Coimbra vs Obidos

Obidos is cute, but really just a touristy spot. Coimbra is a great city to visit. So many things to do and see. Check out the RS Portugal book for all sorts of good ideas.

We didn't stop in Coimbra but we did stop in Obidos for a couple of hours. I loved it. It's a walled town and I was like a 10 year old boy walking along the walls. Some review Obidos as heavily touristed, but if you walk the walls or even go one block in any direction off of the main street you'll get away from the crowds. Here's my Trip Report. If you scroll down to Day 7 I describe my time in Obidos. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/trip-report-part-1-hills-and-castles-portugal

Óbidos is good for a couple hours. Walk along the wall and down the tourist crowded main street and you’ve seen it. The town is popular with bus tour day trippers, but is pretty empty after they all leave.

Coimbra has a nice city center as well as the university one can tour. There are a couple cathedrals, a central market, a main plaza where there was folk dancing when we were there, and a nice walking area lined with shops.

Another option is Tomar. It’s larger than Óbidos and smaller than Coimbra. It’s easy to walk around, has a nice main plaza, a Templar built church, and it was the headquarters for the Order of Christ; Knights Templar in Portugal. The Convent of Christ is worth visiting. Thirty minutes from Tomar is Almourol castle. Just outside of town one can walk up to the aqueduct that carried water to the convent.

Thanks for the great suggestions! Is parking available in these places? I’ve read it’s challenging to find sometimes.

There should be no issue with parking at Obidos. There is a big lot outside of the walls.

As Allan stated, there is a large free lot in Óbidos. We spent a night there and got a parking space right next to the wall.

In Tomar there are two free lots in the center of town. One is by the market and the other is by Thomar Botique hotel. There’s another free lot by the train station as well as some free street parking in the same area. Parking at the convent is pay parking.

In Coimbra there is some free parking in a lot on Av. João das Regras across the river, just before Restaurante Sabores da Romeira. There are also a couple parking garages near the train station along the N1. They are easy to reach. We got lucky and got one of a couple free places in front of our hotel, Hotel Mondego. There’s also a pay lot at Parque de Coimbra. Some parking lots and garages are CASH only.