Lisbon Day Trip to Obidos

Now that we have residency in Portugal, we’re trying to get to know as much of Portugal as we can. That means we’re taking tons of day trips from Lisbon. Our latest was a day trip to Obidos. If you’ve heard the name, you have probably tried their signature drink, Ginja de Obidos, but that’s not the main reason you should go. Obidos is lovely.

Day Trip to Obidos

Obidos turned out to be a lovely fortified village, if you’re on Instagram, you’ll take some amazing shots here. The town has cobblestone streets, a medieval castle, beautiful churches, and flowers everywhere. That being said, we went in early April and the city was already packed full of tourists, so if you plan to visit, try to do it during the off months. It’s quite small and I can see it getting packed quickly. Because it is so tiny, you can do the city in just a few hours, so if you go have other things planned. We combined our trip to Obidos with a visit to the Buddha Eden Garden which we loved. It was truly fantastic and we can’t wait to go back. You can also choose to visit Peniche, Nazaire or Mafra on your way to or from Obidos.

Things to Do During Your Day Trip to Obidos

Walk the Fort Obidos is a fortified town and you can easily walk the fortifications to get some amazing panorama shots. The views are spectacular. Drink Ginja I hate Ginja, my mom loved it, but I think she did because it is traditionally served in a chocolate cup and she loves all things chocolate. This spirit is made by infusing Ginja berries in Portuguese firewater (aguardiente) and adding sugar. If you want to try it and can’t make it to Obidos, you can definitely try it in Lisbon. Check out the Porta da Vila A fortified town is never without its entryway. This is the main entryway to the city and it is lovely. It’s decorated with some gorgeous azulejos and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Sneak Away from the Tourists If you walk away from the center, you will be able to enjoy the quieter streets of the town. There’s not much to do there, but it is a lovely walk.

Check out the Buddha Eden Gaden The Bacalhoa winery created one of the quirkiest and coolest sites in Portugal. To go there, add directions to Quinta Dos Loridos. The adjacent park is huge, gorgeous, and has Europe’s largest collection of Buddha sculptures. There’s more than just that though. The place is a must in my opinion. There is one restaurant there as well as a cafe and it is dog-friendly. Tickets cost €5, a train ride costs €4. Play Golf You can’t play golf in Obidos, but there are courses nearby including West Cliffs Golf which received the title of best new Golf Course. You can also go to Bom Sucesso. Go to the Beach Not really, the beach…but if you go to the beach of Lagoa de Obidos you can enjoy some fun in the water.

Tips for your Day Trip to Obidos

• Go early or go late and stay overnight to miss the crowds
• Drive. Sure,  you can take public transport there, but this will take up way too much of your day. You can take buses, but they take too long and make it harder for you to discover adjacent places.
• Don’t go during peak season (May-Sept)
• Wear comfortable slip-free shoes. The stone streets can easily result in a twisted ankle or a fall

Cost of a Day Trip to Obidos

A day trip to Obidos can take about 3 hours in total plus 1 hour of travel time by car there and back. You should budget about €50 per person for the trip. Taking a bus will take you slightly longer than driving and will cost €8 on a Rodovaria do Tejo bus. This will get you to Caldas da Rainha. IMHO, just rent a car and drive. There are some awesome rental companies in Portugal where you can rent cars super cheap. Want the secret on how to get these rentals? Leave us a comment. Once you arrive, park outside of the town. There are no cars allowed in the city.

What else is in the Obidos Area?

If you should decide to spend a few days in Obidos instead of just making it a day trip from Lisbon, check out Peniche, Nazare, and Caldas da Rainha, Fatima, Batalha, and Tomar.

Where to Stay in Obidos

As I mentioned before, Obidos is tiny. That means hotels and Airbnbs in the city and the surrounding area book quickly. If you’re planning to stay there, book early.