Obidos was the traditional present of the king of Portugal to his wife, a tradition which commenced in 1282 when Dom Dinis gave the town to his wife Dona Isabel.

In those days, the sea came up to the walls of the castle but by the15th century the sea had retreated and the land was cultivated.

This slow process can still be seen by driving the six kilometers to Foz de Arelho which is between the remains of Obidos lagoon and the presentAtlantic coast with its long sandy beaches.

The town has changed little over the years and still has narrow cobbled streets and white washed houses with blue and yellow edges and many flowering plants.

The town is surrounded by old walls which can be 'interesting' to walkaround. Please note that care is needed - an acquaintance of the writer needed the assistance of the fire brigade to get down again!

Within these centuries old  walls, is the castle which has been converted to make one of the country's finest hotels - and one of the first to become a Pousada.

The Pousada only has six bedrooms and three suites all with private bathrooms.

All rooms have en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning. The Pousada does not have a swimming pool.

The restaurant specialises in regional dishes and in the nearby fishing port of Peniche there are many restaurants which barbecue the local fish.

Visitors will enjoy walking in the old town with its village museum, local churches and old pillory.

A short distance outside the town is a very large church which was never used and is now falling into decay. In the buildings surrounding this church are some restaurants which provide good lunches.

Golfers will enjoy the nearby course of Praia D'el Rey which provides excellent golf on a links course.

Obidos is 111 kilometers from Lisbon and has a nearby rail station on a line designed by Gustaf Eifel. His engineer built the manorhouse near the large church which provides excellent accommodation (three nights minimum) when the Pousada is full.