Óbidos, a picturesque walled town in central Portugal, is one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon. This charming medieval settlement, perched atop a hill, offers visitors a journey through time with its well-preserved castle, whitewashed houses, and narrow cobbled streets.

Just an hour away from Lisbon by express bus, Óbidos is easily accessible for all types of travellers. The town boasts a fascinating royal heritage, having been traditionally gifted to Portuguese queens as part of their dowry from 1214 to the 19th century. This royal connection has helped preserve Óbidos' distinctive character and architecture.

Despite its small size, Óbidos packs a wealth of attractions. From walking the ancient town walls to sampling Ginjinha (cherry liqueur) in chocolate cups, there's plenty to see and do. This guide will walk you through planning your day trip, including transport options, a suggested itinerary, and practical tips to make the most of your visit.
Related articles: Sights of Obidos – Lisbon to Obidos - Lisbon day trips

Obidos is one of the prettiest towns of Portugal

• Cost estimate: €45 per adult
  - Bus fare: €18.10 (€9.05 each way)
  - Lunch: €15-20
  - Glass of Ginja: €1.50
  - No admission fees for main attractions
• Journey time: 60 minutes by express bus from Lisbon
• Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
• Suitable for: All age groups, including families with children
• Accessibility: Cobbled streets and hills may challenge visitors with limited mobility
• Best for: History enthusiasts and those who enjoy picturesque towns
• Peak times:
 - Daily: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
 - Seasonal: July to September

Traditionally, Obidos was a present to the queen of Portugal on her wedding day

Photos of Óbidos make it seem idyllic and picturesque, but it is a very popular tourist destination, and the experience of exploring the town will be shared with many hundreds of other visitors.

In the summer, the main street (the Rua Direita) is often crowded with tourists and coach tours. We always advise starting any day trip early and trying to avoid the peak hours (between 11am-3pm). An alternative idea is to spend a night in Óbidos, as the town is peaceful from after 5pm.

The Rua Direita on a quiet spring day, but there are still lots of tourists!

There are many organised tours that leave from Lisbon and include Óbidos. These day-long tours combine Óbidos with other popular tourist destinations such as Fátima, Nazaré or Batalha.

The advantage of an organised tour is that they provide knowledgeable tour guides and are great if you are limited for time. The main disadvantage of the organised tours, is that they only schedule 40-60 minutes to explore Óbidos, which is not really long enough.

An independent day trip to Óbidos means that you can avoid the peak hours and spend as long as you like within the town. Some of the best tours that include Óbidos are shown below:

Óbidos is a relatively small town and all of the tourist attractions can be easily seen within a couple of hours of sightseeing. There are many more tourist attractions in Sintra, Cascais, and Setubal than in Óbidos, but the main appeal of Óbidos is its charm.

If the day trip to Óbidos is too short, we suggest combining it with the town of Caldas da Rainha, Foz do Arelho, Peniche or Buddha Eden:
• Caldas da Rainha: Just 10 minutes north of Óbidos, this town is known for its thermal springs and ceramic traditions. It offers a more authentic Portuguese experience with its daily fruit and vegetable market and the beautiful Dom Carlos I Park.
• Foz do Arelho: Located about 20 minutes west of Óbidos, this coastal town boasts a stunning beach where the Óbidos Lagoon meets the Atlantic Ocean.
• Peniche: Approximately 30 minutes northwest of Óbidos, Peniche is a charming fishing town renowned for its surfing beaches and the boat trip to Berlengas Islands.
• Buddha Eden: Situated about 20 minutes east of Óbidos, this is the largest oriental garden in Europe. It features an extensive collection of Buddha statues, pagodas, and terracotta statues.

The Lagoa de Óbidos and the beach of Foz do Arelho

Óbidos is 80km to the north of Lisbon and it is relatively easy to get to there without a car.

An express bus service operated by Rodotejo connects Lisbon to Óbidos. The Rápida Verde (Green Express) departs from Campo Grande bus station in Lisbon, and the journey takes approximately 1 hour. A single ticket costs €9.05 (return tickets are not available for this route). On weekdays, there are over 30 daily departures, while weekends and public holidays have 13 departures. For the latest timetables and information, visit the Rodotejo website: www.rodotejo.pt/

Be aware that Campo Grande bus station can be confusing, as different bus companies use various departure locations within the facility. It's advisable to arrive with ample time to navigate the station and find the correct departure point.

In Óbidos, the bus stops south of the town, near the Porta da Vila gateway
Related articles: Lisbon to Obidos

Óbidos is 1km from the A8 expressway, one of the major routes connecting Lisbon and the north of Portugal. Óbidos is at junction 15 of the A8 expressway. Cars are not allowed in the historic centre, but fortunately there are two large car parks to the south of Óbidos (GPS : 39.357, -9.158 and GPS : 39.357, -9.157).

Warning: Never leave valuables or visible luggage in your car, even during peak hours. There have been reports of car break-ins in the area, so it's wise to take precautions.

The A8 expressway from Lisbon to Óbidos is tolled, so it's important to know how to pay these charges before your trip. The most convenient payment method is the Via Verde transponder, which you should request when renting a car in Portugal. For full details on toll payments and the Via Verde system, visit their official website: visitors.viaverde.pt

Insight: Óbidos makes for an ideal stop when travelling from Lisbon to Coimbra or Porto. The town is just 1km from the A8 expressway, making it a convenient and worthwhile detour on your journey north.

The map below shows a suggested walking tour of Óbidos, covering the main sights of the town. For a more detailed description of the main sights of, Óbidos please click here.

The route starts from the main car park or the bus stop, which are both to the south of the main gate into the town (Porta da Vila). The tour covers a total of 2.1km and will take approximately two hours to complete. The yellow line marks the town walls, which can be walked around and accessed at points 1 or 3.

Legend 1) Porta da Vila Gateway 2) Rua Direita 3) town walls 4) Trilho do Castelo (castle trail) 5) Igreja de São Tiago 6) Castelo de Óbidos 7) Estrada da Cerca Gateway 8) Igreja de Santa Maria 9) Igreja de São Pedro 10) Capela de São Martinho 11) Aqueduto de Óbidos (aqueduct)

The best place to access the town walls is at point 3. This location is less crowded than the Porta da Vila (1) and offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.

Be aware that the town walls are uneven and lack safety railings. Take care when walking along them and consider leaving young children on the ground.

Óbidos offers a diverse culinary scene, but being a popular tourist destination, prices are as expensive as in Lisbon, and service can be lacking during peak times. There are many good restaurants along the Rua Direita, but again they will be very busy during the summer months.

For a unique dining experience, consider Ja!mon Ja!mon, which serves generous portions of slow-cooked specialties under the arches of the town's 16th-century aqueduct.

A Nova Casa de Ramiro provides a cozy cave-like atmosphere, perfect for an intimate meal. If you're looking for a meal with a view, Alcaide's terrace overlooks the surrounding hills and serves local specialties. For those with a sweet tooth, Tasca Torta is famous for its chocolate cake, while also offering fresh seafood options.

For some of the better value establishments, head outside of the town walls to the Largo do Santuário, close to the Santuário do Senhor Jesus da Pedra. The Restaurante Vila Infanta serves good, reasonably priced food and is where the locals tend to eat.

A bit further out (2km north of Óbidos) is the excellent Restaurante O Melro serving traditional Portuguese dishes in a warm, welcoming setting and is popular with both locals and visitors.

Óbidos, an ancient medieval town, presents some challenges for visitors with mobility issues. The main thoroughfare, Rua Direita, which runs through the town centre, is flat and paved with cobblestones. While this central area is relatively easy to navigate, steep slopes lead west (uphill) and east (downhill) from the main street.

The primary accessibility concerns arise when entering the town's historic shops, cafes, and restaurants. Many of these establishments feature steps, narrow doorways, and split-level interiors, which can be difficult for those with limited mobility.

Despite these challenges, Óbidos is generally more accessible than other popular Portuguese destinations like Sintra.

The cobbled streets of Óbidos

To make the most of your day trip, consider visiting Caldas da Rainha, a town 5km north of Óbidos. You can easily reach it using the same bus service that serves Óbidos, with the journey taking just 10 minutes.

While Caldas da Rainha sees fewer tourists than Óbidos, it offers its own charms. The town centre is attractive, and the expansive Parque Dom Carlos I provides a pleasant green space. In the mornings, you can experience a slice of local life at the traditional fruit market (Mercado da Fruta).

From Caldas da Rainha, you can catch a direct bus back to Lisbon.

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