Wandering through Óbidos feels like traveling through centuries of Portuguese history. Originally a Celtic settlement, later taken by the Romans and then the Moors, this hilltop town has long held strategic and cultural importance. It was in 1148 that King Afonso I reclaimed it for the Portuguese crown, and in 1282, Óbidos became part of a royal tradition — gifted by King Dinis to Queen Isabel, starting a centuries-long custom of giving the town to Portuguese queens as a wedding present.

Enclosed by remarkably preserved medieval walls, Óbidos is crowned by its 12th-century castle, now a romantic pousada (historic hotel). The town's historic streets are lined with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, churches with azulejos-covered interiors, and literary landmarks — today, it's even known as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature.

With every stone and archway whispering stories of queens, battles, and devotion, Óbidos is more than just a postcard-perfect town — it’s a living museum of Portugal’s royal and medieval legacy.