Setubal Arrabida Portugal
3
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Three days in Setubal and the Arrabida reveals the most extraordinary coastal natural park near Lisbon, its remarkable Serra da Arrabida mountains plunging directly into the most vivid turquoise waters in Portugal, creating the finest natural beach landscape on the Atlantic coast of Iberia. The remarkable walled city of Setubal, the extraordinary Palmela castle and the remarkable Sado estuary dolphin watching give an extraordinary diversity. This route covers the essential Setubal and Arrabida experience: the extraordinary Praia de Galapinhos, the finest beach in mainland Portugal, the remarkable Arrabida Natural Park limestone cliffs, the extraordinary Convent of Arrabida, the remarkable dolphin watching boat trips in the Sado estuary, the fine Setubal old town and the extraordinary Palmela Moorish castle.
Best Time To Visit
May to September for the finest beach and dolphin watching weather
Getting There
Drive from Lisbon (45 minutes) or take the ferry from Lisbon to Setubal.
Getting Around
Car essential for Arrabida beaches. Some beaches have summer access restrictions.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , beaches, boat trips and some coastal walking
DAY 1
ARRABIDA NATURAL PARK
MORNING
PRAIA DE GALAPINHOS
Praia de Galapinhos is the most extraordinary beach in mainland Portugal, its remarkable position in the Arrabida Natural Park below extraordinary limestone cliffs giving the most vivid turquoise water on the Atlantic coast of Iberia. The extraordinary combination of white limestone rock, green Mediterranean scrub and the most extraordinary clear water in Portugal makes this the finest natural beach near Lisbon. Access by car requires a summer permit. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SERRA DA ARRABIDA LIMESTONE CLIFFS
The Serra da Arrabida Natural Park is the most extraordinary coastal mountain landscape in Portugal, its remarkable limestone ridge running parallel to the coast giving the finest cliff-top views over the most turquoise water in mainland Portugal. The extraordinary variety of Mediterranean flora on the limestone gives the finest botanical diversity in the country. The remarkable Estrada de Escarpa clifftop road is extraordinary. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
CONVENT OF ARRABIDA
The Convent of Arrabida is the most extraordinary religious building in the Setubal peninsula, its remarkable 16th-century Franciscan monastery clinging to the limestone cliffs of the Serra da Arrabida above the turquoise sea giving the finest monastic setting in Portugal. The extraordinary terraced gardens and the remarkable views over the Arrabida bay from the convent walls give the finest afternoon in the natural park. Entry approx 5 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Praia do Creiro in the Arrabida Natural Park is the finest hidden beach between Galapinhos and Portinho, its remarkable sheltered position in the limestone cliffs giving the most extraordinary turquoise water on the peninsula accessible by a short walk. Free. Summer access by boat from Portinho.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Setubal or Sesimbra Outstanding Portuguese coffee before driving to Galapinhos. The beach access permit must be booked in advance. | Lunch: Beach restaurant at Portinho da Arrabida Outstanding fresh fish lunch at the finest sheltered bay in the Arrabida Natural Park. | Dinner: Fish restaurant in Setubal Outstanding fresh fish and the extraordinary Setubal moscatel wine in the finest fishing port near Lisbon.
DAY 2
SETUBAL AND PALMELA
MORNING
SADO ESTUARY DOLPHIN WATCHING
The Sado Estuary is the most extraordinary dolphin watching site in Portugal, its remarkable resident population of common bottlenose dolphins, the only resident dolphin population in a Portuguese estuary, giving the finest dolphin experience near Lisbon. The extraordinary boat trips from Setubal marina through the estuary channels give close encounters with the dolphins in their natural habitat. Boat approx 35 euros. Drive: Walk to old town
MIDDAY
SETUBAL OLD TOWN AND FISH MARKET
Setubal is the most extraordinary fishing port town near Lisbon, its remarkable old town with the fine Igreja de Jesus, the finest Manueline church in the peninsula, and the extraordinary daily fish market giving the most authentic fishing port atmosphere near the capital. The remarkable Museu de Setubal houses the finest collection of 15th-century Portuguese paintings outside Lisbon. Church entry free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
PALMELA MOORISH CASTLE
Palmela Castle is the most extraordinary Moorish fortification in the Setubal peninsula, its remarkable hilltop position above the wine-producing plains giving the finest panoramic view over the Arrabida, the Sado estuary and the Serra da Arrabida. The extraordinary Pousada de Palmela inside the castle walls and the remarkable Church of Santiago give the finest heritage complex in the Setubal region. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Setubal moscatel wine is the finest dessert wine in Portugal, its remarkable orange-amber colour and extraordinary honey and orange blossom flavour produced from the Moscatel de Setubal grape grown on the volcanic soils of the Arrabida. Buy directly from Jose Maria da Fonseca in Azeitao. Free tasting.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before dolphin boat Early start for the Sado estuary dolphin trip. Book the morning departure for the finest encounter. | Lunch: Fish restaurant in Setubal Outstanding fresh Atlantic fish lunch in the finest fishing port near Lisbon. Local choco frito squid. | Dinner: Restaurant in Setubal or Sesimbra Outstanding fresh fish dinner with Setubal moscatel wine in the finest coastal town on the peninsula.
DAY 3
SESIMBRA AND CABO ESPICHEL
MORNING
SESIMBRA VILLAGE AND CASTLE
Sesimbra is the most extraordinary fishing village in the Setubal peninsula, its remarkable position in a sheltered bay below the extraordinary Moorish castle giving the finest small-town coastal atmosphere near Lisbon. The extraordinary castle above the village, the finest preserved Moorish fortification in the region, gives remarkable views over the Atlantic coast and the Arrabida hills. Castle entry free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
PORTINHO DA ARRABIDA BEACH
Portinho da Arrabida is the most extraordinary sheltered beach in the Arrabida Natural Park, its remarkable position in a perfectly sheltered cove below the limestone cliffs giving the finest calm swimming on the Atlantic coast of Portugal. The extraordinary turquoise water, the remarkable clarity for snorkelling and the fine beach restaurant give the finest beach experience near Lisbon. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
CABO ESPICHEL AND THE LIGHTHOUSE
Cabo Espichel is the most extraordinary Atlantic headland on the Setubal peninsula, its remarkable position at the southwesternmost point of the peninsula giving the finest cliff-top Atlantic view near Lisbon. The extraordinary 18th-century pilgrimage sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Cabo, the remarkable lighthouse and the fine dinosaur footprints in the limestone give the most unusual combined heritage on the peninsula. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary dinosaur footprints at Cabo Espichel are the finest prehistoric natural heritage on the Setubal peninsula, their remarkable 145-million-year-old sauropod tracks preserved in the limestone giving the most extraordinary prehistoric natural monument near Lisbon. Free. On the clifftop north of the lighthouse.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Sesimbra village Outstanding Portuguese coffee in the finest fishing village on the Setubal peninsula. | Lunch: Fish restaurant at Portinho da Arrabida Outstanding fresh fish lunch at the finest sheltered beach in mainland Portugal. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Sesimbra or Setubal Outstanding final dinner with fresh local fish and extraordinary Setubal moscatel in the finest coastal town.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Setubal, Nights 1 to 2 Best base for dolphins and Arrabida. Hotels from 70 to 160 euros. Walking distance from the marina and old town. Sesimbra, alternative The finest atmosphere on the peninsula. Hotels from 60 to 150 euros. 20 minutes from Portinho da Arrabida. Budget option Guesthouses in Setubal from 40 euros. The city is compact and well connected to all Arrabida beaches.
Top Tips
1. Arrabida beach access: book the summer car permit online at arrabidapark.pt at least one week ahead. Without a permit you cannot drive down to Galapinhos.
2. Sado estuary dolphins: the resident population of 30 to 40 bottlenose dolphins is unique in Portugal. The morning trips give the best encounter conditions.
3. Portinho da Arrabida: arrive by 9am in July and August. The small cove fills completely by 10am. The underwater visibility is the finest on the Atlantic coast.
4. Setubal choco frito: the extraordinary battered cuttlefish is the finest local dish in Setubal. Order it at every fish restaurant in the city.
5. Palmela castle Pousada: even if not staying, visit the extraordinary cloister and church of the pousada inside the castle walls. Free to enter the complex.
6. Setubal moscatel: the Jose Maria da Fonseca winery in Azeitao offers the finest moscatel tasting in Portugal. The 20-year-old moscatel is extraordinary.
Total Budget
80 to 160 euros/day