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The enchanting Medieval village of Óbidos, encircled by walls, will amaze you with its endless beauty. This is why until 1883 Óbidos was exclusive property of the Queens of Portugal. A UNESCO Creative City, Óbidos is a paradise for book lovers from all over the globe. A literary town embellished by bougainvilleas, winding streets and colourful houses. Sweet like chocolate!

Encircled by a ring of medieval walls and crowned by the Moorish castle rebuilt by D. Dinis, which is now a pousada, Óbidos is one of the most perfect examples of our medieval fortress. As in olden times, the town is entered through the southern gate of Santa Maria, embellished with eighteenth-century azulejo decoration.

Inside the walls, which at sunset take on a golden colouring, one can sense a cheerful medieval ambience of winding streets, old whitewashed houses bordered with blue or yellow, Manueline embrasures and windows, reminding us that King D. Manuel I (sixteenth century) carried out major works here, and masses of colourful flowers and plants.

Things to see & do in Óbidos

Be sure to visit the Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria (Parish Church of Santa Maria), the pretty Capela de São Martinho (Chapel of S. Martinho) and, outside the town walls, the Igreja do Senhor da Pedra (Church of the Senhor da Pedra). 

Among the events that take place every year in Óbidos, the most important are: the International Chocolate Festival, FOLIO - Óbidos International Literary Festival and Óbidos, Christmas Town.

Óbidos Literary Town

The project Óbidos Literary Town is an initiative of Óbidos City Hall and the book store Ler Devagar that began in 2013.

Óbidos Literary Town consists of the promotion of the culture of writing and reading through he organisation of festivals, presentations, meetings, representations, projections, concerts, reading and writing sessions. Here you can find a living catalogue of available books in Portuguese edition, including general or specific themes, such as Poetry, Photography, Children Literature, Design and Creativity, Travel, Adventure and Nature, Gastronomy, Wines and Addictions, Heritage and Religion, among others.

This unique project pays tribute to all the individuals who struggle everyday to keep their bookshops open and to encourage younger generations to read more and to discover the world through the written word.

"We have nothing (but words). We are the words we use. This is our life." José Saramago

Óbidos Lagoon

Óbidos Lagoon is a coastal lagoon that covers an area of 2600 ha, which is 5 km long and 1 km wide, located between Cape Carvoeiro and São Martinho do Porto. As any other coastal lagoon, Óbidos Lagoon is an environmental system in permanent evolution.

Óbidos Lagoon is extremely rich in terms of bird diversity. There are 175 identified birds. The Lagoon is especially important for winter water birds. It is the place of nidification, as well as a support and stop-over spot during migrations.

Golf in Óbidos West Coast

Portugal is a prestigious international golf destination. The golf courses of Center of Portugal are among Europe's best golf courses: West Cliffs Ocean & Golf Resort, Guardian Bom Sucesso Golf, Praya d’El Rey Marriott Golf & Beach Resort and Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort.

Most of these golf courses are located close to Óbidos, a romantic village that is a book lover's dream. Once a medieval fortress surrounded by a 12th century wall, Óbidos invites you to wander and explore the cheerful medieval ambience of winding streets and old whitewashed houses where the sunset takes a golden colouring.