Óbidos

Óbidos

This adorable little village is located about an hour outside of Lisbon. It is built within castle walls, and going there is like a time-travel in middle ages. 

Our first visit to Óbidos was in December 2019. 

The word Óbidos is of Latin origin and means citadel or fortified city. 

Óbidos dates back to the 700s. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Moors occupied the town and built Óbidos Castle. Under Portuguese rule, and due to its strategic location along the Atlantic Ocean, Óbidos flourished into a major trading port.

Beginning in 1282, each king of Portugal gave the town of Óbidos as a wedding present to his future queen.

The tradition was started by King Dinis. When he showed his future wife Dona Isabel the lovely town, she fell instantly in love — a common enough spell for those visiting Óbidos. King Dinis decided to gift her the town as a wedding present.

 The tradition continued from the 13th to the 19th centuries. As a result, Óbidos is nicknamed the Queens’ Town or the Queens’ Present. When you enter the city gates, you’ll feel like you’re unwrapping a beautiful present as the town spills out before you.

Yes, it is for real!

Honestly, have you ever seen a cuter place?!

 I think Óbidos is one of Portugal’s most adorable and authentic villages.