At the Christmas village of Óbidos, in Portugal, everybody has fun. Well, the elves not that much… because they have to work hard manufacturing toys.

When you enter into the medieval castle-town of Óbidos, follow the signs leading you to the various entertainment activities offered to the visitor: shops selling all kinds of sweet treats, cribs with monumental figurines, reindeer-pulled sleight races and much more in this fairytale place.

For knowing more about this fairytale place: Obidos Christmas Village.

The small town of Alenquer in Portugal’s region of Alentejo is known as “Crib village. Do you know why? Because as from 1968 a beautiful crib with 20 monumental figurines is displayed every year in December at the top of the hill overlooking the town. The figurines represent the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and Baby Jesus, the shepherds with their flock of sheep as well as other minor traditional characters.

The crib of Alenquer is very especial. It has no touristic purpose; it’s merely a symbol of solidarity among the inhabitants of the town after the dramatic floods that devastated the lower part of the town in November 1967. For further information: Presépio de Alenquer.