Highlights of the Day
Logistics
Accommodation: Lugar de Obidos (not recommended)
Transportation: rental car
Travel Journal
Obidos Introduction
Óbidos is an enchanting ancient town, renowned for its quintessential Portuguese architecture and often considered one of the most picturesque towns near Lisbon. With its winding cobblestone streets, vibrant traditional houses, and an imposing medieval castle, Óbidos exudes a timeless charm. Known affectionately as the “Wedding Town,” the town holds a romantic legacy: King Dinis gifted it to his beloved Queen Isabel before their wedding. Today, Óbidos retains its centuries-old allure, with a serene and rustic atmosphere that invites you to step back in time.
Ginja Taste
Óbidos is renowned for its exquisite cherry liqueur, especially its famous Ginja, which is often served in a delightful chocolate cup. As a lover of sweet drinks, I couldn’t resist trying a glass. Just like in Porto, the liqueur paired perfectly with the rich, smooth chocolate, making it a match made in heaven. Being a fan of both chocolate and cherry liqueur, I found this charming Portuguese treat absolutely irresistible.
Explore Óbidos
As we wandered through the narrow, winding streets, we were enchanted by the many beautiful sights around us. Vibrant flowers adorned the walls, adding a touch of romance to the atmosphere. Our exploration led us to a charming little street lined with bustling stalls, evoking memories of Shanghai’s YuYuan Bazaar. Along the way, I even discovered a cozy knitted shawl, the perfect souvenir to take home.
We walked to the end of Óbidos Bazaar street and came upon the charming Igreja de Santa Maria (Church of Saint Mary). Behind the church stood the majestic Óbidos Castle, its towering walls encircling the fortress as part of the town’s medieval fortifications, which still stand proudly today. Eager to explore, we climbed to the top of the walls and were rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the town, where history and beauty unfolded before us in every direction.
Lunch
At lunchtime, we were pleasantly surprised by the later dining hours typical of Portugal, but soon discovered a charming restaurant that opened at noon. Outside, a row of tables and chairs lined the narrow street, creating a cozy al fresco setting. We sat there, savoring the cool breeze and soaking in the quaint, timeless charm of the town around us.
Visit Nazaré
After lunch, we headed to Nazaré, famous for its towering waves. On October 29, 2020, German surfer Sebastian Steudtner broke a Guinness World Record here by riding an 86-foot wave. Fortunately, the weather was perfect, and we strolled along the beach, listening to the rhythmic crashing of the waves and watching brave surfers challenge the ocean—though I didn’t manage to catch any Guinness-worthy waves myself. 😀
Dinner
Nazaré is also known for its barnacles, a local seafood delicacy found clinging to steep cliffs and notoriously hard to harvest. Naturally, I wanted to try them while we were here. After browsing several seafood shops along the coast, we found one that offered barnacles, so we decided to dine there. The friendly waiter, noticing we were tourists, kindly showed us how to eat them: twist off the claws and then squeeze the tender meat from the outer shell, which had a texture much like snail meat.
We also ordered a large crab weighing over two pounds. The meat was incredibly tender, though we were surprised to find it was served cold, which seemed to be a common practice in Portugal. Later in the trip, we realized that all the crabs we had in other places were also served cold—just a Portuguese custom.
When it was time to pay, I was pleasantly surprised by the low total. I called the waiter over, and he explained that the bowl of barnacles was a gift since it was our first time trying them. We were touched, though a little embarrassed, and my husband left a generous tip to show our appreciation.
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