Medieval Óbidos: A Walking Tour Through Time

Portugal’s ancient walled towns are known for their beauty, but Óbidos is among the most impressively preserved.

On this immersive walking tour, you’ll step behind medieval walls that have stood for centuries and explore cobblestone streets that still echo with the footsteps of royalty. You’ll also learn about the town’s remarkable architecture, religious heritage, and artistic legacy.

This tour starts at the Old Fountain (Chafariz) outside the town walls. You’ll pass through the main gate (Porta da Vila) and wind your way along Rua Direita, the lively main street lined with artisan stalls and unique bookstores that celebrate Óbidos’ status as a UNESCO City of Literature. You’ll follow a path upwards to the castle that crowns the village, where you’ll see panoramic views of whitewashed houses and the surrounding countryside.

Along the way, you’ll learn how Óbidos became known as “The Town of Queens” after being repeatedly gifted to Portuguese queens as part of their wedding dowries. You’ll discover remarkable religious art by Josefa de Óbidos, one of Portugal’s most celebrated female painters, and visit the church where she’s buried. The tour ends back at the main entrance to the medieval section of the town, where you can sample the town’s famous ginjinha cherry liqueur served in edible chocolate cups.

On this 90-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to:

• Explore the impressive medieval walls that have protected Óbidos since the 1100s
• Visit the Church of Santa Maria (or Church of St Mary) with its Renaissance façade and remarkable interior, adorned with paintings by Josefa de Óbidos
• Admire the intricate tomb by Nicolau Chanterene, one of Portugal’s finest Renaissance funerary monuments
• Learn about Portugal’s literary heritage in a town filled with unique bookshops and cultural spaces
• Hear about the Museum Abílio de Mattos e Silva, a cultural hub that showcases the history, art, and traditions of Óbidos and its surrounding region
• See the Gothic Chapel of São Martinho, one of the few structures that survived the devastating 1755 earthquake
• Appreciate traditional Portuguese crafts, including filigree jewelry and regional ceramics

By the end of this tour, you’ll have experienced the magic of a medieval Portuguese town that feels untouched by time, where every stone has a story to tell.