Love chocolate? Love Portugal? What if you love both? You really should indulge in the annual Óbidos International Chocolate Festival! This year’s chocolate bacchanal (or, should we say ‘choca-nal’?) will once again attract chocolate lovers and artisan chocolatiers from around the globe to Óbidos, Portugal. Each weekend (Friday to Sunday) from 23rd February to 18th March 2018, your taste buds are in for a treat.
Palates at the ready, sample chocolates from different longitudes and latitudes, as well as participate in cacao-inspired activities throughout the festival. Each and every bite-sized piece and plated delicacy is artistically handcrafted using the freshest, most luxurious ingredients, while one-of-a-kind chocolate sculptures make a great excuse for a selfie.
During the Óbidos International Chocolate Festival, you can be both spectator and participant. Why not enjoy front row seats at one of the specialty competitions, such as the “Chocolatier of the Year” and the “International Competition of Chocolate Recipes”? Or, discover how renowned chefs and pastry-makers craft their tasty masterpieces in a range of culinary classes.
Even the youngest members of your party will enjoy the fun with Family Cooking classes featuring easy-to-follow recipes that can be made on site and a Chocolate Pizza class.
Discover Óbidos, Portugal
As its name suggests, the Óbidos International Chocolate Festival, Portugal’s oldest and most prestigious of its kind, takes place in the picturesque village of Óbidos. You can work off some of the chocolate calories with a leisurely stroll along its cobbled streets lined with traditional homes, neighbourhood restaurants, quaint shops, and lively bars. You won’t fail to notice the village’s main gate, which is decorated with traditional tiles known as azulejos and recounts the biblical story of the Passion of Christ. Why not tour the castle-turned-hotel, chat with some locals and then share your online photos and videos with friends and family?
Opening Times and Tickets for the Óbidos International Chocolate Festival
The International Chocolate Festival is open every Friday to Sunday from February 23rd to March 18th, 2018. Hours are from 11:00 to 20:00. Prices are € 6.50 per adult (age 12+) and free for children age 11 years old and younger when accompanied by a ticketed adult.
Group tickets are also available: € 6.00 per person for groups of 5-14 people, € 5.50 per person for groups of 15 people or more. Online group reservations and prepayment are required.
Tips for Chocolate Festival Fun
Here are some helpful tips to consider as you plan your outing to the International Chocolate Festival, whether this year or next:
- Consult the daily weather report, and dress accordingly.
- Wear sensible footwear to walk off the calories on the cobblestone streets!
- The information booth, Posto de Turismo, is located next to the main car parking lot, about 200 meters from the entrance of the village of Óbidos.
- ATMs, public restrooms, and baby changing facilities can be found throughout the village.
- Changing rooms are located in the Solar de la Plaza de Santa Maria (Municipal Museum) and in the Castle’s Fence.
- The pathways are well-worn and uneven in some places. This can cause some accessibility restrictions, especially for those who rely on wheelchairs and pushchairs
While it may be too late for you to attend the 2018 Óbidos International Chocolate Festival, why not start planning now for 2019?
To learn more about this must-experience event, as well as others that are taking place around the world, contact us today! And be sure to check out our portfolio of luxury, personally inspected, hosted rental homes in hand-picked locations in Portugal, Spain, and Mexico.
