Óbidos Portugal - Must Visit Attractions & Best Things To Do

Obidos is the finest example of a Portuguese walled town, and is one of the best tourist destinations of the Lisbon region.

Historically, Obidos was presented to the Queen of Portugal on her wedding day, a tradition that began with Queen Urraca in 1214 and continued until the 19th century. This royal patronage has left an enduring legacy of pride within the town, and today it is one of the most characterful towns of central Portugal.

For visitors, Obidos is a charming town to explore; there are narrow-cobbled streets, traditional painted houses, and an imposing medieval castle. Obidos may be just a small town, but there is no better example of a traditional Portuguese town than Obidos.

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Historic Óbidos

Pass through the Porta da Vila and you’re met with a historic townscape that could be a movie set.

The difference here is that these houses are authentic, and have whitewashed walls trimmed with blue or yellow borders and with bougainvillea creeping up the sides.

As you make your way along Rua Direita you’ll be tempted to explore the side streets and stairways beckoning you to hidden corners of the town.

If you want to beat the crowds aim to get to Óbidos or later in the evening.

But if you don’t mind the bustle you can idle along, popping into souvenir shops and picking a restaurant or ice cream parlour that catches your eye.

2. Óbidos Castle

Reigning over Óbidos to the north, the castle was founded by the Moors as early as the 700s, and they also plotted the course of those daunting city walls.

The building was reworked in the 1200s, and its interior was gradually made more habitable for the succession of queens who lived here.

Now it’s a pousada (heritage hotel) so the only way to appreciate the inside is to book a room.

But you can access the battlements and walk the perimeter of the walls that defend Óbidos.

This is an experience not to be missed, particularly on the west wall, where the vistas of the town, castle and the countryside of vineyards and orchards are sensational.

3. Igreja de Santa Maria

No sooner had Óbidos been recaptured from the Moors by King Afonso Henriques in 1148 than this church was founded on the main square.

There isn’t much left of the medieval building, and this is down to seismic events, quite literally: Following an earthquake in the 1500s the first of a few reconstruction campaigns gave the church its present Mannerist design.

Almost every inch of the interior walls is clad with tiles from the 1600s and 1700s, and there’s a marvellous retable from the same period.

But the thing you have to see is the Renaissance tomb of João de Noronha in the Chapel of our Lady of Mercy, fashioned by French sculptors Jean de Rouen and Nicolas Chantereine.

5. Santuário do Senhor Jesus da Pedra

This hexagonal sanctuary to the north of Óbidos merits a detour for the stone cross in its altar, etched with a primitive image of the crucifixion.

One glance will tell you that the cross is extremely old, and it has been dated to the 2nd or 3rd centuries.

It has been at this place since long before this Baroque church.

6. Porta da Vila

The southern gate to Óbidos contains a small Baroque chapel.

The roots of this building descend to 1246 as a small oratory was founded at this spot.

This was placed here after the town repelled a siege by the forces of Sancho II against his own brother, Afonso III. But the chapel as we see it today dates to 1727 when its altar, chancel and choir were installed; the walls were coated with azulejos and its ceiling was painted with filigrees.

8. Igreja Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Óbidos

This church was founded by Eleanor of Viseu herself at the end of the 15th century and is replete with art and precious fittings.

One that greets you right above the entrance is a ceramic image of the Virgin and Child.

This was produced by a Lisbon workshop between 1665 and 1680, while the wooden doors below were carved in 1623. The single nave is adorned with blue and yellow geometric tiles that were painted in the 1620s, and around the tribune there’s an ensemble of Mannerist carving from the same period.

It’s worth taking a moment to study the two paintings here by Baroque master André Reinoso in the retable: The Visitation of the Virgin to Saint Elizabeth, and the Pentecost.

9. Igreja de São Pedro

Another church with medieval origins, St Peter’s was consecrated at the start of the 14th century.

Unfortunately the building was toppled by the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake that wreaked havoc across the country.

The one piece of decoration to standing in the wreckage was the dainty gilt-wood altar, which has a majestic throne flanked by angels and was completed in 1705, while the tower and its spiral stairway is also from the original building.

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