In Óbidos, a literary identity and historic architecture meet a landscape shaped by the Lagoa de Óbidos. The city was named a UNESCO City of Literature in 2015 and included in the Creative Cities Network. This is also reflected in the way spaces are used for books and culture: the Gothic Igreja de São Pedro was converted into a library and bookshop. As part of the city’s literary focus, abandoned spaces were given new purposes, and numerous themed bookshops were established.
Discover literature, art and history
FOLIO – the International Literary Festival of Óbidos – was first held in 2015. Its 11-day programme includes exhibitions, concerts, book launches, literary courses, conferences, film series and other activities. SIPO – the International Piano Week of Óbidos – offers a different musical perspective: since 1996, leading figures from the musical world and young students from around the globe have come together there. The festival takes place over ten days in summer; masterclasses are held at several venues during the day, with festival concerts in Óbidos in the evenings. If you would like to include an event in your trip, check the dates for the relevant edition.
The buildings also tell different chapters of the story. The Castelo de Óbidos is believed to have Roman origins. It was later fortified under Arab rule and repaired and expanded several times after the Christian conquest in 1148. The Santuário do Senhor Jesus da Pedra makes a different architectural statement: its central plan combines an outer cylindrical structure with an inner hexagonal polygon. The sanctuary was inaugurated in 1747 and is considered one of Portugal’s important Baroque monuments.
In the Igreja de Santa Maria, monumental tile compositions are among the outstanding works of national azulejo art; their design is based on Brutesco motifs and complemented by ceiling ornaments. The Museu Municipal de Óbidos showcases works by Josefa d’Óbidos and other leading Portuguese artists, including André Reinoso, Baltazar Gomes Figueira and Belchior de Matos. It also displays religious art from the 15th to the 18th century—including devotional objects, paintings and sculpture—as well as archaeological artefacts. The Museu Abílio de Mattos e Silva is dedicated to the various facets of this artist’s work.
Other stops reveal the histories of individual institutions: the origins of the Igreja de São João Baptista date back to the late 13th or early 14th century. At that time, Queen Santa Isabel had a leprosarium built at this site, with a chapel dedicated to São Vicente; in 2003, the church was converted into the Museu Paroquial. According to tradition, Queen D. Leonor founded the Igreja da Misericórdia in 1498 as the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Óbidos. The Pelourinho has been classified as a national monument since 1910. The Casa do Arco da Cadeia dates from the 14th or 15th century and originally served as a prison and town hall.
Lagoon, birdlife and trails
The Lagoa de Óbidos is a coastal lagoon system with high biodiversity across its ecosystems and animal and plant species. It covers approximately 6.9 km², with an average depth of two metres. The movements of various migratory bird species can also be observed there. The Ecovia da Lagoa circles the entire body of water, passing places particularly rich in fauna and flora. On the Rota das Poças, you can observe a wide variety of fauna and flora, as well as numerous rare bird species that breed and live in the Poças; the Poças are considered one of Europe’s best birdwatching locations. These three perspectives—the lagoon system, the circular trail and birdwatching—each offer a different way to experience nature.
If you’re looking for a route through a different landscape, the Rota dos Moinhos takes you through pine forests, vineyards and orchards to the summit of the Serra da Amoreira, with its distinctive windmills. The route is 5.5 kilometres long, has an elevation gain of 126 metres, and is listed as difficulty level II, with a duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes. Conditions and signage may change; check the information before setting out. The Rota do Aqueduto follows the Mãe de Água and the Aqueduto da Usseira. Along the way, you can see various engineering solutions dating from the aqueduct’s construction in the 16th or 17th century.
Local specialities and getting there
The Óbidos International Chocolate Festival takes place annually and brings together chocolate, gastronomy, culture and innovation; the programme varies with each edition. Ginjinha de Óbidos is another local speciality: this dark red sour cherry liqueur is served neat or with fruit in the liqueur, and is sometimes flavoured with vanilla or a cinnamon stick.
Óbidos is accessible by the Linha do Oeste railway. The station is approximately one kilometre from the historic centre; check the current timetable before travelling. The Posto de Turismo de Óbidos is next to the main car park outside the town walls and about 200 metres from the entrance to the Vila de Óbidos.
Discover more destinations: Óbidos, Usseira, Vau, Amoreira, A dos Negros, Sobral da Lagoa, Olho Marinho, Figueiró Dos Vinhos.
Return to the main travel overview: Leiria.
