Óbidos is a Portuguese village in the western sub-region, Central region, being part of the Western Tourism Region.

It is the seat of a municipality with 142.17 km² of area and subdivided into 9 parishes. The municipality is limited to the northeast and east by the municipality of Caldas da Rainha, to the south by Bombarral, to the southwest by Lourinhã, to the west by Peniche and to the northwest coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

Contrary to what one may think, the name Óbidos does not derive from the deaths, but from the Latin term optum, meaning 'citadel', 'fortified city'. In its proximities stands the Roman settlement of Eburobrício.

It was taken to the Moors in 1148 and received the first charter in 1195 under the reign of King Sancho I. Obidos was part of the dowry of countless queens of Portugal, namely Urraca de Castela (wife of D. Afonso II) , Queen Isabella (wife of D. Dinis), Filipa de Lencastre (wife of D. João I), Leonor de Aragão (wife of D. Duarte), Leonor de Portugal (wife of D. João II), among others.

In 1527, there were 161 inhabitants in the village, which would correspond to about 1/10 of the population of the municipality. The walled area was already at this time identical to the current one, that is, 14.5 ha.

It was from Óbidos that the Caldas da Rainha county was born, previously called Caldas de Óbidos (the change of the determinative was due to the seasons that passed the queen D. Leonor).

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The village of Óbidos holds centuries of history among its walls. With a vast patrimony of religious architecture and historical-monumental vestiges, the village of kings and queens was, in other times, a place of preference for rest or refuge of the disagreements of the Court. D. João IV and D. Luísa Guerra, D. Pedro II and D. Maria I, D. Leonor, D. Catherine of Austria and D. Carlos, were some of the monarchs who passed through these lands leaving, in a way or another, marks that the village still maintains. The origin of the town of Obidos dates back to the 1st century, to the town of Eburobrittium. Romans, Visigoths and Arabs were people who were present in these places. The year 1148 marks the capture of the Moors of Obidos, and in 1210 was donated by D. Afonso II to the Queen D. Urraca. The first county of Óbidos was instituted in 1636 and, seven years later, D. João IV ordered to repair the walls again.

The Porta da Vila dating from the 17th century the Porta da Vila has distinctive elements. XVIII and chapel-oratory with balcony of the XVII century. "The Virgin Our Lady was conceived without original sin" is the inscription that is on the main door of the town of Óbidos. Sent by King D. João IV, as a thank you for the protection of the Patron, during the Restoration of 1640.
Rua Direita It has been known since the 14th century and is the main street of the town of Óbidos, which connects the village door to the Paço. In the century XVI and XVII, the important transformations that suffered hid the old gothic portals

It is thought that the Castle of Óbidos is of Roman origin but was later a fortification under Arab rule. Classified as a National Monument, the castle features a military architectural style. It was converted into a Pousada.

Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Carmo and the Church of Santa Maria probably founded in the Visigoth period, this church was transformed into a mosque during the Arab occupation.

Church of the Holy Mercy Chapel of the Holy Spirit, here was founded the Holy House of Mercy by the Queen D. Leonor.

Chapel of S. Martinho a Property of Public Interest with the architcture of religious style.

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For several centuries Óbidos gastronomy has been reflecting the good use of its geographical position. Due to the proximity of the sea and the Lagoon, the gastronomy of Obidos is strongly characterized by fish and shellfish, confectioning dishes much appreciated as the fish stew and fried eels. Nevertheless, the verdant richness of the fields and the traditional cattle-raising.

For dessert, you can also find products from the region, namely the fruit such as Pêra-rocha do Oeste and Maçã de Alcobaça, which have Protected Denomination of Origin. And, it could not miss the confectionery, traditionally conventual, dating back to ancestral traditions, consisting of delicacies such as the Lampreias da Gaeiras and egg-packets.

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Óbidos climate is hot-humid equatorial, with rainfall from January to June, with a maximum temperature of 34.4ºC and an annual average of 28ºC.

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