There are some superb golf course to be found north of Lisbon, some have hotels on-site for resort based golfbreaks but for golf holidays with a taste of historic Portugal there is no better place to stay than Obidos. A perfectly preserved (although thankfuly modernsied) medieval walled town complete with castle at the top (now a Pousada), narrow cobbled streets all around and fortifed gateways down below: Obidos is a journey back in time.
Assumedly unwittingly at the time, Obidos just happens to have been built in the perfect location for golfers: equidistant from the three finest golf courses in the region: West Cliffs, Royal Obidos and the long-standing Praia d'el Rey.
Golf holidays in Obidos
Obidos offers golfers the perfect Portuguese holiday: a fascinating little town, a hilltop castle, narrow streets lined with cafes and restauants and three superb golf courses within twenty minutes.
The whole town is an intoxicating blend of colours with the tiny whitewashed houses trimmed in various shades of golden yellow, deep turquoise, sky blues and scarlets. In between the black and white cobblestones cover every square centimetre of ground. At the very top of the hill the castle dominates the skyline standing guard over the pan-tiled roofs and church spires.
The narrow cobbled streets of Obidos are crammed full of places to dine and all are good as they vie for the tourist Euro. Being Portugal, fish is of course in plentiful supply but there are also many meatier dishes on offer as this is really an inland community surrounded by lush farmaland. You will also find some late-night Tapas bars.
The streets of Obidos also offer plenty of places for a refreshing beverage and in the more wintry months some darkened doorways that enter into dimly lit bars with roaring fires and cheery barmen.
Obidos - Colf courses
There are three wonderful courses closely grouped together between the old hilltown and the ocean: Praia d'el Rey, Royal Obidos and West Cliffs. All are courses that any golfer would be happy to play repeatedly, in fact the second visit may even be better with a little course knowledge!
Praia d'el Rey is the oldest of the courses and was created along with the hotel and apartments. It has a famous stretch of holes along the Atlantic coast: the inland holes through the pines aren't bad either!
The next oldest Golf Club in the area is Seve's design at Royal Obidos (where there is also an hotel). As with all Ballesteros layouts it's no pushover!
However, the most eye-catching and the most recent of the Obidos triumvirate is West Cliffs. A fabulous stretch of oceanside hillside that provides a stern test, a good walk and some extraordinary views.
Moving further away from Obidos there are two other courses at Campo Real and the residential Bom Sucesso: most visitors to Obidos come to hunt the big three.
Obidos - where to stay
There are quite a few good hotels to choose from in Obidos, including the luxurious Pousada that occupies the castle keep at the top of town. It's a wonderful place to stay, however getting a car full of golfers up and down the narrow streets is a slight headache! Therefore, we always recommend staying at the foot of the town from where you can get in and out to the golf courses very easily. When it comes to post-golf entertainment and dining the whole of the town is on your doorstep: very convenient.
Our favourite hotel in Obidos is the Real Obidos hotel. A family owned and run establishment, perfectly placed next to the town walls complete with swimming pool and suits of armour in the hallways!
A victim of its own success perhaps, the Real Obidos hotel is becoming well known, so early booking is a must to get rooms in this small hotel. If you are unlucky then the Josefa d'Obidos just along the street is a very good alternative.
For holidays based 'on-course', there is the large hotel at Praia d'el Rey or the smaller boutique hotel at Real Obidos.
Around and about Obidos
The region has some fascinating sights, not least the Santuario just outside the town. There is also the Lagoa d'Obidos nature reserve, a huge lagoon with walks and fishing spots that you will drive past on your way to the golf courses, or the beach.
The coastline has huge sandy beaches with plenty of activities occuring all year round. At Foz do Alghero there is a vast sandbar that seals of the Obidos lagoon from the ocean at low tide - a lovely spot for lazing away a sunny post-golf afternoon. Or ripping your arms out of their sockets with some kite-surfing!
Getting to Obidos
Getting to Obidos could hardly be any easier with so many flights to Portugal's capital city, Lisbon. From the airport you head north on the motorway and in just under an hour you will be arriving at your hotel (or striding towards the first Tee). Obidos is located just ten minutes form the motoway, it really couldn't be much easier!
We can arrange flights for you to Lisbon with British Airways, TAP or any of the lo-cost airlines or we are equally happy to let you book these yourselves if you prefer?
We can arrange a hire-car for the duration of your holiday, alternatively we have a very reliable coach and minibus company that we use if you prefer to be chauffeured from golf course to hotel and back.
