Lisbon to Obidos: Amazing Day Trip to Medieval Portugal
BY JARED DILLINGHAM
HOW TO TAKE A DAY TRIP FROM LISBON TO OBIDOS
You’ll love a day trip from Lisbon to Obidos, a picturesque town located near the central coast of Portugal. It’s approximately 85 kilometers (53 miles) north of Lisbon. Obidos is a well-preserved medieval town, offering visitors a step back in time with its narrow cobbled streets, castle, and fortified walls.
(As a side-note, Obidos is officially spelled “Óbidos,” with an accent over the “O,” but American keyboards don’t have this as an option, so I’ll be omitting it from most of the mentions below!)
How to Get from Lisbon to Obidos for a Day Trip
You can get to Obidos by car, train, or bus. Renting a car would be my first choice. It’s an easy one-hour drive north of Lisbon.
Rent a car for a day trip from Lisbon to Obidos
You really don’t have to rent a car for a visit to Lisbon, but a rental will definitely help you take an enjoyable day trip to Obidos.
The drive will take about one hour from Lisbon.
🚙 CLICK HERE to Search Rental Cars
Remember: you don’t have to rent from the airport in Lisbon!
If you’re staying in a hotel downtown, it’s probably easier to rent from one of the rental car locations in the central part of the city.
Hertz, Sixt, and other rental companies have smaller locations in a cluster in the city center. Discover Cars makes it easy to search them all at once time.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind about renting a car in Lisbon for a day trip to Obidos:
- You can rent the car downtown and return it at the airport for no extra fee (since the airport return area is open all the time).
- Make sure to ask for an automatic transmission (if that’s what you prefer) since most rentals will be manual.
- You’ll pass through toll booths, so get a rental car with a device that allows you to pass through without stopping. You can pay the tolls later.
- Reserve in advance and you’ll pay less!
Train from Lisbon to Obidos
Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct train line that runs directly from Lisbon to Obidos.. BUT… you can still easily reach Obidos by train with a short bus connection. Here’s the general route:
- From Lisbon, you can take a train from Lisbon’s Lisboa Oriente Station to the nearby city of Caldas da Rainha. The train ride usually takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes, and the trains depart frequently each day.
- Once you arrive at Caldas da Rainha, you can take a local bus or a taxi to Obidos, which is approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) away. The easiest thing to do is to grab an Uber once you get to the train station. Ubers are fairly inexpensive and very reliable in Portugal.
Bus from Lisbon to Obidos
While FlixBus doesn’t operate between Lisbon and Obidos, other bus companies will get you to Obidos. It’s my least favorite option, behind renting a car and taking the train + Uber.
The bus companies Rede Expressos, Rápida Verde, and Rodoviária do Oeste all go to Obidos from Lisbon. You’ll likely have to go to one of Lisbon’s central stations: Sete Rios or Campo Grande to find the buses that go to Obidos. The ride should take 90 minutes or less.
The schedule will vary, so you’ll have to check when you’re there, or search the day’s options on Google Maps.
Obidos to Nazare
If you have access to a rental car, driving from Obidos to Nazaré is an option. The distance between the two towns is approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles), and the drive only takes about 45 minutes.
The bus company Rodoviária do Oeste also offers service between Obidos and Nazare. You’ll have to check the schedule when you’re in town.
You’ll likely also find an Uber or taxi driver willing to make the drive between towns.
Day Trip Tours from Lisbon to Obidos
The day trip tours from Lisbon to Obidos usually include stops in Nazaré, a coastal town with some of the biggest waves in the world! These are great tour options from Lisbon to check out:
➡️ CLICK for Tour: Lisbon to Fatima, Nazaré, Obidos
- Small-group guided day trip to Fátima, Óbidos and Nazaré from Lisbon.
➡️ CLICK for Tour: Lisbon to Fatima, Nazaré, Obidos (PRIVATE)
- Private tour of Fátima, Óbidos and Nazaré from Lisbon.
➡️ CLICK for Tour: Lisbon to Nazaré, Obidos, Fatima (PRIVATE)
- Private tour of Fátima, Óbidos and Nazaré from Lisbon.
Hotels in Obidos
Obidos is a great place to spend the night away from the city, if you’d like to extend your day trip from Lisbon.
One option is to stay in the castle itself! Parts of the Obidos Castle are now a hotel, called the Pousada Castelo de Obidos.
➡️ CLICK HERE to check prices for your dates!
You can use this interactive map to check out the rentals and hotels in Obidos, which are available for your dates:
Obidos Castle (Castelo de Óbidos)
At the heart of Obidos stands its iconic castle, the Castelo de Óbidos!
The castle is a significant landmark of the region, and can be seen from miles away, perched at the top of the hill. The original structure was constructed by the Moors in the 8th century, and it was further fortified by subsequent rulers.
Obidos has a rich history that dates back to ancient times, but it became particularly significant during the medieval period when it was gifted to Queen Isabel of Portugal as a wedding present in the 13th century. The town’s medieval character is still evident today through its preserved buildings, castle walls, and narrow alleys.
Obidos Castle, known as Castelo de Óbidos in Portuguese, originally served as a defensive fortress for the Moors. After the Christian reconquest in the 12th century, the castle was renovated and became an integral part of the region’s defense system.
Obidos Castle showcases a mix of architectural styles due to its long history and multiple renovations. The castle combines elements of Romanesque, Gothic, and Manueline styles. It features solid stone walls, fortified towers, and battlements, giving it a distinct medieval appearance.
In modern-day times, Obidos Castle is a tourist attraction, museum, and a hotel. In the 20th century, the castle underwent a transformation and was converted into a luxurious hotel, known as the Pousada do Castelo de Óbidos. The hotel retains the castle’s historic ambiance while offering modern amenities and accommodations for visitors.
The interior of the castle has been beautifully restored, preserving its medieval character. The rooms showcase traditional decor, including antique furniture, tapestries, and artwork.
The castle’s strategic hilltop location provides stunning views of the town of Obidos, the surrounding vineyards and countryside, and the Atlantic Ocean in the distance.
Things to See and Do in Obidos
After not finding a whole lot of information online about Obidos, I was pleasantly surprised by what we found in person!
Old Town / Historic Center in Obidos
Obidos’ historic center is a labyrinth of charming streets lined with colorful traditional houses, white-washed facades, and beautiful flower-filled balconies.
You can spend the entire day walking the cobblestone streets through town, shopping, eating, and drinking.
Walk the Fortress Walls
The castle is enclosed by well-preserved fortified walls that extend around Obidos. Walking along the castle walls offers a unique perspective of the town and its surroundings. The walls can be accessed from the castle courtyard and provide an enjoyable stroll with scenic viewpoints.
I was really surprised by how much access tourists have to these ancient, medieval walls!
Ginjinha (or Ginja) de Obidos
Ginjinha de Óbidos is a traditional Portuguese liqueur that originated in the town. It is a sweet cherry liqueur with a rich flavor and a long history.
It is believed to have been created by monks who infused the fruit of the Morello cherry tree in alcohol. Over time, the recipe evolved, and today Ginjinha is a popular and beloved beverage in Portugal.
Ginjinha is typically served in small, edible chocolate cups called “copinhos” or in a regular glass. I’d go for the chocolate shell!
Ginjinha de Óbidos is a popular souvenir for visitors to Obidos. The liqueur is often bottled and sold in charming, decorative bottles that make it an ideal gift to take home.
Festivals in Obidos
Obidos is known for hosting medieval festivals and events throughout the year.
One of the most famous is the Obidos Medieval Market, held during the summer. The town transforms into a bustling medieval fair with costumed actors, music, and traditional food.
Christmas in Obidos
Obidos transforms into a Christmas Village during the holiday season. The town’s streets and squares are adorned with beautiful Christmas decorations, lights, and festive ornaments, creating a charming and joyful atmosphere.
Visitors can buy crafts and gifts in the market, attend concerts and shows, and enjoy traditional Portugues Christmas dishes and sweets, such as bacalhau (salted codfish), roasted meats, filhós (a type of Portuguese doughnut), and rabanadas (Portuguese-style French toast).
Obidos also hosts New Year’s Eve celebrations in the town’s main square, featuring music and fireworks to welcome the new year.
Vineyards near Obidos
Obidos is surrounded by vineyards, so visitors can explore local wineries, and enjoy tastings.
The region as a whole is known for both white and red wines.
The Alenquer area is known for reds, like Tempranillo, while the area northeast of Obidos is known for whites, made of grapes such as Fernão Pires, Arinto, and Vital.
Nearby Beaches
Although Obidos is an inland town, it’s still relatively close to the Atlantic coast. Visitors can easily access nearby beautiful beaches such as Foz do Arelho and São Martinho do Porto for a day of sun, sea, and sand.
As I mentioned, Nazare, with its famous massive waves, is a short drive north from Obidos.
Lisbon to Obidos Day Trip FAQs
Let’s tackle some of the frequently asked questions about a day trip from Lisbon to Obidos! Some of these were already answered above:
How far is Obidos from Lisbon?
Obidos is located approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Lisbon, which is the capital city of Portugal. By car, the drive typically takes around 60 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic and construction.
Where is Obidos in Portugal?
Obidos is located in central-western Portugal. It is situated in the district of Leiria, within the Centro Region. You can see the Atlantic Ocean from the castle walls.
How far is Obidos from Porto?
The distance between Obidos and Porto is approximately 230 kilometers (143 miles) when traveling by road. If you’re driving, the journey typically takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic conditions and the route chosen.
Can you visit Obidos and Nazare in the same day?
Yes! In fact, we did just that. We rented a car in Lisbon around 9:00am, and spent several hours on the beach in Nazare. By mid-afternoon we were in Obidos, walking the streets looking for a nice place to eat! We returned to Lisbon around 8:00pm, at the end of a perfect day in Portugal.
Wrap: Is Obidos Worth a Day Trip from Lisbon?
Obidos surpassed my expectations. I hadn’t seen much online about it, and we really only ended up there because we had a spare afternoon on the tail end of our trip to Portugal.
With that said, I’m glad we went! I wish we had more time to spend in Obidos, exploring more of the cobblestone streets and eating at more of the restaurants.
Of all the day trips we took during our time around Lisbon, Obidos is the one town I would choose to spend a night in, to make it a relaxing two-day trip.
