Hidden Gems of Obidos: Exploring Secret Spots

Open up the hidden secrets of Obidos off the beaten paths, exploring the city and surroundings.

Intro

Most tourists come on tour to Obidos to enjoy its cultural and historical heritage. The city looks unreal, as if from a cartoon. However, it is more than real, and visitors can access architectural monuments here.

 

There is a tourist program where you can see all the city's iconic sights. However, this is not all of its treasures. There are many places that only locals know, and today, you can learn about them. Below is a guide that local experts have compiled to open up unknown sides of Obidos for you.

Spiritual Experience at Sr. da Pedra Sanctuary

Many churches and temples in Obidos are preserved to this day. Even though they were founded in the Middle Ages. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful interior and exterior. 

 

Most of these churches are included in the standard tourist program. However, if you want to learn more and see the city from an unusual perspective, take your chance to visit Sr. da Pedra Sanctuary.

 

The Baroque temple opened in 1747, is located outside the town on the road to Caldas da Rainha, and has three chapels: the chancel dedicated to Calvary, with paintings by the famous Portuguese artist Jose da Costa Negreiros.

 

The stone image of the Crucified Christ is located here and is on display in the Main Altar. Several legends connect the construction of the Sanctuary of Senhor Jesus da Pedra, and most state that Senhor da Pedra had the power of intercession. Include the location on your Obidos day trip so you can explore the place yourself.

 

Location: Largo do Santuario, 2510-071 Obidos, Portugal

Natural Escape to Quinta da Torre

Portugal is famous not only for its architecture. It also has many objects where you can relax your soul and body. One of these objects will be discussed below.

 

Quinta da Torre is an official member of the organization TER, an approved Country Tourist Resort. Located only 2.5 km from Obidos, the property covers 30 acres. The first settlement appeared here in about 308 B.C. The remaining ancestral houses are well kept, surrounded by cobblestone streets even after centuries of defense.

 

Visitors come on trip to Obidos to rest on the backdrop of an authentic rustic life in Portugal. The territory is green, surrounded by pine trees and domestic animals in their natural surroundings. 

 

In the center of Quinta da Torre’s rural property is the main house, which has a pool available for visitors and a lush garden. The purpose is to allow guests to rest in the rural environment but in stylish modern accommodations. Ancient furniture is reconstructed from past family generations to highlight the value of the houses.

 

Location: Estrada do Bairro, Obidos, Portugal

Artistic Treasures of Obidos in Galeria Nova Ogiva

One of the places on an Obidos day trip that tourists often miss is the gallery Nova Ogiva. It is not a historical or architectural site but houses many other treasures.

 

The gallery, created in 1970, is dedicated to modern arts. Visitors have access to contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events. It lasted only three years after its opening and reopened in 2005. 

 

The town's museum department curates the gallery. Visitors may see numerous works from prominent local and national artists. The number of paintings, sketches, photography, and video installations is wide, so you can easily spend a few hours here. The annual Literary Village festival also takes place here.

 

Location: R. Direita 48-81, 2510-001 Obidos, Portugal

The Exploratory Trip to the Suburbs of Obidos: Caldas da Rainha

Caldas da Rainha is a historical place, quite famous among the Portuguese, but not one of the major tourist attractions in the country. “Caldas da Rainha” means “thermal springs of the Queen”.

 

According to legend, in the 15th century, Queen Leonora passed through here and asked why they were doing this, seeing people bathing in strange-smelling water. The people answered that the water was healing. The Queen also bathed in this water and became healthy. 

 

Then she gave the order to build a hospital on the thermal springs and found a settlement of 30 people. It grew into a village and then a city—such a lovely story.

Carlos I Park

One of Caldas da Rainha’s most recognizable symbols is the statue of Queen Leonora. From here, visitors can enter Carlos I Park and enjoy an excellent walk.

 

The main building here is Caldas Castle or the Portuguese Hogwarts. It is not a castle but a new thermal hospital built in the 19th century.

 

Caldas da Rainha is a high-level European resort, but after its creation, changes occurred because of the country’s chaos. The military, police, and a school were first stationed here.

 

The park is picturesque, with sculptures and old trees. Walking deep into the park, being 1 day in Obidos, take advantage of the second attraction - the Jose Malhoa Museum (Museu Jose Malhoa), with an easel in his hands.

 

Location: R. de Camoes 37, Caldas da Rainha, Portugal

Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro Factory

For over a century, the Factory of Artistic Earthenware has designed decorative ceramic pieces that are famous worldwide.

 

The creator’s main idea was to revitalize traditional ceramics arts while fitting them into modernity. Thus, artistic products that are, until today, inseparable from our imagination and cultural references were born.

 

Bordallo Pinheiro Factory of Artistic Earthenware continues to recover an irreplaceable legacy by reproducing models using most centuries-old techniques. It is an innovative company animated by the same pioneering spirit. The products created here are contemporary and enhance the company’s prestige in various markets. Include the location on your day trip to Obidos from Lisbon so you can see the spot with your own eyes.

 

Bordallo Pinheiro’s ceramics, like the master himself, are among the most famous phenomena of the Portuguese culture of the nineteenth century. He was famous as an artist, watercolorist, illustrator, decorator, political and social caricaturist, journalist, and creator of original ceramics. According to well-known contemporary artists, any work by Pinheiro is the work of a genius.

 

Location: Rua Rafael Bordallo Pinheiro, 53, 2500-246 Caldas da Rainha

The Discovery of Lourinha: The Treasury of Ancient Values

If you have more than one day in Obidos trip, take your chance to visit the Lourinha. It safely reminds us of the dinosaurs, including fossilized eggs with embryos. Lourinha is absolute proof that the diversity of this region is not limited only by architectural landmarks but also by other, more interactive attractions.

Dino Park

This is the largest open-air dinosaur park in Portugal and one of the largest in Europe.

 

The park is an incredibly picturesque place covering an area of ​​about 10 hectares. It features 120 life-size models of dinosaurs. The models are incredibly detailed and realistic, so visitors can form their idea of ​​what dinosaurs look like.

 

While here, visit the Museu Dino Parque, which houses a collection of fossils, bones, and other artefacts related to the study of dinosaurs.

 

For an interactive experience, check out the Dino Lab, where you can learn about palaeontology as a science.

Location: R. Vale dos Dinossauros 25, 2530-059 Lourinha, Portugal

Certified Brandy Cellar

Portugal is considered a wine country. This region is known for its brandy production. Take your chance to enjoy the drink.

 

Visit the Adega Cooperativa da Lourinha to try DOC Lourinha brandy and observe its production process.

 

Most such visits include historical information about why this territory became Portugal's first demarcated region for Quality Wine Spirits. Then, the visitors learn about the production processes and participate in interactive activities.

 

Most visitors are first attracted here because of the opportunity to see the cellars. You will be taught about the types of barrels and toasts used, and the ageing method used to create the drink of the gods will be explained. 

 

Every bottle has a label, which is manually added to the final product. The focus of the visit is to provide an exclusive experience from production to tasting.
 

Location: Av. de Moçambique, 2530-111 Lourinha, Portugal

Summarize

Obidos is one of those places in Portugal that, at first glance, may seem touristy and obvious enough. Most tourists here spend one day visiting the castle and enjoying the old narrow streets. They may have lunch or dinner in one of the cafes and then head back. 

 

The main attractions are visited as part of almost any tour to Obidos from Lisbon. However, if you have more time to explore this region in depth, you will discover many surprises.

 

In Obidos, there are many places to visit that will help you discover unknown Portugal. These places are generally known only to locals. You also have the opportunity to touch the eternity of discoveries if you read our guide. Some landmarks are located outside the city, but if you have enough time, take advantage of an opportunity to go on a discovery trip and see Obidos from an unusual angle.