226. Go on a trip outside of Lisbon

 

Óbidos is a walled moorish town an hour outside of Lisbon. The main draw of this hilltop location is not just it's characterful winding streets but the plethora of bookshops you find inside, thanks in a large part I assume, to the yearly and world renowned book festival that takes place around October.

I managed to visit it on a particularly sunny day which added to the charm. Underneath the blue skies I was taken in by the wonderfully white walls, adorned with white laced curtains and blue doors, amongst the calçadas or cobblestoned roads. 

Not being a vegan at the time we found a great portuguese restuarant with traditional food that served wonderful lulas and fish. If I had been a vegan however, I think the town would still provide as there was a health food type place outside the walls.

Although Óbidos is small, you can visit the next door city fairly easily (although the bus doesn't come that often). Named Caldas da Rainha, it's a strange place, half market town, half spa town but still pleasant to visit. It is definetly less picturesque than Obidos but it gives you some life and bustle after the quiet.