I would like advice on which place to stay for 2 nights. I noticed that in Rick Steves book he recommends staying in Nazare but on his tour he stays in Orbidos for two nights. We have a car and will be day tripping to Alcobaca, Batalha and Fatima. I appreciate any advice.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
I have been to both and enjoyed each immensly. Realize that one is a wide sandy beach village the other inland walled village. Difficult to compare as they are so different. Obidos very old world, practically locked in time.
Nazare portuguese beach village with cafes and beach activities.
We also had a car and found within the walls street parking more limited in Obidos. You cannot go wrong with either it is a matter of interests. Hope this helps alittle.
Posted by
Cascais, Portugal
1852 posts
Óbidos is further away from the other places you want to visit. And, depending on the time of the year (somewhat) it will be overrun by tourists.
Nazaré isn’t my favorite place on the Silver coast but would be a better option than Obidos. São Martinho do Porto is another lovely small town on the coast. There are a number of towns that wouldn’t be on the ‘Rick Steves’, filled with American tourists route. If you google silver coast Portugal you can at least take a look at some other nice places within day trip range from where you to to visit.
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Obidos is OK for stopping for a couple of hours, but is very touristy. Caldas da Rainha near Obidos is a pleasant Portuguese town, rather than a tourist trap, however, with the list of places that you want to see, these are maybe too far south for you.
You cannot see all three places in one day, but two days should cover them.
Like Kathryn, I too do not understand the RS interest in Nazare, as there are nicer places, as Kathryn has suggested.
Posted by
OP
Mission Viejo, Ca, usa
12 posts
Thank you for the advice. I will search into few other coastal towns in Portugal coast.
Posted by
98 posts
Having just gotten back a month ago from visiting all those places, like others have mentioned above, it depends on when you are wanting to go and what you are wanting to do. We went end of January, and did a very quick stop to Nazare. That was all we needed there, and at least it wasn't overrun with tourists as I would guess it would be in summer. If you are wanting to do beach type activities, then it might be a place to go. Otherwise nothing I found "historic" or interesting to see or do there (other than any other beach town). Obidos as mentioned is very touristy, but it was a fun walled hill town (like many others you can see), and if it is on your route, we enjoyed in for about 3 hours, just to walk the walls and see the sights. We did Nazare, Obidos, and Alcobaca all in one day (ended up in Alcobaca for the night, after seeing the sights), and that all worked out fine as a day trip to see all 3. then the day after we went to Batalha and Fatima (both interesting to see but if you have a car you can knock both of those out pretty easily in one day also)
Posted by
8484 posts
Obidos would be my choice. Nazare was good. You can see Obidos in a couple of hours. I find it interesting that this ancient town with Roman walls that is special, but people call it touristy because so many tourist go there to visit. That tells you something about the place. It is popular because it is special.
You don't need to stay there two nights