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Next Stop…Óbidos, Portugal

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Óbidos is an enchanting walled town rich in history located about an hour north (80 km) of Lisbon. Entering the village through the Porta da Vila gate, visitors are transported back to medieval times. 

The charm and beauty of the town was so endearing that the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, presented the town as a gift to his wife, Queen Santa Isabel, in 1148. The whitewashed houses and narrow stone streets offer visitors an exceptional “step back in time” experience. Beyond its natural beauty, the town has a number of museums and hosts several wonderful events such as Holy Week, the Ancient Music Festival in October, and the International Chocolate Festival in March.

The centerpiece of Óbidos is the 12th C. Castelo de Óbidos, which was the first historic monument to be converted into a Pousada in 1951. In 2007 it was selected as one of the 7 Wonders of Portugal. Visitors who want to experience what it was like to stay in a castle can book one of the 9 rooms in the original castle (including 3 in the turrets) or select a room in the Cottage section, which is a traditional 17th C. Noble house adjacent to the castle entry. 

In addition to the castle, other sights to see include:

  • Porta da Vila – southern entry gate to the medieval village, contains a small Baroque chapel
  • Igreja de Santa Maria – historic church with walls covered in tiles from the 17th and 18th C.
  • Igreja Santa Casa da Misericórdia – 15th church founded by Queen Leonor
  • Museo Municipal – town’s municipal museum with a collection of paintings from the 16th, 17th and 18th C. and other local artifacts
  • Santuario do Senhor Jesus da Pedra – hexagonal sanctuary with a stone cross dating from the 2nd or 3rd C. located just outside of town
  • Aqueduto de Óbidos – impressive aqueduct built in 1570 that stretches 6 km. outside of town
  • Lagoa de Óbidos – lagoon west of the town
  • Caldas da Rainha (Queen’s Hot Springs) – a nearby spa town founded by Queen Leonor that is known for its therapeutic thermal springs

Driving info: Please note that new traffic patterns were implemented in Óbidos to deter people who are not hotel guests from driving up to the castle. GPS apps (e.g. Google Maps) do not provide correct directions to the castle, and vehicles larger than a standard size car (e.g. minivans or larger) will not be able to pass through the narrow streets in the village. Visitors should park their car in the parking area located just outside of the historic section, such as the Estacionamento Aqueduto de Óbidos, and walk 5 minutes to the Porta da Vila entry gate to enter the village.

If you decide to spend the night you can stay at one of the three Pousadas of Portugal hotels located in town, including the 12th C. castle. For more information and reservations, click here.

Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide, if you want to visit Óbidos as a day trip from Lisbon. Your personal guide can provide you with information on the city and its historic sites. For more information on our Lisbon Day Trip that includes Óbidos, click here, and for information on all of our Lisbon & Lisbon Day Trip tours, click here.

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Lisbon Day Trips (Portugal)

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If you are planning a trip to Lisbon, you should make room in your itinerary to visit one or more of the many historic towns and cities that are located within a 2 hour drive or train ride from the city. The following is a list of some places you can visit and still make it back to Lisbon for dinner:

  • Estoril – fashionable seaside town that is home to Europe’s largest casino (20 min.). For more information, click here.
  • Queluz – visit the 17th C. palace known as the “Portuguese Versailles” that was the summer palace of the royal family (20 min. drive / 17 min. by train). For more information, click here.
  • Palmela – best known for the 12th C. fortress perched on a hilltop at an altitude of 1,200 meters, at the edge of the Arrábida mountain range (20 min.). For more information, click here.
  • Setúbal – one of Portugal’s oldest cities, best known for its beaches, moscatel wine, and for being the center of Portugal’s sardine industry (25 min.). For more information, click here.
  • Sintra – charming town with a number of historic sites, including the Pena Palace, Sintra National Palace, Quinta da Regaleira, and Castelo dos Mouros (30 min. drive / 40 min. by train). For more information, click here.
  • Cascais – fishing village that grew into a cosmopolitan town, with sandy beaches, pedestrian streets, fashionable shops, restaurants and bars (30 min.). For more information, click here.
  • Óbidos – step back in time in this enchanting walled medieval village with a 12th C. hilltop castle, narrow stone streets and whitewashed houses (1 hour). For more information, click here.
  • Arraiolos – charming town nestled in the hills of the Alentejo region, best known for its famous hand woven wool rugs (1 hour 15 min.). For more information, click here.
  • Évora – known for its stunning medieval walls, unique churches and a 16th century aqueduct that cuts through the center (1 hour 30 min.). For more information, click here.
  • Fátima – one of the most important Catholic shrines in the world dedicated to the Virgin Mary, visited by millions each year (1 hour 30 min.). For more information, click here.
  • Tomar – culturally rich town was the last Knights Templar town to be commissioned, and played a significant role during the Age of Discovery (1 hour 30 min.). For more information, click here.
  • Alcobaça and Batalha – the Monasteries of Alcobaça (12th C.) and Batalha (14th-16th C.) area magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Sites (1 hour 45 min.). For more information, click here.
  • Coimbra – charming medieval city steeped in history that is the birthplace of 6 kings (2 are buried here), served as the country’s first capital in the 12th C., and is home to Portugal’s oldest university (2 hour drive / 1 hour 43 min. by high-speed train). For more information, click here.

Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide. Your personal guide can provide you with information on the city and its historic sites. For more information on all of our Lisbon tours, click here.

Photo credit: © Christopher Pappas · All rights reserved.

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Next Stop…Tomar (Portugal)

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Located in the Central region of Portugal, about an hour and a half north of Lisbon, is the historic town of Tomar. This charming and culturally rich town was the last Knights Templar town to be commissioned and played a significant role during the Portuguese Renaissance and the overseas expansion during the Age of Discovery.

The town itself is picturesque, with well-preserved architecture, attractive streets, and the River Nabão that runs through it.  The focal point and historic jewel in town is the 12th C. castle that contains one of the country’s most significant and impressive monuments, the Convent of Christ, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The octagonal church is said to be modeled after the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

The main square features a unique chessboard pattern that was later replicated in Lisbon when the city was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake. Prominently located in the center of the square is the statue of Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order of Knights Templar, and the founder of Tomar. He supervised the building of the Convent of Christ, which established Tomar as the new headquarters of the Templars. The tomb of Pais and several other Knights can be visited in the 12th C. Church of Santa Maria do Olival located just on the other side of the river.

When the Templars were banned in Europe, the Order of Christ was created. Henry the Navigator was made Governor of the Order in the 15th C., and it was from the Convent of Christ that he directed Portugal’s expansion overseas. The Convent was also the site where the short-lived formation of the Iberian Union took place in 1581 when Philip II of Spain was also recognized as Philip I of Portugal.

Other important sites in Tomar include:

  • Praça da República – elegant main square
  • Church of São João Baptista – 15th C. church on the main square
  • Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição – 16th C. church on the hill leading to the castle
  • Church of Santa Maria do Olival – 12th C. church that was the burial place of Knights Templar and Knights of the Order of Christ
  • Synagogue of Tomar – the best-preserved medieval synagogue in the country (built in 1430) with a small Jewish Museum. For more information, click here
  • Museu dos Fosforos (Matchbox Museum) – a unique museum that houses the largest private matchbox collection in Europe
  • Aqueduct of Pegões – 6 km long aqueduct built in the 16-17th C. to bring water to the Convent of Christ
  • Castle of Almourol – a 12th C. Templar castle located on a small island in the middle of the Tagus River, 20 km. south of Tomar

Tomar is also home to one of Portugal’s most colorful festivals, which only takes place once every four years in July. The Festival dos Tabuleiros (Festival of Trays) is one of the country’s oldest festivals, dating back to the 1300s. The week-long celebration includes dancing, drinking and local food, and is best known for the parade that features two long lines of women carrying tall trays on their heads filled with bread and flowers. The next festival will take place in 2023.

For information and reservations for our hotels in Tomar, click here.

Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour with an English-speaking guide. Your personal guide can provide you with information on the city and its historical sites. For more information on our Lisbon Day Trip that includes Tomar, click here, and for information on all of our Lisbon & Lisbon Day Trip tours, click here.

Photo Credit: Tomáš Páv / Photo of Praça da República – Convent of Christ in background

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.