Setubal & Arrabida

Exploring Setúbal & the Serra da Arrábida

Close enough to Lisbon for a day trip, but with enough to do to warrant an extended stay, Setúbal and the surrounding area are home to endless natural beauty. A working port on the northern banks of the River Sado, some parts of the city are still heavily industrialised. But exploring the hidden beaches at the foot of the Serra da Arrábida or hiking through the trails that criss-cross the range, it’s hard not to fall in love with this charming pocket of Portugal. Check out my tips for Setúbal and the Serra da Arrábida.

Setúbal Travel Basics

Where is Setúbal?

The Setúbal Peninsula is a chuck of land surrounded by the River Tagus to the north, River Sado to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The area includes many popular destinations including the Costa da Caparica, Azietão, Sesimbra and the Serra da Arrábida. Setúbal is also the name of the city, located about 50 kilometres south of Lisbon, and most of the info I provide refers to the city itself. 

What is Setúbal famous for?

The city’s seafood restaurants is the first thing that the Portuguese mention when discussing Setúbal, especially choco frito, or fried cuttlefish. The area is also well known for great beaches along the Serra da Arrábida and a pod of dolphins that call the Sado Estuary home. Interesting landmarks include the historical fort of São Filipe and Monastary of Jesus. The opera singer Luísa Todi and poet Bocage are famous former residents of the city and are celebrated with a wide leafy avenue and town square respectively. 

Top Travel Tips for Setubal

How to get Setúbal

Setúbal is easily accessible with or without a car. For public transport you can choose between bus or train and there isn’t that much difference between them. Tickets cost about the same (€4.50 or €4.55 for a single one way fare), the journey is roughly one hour and both have departures more or less hourly. I find the train is more comfortable and reliable, and offers slightly nicer scenery out the window. But the 561 bus has a handy stop in Alcântara before it crosses the bridge and you may find the bus route has a stop that’s more convenient to your accommodation in Lisbon. If you plan on heading back late, the last bus is early but trains run until after midnight. 

To drive, you can either cross the 25 de Abril Bridge and take the A2 or cross the Vasco da Gama Bridge to head south on the A12. Both routes have tolls of around €2 – €4. In summer and during peak hour, traffic on the 25 de Abril Bridge can be slow, so it might be quicker to go around and take the Vasco da Gama Bridge. 

What to do in Setúbal

If you are visiting Setúbal on a day trip, there are plenty of things to see and do within walking distance from the train station. Take a walk under the tree canopies of Avenida Luísa Todi, grab a coffee and pastel de nata in Praça do Bocage, admire the views from Miradouro de São Sebastião and enjoy a stroll along the banks of the Sado in the Paque Urbano de Albarquel. Read my itinerary for a day trip without a car here. 

For longer stays, renting a car will allow you to explore the hidden beaches and hiking trails of Serra da Arrábida. There are plenty of outdoor activities to get involved in including dolphin watching tours, SUP and kayak tours, rock climbing and boat cruises of the Sado River. The resort town of Troia is also a short ferry ride across the bay and offers incredible white sandy beaches. 

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