Look, I love the beach. I love spending hot summer days laying on the sand under an umbrella, reading a book and periodically cooling off in the water. But I do get a bit bored after a few hours and I’m certainly not the type to spend my whole holiday plonked down on the sand. While the beaches of the Serra da Arrábida may be one of the area’s main attractions, the region is also home to fantastic wildlife and marine life spotting opportunities, unique geological formations, wine making and much more. But you won’t discover many of these treasures by just chilling out one of the nearest beaches.
So, if you are like me and enjoy a bit of adventure on your holiday or short trip, read on for my list of things to do in the Serra da Arrábida that are actually fun! While some of these activities can be done from Setúbal or Sesimbra directly, some of them will need a car to get to. If you are relying on public transport, check out my guide to a day trip to Setúbal for things to do without a car.
12 Fun Things to do in the Serra da Arrábida
1. Meet the local dolphins
The Sado Estuary is home to a pod of resident bottlenose dolphins and you can observe them in their natural habitat on one of the several boat tours that operate out of Setúbal and Sesimbra. We joined Dolphin Bay on a three hour tour sailing along the coast of the Arrábida and Troia. While it wasn’t the first time we have seen dolphins in Portugal, but it’s the best chance to guarantee you see them in the wild.
2. Hire a kayak
Hiring a kayak is fantastic way to explore the sea cliffs, coves and remote beaches along the coast of the Serra da Arrábida. The best value kayak hire we found was with Vertente Natural. For €40 a day, you can explore all along the coast west of Sesimbra (apparently if you try going east towards Setúbal, you will likely end up out in the ocean). Just make sure you save enough energy for the journey back!
3. Coasteering
Kayaking is a fun way to explore the sea cliffs of the Arrábida. But for a more adrenaline filled adventure, try coasteering. These tours with Vertente Natural last about 4 hours and will have you jumping, climbing, abseiling and swimming along the sea cliffs and hidden coves around Sesimbra. This was definitely my favourite thing to do in the Serra da Arrábida, but it’s not for everyone. If you’re afraid of heights or the idea of abseiling down a hole into a sea cave doesn’t appeal to you, maybe stick with the kayak.
4. Rock climbing
Rock climbing offers a thrilling and rewarding way to explore the craggy cliffs and stunning views of the Serra da Arrábida. You can find tours and workshops for beginners through to experts.
5. Bird watching
While the stunning beaches and dramatic cliffs of the Serra da Arrábida are the best known features of this part of Portugal, the Sado River is also home to some important wetlands. Flamingos make their way to feed in the wetlands of the Sado from November to March. Spot them and many other water birds in Alcácer do Sal and at the Mourisca Water Mill.
6. Sip the local produce
Along with the beaches and spectacular natural attractions, the Setúbal Peninsula is also a world-class wine region. Is this place perfect or what? The area, especially around Azeitão, is best known for its Moscatel de Setúbal, a sweet fortified wine. But you can also find red and white varieties including chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and malvasia.
The best way to sample the local wines is by joining a wine tour or visiting the wineries for a tasting. Most wineries, such as Jose Maria Fonseca and Bacalhoa, offer prebooked tastings and a tour of the quinta. Some wineries, such as Quinta de Alecube, can be visited to purchase a bottle of wine and enjoy on site without a reservation. But, if you can’t fit a wine tour into your itinerary, you can always visit the Casa do Turismo to pick up some bottles from their excellent retail shop.
7. Walk with dinosaurs
The unique geological history of the Setúbal Peninsula doesn’t just give us some of Portugal’s best coastal scenery. Evidence of some of Portugal’s earliest inhabitants are preserved in the layers of rock. Dinosaur footprints from the Late Jurassic and Cretaceous periods can be found in a few places along the coast. We saw some on a short walk close to Cabo Espichel near Sesimbra. Admittedly, the actual imprints are a bit underwhelming. But it’s fascinating to think of the dinosaur that walked in this very spot millions of years ago.
8. Take a hike (or a bike)
This is one of my favourite ways to explore the area. We did A LOT of walks while we were under restrictions during the pandemic. We even hiked the 30 kilometres between Sesimbra and Setúbal. But you don’t have to be an expert mountaineer to enjoy a walk in the Serra da Arrábida. The whole area is criss-crossed with hiking and biking trails of varying levels of difficulty. You can find marked tracks (usually indicated by red and yellow paint) and some more informal paths. Or just enjoy a long walk along the beach!
9. Head underground
As the waves of the Atlantic Ocean continuously pound against the walls of the Serra da Arrábida, caves and holes form along the cliffs. While much of these are only accessible via the water, the Lapa de Santa Margarida is one cave you can reach easily on foot. It’s large and wide inside and houses a catholic shrine.
10. Snorkelling or diving tours
The coast around the Serra da Arrábida offers some of the best spots for snorkelling and diving in Europe. The water is protected by the bay, meaning few waves. And the lack of sandy beaches means excellent visibility. Besides the wealth of marine life to discover, there are interesting underwater caves and rock formations to explore. You can even find some shipwrecks!
11. Stand up paddle boarding
Renting a standup paddle board or taking a SUP tour is another great way to explore parts of the Serra da Arrábida that are inaccessible by foot. We joined Arrábida Stand Up Paddle for a tour departing from Creio Beach. They were incredibly patient with us as we tried this out for the first time. The tour was 2 hours, which was a great introduction. But if you have some experience with SUP, you can explore further by hiring your own.
12. Boat tour
If paddling or kayaking along the Arrábida coast just sounds like a bit too much effort, you can join one of the many boat tours in the area. Tours vary from high speed boats, to cruising the Sado Estuary in a traditional fishing boat. Some of the best views of the Serra da Arrábida are from the water, so I highly recommend getting out there one way or another.
Is there any fun things to do while in staying around the Serra da Arrábida? If I’ve forgotten something, let me know in the comments below!
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wow, looks like a fun filled adventured play ground with something for every one
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