The tiny red-roof European village that’s best enjoyed in winter

Obidos, located in the Leiria district of Central Portugal, is one of Europe’s most well-preserved medieval towns.

The town may be tiny but it is packed with a wealth of things to see and do and is regarded as one of the best day trips to be carried out north of Lisbon.

A single bus ticket to Obidos from Lisbon costs approximately £6.50, the bus service departs from Campo Grande bus station in Lisbon and the journey takes around one hour.

Home to some of Portugal’s most Instagrammable streets, Obidos is encircled by the Muralhas de cidade, its ancient walls.

Rua Direita is Obidos’ main street, where you will find family run shops and restaurants and baroque styled churches.

However, Obidos has become a victim of its own popularity, with the town often becoming overcrowded with tourists in the summer.

During the peak summer months, restaurants in the town centre can become extremely busy as hordes of tourists head out for lunch.

It is recommended to either visit Obidos before the arrival of coach tours (11am to 2pm) or visit the picturesque village during the winter months.

One TripAdvisor reviewer agreed that it is best to arrive early. They said: “Very well preserved historical settlement – narrow stone alleys, colourful residential flats, cheap wine and souvenir shops.

“This is a must visit since it’s right by Obidos castle. However, please arrive early. This area is very narrow and gets extremely crowded at around 11am. 

“We arrived at 9am before shops opened, it was the perfect time to take photos and go for a stroll. Most tour groups show up at around 10/11am.”

Between the months of November and February, temperatures remain pleasant, with highs of 16 degrees and lows of nine degrees.

One TripAdvisor reviewer who advises going in the off-season said: “We spent a lovely day in Obidos, a pretty cobbled village surrounded by high walls. 

“Our trip was for a few hours in November which I assume is the off season, the weather was pleasant without being overly hot, the crowds were not large, but the shops, cafes etc were all open and wandering through the pretty village was a pleasure.”

Another TripAdvisor reviewer agreed, saying: “What a charming village! We spent a few hours here before heading further north to see the Alcobaca and Batalha monasteries. 

“Fortunately, we were here in the morning in the off season (February), and we’re able to leisurely stroll around town, stopping to take pictures and enjoy some local pastries. (I imagine it gets crowded in the summer months).”