There are so many wonderful places to visit in Portugal, and Obidos is one you should not miss. This beautiful village is filled with whitewashed buildings which are painted and covered with colorful bougainvillea. You’ll quickly fall in love as you slowly stroll around the narrow streets. We briefly stopped here overnight on our 10 day trip through Portugal. It’s an easy drive from Lisbon, and the perfect stop on a road trip. Read on to see why this place captivated our hearts and memories.

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Places to Visit in Portugal: Obidos Village Guide

In This Article
Brief Background of Obidos
How to Get to Obidos
When to Go to Obidos
Where to Stay in Obidos
What to Do in Obidos

The view of Obidos from the castle

A Brief Background on Obidos

Obidos is a unique place with a network of narrow cobblestone streets, town squares, homes and shops. It sits atop a hill with Obidos Castle as its focal point. King Afonso II presented it to his wife on her wedding day in the 1200s, which happens to be a Portuguese tradition. Because of this its been nicknamed “The Town of the Queens.”

The village is a perfect example of medieval architecture, with fortified castle walls surrounding it and entry through various gates. Because it’s close to the Atlantic, it used to thrive as a trading port. The 1755 earthquake caused damage to the town, but since then it has been restored.

How to Get to Obidos

You can get to Obidos by bus or train from Lisbon, however the best way is to rent a car and drive there. It’s about an hour drive via the A8 expressway and very easy to get to. You will have to park outside the walls once you arrive.

Driving also allows you to stay overnight and have it all to yourself after all the tours leave. Since it’s popular as a day trip, it can get quite crowded during the day. But once they leave the streets become much more quiet and empty.

Public Transportation

To get there by bus you’ll take the Rápida Verde from Campo Grande station in Lisbon. We do not recommend going by train since the journey takes much longer and also is not as close to the village.

Read more about our Portugal Road Trip

The homes were covered with flowers and beautifully painted

When to Go

The best time to visit Portugal overall is usually in spring or fall. We went during summer and stayed in the northern part, since the Algarve was most touristy during this time. If you’re into festivals you might want to plan your trip around those. In the end, it really comes down to personal preference of when to go.

The gorgeous view from the terrace and yard at Casa Picva

Where to Stay in Obidos

There are many wonderful places to stay in Obidos depending on what your style is. You can either stay inside or outside the walls. With a car, it’s much more convenient to stay somewhere outside the walls since you can park nearby. You cannot park on the inside since there’s no access.

We ended up choosing Casa Picva, perfectly located right outside the walls near one of the gates. The owner João was very welcoming and hospitable for our entire stay. The room was very spacious and comfortable and we even got an extra bed for our daughter. There is a cozy yard with seating, a koi pond, and fruit trees with gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape. Breakfast was served communal style and everything was fresh and homemade. He offered great advice on what to see and do, as well as a helpful map. The house itself contained a lot of history and a wonderful collection of art. It was a perfect, relaxing stay and we would not hesitate to return again.

If you’re interested in staying within the walls the Torre de Maneys gets great reviews and is loved by many. It’s quite a unique place that makes you feel like you’re staying in a medieval castle. The interiors look stunning with beautiful views, and a delicious breakfast is included.

Need more Obidos hotel options? See more

What to Do in Obidos

Although Obidos is a rather small village, there are still many things to do. Below I’ve outlined some of the highlights on what to do while here, whether it’s a day trip or staying overnight.

Wander and Explore

One of the best parts of being in a gorgeous village like this, is just letting yourself wander. There are many hidden discoveries to be found walking around. Pay attention to the details around you, there is so much charm here. We had such a wonderful time relaxing and checking out all beauty around us. Since we live such a fast and busy life in a big city, it feels great to just slow down. Some of our favorite parts of a place are away from the main streets. You definitely won’t get tired of it!

A Medieval Tour
Are you a history lover like us? Get a proper intro to this village with this tour. You’ll visit a few secret spots including the castle, and finish off with a Ginjinha liqueur tasting.

Shop and Stroll Along the Rua Direita

Next up is the Rua Direita, a main street which runs through the center of the village. There are several local artisan shops, souvenir shops, restaurants and art galleries, and a great place to try some ginja. Although it can get rather busy, this street is bursting with delight. Make sure to stop by Capinha d’Óbidos for a sweet. It’s a family run bakery since the 1800’s with traditional recipes and such a wonderful atmosphere.

Closeup of ginja served in a chocolate cup

The view of the surrounding Portuguese countryside beyond the castle walls

Drink Ginja

Drinking ginja is another popular thing to do in Obidos. It’s a sour cherry liqueur that’s usually served in a chocolate cup. It’s very easy to find here along the Rue Direita and usually around 1 euro per cup. Many of the shops here also sell bottles of it so you can bring plenty home with you!

Obidos Castle and Walls

Obidos Castle is one of the first things you see as you come upon the village. Dating all the way back to the 8th century, this beautiful medieval castle is a symbol of national pride. But since it was transformed into a luxury hotel (pousada), you can’t take a tour inside. The castle walls surround the entire village, and we highly recommend taking a walk around them. Or if you’re brave, along the top. It’s much more quiet around these parts and there are beautiful views to see. If you’re staying the night, wake up early and watch the sunrise here.

Festivals

Another great thing to see while traveling are the festivals. There are a few popular ones in Obidos. The Medieval Market usually takes place in mid-July through August. There are people dressed in costume with plenty of artisans selling handicrafts, food, and entertainment to enjoy. The International Chocolate festival takes place in the spring (April-May) featuring many chocolatiers from around the world.

Tiny violinist in the beautiful streets of Obidos

A Beautiful Place to Visit in Portugal

If you’re looking for a brief escape, Obidos is the perfect place to be. You can easily add it on to your Lisbon itinerary, or part of a larger road trip. With its quaint cobblestone streets, brightly painted cottages, and local vibes, you’ll come here never wanting to leave. It was the perfect start to our road trip through Portugal. And although it may be small, Obidos is bursting with history and character.

Have you been to Obidos? If so, we’d love to hear more!

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I still remember it vividly as we approached Monsanto, Portugal after driving through vineyards, and stunning Portuguese landscapes. The sight of what appeared to be a huge mountain speckled with homes built right within it. They were almost hard to see until we got closer. Perfectly blended into the natural landscape around. It’s truly one of the most unique places we have ever been. And as you continue to read you’ll easily see why.

This was the third stop on our 10 day journey through Portugal and makes a perfect road trip. You really only need one night here to see it all, but it’s a wonderful relaxing stay for even longer. Discover this overnight guide and see why we fell in love with “The Most Portuguese Village in Portugal.”

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Monsanto Portugal One-Day Guide

In This Article
History of Monsanto
How to Get to Monsanto
When to Go to Monsanto
Where to Stay in Monsanto
What to Do in Monsanto

Walking the path to the Castle of Monsanto ruins

A Brief History of Monsanto

Monsanto, Portugal is located within the area of Idanha-a-Nova in the central part of the country bordering Spain. It rises on a mountain called Mons Sanctus almost 800 feet above sea level. Granite cottages with burnt orange roofs exist in harmony between and around large boulders which makes for a unique sight. The homes run along a network of irregular tiny stone alleyways, some of which are connected by stairs and go uphill as you ascend the mountain. It is eerily quiet and feels like you’ve stepped back into the early ages.

The village is one of twelve Historical Villages of Portugal which helped to defend the country. It traces back to the Early Stone Age, with presence from Romans, Visigoths and Arabians in the area. In 1165, King Alfonso I gave ownership of the city to Order of Knights Templar, and then the Order of Santiago. Eventually a fortress was built on the top of the mountain called the Castle of Monsanto and was used to protect during invasions in the Middle Ages. However it was destroyed in the nineteenth century due to an explosion from within.

Sunrise over the village and a view of a large boulder home.

How to Get to Monsanto

The best way to get to Monsanto is by car. We rented one from Amoita and had a wonderful experience. They delivered the car to us in Lisbon, and also offer pickup service as well.

You can also take a bus from Lisbon or Porto. Check this site to see if there’s a route from where you’re staying.

Apparently there’s also a train as well, but a car offers the quickest and most convenient way there. You can also stop at other sites along the way as you wish.

Discover more places in our Portugal Road Trip Guide

The beautiful stone streets were empty most of the time

When to Go

The best time to go to Monsanto is during the spring or fall, which are the shoulder seasons. We went during summer and it was pretty hot during the day, so it depends on what you prefer. If you’re into cultural experiences, the Festival of the Holy Cross happens in early May. Women carry rag dolls and flower pots to the castle on top of the mountain, and toss the pots over the walls. Overall, it’s generally not very crowded there, so even in summer we had the streets to ourselves at times.

Where to Stay

Monsanto can easily be done in a day trip, but staying overnight allows you to really slow down and enjoy the village. You can stroll the quiet streets at sunset, or wake up before everyone else and watch the sunrise from the mountain. Although we only stayed one night, you can certainly stay longer and explore some of the parts around.

Within the village there are a few great choices of places to stay. We recommend experiencing one of the boulder houses, which will also mean you’ll be right within the main part of the village. We stayed at Casa de David and really enjoyed it. The owners were very friendly and accommodating. A fresh homemade breakfast is served and included with your stay. The room was comfortable and quite unique with the stone walls all around. There is also a small shop here with a tasteful selection of clothing and accessories.

For those who want to stay in a private home, the Casa Mont’santo gets great reviews and has a private garden for relaxing. Sun Set House is a smaller one very close to the castle with beautiful views.

There are so many wonderful options here, but some do sell out quick with limited availability. So we suggest booking well in advance in order to have more to choose from.

See more places to stay in Monsanto.

Walking within the walls with Chapel of Santa Maria behind

View from within the castle walls

What to Do in Monsanto

Castle of Monsanto

Although the village is quite small, there is still plenty to keep busy with. One of the main sights is the Monsanto Castle which sits at the very top of the mountain. There’s a walking path which leads up, and you’ll need comfortable shoes for the journey. Aside from the ruins of the castle and its walls, there are other sites to see as well. The Chapel of Santa Maria, Chapel of São João, The Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Castelo, and Church of São Miguel. As you walk from site to site there are gorgeous views of the towns and valleys below, and even of the Serra da Estrela mountain range in the distance. Here’s a helpful outline of all the main sites in the area.

The nearly empty streets were so refreshing!

There were several spots around the village with stunning views

Explore and Shop

One of our favorite things to do here was simply to walk around and explore. During sunset a gorgeous orange sun-kissed glow covers all the stone and is worth the visit alone. It’s fun to walk around the alleyways and see where they lead. Along the way you’ll discover little shops to grab some souvenirs and treasures. We noticed a lot of shops selling ribboned drums and marafona rag dolls, the traditional items from the area. It took us a few hours to explore the streets and little nooks and crannies between the boulder homes. Spending time here makes you feel as if you’re in another era, with the rich history well-preserved.

Watch the Sunset

Watching the sunset is always a must while traveling. But the orange glow on the granite homes with views of the landscapes beyond is stunning. We walked around the streets as the sun was setting and truly enjoyed it. You could also sit and relax at one of the viewpoints, or admire it from Monsanto Castle on top of the mountain.

Pork dish at Petiscos e Granitos

Try the Local Food

There aren’t many choices of restaurants in Monsanto, but it’s always nice to try some local food. We ate at Petiscos e Granitos which was probably one of the better options in the area, but still not that great. The food was ok, but service was quite slow. We wanted to sit outside, but there was no space. So we ended up having to choose one of the inside tables, which was a bit more private. Apparently there are lovely views from the terrace, so consider going early. The restaurants may be closed, so call ahead or ask your guesthouse to recommend one that is open.

A Must-See Historical Village

After being in Lisbon for 3 days, we wanted to see more of the country. Monsanto is definitely one of the unique and less known spots to see. It’s one of the most fascinating places we’ve been and definitely worth checking out. It makes for a wonderful road trip from Lisbon or Porto, and an easy stop on the way to Douro Valley. You can even combine with other sites and do a complete Historical Villages of Portugal tour. These villages are just one of many hidden gems to see in this beautiful country.

Have you been to Monsanto? If so, we’d love to hear more!

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