Itinerary Summary
Day one arrives in Lisbon and drives to the Obidos wedding town, day two walks the Obidos walls and on to the Nazare giant-wave beach, day three the Tomar Convento de Cristo UNESCO castle, day four th…
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Lisbon to Óbidos: Car Hire and a Walled-Town Evening
10:00
2h
Lisbon Airport car hire to Óbidos
Pick up a rental car at Lisbon Airport and drive the A8 north to Óbidos in about an hour. Rent ahead for a lower rate, confirm toll transponder options, and watch for the speed camera at the Óbidos exit.
📍 Lisbon → Óbidos
17:00
2h
Óbidos walls and ginjinha evening
Walk the dark cobbled lanes inside the walls, then sip ginjinha cherry liqueur from a small chocolate cup at a shop doorway. Parking lies outside the gates; the lanes are slippery in rain, so wear flat shoes.
📍 Óbidos
💡 Pro Tip: Driving from Lisbon to Óbidos takes about an hour on the A8, which uses electronic tolls; ask the rental company about a transponder. Óbidos parking is outside the walls and the lanes inside are car-free and cobbled. Portugal uses UTC+0 in winter and UTC+1 in summer. Entry rules depend on your passport; see the Portugal visa section.
Days 2-6 are member-only
Members get the complete day-by-day plan with timing, transport and on-the-ground tips.
Budget Breakdown
AccommodationUS$44035%
Obidos, Nazare and Evora guesthouses, 5 nights
Food & DiningUS$25020%
Acorda, leitao and Obidos ginja
Remaining cost categories are member-only
Members see the full breakdown for flights, hotels, food, tickets and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a car for the Obidos, Nazare and Evora loop?+
Yes. Public transport barely connects Obidos, Nazare, Tomar, Evora and Monsaraz in a workable order, and rural buses are infrequent. A rental car from Lisbon gives the freedom to stop at walled towns and viewpoints. Book it for the full six days and collect at the airport on arrival.
When can you see the giant waves at Nazare?+
The biggest swells arrive in winter, roughly October to March, when Nazare's underwater canyon funnels waves that draw surfers and clifftop crowds. This itinerary is best in April to June or September to October for quiet old towns, so you will more likely see a calm sea than record waves.
Is this Portugal off-the-beaten-track route suitable for older travellers?+
It is manageable but hilly: Obidos and Monsaraz have cobbled slopes, Evora's Chapel of Bones has steps, and Tomar's Convento de Cristo sits on a hill. Drives are short, mostly under two hours, which helps. Choose hotels with parking and lifts, and allow slower mornings.
Do I need a visa to enter Portugal for this six-day road trip?+
It depends on your passport. US, UK, Canadian, Australian and Japanese holders can enter Portugal visa-free for 90 days in any 180 under Schengen rules, while other nationalities need a visa arranged in advance. Check the Portugal visa section for your case and confirm passport validity.
Attractions in This Guide
Guide at a Glance
- Duration: 6 days
- Budget: Comfort · approx. $1,050–1,500 (≈ €910–1,300), excl. int'l flights
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best for: Hidden Gems
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