More about Obidos, Portugal
towering Obidos
castle
charming architecture &
streets
the bridge out of
Lisbon
Azenhas do Mar on the way
north
Car Hire Portugal, Obidos
Good enough for a Queen? Any town
that has been offered as a wedding present for a Queen needs little
introduction to explain its beauty.
The ‘Wedding city’ got its name from the unusual tradition that was born in 1282 after Queen Isabel remarked upon the town’s beauty. Being the romantic type King Dinis gave the village of Óbidos to his wife as an extravagant wedding present.
From there on until the 19th century each prince has offered the village to their future brides. As a result the ‘Wedding City’ attracts a number of lovers and honeymooners to this romantic old town.
If you are not the romantic type there are still plentiful good reasons for visiting. Perched on a rising hill Óbidos is one of Portugal’s little gems. From its narrowed cobbled streets, typically lined with white wash, to the expanses of vineyards speckled with swirling windmills and terracotta roofs
Óbidos is without a doubt one of Portugal’s most classic settlements.
The ‘Wedding city’ got its name from the unusual tradition that was born in 1282 after Queen Isabel remarked upon the town’s beauty. Being the romantic type King Dinis gave the village of Óbidos to his wife as an extravagant wedding present.
From there on until the 19th century each prince has offered the village to their future brides. As a result the ‘Wedding City’ attracts a number of lovers and honeymooners to this romantic old town.
If you are not the romantic type there are still plentiful good reasons for visiting. Perched on a rising hill Óbidos is one of Portugal’s little gems. From its narrowed cobbled streets, typically lined with white wash, to the expanses of vineyards speckled with swirling windmills and terracotta roofs
Óbidos is without a doubt one of Portugal’s most classic settlements.
The town is pretty much how you
would have imagined it back in 1282. The town has a distinct and
well preserved medieval look in its streets, squares, walls and
massive castle, the Manueline.
Being one of the first to be restored the castle has now been converted into an elegant Pousada. The Manueline crowns the city with its beauty and now houses guests in its luxurious rooms.
The town has suffered hardships in 1755 when it suffered massive damage from an earthquake.
The town was given little time to recover and only 50 years later suffered another blow being the site of fierce Napoleonic wars.
Luckily however the village did survive and in the late 20th century the Portuguese government began extensive repairs.
Being one of the first to be restored the castle has now been converted into an elegant Pousada. The Manueline crowns the city with its beauty and now houses guests in its luxurious rooms.
The town has suffered hardships in 1755 when it suffered massive damage from an earthquake.
The town was given little time to recover and only 50 years later suffered another blow being the site of fierce Napoleonic wars.
Luckily however the village did survive and in the late 20th century the Portuguese government began extensive repairs.
There are a few times of the year that make
visit Óbidos extra special. One of those is in October when the
Ancient Music festival is held and at Christmas when the natives
come alive with fanciful native scenes, Christmas markets and live
entertainment.
If you travel a little outside of Óbidos you reach a town called Alcobaca. This town is dominated by its 12th century abbey. This restored monument houses the ornate tombs of Dom Pedro and Inês de Castro, the star crossed lovers named the Romeo and Juliet of Portugal.
Batalha is also a short drive from Óbidos and is famous for its stunning monastery built in the 15th and 16th centuries. This masterpiece is considered to be amongst the finest structures in Southern Europe.
If you travel a little outside of Óbidos you reach a town called Alcobaca. This town is dominated by its 12th century abbey. This restored monument houses the ornate tombs of Dom Pedro and Inês de Castro, the star crossed lovers named the Romeo and Juliet of Portugal.
Batalha is also a short drive from Óbidos and is famous for its stunning monastery built in the 15th and 16th centuries. This masterpiece is considered to be amongst the finest structures in Southern Europe.
Contact us
More Information