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Visiting the Óbidos Medieval Festival in Portugal in July
I love discovering events and festivals in Portugal, and especially in the summer, there are many festivities to choose from. The country has many festivals, and the Óbidos Medieval Festival in July is among my favourites!
In this blog post, I will highlight what you can expect during the Mercado Medieval de Óbidos and what to see. If you’re travelling between Porto and Lisbon, I can highly recommend a stopover in Óbidos to step back in time!
It’s fun for adults, and children will definitely enjoy all the shows and activities! The medieval fair is reasonably affordable, making it a great day out for solo travellers, families and friends.
Feira Medieval de Óbidos is from July 16th until the 26th, 2026. It’s in front of Óbidos Castle, with music, dance, food and entertaining shows! So dress up in a beautiful medieval costume and enjoy!
Overview of the Óbidos Medieval Festival
- What is the Medieval Market of Óbidos? Mercado Medieval Óbidos has been held since 2002, and it’s an annual festival in medieval settings. Enjoy shops, a historical reenactment and incredible food! It’s located in the small village of Óbidos, about 1 hour north of Lisbon.
- When is the next Óbidos Medieval Fair? In 2026, Mercado Medieval de Óbidos is from July 16th until the 26th.
- How much are tickets? Tickets to the Óbidos Medieval Festival are €10.00 for adults and €8.00 for children between 4 and 11.
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What can I expect at the Óbidos Medieval Fair?
Arriving in Óbidos
You might wonder what you can see and do at the Óbidos Medieval Festival and whether it’s worth visiting. I have been to multiple medieval festivals over the years, and the one in Óbidos really is one of my favourites. It’s well-organised, and you can easily spend the whole day there!
As soon as you arrive in Óbidos, you can enjoy the medieval atmosphere. You can buy tickets near the entrance and fully immerse yourself in one of Portugal’s best festivals! You can also find a shop near the entrance where you can rent medieval outfits if you like.
Artisan shops and handicrafts
Make your way to Óbidos Castle, where you’ll find all the events. Everything is beautifully decorated, and Castelo de Óbidos towers over the scene in the background. There are many market stalls with medieval artisan products and food stalls.
I loved the flower crowns, whereas the kids loved the child-sized weapons! But you’ll see real armaments, too, and you can even see how these were made back in the day. I loved the many medieval-looking notebooks and incense sticks on the market.
Music and theatre performance
The festival grounds are full of activities and events throughout the day. Enjoy live music, acrobatic acts, theatrical performances, or a medieval fight! You can also walk around and see what’s happening in different places.
The official website had a handy timetable, so you know roughly where to be at what time. But you’ll also see parades and music groups walking through Óbidos.
My Go-To Travel Essentials
Óbidos Medieval Festival Tickets
To enter the Óbidos Medieval Festival, you’ll need a ticket.
General admission is €10.00, but early bird tickets are up to 50% cheaper. Children aged 4–11 pay €8.00, while those under four can enter for free.
One fun tip: there were discounts for guests dressed in medieval outfits! You can even rent a costume for the day near the Tourist Information office. It’s affordable and adds to the experience.
Tickets can be bought online via the festival’s official site or at the entrance to Óbidos. There’s a ticket booth next to the Tourist Office and another one near the castle. The line near the castle is usually shorter.
Each ticket is valid for one day only, so if you plan to visit more than once, you’ll need a new ticket each day.
What are the food options at the Óbidos Medieval Festival?
You certainly won’t go hungry when you attend the Óbidos Medieval Festival! There are food and drink stalls with everything you could wish for, and I loved how they integrated authentic medieval meals! It might not be for everyone, but I love snails (caracoleta), and they have plenty of them!
You might spot a pig on the roast, with plenty of meat options. And don’t worry if you’re vegan or vegetarian. There is something tasty for everyone! You’ll love all the desserts and egg tarts if you have a sweet tooth.
Even with drinks, you step back to the Middle Ages if you order a mead in a beautiful mug! They’re decorated with a medical castle and scene, and they make a great souvenir for the home. If you return the cups, you can get your deposit back. The fair offers many other drinks, including juice, wine and sangria.
How do you pay for food and drinks at the festival?
There are a few ATMs in Óbidos, but bringing some cash is a good idea. You could pay in Euros, but there was also a handy app that you can use to load money with online banking. You could scan the QR card and add money to a digital wallet. Whenever you buy food or a drink, the money is credited.
How to get to Óbidos
By Bus
The most convenient way to reach Óbidos from Lisbon is by bus. Rodoviária do Oeste operates frequent direct buses (Rápida Verde Line) from Lisbon’s Lisbon Campo Grande station to Óbidos. The journey takes about one hour and drops you off just outside the city walls, a short walk from the festival entrance. Tickets can be booked online in advance, especially during the festival season, when buses may fill up quickly.
By Train
While travelling to Óbidos by train is possible, it’s less convenient due to limited schedules and slower connections. Trains depart from Lisbon’s Santa Apolónia or Oriente stations, usually requiring a transfer at Caldas da Rainha. The journey can take over 2.5 hours, and the Óbidos train station is about a 15-minute walk from the town centre. If you’re not in a rush, it’s a scenic option—but the bus is faster and easier.
By Car
Driving to Óbidos gives you the most flexibility, especially if you plan a day trip or want to explore nearby towns like Nazaré or Alcobaça. Take the A8 motorway from Lisbon north toward Leiria and exit at Junction 15 (Óbidos). The drive takes around 1 hour, depending on traffic. We rent cars with DiscoverCars for fabulous service and great offers.
Where to park in Óbidos?
There are five main parking areas near Óbidos—three paid and two free—with space for over 4,000 vehicles. We usually park near the aqueduct, as it’s large and only a short stroll from the village. During the Medieval Festival, it can get crowded—so aim to arrive early.
With a guided tour
There are many tour options to Óbidos. However, you will probably need to book a private guided tour to visit the Óbidos Medieval Festival. Day tours from Lisbon are often done in groups, and you’ll see multiple cities in one day. You can find some options below, and if you book a private tour, you might be able to stay longer in Óbidos.
What else to see in Óbidos
If you’ve not been to the town of Óbidos before, I highly recommend discovering the city within the castle walls. You can even walk on top of the castle walls for incredible views! But if you’re afraid of heights, you might want to reconsider that.
Rua Direita is the main street in Óbidos, and you can find amazing shops and restaurants here. You can enter the town at the Porta da Vila, and via Rua Direita, you’ll reach the medieval castle. Even if you don’t have tickets to the festival in Óbidos, you’ll see some events in town.
The centre of Óbidos is a maze of tiny, colourful streets, and you can easily spend a few hours here. There are several churches and museums, and many bookstores! Óbidos is also THE place to try Ginja de Óbidos, a lovely liquor made from the ginja berry.
🎄 Tip! Are you in Óbidos during Christmas time? Visit the Christmas Village Vila Natal!
Where to Stay in Óbidos?
We stay in Óbidos from time to time and there are some lovely hotels in town. There were events such as a knight and horse show that were so fun! Plus, we enjoyed the mead, so driving back to Lisbon was not a good idea. I’ve highlighted some amazing places to stay, but you can also use the handy map below.
📍 Within the castle walls: Josefa D’Obidos Hotel is near the entrance Porta da Vila in Óbidos and right beside the castle walls. The rooms are stunning, but the refreshing pool is a highlight during the hot July weather! You can also use the kitchen, making this a perfect place for a longer stay.
📍 Near Óbidos Lagoon: Óbidos is busier than usual during the festival, so you might like to stay in a more rural area. Óbidos Lagoon has some amazing beaches and offers a quieter stay. The Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort is perfect for a luxury stay, and Mãe Home Foz is a cosy, budget-friendly option.
📍Unique stay: Stay in medieval times and book a night in Óbidos Castle! The castle is only open to guests, and the rooms are stunning! The rooms of Pousada Castelo de Óbidos still have the medieval atmosphere but have all the modern facilities you could wish for. So you can enjoy air conditioning whilst sleeping on a four-poster bed!
Not sure where to go in Portugal?
Take the free Portugal travel quiz and find the destination that best matches your travel style. You’ll get your result plus practical tips to help you start planning your trip.
FAQ
Can I dress up for the Óbidos Medieval Fair?
You sure can! People dress up in medieval dresses and as knights, and the Middle Ages come alive again!
How much do tickets to the Óbidos Medieval Festival cost?
Tickets to the Óbidos Medieval Festival are €10.00, and children between 4 and 11 pay a reduced price of €8.00.
Is the Óbidos Medieval Festival worth visiting?
If you love medieval settings and atmosphere, you’ll love Mercado Medieval de Óbidos. There are many performances, live music, and great places to shop and eat. It’s a fun day out for everyone!
Planning to enjoy the medieval atmosphere?
We went to several medieval festivals in Portugal over the years, and the Óbidos Medieval Festival is really one of my favourites. The atmosphere is excellent, and something is happening all the time! See a historical reenactment, take a look at medieval objects or enjoy a tasty meal!
The festivities continue well into the night, so you should book a hotel if possible. The festival is held annually, and if you’re near Óbidos and enjoy going back in time, I highly recommend it!
Other events in Portugal:
- Cultural Portugal festivals and events you don’t want to miss
- Carnaval Portugal with stunning outfits, parades, and dates
- Carnaval in Torres Vedras
- Celebrate the Carnation Revolution in Portugal on April 25th
- Celebrate Festas dos Santos Populares in Portugal in June
- Visiting the Óbidos Medieval Festival in Portugal in July
- Enjoy the unique Knights Templar Festival in Tomar in July
- Christmas in Lisbon
- Photography Experiences in Lisbon during Christmas
- Best Christmas markets in Lisbon
- Wonderland Lisboa: the largest Christmas market in Lisbon
- Where to find the most beautiful Lisbon Christmas lights
- Christmas in Óbidos
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