PORTUGAL Road Trip: Obidos & Coimbra

February 20, 2018  •  1 Comment

Obidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneObidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneObidos, Portugal - 2016


It's time to leave lovely Lisbon and head to Porto (where we'll be flying out of). It's about a 3-hour drive, but since my eyes start closing after 1 hour of driving and since I'm the only driver, we break up the trip and take mini-breaks in a couple of cities. This area is filled with picturesque towns, more stunning beaches and probably more magnificent palaces, but we've opted to stop in Obidos and Coimbra

 


OBIDOS


Leaving Lisbon and about an hour's drive later, we arrive in Obidos. Not really a city on my bucket list, but when heard that they've got great ginjinha, I had to make a stop. Thank goodness I listened to my semi-alcoholic self, otherwise I would have missed out on this cute medieval town.

Walk the city walls and be rewarded with spectacular views of vineyards and terracotta-roofed houses. Then wind your way through this enchanting walled city's narrow cobblestone streets, lined with whitewashed bougainvillea-draped houses. Book lovers will be heaven as the town boasts many bookstores in the unconventional settings — like the one in an organic market, the one in a wine cellar, and even one in a church. Of course make sure to taste the specialty of the area (and my main reason for coming here) — Ginja de Óbidos — sour cherry liquor.

 

Obidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneObidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneArriving in Obidos Arriving in Obidos


Obidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneObidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneOne of the many ancient fountains in Obidos One of the many ancient fountains in Obidos


Obidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneObidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneThe Porta da Vila (City Gate) in the old village The Porta da Vila (City Gate) in the old village


Obidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneObidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneThe town walls of Obidos completely encircle the town The town walls of Obidos completely encircle the town


Obidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneObidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneBeautiful everywhere you look Beautiful everywhere you look


Obidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneObidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneMercado Biológico De Óbidos also has many (many) books Mercado Biológico De Óbidos also has many (many) books


Obidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneObidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneGorgeous views from the city walls Gorgeous views from the city walls


The town is decked out in flowers The town is decked out in flowers


Obidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneObidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneAnd Ginjinha stands everywhere And Ginjinha stands everywhere


Obidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneObidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneYou can grab a shot of Ginjinha (or Gina) in these chocolate cups pretty much anywhere for 1€ You can grab a shot of Ginjinha (or Ginja) in these chocolate cups pretty much anywhere for 1€


Making our way down the main street to Igreja de Santa Maria Making our way down the main street to Igreja de Santa Maria


Obidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneObidos, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneLivraria de Santiago, located...inside of a church Livraria de Santiago, located...inside of a church


Last few snaps of Obidos, then time to continue on the road Last few snaps of Obidos, then time to continue on the road


COIMBRA


An hour's drive from Obidos, we make a pit-stop in Coimbra. Maybe I should have looked up more on the city instead of picking it as a stop because it was along the way. There really wasn't much to see or do, which there really should have been more life there since it toots itself as being a university city with a vibrant atmosphere due to its large student population.

Meh. It served its purpose as a place to stretch my legs, as well as a few cute photos, but that's about it!

 

The city of Coimbra and old Santa Clara Bridge over the Mondego RiverCoimbra, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneThe city of Coimbra and old Santa Clara Bridge over the Mondego River The city of Coimbra and old Santa Clara Bridge over the Mondego River


Joaquim Antonio de Aguiar monument at Largo da Portagem in Coimbra, PortugalCoimbra, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneJoaquim Antonio de Aguiar monument at Largo da Portagem in Coimbra Joaquim Antonio de Aguiar monument at Largo da Portagem in Coimbra


Snaps of the city and the main pedestrian street in Coimbra, Rua Visconde da LuzSnaps of the city and the main pedestrian street in Coimbra, Rua Visconde da Luz Snaps of the city and the main pedestrian street in Coimbra, Rua Visconde da Luz


Banco de PortugalCoimbra, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneBanco de Portugal Banco de Portugal


Snaps of the city and the fountain in the Mondego RiverSnaps of the city and the fountain in the Mondego River Snaps of the city and the fountain in the Mondego River


Old buildings around the cityOld buildings around the city Old buildings around the city


Coimbra, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneCoimbra, Portugal - 2016 - JM Travel Keeps Me SaneBye for now Coimbra! Bye Coimbra


Photos taken | written by JENNIFER MAHON


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