Savoring Spit-Roasted Meats and Rustic Breads

For practical details and last-minute changes, use Óbidos travel info.

For the most up-to-date details, check Óbidos travel info before you go.

Many stalls also offer traditional Pão com Chouriço which is bread filled with spicy Portuguese sausage. This warm bread is baked in stone ovens located right behind the busy serving counters. Make sure you check the what to wear guide before heading out to eat outdoors.

Try the grilled sardines if you visit the market during the warmer summer months in 2026. These fresh fish are salted and cooked over hot charcoal for a very authentic local taste. Locals usually eat them on top of a thick slice of rustic and crusty bread.

You should also look for the stalls selling warm roasted chestnuts in the late evening hours. A small paper cone usually costs around four Euros at most stalls within the market area. These snacks provide a wonderful and healthy taste of traditional Portuguese street food for everyone.

Sweet Delights and the Famous Ginjinha Liquor

No visit to this ancient town is complete without tasting the famous local cherry liquor drink. Ginjinha is a sweet and potent cherry brandy that locals serve in small chocolate cups. These edible cups usually cost around one Euro and fifty cents at most market stalls.

You can find these drink stalls near the main gate and the central market square areas. Many visitors enjoy sipping the liquor while watching the exciting historical reenactments take place nearby. Please remember to drink responsibly while you explore the crowded and narrow cobblestone streets in 2026.

Sweet lovers must try the traditional conventual sweets which have very deep roots in Portuguese history. These pastries often feature egg yolks and sugar mixed with almonds or sweet cinnamon spices. You can find more information about local treats on the Visit Portugal website today.

Hearty Soups and Authentic Medieval Stews

Medieval fairs in Portugal always feature large clay pots filled with steaming hot vegetable soup. Caldo Verde is a very popular kale and potato soup that warms you during evenings. It often includes a single slice of smoky chorizo to provide a rich and salty flavor.

Slow-cooked meat stews are another great option for hungry travelers visiting the market stalls in 2026. These stews feature beef or wild boar cooked with red wine and many local garden herbs. Most stalls serve these hearty meals in rustic clay bowls that you can keep afterward.

Vegetarian visitors will find several stalls offering thick pumpkin or mixed vegetable soups for their lunch. These options are usually the most affordable meals found within the castle walls during the festival. Expect to pay around five Euros for a large bowl of fresh and healthy soup.

Practical Tips for Eating at the Market

Eating at the busy market requires some simple planning to ensure a very smooth experience. Most food stalls prefer cash payments in small Euro denominations for all of their daily sales. You should carry enough physical currency to avoid long lines at the few local ATMs.

Peak dining hours usually occur between one and three in the afternoon for most festival visitors. We recommend eating an early lunch or a late dinner to avoid the largest food crowds. You should also remember to buy tickets for the market well before your planned arrival date.

Finding a place to sit can be quite difficult during the busy weekend afternoons in 2026. Look for the designated wooden benches located near the back of the large castle courtyard area. These spots offer a bit of shade and a great view of the festival atmosphere.