Óbidos

Óbidos is a charming and historic Portuguese city, around an hour's drive from Lisbon and just over 2 hours from Porto. It has ancient roots, with origins tracing back to Roman times, but it rose to prominence in the Middle Ages. It has been settled by the Celts, the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Visigoths, the Moors, and, finally, the Portuguese. During the ‘Reconquista, the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, seized it from the Moors as the final part of his conquest of the Estremadura region. In the 13th century, King Dinis gave the title of Óbidos to his wife, Queen Isabel de Aragon, as a wedding present. Since then, it has often been patronised by the Queens of Portugal, giving rise to its nickname, Vila das Rainhas (Town of Queens). Though the Portuguese monarchy is no more, you can get a feel for what life was like for them at the impressive hilltop castle of Óbidos, which has now been converted into one of Portugal’s most luxurious hotels.

Within the walls of the 12th-century castle, you will find picturesque cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses, with geraniums and bougainvillaea providing a splash of colour between the Gothic doorways and windows. Each July, the castle hosts a traditional Medieval market where entertainers and stallholders take over the streets. Merchants, jugglers, jesters and soldiers all play their parts, and visitors can watch traditional craftsmen at work or admire the costumed parade as it winds through the cobbled streets. There are even displays of jousting knights and armed combats, minus the blood and guts. Throughout the year, visitors can also enjoy the city's quaint shops, cafés, and bookstores and sample the famous Ginja de Óbidos, a local cherry liqueur traditionally served in a tiny chocolate cup.