Setubal

An alternative close to Lisbon for city break

City Overview

Just 30 minutes from Lisbon, Setubal is a city located in the Arrabida Mountains with natural landscapes, which blend between beautiful beaches and mountains covered by preserved vegetation. It is located on the northern bank of the Sado River estuary.

This city dates back to the Roman period, which left a very important historical and cultural legacy.

In the beginning of the 20th century, Setubal was the most important centre of Portugal's fishing industry, specializing in processing and exporting sardines. None of the many factories created then are operating today.

However, the existing maritime ports, keep the city's links to the ocean and water well alive and vibrant.

Tourism, based on beautiful natural conditions plus excellent hotels and resorts is city's most appreciated resources, due to its connection with the Sado (river) on one side and Atlantic Ocean on another, having a coast line with both.

The city is also connected with the nearby coast of the Arrabida hills natural park which offers unspoiled nature and beautiful beaches to the Atlantic Ocean.

Sightseeing

If you want to start exploring the main attractions of the city, a good option is to start with Livramento Market, a building in art deco built in 1930. Don’t miss the interior, which is decorated with over 5,000 tiles depicting scenes from everyday life. In this market, besides all the goods you would expect to find in a traditional city market, you will find many places to eat, where you can taste some of the most well-known delicacies of the region.

From the market you should explore Setubal centre to discover Avenida Luísa Todi and its central bed full of gardens and monuments. A few minutes away, you can Discover the Praça de Bocage and the São Juliao church which was built in the 13th century and then rebuilt at the request of King Manuel I. Be sure to enter the church to see the beautiful tiles.

The Fortress of Sao Filipe is one of the most important bastions used to protect against pirates from northern Europe and Africa. From inside the fortress, you can see some of the most spectacular panoramic views of Setubal and the bay.

Beaches

Serra da Arrabida includes the best beaches in the region. If you’re a beach fan, you will love the paradisiacal beaches of Arrabida such as Figueirinha Beach, Galapos Beach, Galapinhos Beach, Portinho da Arrabida Beach, among many others!

An important point to note is traffic between Setubal and the main beaches of Arrabida is generally restricted during the summer months, between mid-June and mid-September. Therefore, if you visit some beaches in Arrabida in the summer months, you will have to use public transport or do some walking to get to the most famous beaches in the region.

A dolphin colony inhabits the Sado River. Across the river on the south bank lies the peninsula of Troia, a place with vast white/golden sand beaches where several luxury hotels and resorts were recently built. The Troia peninsula can be sighted from the city, across the river.

Cafes & Restaurants

There are several typical dishes of Setubal but cuttlefish is the most famous. This is eaten as small strips of breaded cuttlefish accompanied by fried potatoes, lemon and coriander mayonnaise.

Setubal is also know for choco frito and Moscatel and the local wineries that produce it.  

Other

Currency - Euro (EUR)

Language - Portuguese

Visas - Not needed for travellers from the US, Canada and Europe

Best Time To Visit - March – October

Timezone - Western European Standard Time (GMT)

Homosexual Activity - Legal