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Óbidos is a town (vila) of around 3,100 inhabitants and the seat of the municipality (concelho) of the same name, located in the district of Leiria, in Portugal. The municipality has an area of 142.17 km˛ and a population of 10,875 inhabitants (2001). It is bounded in the northeast and east by Caldas da Rainha, in the south by Bombarral, in the southeast by Lourinhă, in the west by Peniche and in the northwest by the Atlantic Ocean. The town of Óbidos is located on a hill and is still encircled by a fortified wall. The well-preserved mediaeval look of its streets, squares, walls and its massive castle have turned the picturesque village into a preferred tourist attraction in Portugal. The name "Óbidos" probably derives from the Latin term oppidum, meaning "citadel", or "fortified city". Roman occupation of the area has been recently confirmed by archaeological excavations, which revealed the existence of a Roman city very close to the hill where the village is located. This Roman settlement is most certainly the mysterious Eburobrittium, cited by Pliny the Elder as situated between Collipo (near present-day Leiria) and Olisipo (Lisbon). Until now the surveys have revealed the rests of the forum, baths and other buildings.After the fall of Roman domination, the region must have come under the influence of the Visigoths, although material evidence is lacking. The Roman town of Eburobrittium was probably abandoned in the 5th century for the more secure hill where Óbidos is located. Sometime after 713 the Moors established a fortification on top of the hill. A Christian community of Mozarabs lived in the Moncharro neighbourhood. The area was taken from the Moors by the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, in 1148. Tradition states that one knight, Gonçalo Mendes da Maia, was responsible for the successful storming of the Moorish castle. The retaking of Óbidos meant the end of the Reconquista of the Estremadura region, after the conquests of Santarém, Lisbon and Torres Vedras. The village received its first foral (charter) in 1195, under the reign of Sancho I. In 1210, King Afonso II donated the village to his wife, Queen Urraca. Since then Óbidos has often belonged to the Queens of Portugal, giving rise to its informal title as Vila das Rainhas (Queens' village). Several Queens enriched the village with donations from the Middle Ages until the 16th century. The castle of Óbidos and the walls of the village were remodelled under King Dinis I. The village was also enlarged around this time, with settlements created outside the walls. The massive keep of the castle is attributed to a building campaign sponsored by Fernando I (late 14th century). The Santa Maria Church of Óbidos was the setting for the wedding of King Afonso V with his cousin, Princess Isabel, on August 15th, 1441.
The town has a magnificent castle.The municipality is also home to
the well known and prestigious Praia D'el Rey golf complex , one of the
top golf resorts in Europe. 
In Obidos, we have one of the seven wonders of Portugal. The castle and their medieval lines count some part of Portugal's history. Known by being the Land of the Kings, the council of Obidos, that is about 80 kilometers from Lisbon city, is connected to the course of the foundation of the Portuguese nation. In 1148, Obidos was taken from the Moors, by the first king of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques. Since then, that place was declared one of the jewels of the crown of Portugal, not only by its vast patrimony, but also by the existent cultural dynamism. The relevance of Obidos is not only that. The council counts with a vast historical patrimony, with monuments and tourist attractions, like the Door of the Town, Door of the valley or Nossa Senhora da Graca and Rua Direita. Other interesting sites are the Church of Santa Maria, Church of Sao Pedro, Church of Sao Joao Baptista, Chapel of Sao Martinho, Church of the Mercy, Pillory and Telheiro, Church of Sao Tiago, Small chapel of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Small chapel of Nossa Senhora de Monserrate, besides the Aqueduct and of the Sanctuary of Senhor Jesus da Pedra. The main mark of that council is the castle of Roman origin. It was conquered by the Christians, in 1148.
Along
the times, the castle was repaired and enlarged several times. In the
century XX, was in total ruin, having been recovered to install the
Lodging that is the first one of the State in historical building.
Obidos is also known by its cultural dynamism. Several events try to remember a little bit the past of that town, like the Medieval Market, Festival of Operates, International Festival of Chocolate, Obidos Town Christmas and Week Saint. Those are the great events that attract about two million tourists per year to Obidos. For who appreciates golf, Obidos is an excellence destiny. For 10 years ago, one of the best fields of 18 holes of Europe was built, recognized internationally. Nowadays, we have five new golf courses being built in the municipal district of Obidos.
If you prefer to visit the council in the
summer, Obidos still counts with the beaches of Bom Sucesso, Del Rei,
Cortico and Covoes.
The council of Obidos has nine freguesias: A-dos-Negros, Amoreira, Gaeiras, Sao Pedro, Santa Maria, Olho Marinho, Usseira, Sobral da Lagoa e Vau. The Obidos village is known by being one of the biggest attractions of Portugal.
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