Óbidos Literary Latitudes Festival: Books, Travel and Music

Latitudes was born from another book festival, FOLIO, which helped Óbidos join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Literature.

Where FOLIO covers all of literature, Latitudes is devoted to travel and tourism writing: books that sharpen the wish to see new places and show us the other side of our dreams.

Related: FOLIO Óbidos International Literary Festival

What is Latitudes

The format follows FOLIO: book presentations, talks with authors, exhibitions, writing workshops, food and plenty of music, as at every event in the village.

When and where

Held since 2017, the festival usually takes place in spring and runs for about a week. Check the organisers’ website for this year’s dates.

Unlike the festivals held inside the castle walls, Latitudes uses the village itself as its stage, with activities in bookshops and venues across the streets of Óbidos.

Practical information

• Tickets: free entry to book launches, exhibitions and concerts
• Parking: free (unsupervised) car park behind the Caixa Geral de Depósitos bank, or paid, supervised parking by the aqueduct
• Tourist office: tel. +351 262 959 231 · posto.turismo@cm-obidos.pt

Staying inside the walls means narrow streets and charm, but you cannot drive in and will carry your luggage. Outside the walls, parking is easier. For meals, lunch offers more choice than dinner; booking a table is always a good idea.

What to see in Óbidos

Óbidos is known as the village of the queens: in the 13th century King Dinis gave it to Queen Isabel as a wedding gift. Its history goes back much further, to the Celts, the Romans, who built the city of Eburobrittium nearby, the Visigoths and the Moors, who built the first castle. The walled village you see today was largely built after the Portuguese conquest in 1148.

Many of its monuments and museums are free. Our articles on art and culture and religious heritage show you where to start.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Latitudes festival free?

Yes. Book presentations, exhibitions and concerts are free and open to everyone.

When does Latitudes take place?

It has been held since 2017, usually in spring, for about a week. Dates change each year, so check the organisers’ website.

What is the difference between Latitudes and FOLIO?

FOLIO is the international literary festival of Óbidos. Latitudes grew out of it and focuses on travel writing.

More about Óbidos

• Festivals in Óbidos
• FOLIO Literary Festival
• Art and culture in Óbidos
• What to do in Óbidos
• Guided tours in Óbidos
• Explore Óbidos

This article was prepared by the GoÓbidos team, the local tourist guide to Óbidos. Please check dates, opening hours and prices with the organisers before your visit.