Obidos is Portugal's most romantic village. It has a population of just 500, and its reputation dates back to the 13th century when the honeymooning King Dinis and Queen Isabel loved the enchanting village so much, he presented it to her as a wedding gift. That tradition lasted 600 years. Every Queen of Portugal was presented with Obidos as part of her dowry.

The fortified hilltop village is enclosed by high, castellated medieval walls. It sits on a limestone ridge, overlooking a 16th century aqueduct. Until the 15th century, it overlooked the sea, but the bay filled with silt, leaving a lagoon, and the town became landlocked.

The walls date to the Moors of the 8th century, but were ineffective in protecting them against Alfonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal. He was a fierce warrior and conquered the town in 1148, one of seven seized from the Moors, and makes up the official Portuguese coat of arms.

There are four entrances to the town, but only one for tourists. Cars, unless owned and driven by a resident, are absolutely forbidden. The main gate, Porta da Vila, is very fancy and leads straight into the main street. That is where you will find shops and cafes.

Buildings are decorated with ceramics. Many local artisans have a talent for making them, and you will see them at work, creating their colourful tiles, and the basket-style ceramic unique to Obidos. The style symbolises the baskets used during grape harvest. Choosing what to buy is a difficult task.

Obidos almost seems to be more a showpiece than a town, and its silent, starry nights and beautiful nightfalls can give the feeling of actually being there centuries ago.