Step into Óbidos, an idyllic walled medieval town and haven for Portugal’s literary culture. Discover the best literary spots every book lover must visit.
Óbidos features many book places converted from convents, cellars, and more, taking what it has and turning it into a monument to art and literary culture.
The Literary Man Óbidos Hotel
Occupying a 19th-century former convent beside Óbidos Castle, you’ll find the Literary Man Óbidos Hotel. The hotel features over 65,000 books scattered across the property, lining guest rooms and communal spaces, embracing all genres and languages.
Guests can enjoy a literary-themed restaurant, gin bar, and creative Portuguese cuisine surrounded by bookshelves. The architecture maintains much of its historic charm, but comes with enough modern updates to make a hotel stay comfortable.
Address: d’Ornelas Edifício The Literary Man Óbidos Hotel, R. Dom João de Ornelas, 2510-074 Óbidos, Portugal
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 3PM
– Check-out time: 12PM
Josefa D’Óbidos Hotel
Just outside Óbidos’s historic walls, the Josefa D’Óbidos Hotel is a graceful 4-star hotel located just outside the historic walls of Óbidos, Portugal. Though on the smaller size, it promises a comfortable stay and stylish, modernized interiors.
For book lovers, there are two points of interest: the on-site bar hosting poetry sessions and the Josefa Bookcrossing Movement. Inspired by the international bookcrossing trend, this hotel set up a Reading Corner where guests freely take a book from its shelves and leave a book of their own behind. It has over 300 volumes in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French.
Address: R. Dom João de Ornelas, 2510-074 Óbidos, Portugal
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 2PM
– Check-out time: 12PM
Livraria Artes e Letras
For rare and antique books, start your journey at Livraria Artes e Letras. This spacious bookstore is nestled in a former century-old wine cellar near the city gate and is a must-visit for collectors and history buffs interested in the colonial period.
Owned by a dedicated husband-and-wife team, they put a lot of love into giving their customers good service, which is one of the things that makes this a local favorite.
Address: Rue da Porta da Vila 16-18, 2510-089 Óbidos, Portugal
Opening hours:
– Wednesday to Saturday: 11:30AM – 5:30PM
– Sunday: 11AM – 5:30PM
– Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Silver Coast Volunteers Book Exchange
Located near the town gate, this community-run book exchange holds over a thousand donated books in six languages, including English, German, and Portuguese. Visitors can freely take or leave books, with the exchange also hosting events and community activities.
Run entirely by volunteers, it supports local social projects and is part of Óbidos’ City of Literature program, promoting community engagement and literary culture.
Address: R. da Porta da Vila 16/18, 2510-089 Óbidos, Portugal
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 11AM – 1PM & 2PM – 4PM
Livraria do Mercado (Ler Devagar)
Set within a converted former fire station, Livraria do Mercado is brimming with books, packed all the way up to its peaked ceiling and lining the walls from one end of the store to the next, in multiple languages.
The space is also combined with Óbidos Organic Market, so you can pick up seeds or a bundle of vegetables while you’re browsing for a good read.
Address: R. Direita 26, 2510-070 Óbidos, Portugal
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 1:30PM & 2:30PM – 7PM
NovaOgiva Gallery Bookstore
Gallery Nova Ogiva is an art gallery with a sparse, postmodern vibe, making extensive use of whitespace and creative placement to create a sense of quietude as people view the art. It also has some unique art featuring bookshelves and readers.
The gallery’s bookshop, meanwhile, isn’t large, but it is filled with books and is a nice place to stop once you’ve finished touring the gallery.
Address: R. Direita 48-81, 2510-001 Óbidos, Portugal
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Sunday: 10AM – 1PM & 2PM – 5PM
– Monday: Closed
Municipal Museum of Óbidos Bookstore
Livraria do Museu Municipal in Óbidos is the bookshop attached to the Municipal Museum of Óbidos, specializing in books about the town itself, Portuguese history, art, and culture.
The spacious interior offers visitors themed literature tied to the town’s heritage and museum exhibitions. It serves as both a place to buy books and an extension of the museum’s cultural mission.
Address: R. Direita 97, 2510-086 Óbidos, Portugal
Opening hours:
– Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30AM – 1PM & 2PM – 5:30PM
– Monday: Closed
Casa José Saramago – Biblioteca de Óbidos
Named after Portugal’s Nobel laureate José Saramago, Casa José Saramago – Biblioteca de Óbidos is a local library that draws the eye and visitors abroad with its creative, book-themed art displays.
The two most notable examples are a row of giant book spines set against an outdoor wall, and five bookcases in the shape of letters, spelling out the word “Folio.” The library itself often hosts literary programs and events that encourage thoughtful discussion.
Address: R. Direita 99, 2510-057 Óbidos, Portugal
Opening hours:
– Monday to Friday: 10AM – 6PM
– Saturday: 10AM – 1PM & 2PM – 5PM
– Sunday: Closed
Livraria de São Tiago (Grande Livraria de Santiago)
In a former church lies Livraria de São Tiago, a unique bookshop famous for its tranquil, atmospheric setting amid centuries-old stone. Its high, arched ceilings and doorways, combined with the gently curved bookcases, give it an almost ethereal design, so it’s no wonder that so many flock through to enjoy the vibe.
Its collection includes multiple languages, most notably Portuguese and English. The bookstore also sometimes plays host to different literary events, making it a true cultural hub.
Address: Largo de São Tiago do Castelo, 2510-006 Óbidos, Portugal
Opening hours:
– Monday to Sunday: 10AM – 1PM & 2PM – 7PM
O Bichinho de Conto
Though a bit outside the cluster of literary gems hidden within Óbidos’ stone walls, O Bichinho de Conto (which translates to “The Fairy Tale Animal”) is a bookstore you don’t want to miss—especially if you’re traveling with kids.
Housed in a former primary school, this children’s bookstore has an aged exterior with a rust-red terracotta roof. The interior, meanwhile, is bright and colorful without being overwhelming, decorated with lovingly-made handicrafts atop bookshelves and on walls. It also hosts events like storytime readings and is welcoming to all.
Address: Estrada dos Casais Brancos, 60 (Antiga Escola Primária), 2510-212 Óbidos, Portugal
Opening hours:
– Thursday to Sunday: 10AM – 1PM & 3PM – 7PM
– Monday to Wednesday: Closed
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K Lou
K. Lou is a writer born in the U.S. who found her way to Japan through a spiritual calling—or, more precisely, better access to tea. She writes about travel, culture, and the occasional creative piece, inspired by her enduring love of books. This love began in high school when K. Lou carried books around to avoid seeming odd while lost in thought. Once she started reading, she never stopped. With zero regrets, she continues to explore the written word and invites others to join her in celebrating its varied forms.
