The Castle of Óbidos was built by the Moors in 700 and made more livable for its Queens in 1200. Nowadays it has been made into a Hotel: The Pousada do Castelo de Óbidos. A good option for your stay or simply for a nice dinner.

Enclosed by the castle wall is one of the most picturesque Portuguese villages It is possible to walk around these walls though not for the faint of heart or those with children. However, the view is quite rewarding

Here 17th-century tiles adorn the walls which house a handsome example of renaissance tombs and the paintings by the artist Josefa d’Óbidos.

In the square in front, D Leonor, wife to D João II had a stone pillory decorated with nets and carved in stone. Built to honour and in gratitude for the fisherman who collected the body of her son from the Tagus river after a riding accident

The main street is lined with traditional shops of local delicacies and liquors.

Worth mentioning is the project Óbidos Literary Town. Where unexpected places like churches, biological markets and even pubs have joined forces in promoting the love of reading, and been turned into unexpected libraries

Things to do in Óbidos: Óbidos has quite an extensive list of events happening that are worth a special visit:

• Holy Week Festivities (recreating the steps on the Way of the Cross),
• The Ancient Music Festival in October
• International Chocolate festival in March, which includes an international competition in which the recipes are judged by an international jury of experts.
• The Medieval Fair
• Christmas Village

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The Ginginha, a sweet brandy liqueur made with sour cherries to be had in small glasses or chocolate cups

Fried or soaked eels to be had in Lagoa de Óbidos and Foz de Arelho

The Igreja do Senhor Jesus da Pedra (Church of the Senhor Jesus da Pedra) outside the town walls, can be easily identified by its unusual hexagonal shape and pyramidal green glazed roof. It was built in the height of the Baroque period but never actually completed

It is said that D. Leonor placed the stone statue of Christ Crucified here ( Senhor Jesus da Pedra), to indicate the way to the healing waters to be found in Caldas da Rainha, which she revered.  After the death of this sovereign, the statue was forgotten only to be rediscovered by a farmer. Being a particularly dry year, he and his fellow’s farmers prayed for the end of the draught. The rain came and the image once again became an object of popular devotion. A wooden chapel was erected to house it.

Only later in 1742 was the church built. D. João V of Portugal had his treatments at the Queen Leonor Thermal Hospital and frequently visited the image of Senhor Jesus da Pedra, for which he had great reverence, on his way there. It was through his founding that it was possible to build such a church

Lagoa de Óbidos, is a large saltwater lagoon with 6km, with calm waters making it the ideal place to learn to sail, kitesurf, windsurf or canoeing. There is a school that provides lessons of these activities as well as equipment rental and light lunches

A white sandy beach backed by an estuary, which faces both the might of the Atlantic and the calm waters of the lagoon,  ideal for windsurfing and surfing. Foz do Arelho remains remarkably undeveloped, being most sought out in the months of July and August, making ideal for family holidays The beach has a row of relaxed bars and restaurants.

The town is a 15-minute walk inland.