Topped by a Moorish castle, Obidos is an enchanting, whitewashed town in Portugal’s historic province of Estremadura. It was home to the Celts, the Visigoths and the Romans before being taken by the Moors and later became known as the “Town of the Queens” due to their patronage.
Things to do in Óbidos
Stroll the atmospheric streets of Obidos to admire its yellow-bordered buildings and stop by the Igreja de Santa Maria. Originally established in the 12th century, the church was largely rebuilt in the 17th century and houses the Renaissance tomb of João de Noronha. Gaze up at its painted wooden ceiling before stepping into the Praça de Santa Maria to see the porticoed Telheiro.
Watching over the town is the Castle of Obidos, a beautifully preserved medieval fortification that exhibits Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural influences. Founded by the Moors in the 8th century, it has been home to a succession of queens throughout its history. Be sure to walk along the castle’s 13-metre-high battlements, which offer panoramic views across Obidos.
Many of the town’s treasures are now on display at the Museu Municipal, where you’ll find antique furnishings, sacred artworks and Portuguese paintings from the 16th to 18th centuries. See findings from the excavated Roman city of Eurobrittium, as well as French and English weapons dating from the Peninsular War. Also on display are works by the Spanish-born Portuguese Baroque artist Josefa de Óbidos, who was a personal favourite of Queen Maria Francisca of Savoy.
Getting around Óbidos
Obidos is just over an hour’s drive from Lisbon and Humberto Delgado Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Buses are the main means of getting to Obidos and the town is ideally explored on foot.