About Óbidos
The Co-Host City of the F/262 Festival
Why Óbidos ?
F/262 chose Óbidos for its rare mix of heritage and contemporary energy. Within medieval walls, the village hosts festivals, bookstores, and creative labs that keep culture alive year-round. It’s intimate, walkable, visually iconic—and perfectly suited for exhibitions, talks, and workshops that spill into streets, squares, and historic spaces.
Because it’s not just a backdrop , it’s a living stage. Óbidos nurtures collaboration, risk-taking, and dialogue. As a UNESCO Creative City of Literature, it champions reading, writing, and ideas—an ideal context for a photography festival that values narrative, community, and impact.
The Flag of Óbidos
Óbidos’ flag shows blue and yellow quarters with the town’s coat of arms at the center. The castle, moons, and crown reflect its medieval roots and status as a historic walled town.
For F/262, we draw on this heritage: while the flag carries blue and yellow, our palette blends blue and purple from Caldas with orange inspired by camera lens markings — a nod to photography.
A Village with a Vision
Perched above the Óbidos Lagoon and 15 minutes from Caldas da Rainha, Óbidos blends medieval architecture with a vibrant cultural calendar. Inside the walls, churches become bookshops, squares become stages, and visitors become participants.
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City of Literature
Since 2015, Óbidos is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (Literature). The “literary village” runs through its bookstores, residencies, and festivals—making it a natural home for visual storytelling and public programming.
Annual Events & Street Culture
From its 12th-century castle to whitewashed houses and azulejos, Óbidos preserves a strong identity while embracing new forms of expression. Within its walls, churches, plazas, and ramparts become living stages for literature, art, and community life.
Museums & Spaces
Óbidos Castle and Walls – iconic fortress with panoramic views.
Santiago Book Church – a church reborn as a bookstore.
Local galleries and ateliers – rotating shows and craft.
Municipal collections – heritage across chapels and civic sites.
Annual Events
Throughout the year, Óbidos transforms with signature festivals:
– FOLIO – Literary Festival
– International Chocolate Festival
– Mercado Medieval de Óbidos
– Óbidos Vila Natal
These events reveal a village where history meets creativity — culture as a way of life, not an exception.
Where to Stay
From castle suites to design hotels just outside the walls:
Pousada Castelo de Óbidos – Stay inside the medieval castle.
The Literary Man Óbidos Hotel – Book-themed boutique experience.
Casa das Senhoras Rainhas – Elegant rooms near the main gate.
Rio do Prado (nearby) – Eco-chic retreat close to the lagoon.
How to Get Here
From Lisbon (≈ 1h)
By car: A8 north to Óbidos. Tolls apply.
By bus: Regular services from Lisbon (Sete Rios/Campo Grande) to Óbidos.
By train: West Line (Linha do Oeste) connects to Óbidos station.
From Porto (≈ 2h30–3h)
By car: A1 south → A8 to Óbidos.
By bus/train: Connections via Lisbon or Leiria, then onward to Óbidos.
Nearest Airport: Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LIS). From there, rent a car or take bus connections to Óbidos.
Copyright © 2026 by João Carlos