerary on a map for make Lisbon – Óbidos by car .
If you come from Porto take the A1 motorway to Leiria, then take the A8.
You can also come by bus since Lisbon. There are buses that regularly leave the capital. A simple journey will cost you about 8€. More information on the sites www.rodotejo.pt and www.rede-expressos.pt .
Finally, you can go to Óbidos en train since Lisbon . The departure is from the Lisboa – Entrecampos guard. The journey takes 2 hours or 2h20 depending on the journey. The ticket price varies between 7 and 8€50 (indirect and direct). Upon arrival at Óbidos, it is worth 20 minutes’ walk to the center of the city. Take this into account because if you had planned to go for a day, it can be tiring and above all too short. Think about the possibility of sleeping on site.
View of medieval city – Flickr – moshimoshiii
Sleep in Óbidos
As I have just mentioned, depending on your mode of transportation to Óbidos, you may have spent time on the road and be a little tired of this visit day. So he becomes interesting spend a night in Óbidos especially that the city is worth it. I invite you to consult the hotels of Óbidos on our Compare hotels .
On the Compare, consider using the map to select the hotels according to your budget as well as depending on the placement of the pousada (the first state pousada exists in a historic building, in the castle), the charming hotel, or the youth hostel present in Óbidos.
Did you know the medieval city of Óbidos in Portugal?
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