Óbidos - An incredible town, especially at Christmas

Imagine a town where you can feel the true Christmas spirit... Well, get in the car with your family and stop wondering! In the district of Leiria, about 84 kilometers (one hour by the A8 motorway) from Lisbon and 240 kilometers (two hours and 15 minutes) from Oporto we find the town of Óbidos, named a literary city by UNESCO in 2015. The highlight of this town is the Óbidos Castle, named in 2007 as one of the seven wonders of Portugal, and that during the Christmas season it becomes a magical monument. We are sure the whole family will remember this little Christmas trip.

Óbidos Castle and Christmas Town

Every year the Castle of Óbidos hosts Christmas Town (Vila Natal), so visiting this monument will be more charming and magical. From November 30, 2018 to January 6, 2019, live a Christmas experience that will inspire adults and kids.
This castle has an irregular rectangular shape and mixes Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline and Baroque styles. It has two main areas: the Castelejo, where the Pousada de Óbidos is located, and the neighborhood, which is inside the castle’s walls.
Here it is possible to eat, sleep and walk around the castle. The Pousada do Castelo is an accommodation that allows guests to see rooms once inhabited by kings, queens, princes and princesses. The walls are about 1.5 km long, beautiful views of the town can be seen while walking them. This is, without a doubt, a journey for the most adventurous.

For those who prefer to take it easy visiting the interior of the castle, there are dozens of typical shops, bars and cafes to explore. It is worth trying the Ginja de Óbidos, a sweet liqueur made with cherries from the region, served in a small glass (made of chocolate, if you prefer), with or without fruit. Share this experience and ensure the success of your trip!
As for the Christmas season events, this Christmas fair is varied and includes shows, plays and concerts. There are also innumerable entertainment options: a Ferris wheel, roundabouts, ice rink, makeup, trampolines and a Christmas train, among many other amazing amusements.
If all this is not enough, in Christmas Town (Vila Natal) you can enjoy exhibitions and attend live performances of the Nativity Scene.

Budha Eden

About 15 minutes by car, on the A8, we suggest you finish this trip at Budha Eden, the largest oriental garden in Europe, located in Quinta dos Loridos. Also known as the "Garden of Peace", it is a place of great peace and beauty, where it is possible to walk and enjoy quietly the art with your family. Budha Eden spreads across 40 hectares, where you will find lakes, fish, ducks, turtles and exotic plants. It also has large statues and many artworks of different sizes and materials, by different artists. There are more than 200 sculptures under the shadow of 1000 palm trees.

If you want to experience a different Christmas, we recommend a trip to Óbidos to discover all its charm this Christmas time.