Óbidos is a walled medieval town that has been preserved much as it was centuries ago. Located about an hour north of Lisbon in central Portugal, it’s a must-see for anyone traveling through the region. In practice, this little town feels like one large open-air attraction. Wander through its narrow cobbled streets and small squares, and it truly feels as if you’ve stepped back into the Middle Ages. Inside the walls you’ll also find plenty of distinctive shops, cafés, restaurants, and, most relevant here, several hotels. Most are small boutique properties set in historic buildings. There is even a hotel inside the large castle at the top of town, giving you the perfect chance to tell your friends you slept in a real castle. We’ve gathered a number of lodging options in and around Óbidos that work well before or during a trip through central Portugal.
One important thing to know before arriving in Óbidos is that most hotels – like much of the old town itself – are not accessible by car. It can be a little inconvenient, but that’s part of the town’s medieval charm. If you come prepared with a rolling suitcase, it’s really not a problem at all.
Click here for a complete guide to Óbidos and its attractions…
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Hotels Within the Walls of Óbidos
1. Pousada Castelo de Obidos
Sleep in a real castle! Pousada Castelo is the largest hotel in Óbidos. It was built within the castle itself and in a nearby historic building. Every room in the hotel is unique, and some still preserve the original castle walls. The public spaces are quite literally part of the castle wings, carefully restored and adapted for modern times while respecting the original design. Because the castle sits at the highest point in Óbidos, it also offers views over the town and the surrounding countryside
. The hotel strikes an excellent balance between old and new, paired with outstanding service. It suits both couples and families. In fact, kids who are fascinated by knights will especially love staying here, since the whole experience feels genuinely medieval. This is also one of the most sought-after hotels in Óbidos, so booking ahead is essential, especially on weekends and around major town events.
Click here to check room availability and rates at Pousada Castelo de Obidos…
2. Casa Lidador – Obidos
A small and very popular 4-star boutique hotel. This is a classic Óbidos stay, where a grand old house has been transformed into a chic, modern hotel. The rooms are medium-sized, very inviting, and have a warm, homey feel. On the lower floor, the shared spaces feel more like a living room and dining room in a private home, only slightly larger. The middle floor opens onto a terrace with a small pool, a lovely spot to stretch out on one of the loungers on sunny days.
As with other hotels in this medieval town, staying in one of the original houses is part of the Óbidos experience itself. Casa Lidador is tucked away on one of the quiet side streets in the old town of Óbidos. Returning here at night after dinner in one of the town’s restaurants, you may well feel as though you’ve slipped back hundreds of years to a calmer, quieter time.
Click here to check room availability and rates at Casa Lidador – Obidos…
3. The Literary Man Obidos Hotel
A concept hotel exactly as the name suggests—a hotel in a library, or perhaps a library in a hotel; you can decide. Set inside a former monastery beside the walls of Óbidos, this “hotel for literature lovers” naturally welcomes everyone. Like several other properties in Óbidos, it has a distinct theme and stands out as a special, character-filled boutique hotel. It’s relatively large by local standards, with 30 rooms. The rooms feel warm and are designed in a cozy wooden cabin style. The public spaces are filled with books, along with comfortable chairs and sofas for settling in with a read.
The highlight is the lounge with its old fireplace, which on the gray, drizzly days that are common in Óbidos creates the perfect setting for a relaxed afternoon of reading. The hotel is especially well suited to families visiting Óbidos, though couples will enjoy it too. Its location outside the walls also makes it easier to reach by car.
Click here to check room availability and rates at The Literary Man Obidos Hotel…
4. Pousada Vila Óbidos
This hotel knows how to blend old and new. It occupies a large historic building very close to the walls. Inside, the rooms are modern in style, bright, and full of light. They aren’t especially large, but they are very clean and provide the comfort travelers need at the end of a day out sightseeing.
We’re especially fond of this hotel because it offers the best of both worlds: old-world charm along with the conveniences of modern, well-equipped, functional rooms. There’s a spacious inner courtyard that flows into a small lobby better described as a living room. Both spaces are wonderfully pleasant for sitting down with something warm to drink. The hotel is especially well suited to couples.
Click here to check room availability and rates at Pousada Vila Óbidos…
5. Casa Senhoras Rainhas – Óbidos
A large hotel inside the walls, not far from Porta da Vila, the town gate. The hotel was built right beside the walls and has a restaurant overlooking them. Each room is styled a little differently, but all are bright, clean, and pleasant. Its proximity to the entrance through the walls is helpful, since like some other hotels within the walls of Óbidos, it cannot be reached by car. The staff are kind and attentive, and the high standard of cleanliness is evident throughout. This hotel is best suited to couples, and its excellent location is a real bonus.
Click here to check room availability and rates at Casa Senhoras Rainhas – Óbidos…
Beyond the Walls: Hotels Near Óbidos
1. Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort
This hotel lies west of Óbidos near the sea, a little under 20 minutes drive, making it an excellent option for travelers who want to continue exploring the area, including nearby spots such as the surfing town of Peniche.
As mentioned, hotels in Óbidos itself tend to be small boutique properties, while this one is a large, modern resort. Naturally, it’s even better suited to summer, when you can enjoy the outdoor pools and the nearby sea. Still, it’s also a great choice in winter, when rates are much more reasonable, allowing you to enjoy this excellent hotel while comfortably touring the sparsely populated surrounding area.
Royal Obidos is essentially a five-star golf hotel with a large course spread around it. The hotel is open to guests who do not play golf as well, and the rooms are very spacious. Some are actually apartment-style units that are particularly convenient for longer stays. The property faces the ocean, and just a few hundred yards away on foot you can reach the long, empty sandy beach in front of it.
The hotel’s biggest advantage is the size of its rooms, which makes them a great fit for families as well as couples staying for several days or even longer. There are also two restaurants serving lunch and dinner, so you may not need to leave the property at all. In addition, the hotel has a spa and two gorgeous pools. The entire place is thoughtfully designed and well maintained, set in the heart of a quiet, unspoiled area. There is a large free parking lot, making it a particularly good choice for travelers who want to visit Óbidos and the surrounding region, then return in the evening to a comfortable, upscale hotel that is reasonably priced for much of the year.
Please note: in winter, not all rooms are available at the hotel.
Click here to check room availability and rates at Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort…
2. Hotel Quinta do Carrascal
A new hotel about 20 minutes east of Óbidos by car. It is also only about 45 minutes from Lisbon. This is a hotel that takes the countryside guesthouse concept to a whole new level. Its aim is to offer a rural getaway at a very high standard. You could describe it as a large country guesthouse, because that is exactly what it sets out to be. The hotel is a welcome initiative by local farmers, who used a flat stretch of land in the middle of the vineyards to create an architectural gem. It may be a 4-star hotel with moderate prices, but it carries a touch of luxury and individuality that gives it an exceptionally high-end feel.
The rooms are bright, airy, clean, stylish, and spacious. There is also the option of a very roomy apartment-style room for families. The hotel has a large outdoor pool and also something rather unusual for hotels but very popular in countryside cabins and guesthouses—a barbecue area where guests can grill.
This hotel is ideal for travelers exploring the beginning of central Portugal with a rental car. You can stay here for two or three days and set out each day for a different destination such as Óbidos, Buddha Eden, the town of Peniche, Nazaré, the town of giant waves, and more. The area around the hotel also has paths and country roads through nature and nearby villages that are excellent for a morning walk or a bike ride. We absolutely love this hotel because it truly is a distinctive gem in the region.
Click here to check room availability and rates at Hotel Quinta do Carrascal…
Our Tips for Choosing a Hotel in Óbidos
Hotel standard – In Óbidos, most accommodations are small, family-run boutique hotels. They do not aim to match the standards of international hotel chains. What they do offer, however, is excellent service delivered with a smile by the town’s lovely locals, who will be happy to help with anything you need.
Click here to search for hotels in Óbidos and the surrounding area…
Hotel location and getting to and from it – As noted, hotels inside the walls are almost all inaccessible by car. It’s therefore a very good idea to bring a rolling suitcase in advance, since you’ll likely walk from the large parking lot at the town entrance to your hotel. Alternatively, you can drive up to the streets beside the eastern walls, for example the area around Largo do Chafariz, drop off one or more family members with the luggage there, and then return to park in the lot.
Supply and demand – Óbidos is a lively destination year-round. Because the walled town has no room to expand, it becomes extremely crowded at certain times. The basic rule is that Óbidos is always busy on weekends. As travelers, we usually have a bit more flexibility, since we’re already on vacation, so it’s worth coming midweek and usually saving on accommodations as well.
Three periods when demand is especially high are during the festivals—the Chocolate Festival (March to early April), the Medieval Festival (the second half of July), and around Christmas and New Year’s (late December to early January).
Óbidos as a stop on a central Portugal itinerary – Óbidos is without question a must-stop on a trip through central Portugal. Spending the night in Óbidos offers a uniquely memorable experience that is hard to match elsewhere in Portugal. So if you’re planning to stay in Óbidos before continuing on to Peniche or Nazaré, for example, it’s worth planning your overnight stay here for the first night after leaving Lisbon. In other words, leave Lisbon in the morning, stop at Buddha Eden and perhaps another rural spot along the way, then arrive in Óbidos in the afternoon. Spend the night, enjoy a little more time there the next morning, and then continue on to your next destination.
