OBIDOS FAQ'S

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

You will be entering Portugal via air at Lisbon`s Humberto Delgado Airport (called Portela Airport by locals, IATA code LIS). Lisbon`s airport is 50 miles south of Obidos.

Some of you will be self-driving to Obidos. Consult your reservation information and keep in mind the name of the company from which you have rented. The rental car companies are based in Terminal T1, in and around the P3 parking lot.

Driving directions to Obidos: At the roundabout, take the fourth exit, which will keep you on Avenida Berlim. After about a quarter of a mile, turn left onto Avenida Cidade do Porto. Then take the ramp to A8 Oeste. After a quarter of a mile, merge onto the E1. Then take exit 14 for the IC17/CRIL toward the A8 Oeste. Then, after 0.6 miles, merge onto the A36/IC17. After one and three-quarter miles, take the A8 exit for Leiria/Loures. Keep left and follow the signs for Cavaleiros. At the fork, keep left and follow the signs for the A-8/Santo Antonio dos Cavaleiros, and merge onto the A8. After approximately 43 miles, take exit 15 toward the N8 for Obidos. In about 0.6 miles, you will enter a roundabout, and then you will take the second exit onto Rua da Praca/N114/N8. After 0.3 miles, turn right onto Rua da Praca. The Rua da Praca will run directly parallel to the southeastern edge of Obidos`s walled city.

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

Obidos train station is located just to the northwest of Obidos Castle, outside the city walls. Taxis are usually available from the station; in the event that there isn`t one, call Auto-Taxis Central Obidense (+351 963 053 455) or reserve one in advance by visiting www.taxisobidos.com (website in Portuguese and English).

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Taxis are typically called in advance instead of hailed from the street in Obidos, namely due to the compact nature of Obidos`s streets.

Two taxi companies service Obidos: Auto-Taxis Central Obidense (+351 963 053 455), and Autobidos-Taxi Sousa (+351 262 959 275). You may want your hotel to call for taxis for you, so they can clearly communicate to your driver your destination, and to negotiate fare (Obidos is a small area). In the case of Auto-Taxis Central Obidense, they also dedicate certain taxis for sightseeing tours and transfers to Lisbon Portela Airport.

Should I rent a car in Obidos?

If you do decide to rent a car in Obidos, explore the city on foot and take it out only for longer excursions. We say that because Obidos is particularly known for car burglaries, with tourists being particularly vulnerable.

If you would like to explore the areas outside Obidos, we recommend that you reserve a car with TripMasters before you arrive. In that case, you would pick up your car at Lisbon Portela Airport upon arrival in Portugal, and not in Obidos. If you decide to rent a car while in the area, there is a Europcar location in Caldas da Rainha, 3.5 miles to the north of Obidos. It is located at Rotunda dos Arneiros 10-A, and the phone number is +351 262 831 700. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with extended hours on weekdays from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Is Obidos a walking city?

The compact, winding streets of Obidos are perfect for a walking excursion. The city`s width is less than 1000 feet at its widest point, and approximately a half-mile in length from the Castle down to the Aqueduct. Even the Santuario Senhor Jesus da Pedra is only a half-mile walk from the central part of the walled city. The main road which runs from Obidos Castle to the Porta da Vila is called the Rua Direita.

If you want to explore the Lagoa de Obidos area, Peniche, and other areas outsde Obidos, then you should commission private transportation such as a taxi or self-drive.

Is Obidos a dangerous city? Are there any areas I should avoid?

We have heard of many complaints of car burglaries in Obidos as well as Peniche. Local thieves notice which cars are rental cars by the stickers on the windshields, and break into them, expecting to find luggage or expensive cameras. If you are sightseeing in Obidos and you are self-driving there, do not take your car out. If you are going to Peniche, do not park in the beach parking lot. Otherwise, the area should be safe, but take the normal precautions you would at home when traveling in a new city.

Which areas are the best for shopping?

Start at the Livraria de Santiago on Largo de Sao Tiago do Castelo and peruse the bookstore. Walk south onto the Rua Direita and stop in at the shops along the way. The Rua Direita is the main street in Obidos and it is also the main shopping street. Of particular note is the authentic Portuguese souvenir store Loja dos Arcos (+351 262 959 833), which sells ceramics, leather, woven handicrafts and vintages from Portuguese wine country.

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Portugal is the Euro and US dollars are not accepted for payment. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks and ATMs can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

I do not speak Portuguese. Do many people speak English?

It is more common to find English speakers in Portugal than it is in other southern European countries, such as Spain. A recent European Union language survey found that 32% of Portuguese people over the age of 18 can speak English on a conversational level or better.

It is nonetheless recommended to brush up on basic Portuguese phrases before arriving, like basic pleasantries and numbers from 1 to 10. To ask someone if they speak English, say `Fala ingles?`

Note: Do not speak in Spanish to a Portuguese person, thinking they will understand you when you do so. Responses will range from stunned silence to outright hostility; the Portuguese people are proud of their culture and heritage, and such an act will cause nearly everyone to take personal offense. On another note, the vocabulary and pronunciation in Portuguese differs from Spanish more than you may realize.

What are the drinking laws in Portugal?

The legal drinking age in Portugal is 18, whether you find yourself in a pub or a nightclub. Asking for proof of age upon ordering an alcoholic beverage or entering a nightclub is becoming more commonplace, especially if you appear younger. Keep your passport with you as it doubles as proof of age and identification.

If you are renting a car, do not drive after consuming alcohol. A blood alcohol content level of 0.05 is considered the legal limit; penalties can range from fines to a jail sentence of up to one year. Save yourself the potential trouble and heartache.