//
Municipality in Lisbon, Portugal
Photo: Vitor Oliveira from Torres Vedras, PORTUGAL, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Setúbal is a city in Estremadura, Portugal, on the northern bank of the Sado River estuary. The city is connected with the nearby Arrábida hills natural park, which offers an unspoiled nature and beautiful beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. A dolphin colony inhabits the Sado River. Across the river on the south bank lies the peninsula of Tróia, a place with vast white/golden sand beaches where several luxury hotels and resorts have been built. The Tróia peninsula can be sighted from the city, across the river. Albarquel, Figueirinha, Galápos, Galapinhos, Creiro and Portinho da Arrábida are some of the city's many beaches, located in the north bank of the estuary, at the very beginning of the Arrábida hills.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Mercado do Livramento
Castelo de São Filipe
A 16th-century castle on the north bank of the Sado river, overlooking the city, classified as a National Monument of Portugal.
Mourisca Tidemill
The Mourisca Tidemill, located in Sado Estuary Nature Reserve, is one of four known tidal mills in the Sado Estuary, and is in a prime location for birdwatching.
Abandoned Coastal Battery overlooking the entry into Setubal's harbour and the sandy coast southwards. Amazing views and ghostly buildings.
Monastery of Jesus of Setúbal
National monument.
CIRES
This interpretation centre has an exhibition on the Sado Estuary Common Bottlenose Dolphin colony, the only one in a Portuguese estuary and one of only three communities of these mammals residing in the European maritime space.
The visit to the Palácio da Bacalhôa is carried out on a guided tour, with an average duration of 1 hr 30 min; guided tours: 10:00 and 15:00 (other times on request). Price: €8.
Roman ruins of Creiro
Blue Vertigo
Dolphin watching tour in the bay of Setúbal.
Dolphin watching tour in the bay of Setúbal.
Family winery since 1834.
Guided tour, with wine tasting, by appointment.
Guided tour, with wine tasting, by appointment.
Praia de Galapinhos
Galapinhos beach, in the Arrábida Nature Park, in Setúbal, was considered the most beautiful beach in Europe in 2017 by European Best Destinations. Travelers from all over the world decided it was "the most beautiful beach in Europe, the perfect beach in unspoiled nature".
Praia da Figueirinha
Beach in Serra da Arrábida.
Praia de Albarquel
Beach in Serra da Arrábida.
Praia de Galápos
Beach in Serra da Arrábida.
Praia do Creiro
Beach in Serra da Arrábida.
Praia dos Coelhos
Beach in Serra da Arrábida.
Praia da Saúde
Urban beach in Setúbal.
Albarquel Urban Park
At the foot of the Arrábida mountain range and next to the Sado river, this green space, with about four hectares, offers a fantastic view over the Sado river estuary and the Tróia peninsula. Ideal place for the practice of sports, where cycling is allowed, it houses the Municipal Center of Marcha e Corrida de Setúbal (Setúbal walking and running center). This park, in addition to a viewpoint, also has a children's playground, restaurant, café-bar with a terrace and an exhibition gallery.
St. Margaret's Grotto
Figueira Brava Cave
The Gruta da Figueira Brava is an obligatory stop for those who do not suffer from claustrophobia, as it was there that traces of the Neanderthal Man were found.
Pizzeria.
Restaurant.
Typical fisherman restaurant. It's only open for lunch. Cost of the meal €12.50, includes soup, a fish dish grilled on charcoal (with many varieties of fish to choose from) or a meat dish, drink, dessert and coffee.
Fish and seafood restaurant.
Tapas restaurant.
Seafood restaurant.
Restaurant for meat lovers.
You can, of course, order steak or grilled pork, but everyone around you will be eating the namesake choco (full plate €16, half portion €8.50) - fried cuttlefish, coming in slabs atop mounds of potato fries and industrial quantities of salad. Do as the locals do, and don't forget the wine.
Dancing music bar.
Winebar.
Live music bar.
2-star hotel.
2-star hotel.
2-star hotel.
2-star hotel.
An unassuming guesthouse in the backstreets behind Av. Todi - close to the center and the ferry docks, but away from the traffic and noise. A little run down, but clean and cheerful.
3-star hotel.
3-star hotel.
4-star hotel.
4-star hotel.
4-star hotel.
5-star rural hotel.
Manual manufacture of pottery pieces according to the traditional method.
By train
You can access Setúbal by trains from Lisbon, and most towns in the surrounding area.
By car
It shouldn't be a problem to find your way, Setúbal is a major town in the area, so, if you are around, you will have signs to point out your way. It is approximately 48 km (30 miles) south of Lisbon.
By bus
There are buses that serve from Lisbon to Setúbal every day and almost every hour a day, if you're in the capital it won't be a problem. There are also buses that serve the surrounding area towns.
By boat
The Tróia is a peninsula near Setúbal, and that is probably the only way to commercially reach Setúbal by boat.
By car
It is mandatory to take a tour, by car, motorbike or tuk-tuk, through Serra da Arrábida.
By bus
Buses serve the whole town and are generally OK on schedules and quality.
By tuk-tuk
By scooter
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Lisbon · International · LIS
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Setúbal and Portugal.
Travel tipsDiscover the cheapest countries to visit in Europe in 2026. Compare daily budgets for Albania, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Portugal with real costs.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
ItinerariesExplore Lisbon, Sintra, and Porto with this 7-day Portugal itinerary for 2026. Practical train tips, palace timings, wine tastings, and costs.
8 min read
ItinerariesDecide between São Miguel and Terceira in the Azores. Compare crater lakes, thermal hot springs, UNESCO heritage, local cuisine, and direct flights.
8 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.