Have you ever stayed in 8th century Castle? I never did before visit to Portugal. I didn’t even know it was possible.
The Pousada Castelo Óbidos
The Pousada Castelo Óbidos is a stunning medieval city hotel situated within the walls of the historic Óbidos Castle in Portugal. This hotel offers a range of luxurious rooms, each uniquely named after a different king, and decorated in a style befitting the era they ruled.
In addition to the unique rooms and historic surroundings, the Pousada Castelo Óbidos also boasts a restaurant serving traditional Portuguese cuisine and a bar with a cozy fireplace.
Our stay in this hotel was truly magical except for one part, the drive to the hotel. Here is our adventure in Obidos castle.
Óbidos Castle history
The Óbidos Castle is a medieval castle located in the historic center of Óbidos, Portugal. It was originally built by the Moors in the 8th century, but was later conquered by the Christian forces of the First King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, in the 12th century. The castle was then rebuilt and expanded during the reign of King Dinis in the 14th century.
The castle is surrounded by a fortified wall, which encloses the historic town of Óbidos. Within the castle, there are several important landmarks, including the keep, the cistern, and the main gate, which features the coat of arms of King Dinis.
Expectations vs Reality
I envisioned the magical castle, narrow rooms with high ceilings, amazing views, tall narrow window, guests treated with a glass of champagne in the lobby, wide road going to the castle with trees on both sides and a parking lot for guests behind the castle.
Well, all was real except for the wide road and parking lot.
There are two roads to the castle: dirt road(the one suggested by Google map) and a narrow off-cliff paved road wide enough for one car. Frankly, both are bad choice especially in the dark. We followed Google maps directions, went about half mile up unpaved road up until the moment when my girlfriend screamed “Stop, I can’t do it. I want to get out and walk”. So, I stopped, she jumped out of the car and made me turn around. The drive down the same unpaved road was a little less tolerable. In about 15 minutes we got down to a small café. The owner was kind enough to show us “the right “ road to the castle hotel. We looked at this “right road” and made a decision to leave our car by the castle walls and just walk up to the hotel. After a short walk uphill we got to the castle hotel. We got champagne, checked in to the hotel, went out for dinner and the rest of the night and morning in the castle were amazing.
Staying in the castle hotel was a great experience except for the driving part. Now, couple of months later, even this driving experience sound like a cool adventure.
If you are looking for a unique experience in Óbidos, I recommend staying in Óbidos castle hotel.
Why you should stay in Pousada Castelo Óbidos
There are many reasons why staying at the Pousada Castelo Óbidos is a unique and memorable experience. Here are a few:
Rich history: The Óbidos Castle dates back to the 8th century and has been the site of many important historical events.
Unique accommodation: The hotel offers a range of rooms, each named after a Portuguese king and decorated in a style befitting the era they ruled. This provides guests with a truly unique and immersive experience.
Stunning views: The castle’s location on a hilltop provides stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the town of Óbidos itself.
Romantic setting: The castle’s historic architecture, winding walkways, and atmospheric lighting make it an ideal setting for a romantic getaway.
Nighttime castle access: As a guest of the hotel, you have the opportunity to explore the castle at night, after the gates have closed to the public. This provides a truly magical and unforgettable experience.
On-site amenities: The hotel offers a restaurant serving traditional Portuguese cuisine, a bar with a cozy fireplace, and other on-site amenities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
