Setubal Arrabida Portugal
5
Day Itinerary •
Portugal
Five days in Setubal and Arrabida gives you the complete experience of the most extraordinary coastal natural park near Lisbon, from the remarkable turquoise beaches of Arrabida and the extraordinary convent clinging to the limestone cliffs to the remarkable Sado estuary dolphins, the extraordinary Troia peninsula and the ancient Roman fish-salting ruins, the remarkable Palmela and Setubal heritage and the hidden beaches of the south coast. This route covers the full Setubal and Arrabida: the extraordinary Praia de Galapinhos and the finest beaches in mainland Portugal, the remarkable Arrabida Convent on the limestone cliffs, the extraordinary Sado estuary dolphin watching, the remarkable Roman ruins of Troia, the extraordinary Palmela castle and wine estate, the fine Setubal old town and the remarkable Alcacer do Sal and the hidden rice fields of the Sado valley.
Best Time To Visit
May to September. Dolphin watching best June to September.
Getting There
Drive from Lisbon (45 minutes). Ferries connect Lisbon to Setubal via Troia.
Getting Around
Car essential. Arrabida beach access is restricted in summer , book ahead.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy , beaches, boat trips, coastal walking and some heritage sites
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 combination of white limestone, green Mediterranean scrub and extraordinary clear water makes this the finest natural beach near Lisbon. Summer access permit required. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SERRA DA ARRABIDA CLIFFS AND ESTRADA DE ESCARPA
The Serra da Arrabida Natural Park is the most extraordinary coastal mountain landscape in Portugal, its remarkable limestone ridge giving the finest cliff views over the most turquoise water in mainland Portugal. The remarkable Estrada de Escarpa clifftop road gives the most extraordinary coastal drive in the Setubal region with views over the finest beaches in Portugal. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
CONVENT OF ARRABIDA
The Convent of Arrabida is the most extraordinary religious building on the Setubal peninsula, its remarkable 16th-century Franciscan monastery on the limestone cliffs giving the finest monastic setting in Portugal. The extraordinary terraced gardens and the remarkable views over the Arrabida bay 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 giving the most extraordinary turquoise water on the peninsula. Free. Summer access by boat from Portinho. Short walk from the park road.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe before Galapinhos drive Book the Galapinhos summer access permit online in advance. The beach is extraordinary before 10am. | 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 extraordinary Setubal moscatel wine in the finest fishing port.
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 bottlenose dolphin population, the only resident dolphins in a Portuguese estuary, giving the finest dolphin experience near Lisbon. The extraordinary boat trips 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 IGREJA DE JESUS
Setubal old town contains the fine Igreja de Jesus, the finest Manueline church on the peninsula, and the extraordinary daily fish market giving the most authentic fishing port atmosphere near Lisbon. The remarkable Museu de Setubal houses the finest 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 on the peninsula, its remarkable hilltop position giving the finest panoramic view over the Arrabida, the Sado estuary and the Serra da Arrabida. The extraordinary Pousada 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 honey and orange blossom flavour from the Moscatel de Setubal grape grown on volcanic Arrabida soils. Buy directly from Jose Maria da Fonseca in Azeitao. Free tasting.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before dolphin boat Book the morning departure for the finest Sado estuary dolphin encounter. | Lunch: Fish restaurant in Setubal Outstanding fresh Atlantic fish in the finest fishing port near Lisbon. Local choco frito squid. | Dinner: Restaurant in Setubal Outstanding dinner with extraordinary Setubal moscatel wine in the finest coastal town.
DAY 3
TROIA PENINSULA
MORNING
FERRY TO TROIA PENINSULA
ferry The Troia peninsula is the most extraordinary sand spit in Portugal, its remarkable 24km of Atlantic beach connected to the mainland only by ferry from Setubal giving the finest unspoilt coastal landscape near Lisbon. The extraordinary views from the ferry over the Sado estuary and the Arrabida cliffs give the finest approach to any destination near Lisbon. Ferry approx 4 euros. Drive: On the peninsula
MIDDAY
ROMAN FISH-SALTING RUINS OF TROIA
The Roman ruins of Troia are the most extraordinary ancient industrial site near Lisbon, their remarkable 1st to 5th century AD fish-salting tanks and the fine mosaic floors giving the finest Roman garum production heritage in Portugal. The extraordinary position of the ruins at the tip of the sand peninsula between the Sado estuary and the Atlantic gives the most unusual ancient heritage setting in the country. Entry approx 4 euros. Drive: Walk along peninsula
AFTERNOON
TROIA PENINSULA ATLANTIC BEACHES
The Troia Atlantic beach is the most extraordinary wild beach near Lisbon, its remarkable 24km of entirely undeveloped Atlantic coast facing the open ocean giving the finest wild beach experience within an hour of the capital. The extraordinary dunes, the remarkable surf and the complete absence of development give the finest natural beach landscape in the Setubal region. Return ferry from Troia. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary dolphins in the Sado estuary are sometimes visible from the Troia ferry as it crosses through the estuary channels. The remarkable resident population is the only one in a Portuguese estuary. The ferry crossing gives the finest free dolphin watching near Lisbon. Free with ferry ticket.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early cafe before Troia ferry Early start for the first Troia ferry from Setubal. The ferry crossing through the Sado estuary is extraordinary. | Lunch: Restaurant at Troia Outstanding fresh fish lunch on the remarkable sand peninsula. | Dinner: Fish restaurant in Setubal Outstanding fresh fish dinner after the extraordinary Troia peninsula day.
DAY 4
SESIMBRA AND CABO ESPICHEL
MORNING
SESIMBRA VILLAGE AND MOORISH CASTLE
Sesimbra is the most extraordinary fishing village on the Setubal peninsula, its remarkable position in a sheltered Atlantic bay below the Moorish castle giving the finest small-town coastal atmosphere near Lisbon. The extraordinary castle above the village 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 Natural Park, its remarkable position in a perfectly enclosed cove below the limestone cliffs giving the finest calm swimming on the Atlantic coast of Portugal. The extraordinary turquoise water clarity and the fine beach restaurant give the finest beach experience near Lisbon. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
CABO ESPICHEL AND DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS
Cabo Espichel is the most extraordinary Atlantic headland on the peninsula, the southwesternmost point giving the finest cliff-top Atlantic view near Lisbon. The extraordinary 145-million-year-old dinosaur sauropod footprints in the limestone, the remarkable 18th-century pilgrimage sanctuary and the fine lighthouse give the most unusual combined heritage. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary underwater archaeological site off Sesimbra is one of the finest wreck diving locations in Portugal, its remarkable ancient amphorae fields and extraordinary Roman and Phoenician wreck sites giving the finest diving heritage near Lisbon. Diving operators in Sesimbra. Approx 40 euros per dive.
🍽 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 at the finest sheltered beach in mainland Portugal. | Dinner: Dinner in Sesimbra or Setubal Outstanding fresh fish and moscatel wine in the finest coastal towns on the peninsula.
DAY 5
SADO VALLEY AND COMPORTA
MORNING
ALCACER DO SAL MEDIEVAL CASTLE
Alcacer do Sal is the most extraordinary hilltop castle town in the Sado valley, its remarkable Moorish and Roman fortifications above the Sado river giving the finest historic town atmosphere in the region. The extraordinary views over the Sado rice fields from the castle walls and the remarkable stork nests on the castle towers give the finest natural heritage spectacle in the Setubal region. Entry free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
SADO VALLEY RICE FIELDS
The Sado Valley rice fields are the most extraordinary agricultural landscape near Lisbon, their remarkable flooded paddies stretching across the valley floor giving the most unusual rural landscape in southern Portugal. The extraordinary birdlife attracted to the rice fields, including the finest white stork colony in Portugal and remarkable flamingo flocks, gives the finest wildlife watching in the Setubal region. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
COMPORTA AND THE HIDDEN COAST
Comporta is the most extraordinary hidden coastal village near Lisbon, its remarkable thatched houses, the finest rice paddy landscape and the extraordinary undeveloped Atlantic beach giving the most fashionable and yet most natural coastal village in Portugal. The remarkable beach at Comporta, with its extraordinary dunes and the finest wild Atlantic coast near Lisbon, is the finest farewell to the region. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary flamingo flocks on the Sado estuary salt pans near Alcacer do Sal are the finest wildlife spectacle in the Setubal region, the remarkable pink flocks of greater flamingos feeding in the extraordinary shallow saltpans giving the finest bird watching near Lisbon. Free. Best from October to March.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Alcacer do Sal Outstanding Portuguese coffee in the extraordinary castle town above the Sado river. | Lunch: Restaurant in Alcacer Outstanding Sado Valley lunch with local rice dishes, fresh eels and the finest local wine. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Comporta or Setubal Outstanding final dinner in the extraordinary hidden coastal village or back in Setubal.
Where To Stay
Setubal, Nights 1 to 3 Best base for dolphins, Arrabida and Troia. Hotels from 70 to 160 euros. Marina location is ideal. Comporta or Sesimbra, Nights 4 to 5 The finest atmosphere for the southern days. Hotels from 80 to 200 euros. Budget option Guesthouses in Setubal from 40 euros. Well connected to all peninsula destinations.
Top Tips
1. Arrabida beach permits: book online at arrabidapark.pt one week before. Without a permit the park wardens will turn you away at the Estrada de Escarpa entrance.
2. Sado dolphins: book the morning departure. The resident population of bottlenose dolphins is unique in Portugal. The estuary is their permanent home.
3. Troia Roman ruins: arrive at opening for the finest experience. The extraordinary fish-salting tanks with the Atlantic on one side and estuary on the other are remarkable.
4. Portinho da Arrabida: arrive by 9am. The finest underwater visibility on the Atlantic coast makes it the best snorkelling site in mainland Portugal.
5. Comporta: the extraordinary thatched houses and rice paddy landscape are unlike anywhere else near Lisbon. The wild beach is the finest on the Sado coast.
6. Flamingos on the Sado: from October to March the salt pans near Alcacer host the finest flamingo flocks in Portugal. Free viewing from the road.
Total Budget
80 to 160 euros/day