Óbidos: Medieval Castle Walk & Ginjinha Tasting Tour

Summary

Medieval alleys, castle walls, art treasures and sweet ginjinha

You’ll wander Óbidos’ winding medieval streets with a local guide who knows every secret alley and story. Taste Ginjinha liqueur served in a chocolate cup, step inside an ancient castle, and browse books in a former royal chapel. Expect unexpected details—and maybe even laughter over your Portuguese pronunciation.

What’s the experience like?

“Try not to eat the cup before the liqueur,” our guide Rui grinned, handing me this tiny chocolate shell brimming with Ginjinha. I’d barely stepped through Óbidos’ stone archway and already there was this smell—something like old books mixed with cherry syrup and wet cobblestones. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve been here. We followed Rui down these twisting lanes where every wall seemed to have a story or some blue-and-white tile peeking out from under peeling paint.

The São Tiago Church is now a bookstore (I know, that surprised me too). Inside, the hush was thick, broken only by someone flipping pages somewhere behind the altar. Rui pointed at a painting by Josefa de Óbidos—her face looked stern but kind, if that makes sense. He told us she was the first Portuguese woman whose art made it to the Louvre. I tried repeating her name in Portuguese; Li laughed at my accent and honestly, it was deserved.

We climbed up toward the castle—wind picking up, carrying that faint scent of orange blossoms from someone’s garden. The stones felt cold under my hand. Rui explained how this place switched hands between Moors and Christians for centuries; I could almost hear echoes in those narrow passages. There’s something about seeing all of Óbidos from up on those ramparts that made me feel small in a good way. Afterward we wandered through what used to be the Jewish quarter—I liked how nobody rushed us, not even when I stopped just to listen to church bells and distant chatter from a café below.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Óbidos medieval sites and art

• Visit church with 17th-18th century tiles
• See five paintings by Josefa de Óbidos
• Enter São Tiago Church bookstore
• Visit original 12th-century castle

Top questions

Is Ginjinha tasting included on this Óbidos tour?

Yes, you’ll get to taste Ginjinha de Óbidos served in a chocolate cup during the tour.

Do we visit inside the Óbidos castle?

Yes, you’ll enter and explore the original 12th-century castle as part of the experience.

Will we see any famous artwork on this tour?

Yes, you’ll see paintings by Josefa de Óbidos inside one of the churches visited.

Is there time to visit the Ler Devagar bookstore?

You’ll stop at São Tiago Church which is now home to this unique bookstore.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

Yes, alcoholic beverages are included—the Ginjinha tasting is part of your day.

How do we get around during the tour?

The tour is on foot within Óbidos’ historic center; public transport options are nearby for arrival/departure.

What’s included

Your day includes all activities with an expert local guide through Óbidos’ medieval streets and castle, entry into historic churches (including one transformed into a bookstore), plus a tasting of traditional Ginjinha liqueur served in its signature chocolate cup along the way.