Explore the most charming medieval town of Óbidos with an experienced and knowledgeable guide who will take you through the history and tales, the streets and alleys, the castle and the churches, the fine art, and (last but not least) the sweet and authentic tastes of this ancient Portuguese land (the famous Ginjinha de Óbidos- on a chocolate cup!). Don’t miss out on the trendy bookstore Ler Devagar located on a former royal chapel, the 1300-year-old Muslim castle, the old Moorish and Jewish quarters, the superb “pietá” of renaissance master Nicolau de Chanterene and the works of the celebrated XVII century Josefa de Óbidos, the first Portuguese female artist to get to the Louvre. Learn about how the queens of Portugal had a major role in the history of this unique town (which for centuries they actually owned), notably Queen Leonor de Avis, famous for creating the oldest surviving hospital and relief network in the world: Santa Casa de Misericórdia (“Holy House of Mercy”), which soon expanded throughout the then emerging Portuguese global empire: from Brazil to Macau (China). She has been remembered down the centuries as the “Most Perfect Queen”.

We will visit and explore:

• Museum of the Saint John the Baptist Church
  -Camões Mark and Casa da Música
• Livraria do Mercado (bookstore and organic products shop)
  -Saint Peter Church
  -Saint Martin Chappel
  -Maney's Tower
  -Almshouse Church
  -Saint Mary Plaza
  -Saint Mary Church
• Moorish and Jewish neighborhoods
• Castle of Óbidos
• São Tiago Bookstore (located on a former church)
• Out of the walls walk
  -Ginjinha tasting