Unravelling the Layers of Medieval Obidos, Portugal, Obidos, Portugal (B)

In all my travels through Portugal, few places compare with the visual splendour that you find in Obidos. A small town in central Portugal, Óbidos is a delightfully scenic town wrapped up in ribbon-like walls. Positioned on a slight hill, it still hides behind its medieval fortifications, forcing the modern world to wait at its gates. Inside, you’re treated to quaint cobblestone streets and historic houses that have stood the test of time.

Fast becoming one of the most popular day trips from Lisbon, Óbidos seems to fluctuate between busy and empty in a single day. What’s more, even with its minute size, as soon as you move away from its central streets you find things quiet down. Exploring Obidos quickly leads you down random alleys, into small gardens and before you know it, you’re standing upon its walls looking out over the town. If you’re thinking of visiting Obidos, this is what you have to look forward to.

Once you’ve arrived in Obidos and passed through one of its gates, it doesn’t take long to reach the town’s centre. Limited for space, you’re unlikely to find too many squares, instead finding long cobblestone streets. In these narrow streets, you find humble homes awash with white paint and bold stripes of yellow and blue. But it’s truly the plant life that brings Óbidos to life. From green creeping vines to gardens bursting with roses and calla lillies, Obidos can feel like one great big garden at times. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).