Setúbal

Ignore the industrial outskirts and head straight for the picturesque old town. Here you'll find charming narrow pedestrianised streets, quaint squares (praças) full of shops, cafés and old churches.

Praça do Bocage

Praça do Bocage is named after one of Setubal's most famous citizens, the 18th-century satirical poet Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage (1765–1805). His effigy stands on a twelve-metre high column in the centre of the square designed by Pedro Carlos dos Reis in 1871. On the east side, you'll find the 16th-century church Igreja de Sao Julião. The church stands on the foundations of a 13th-century church. It was built on the order of King Manuel I between 1513 and 1520. When it was extensively restored following the 1755 earthquake, its Manueline characteristics acquired a Baroque style.

Located in the west of the Old Town, the Convent of Jesus is Portugal's first church built in the Manueline style. Construction began in 1490 under the direction of the architect Diogo de Boitaca, who later created the convents at Batalha and Belém. Facing Jesus' Square is the main façade of the building and its double portal. Viewed from this angle, the church combines two distinct volumes: a rectangular nave and a polygonal apse.

Inside the recently restored stark exterior, one enters the narrow nave and two side aisles of the same height, unifying inner space as in a hall church, a characteristic that would be later found in Manueline spaces, like the nave of the Jerónimos Monastery of Lisbon. Each pillar of the nave supports a pointed arch and is composed of three distinctive intertwined sub-columns in "Brecha da Arrábida", a local stone. These spiralling columns would also be a typical theme in later Manueline buildings, like the Guarda Cathedral. The side aisles are supported by semi-barrel vaults. The main chapel of the church has a square construction. It is covered by an exuberant late Gothic star-ribbed vaulting with decorative bosses. Some of the ribs of the vault take a typical mainline form of twisted rope. The inner walls of the apse are adorned with 17th-century azulejo tiles, one side depicts scenes from the life of Mary, bordered by colourful frames.

Adjoining the Igreja de Jesus and 17th Century Arrábida marble cloister of the Convento de Jesus can be found in an art museum, the Museu de Jesus , with pictures by 15th and 16th century Portuguese, Flemish and Catalan artists. The rest of the collection consists of local archaeological finds, historical coins, old documents and books. Another part of the museum is dedicated to Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage, the famous 18th-century poet from Setúbal.
Adult: €2.00, Concessionary: €1.00
June to September Tusesday - Saturday 10h00 – 18h00, Sunday: 14h00 - 18h00
September to May Tusesday - Saturday 10h00 – 18h00, Sunday: 15h00 - 19h00
2 Rua Acácio Barradas, 2909-883 Setubal, Portugal. | 38º 31" 33.1' N | 08º 53" 43.1' W
+351 265 520 964

Named after the celebrated opera singer (1754-1833), born in Setúbal, Avenida Luísa Todi is the city's main strip. Here's you'll find many restaurants offering the best in local cuisine, especially fish. The aromas are intoxicating. Choco Frito is the main local dish to be found here. Battered and fried cuttlefish served in large portions, helped down with a local white DOC Pennísula do Setúbal wine or a Vinho Verde.

Another draw for the senses is the large pink-coloured building containing the city's main market. The Mercado do Livramento is a hubbub of activity where you can buy a whole range of fresh local food as well as being a great insight into local customs.

Mercado do Livramento
Tusesday - Sunday 07h00 – 14h00, Monday: CLOSED
Av. Luísa Todi 163, 2900-276 Setúbal, Portugal. | 38º 31" 22.6' N | 08º 53" 39.0' W

The origins of the Castelo de São Filipe go back as far as the reigns of Dom Afonso IV and Dom Pedro I. Its commanding position to the west of the city and over looking the estuary gave protection to the city and the fishermen from North African pirate attacks. Re-built in the late 16th century by the Italian military engineer Filippo Terzi on the orders of Filipe II in 1582 to repel English attacks on the infamous Armada. The ramparts take on an irregular six-pointed star formation for artillery advantages.

Today the same views make the 500m trek to the top a rewarding experience, the view from here over the city, the Sado estuary, the Tróia peninsula and Arrábida mountain is breathtaking. Part of the structure was converted into a pousada in the sixties yet still retains many original features and visitors are welcome free of charge, also its restaurant offers fine dining to non-guests. 38º 31" 3.8' N | 08º 54" 33.8' W

Founded in 1971 and covering 42 square miles (108 square kilometres) between Setúbal and Sesimbra, Palmela to the north and terminating at the Tejo estuary. Arrábida has a varied landscape from valleys surrounded by limestone mountain ridges, dramatic coastlines and the Arrábida mountain, Alto do Formosinho (499m) which stands guard over most of the park. This Nature Park contains vast amounts of Mediterranean shrubland biome and a large number of microhabitats. Perched on the slopes overlooking the sea is a whitewashed 16th-century Franciscan monastery and alongside are five circular chapels which once were used for solitary meditation. Where the park meets the sea one finds the crystal-clear waters of the beaches of the Costa Azul which, warm waters are popular with divers and bathers alike. It was along this stretch of coastline where Tracy Bond (played by Diana Rigg) was shot dead by Irma Bunt (Ilse Steppat) in a drive-by shooting at the end of the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1969. | See More [ ► ]

To the west of Setúbal, where the Arrábida Natural park meets the sea, one can find a series of beaches, most of which have Blue Flag status. Often marketed as Portugal's Dream Coast or Costa Azul this dramatic and beautiful coastline offers white sands, warm clear waters and stunning views. Take the coastal road off the N10-4 marked Praias and pass the cement works. There are buses from central Setúbal to most of these beaches:-

Praia Figueirinha, Outão

With the Arrábida Hills as the backdrop Figueirinha Beach extends over a great expanse of sand, at low tide a sandbank is exposed. Due to it's easy access, it's proximity to Setúbal (only five miles west), calm waters, size and amenities this Blue Flag beach can be quite popular, especially with those who have young families. 723

Praia de Galápos

Approached via a staircase, the sheltered cove of the Galápos beach has crystal clear waters which are favoured by divers and bathers alike. With a calm swell, it's ideal for children and popular with windsurfers. Good ample parking and has a restaurant with facilities, who hire marquees as well as serve good coffee. There's a lifeguard at hand. The architectural record of the area indicates the richness of marine life here that have been harvested since Neolithic times.

Separated from Praia de Galápos by a few rocks is Praia Dos Galapinhos and offers the visitor a more tranquil and secluded spot to bathe. A little further along still is Praia dos Coelhos (Arrábida) . Coelho's beach is a small cove surrounded by forest at the foot of the Arrábida Natural Park and consists of soft white sand, with clear and calm waters. Small and quiet, it has a bar which can be accessed via Galapos beach or by boat.

Portinho da Arrábida

Approached via a staircase to a sheltered cove which is blessed by crystal clear waters favoured by divers and bathers alike. With a calm swell, it's ideal for children and popular with windsurfers. Good ample parking and has a restaurant with facilities, who hire marquees as well as serve good coffee. There's a lifeguard at hand. The architectural record of the area indicates the richness of marine life here that have been harvested since Neolithic times.

The opposite bank of the Sado estuary lies the long narrow sand bar of Tróia. 19 miles (30km) of unbroken beach, dunes and woodland are a great attraction for sunbathers and walkers. The flat topography makes it also ideal for cycling. The northern tip is where you'll find most development. Here too there is an exceptional 18-hole golf course. Halfway down are the remains of a Roman town, Cetobriga, destroyed by a tidal wave in 412 AD was an important fishing and trading post.

Atlantic Ferries
The peninsular is well serviced by two regular ferries from terminals around Doca do Comércio in Setúbal.
Atlantic Ferries - Tráfego Local, Fluvial e Marítimo, S.A. Doca do Comércio 2900, Setúbal, Portugal.
38° 31' 18.1" N | 08° 53' 07.2" W
Timetable & Fares