NAZARÉ and NEARBY - Portugal - page 270

$$$ Casa de S. Thiago do Castelo, a fancy and characteristic little guesthouse at the
base of the pousada /castle, rents eight elegantly appointed rooms around a chirpy Bet-
ter Homes and Tiles patio. Lower levels offer three different, welcoming salons to relax
in, including one with a classy billiards table (Sb-€65, Db-€80, free parking, Largo de
S. Thiago, tel. [phone], fax [phone], www.casas-sthiago.com , reservas@casas-
sthiago.com , Alice speaks English). They also have an annex near the main gate, where
they book overflow guests at busy times.
$$$ Estalagem do Convento was built to house nuns—but they never showed up.
Now it welcomes guests to its 28 rooms with solemn charm (Sb-€85, Db-€100, suites-
€116-150, extra bed-€40, located outside wall with easy parking, Rua Dom João de Or-
nelas, tel. [phone], fax [phone], www.estalagemdoconvento.com , estconven-
[e-mail] ).
$$$ Hotel Rainha Santa Isabel is a forgettable, hotelesque place marked by flags on
the main drag in the center of the old town. If you're driving, call first to let them know
you're approaching, stop long enough to drop your bags and get a parking permit, and
drive on to the town square to park (Sb-€40-65, Db-€65-90, Tb-75-95, price depends on
room, prices soar in Aug, air-con, elevator, on the main one-lane drag, Rua Direita, tel.
262-959-323, fax [phone], www.obidoshotel.com , [e-mail] ).
$$$ Albergaria Josefa d'Óbidos, located just outside the town walls, is a fine
value. Its 34 rooms are clean and well-appointed. Half the rooms have been recently
updated with modern bathrooms and new furnishings; the older rooms are somewhat
dated, but have nice azulejo -tiled bathrooms (Sb-€45-65, Db-€60-80, Tb-€70-90, suites-
€110-115, air-con, Wi-Fi in reception and bar, free parking, Rua Dom João de Ornelas,
tel. [phone], fax [phone], www.josefadobidos.com , [e-mail] ). The
attached restaurant serves nice fish and meat dishes starting at €13, and also offers veget-
arian options.
$$ Casa do Relogio is a rustic eight-room place at the downhill end of town, just
outside the wall. It's friendly and easygoing, providing no-stress parking and great com-
fort for the price. English-speaking Sarah offers a big sun terrace and happily does her
guests' laundry for no extra charge (Sb-€35-45, Db-€45-60, Tb-€60-80, same prices in
peak of summer, ask for Rick Steves discount, cash only, Rua da Graça 12, tel. & fax
262-959-282, [e-mail] ).
Eating in Óbidos
Óbidos is tough on the average tourist's budget. Consider a picnic or one of the many
cafés that offer cheap, basic meals.