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Things to do in Setúbal District, Portugal

Our most recommended things to do in Setúbal District, Portugal

From Lisbon: Arrabida Park Small Group Kayak Tour

1. From Lisbon: Arrabida Park Small Group Kayak Tour

Discover the wonders of the Sesimbra in the heart of Arrábida Natural Park on this guided trip. Explore the water by kayak and stop at the Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach for a picnic and some relaxation in the sun. Choose between the option with pickup from Lisbon or the option of meeting directly in the ancient village of Sesimbra (about a 45-minute drive from Lisbon). Once in Sesimbra, hop in a kayak (double sit on top kayaks) to go into the ocean. In both options, you'll have all the necessary equipment for kayaking, including mandatory life vests. Sesimbra is located in the heart of Arrábida Natural Park and has the most beautiful landscape in the region, filled with limestone cliffs, grouts, passages in between rock formations, and a beach to enjoy a break and soak in the sun. The first leg of the kayaking tour includes about 1.5 hours of paddling until you reach Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach. Enjoy a picnic break where you can admire the landscape in a relaxed way for about an hour. Get comfortable on a provided beach blanket. Enjoy a homemade, picnic of a baguette sandwich (chicken or vegan), fresh fruit, Farinha Torrada (a typical sweet from Sesimbra), and water. Options are available if you have food allergies or other restrictions (a message will be sent with extra info about the food and with extra info before the start of the trip) but by default, a chicken salad will be served. The second leg on the kayaks will bring you back to the starting point. The journey, in general, is a bit faster as you'll have some wind helping you on the return route so it should take about an hour. You will have time to change into a dry set of clothes before going back to Lisbon for drop-off.

From Lisbon: Comporta and Setúbal Trip with Horseback Riding

2. From Lisbon: Comporta and Setúbal Trip with Horseback Riding

Take a trip from Lisbon to Setúbal for a day of fun in the sun and the sea. Dive into the town's history and seafaring heritage on a walking tour. Take a ferry ride to the Troia Peninsula dotted with pine forested sand dunes. Then, in Comporta, mount your horse and gallop off to the beach. Explore Setúbal, the most important center of Portugal's fishing industry. Visit the bustling fish market of  Mercado do Livramento, the historic center, the Monastery of Jesus, and the São Filipe Fortress where you can soak in one of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Next, head towards Comporta on a 25-minute ferry ride, admiring the beauty of the Troia's coast, one of the world’s longest uninterrupted stretches of sand, and keep your eye peeled for dolphins. Upon arrival in Comporta, a protected natural reserve suspended between sea and rice fields, get ready for horseback riding with instructions from your guide. Ride your horse across rice paddies, pine forests, and sand dunes until you reach the Atlantic coast. At the end of the tour, return to the center of Lisbon in a comfortable minibus. Before bidding farewell to your guide, get recommendations on things to do during the rest of your stay in Lisbon.

Lisbon: Coasteering Adventure Sesimbra/Arrábida Natural Park

3. Lisbon: Coasteering Adventure Sesimbra/Arrábida Natural Park

Explore the coast of Portugal’s picturesque Sesimbra on a unique coasteering activity, and experience the latest adventure sport craze to hit Portugal and Arrábida. Coasteering is a mix of rock climbing, rappelling, swimming and walking, and Sesimbra is one of the best spots for the sport. Thanks to its combination of a natural protected area with the blue green translucent waters of the sea, coasteering in Sesimbra is a special adventure guaranteed to be a thrill whatever time of year. Meet your guide at the Porto de Abrigo to collect your coasteering equipment. As you’d expect, this activity requires several security measures, and you will be assisted and monitored by experienced professionals all the time. You’ll be provided with a helmet, buoyancy aid wet suit, and trainers. Some routes require rappelling and the use of a harness. Ropes and rescue kits are available in case of an emergency, but typically the activity is a cool and calm experience. Marvel at the breathtaking landscapes as you swim, walk, climb, and jump. Clamber over magnificent rocky escarpments that plunge over bays and coves.

Arrábida: Full-Day Hidden Paradise Tour

4. Arrábida: Full-Day Hidden Paradise Tour

Start the day with a visit to the Market of Livramento, one of the best in the world according to the American magazine The Times. After enjoying a typical fishermen's breakfast and seeing the local offer of fresh food and products, head to the Arrábida Nature Park. Take a swim at one of the idyllic beaches of this park and discover a hidden cave. Afterwards, head to the top of the mountain to get a panoramic view over the park, and marvel at the amazing sights. Here, you will also find a monastery that was once used by Franciscan Monks. Head back to Setúbal for a typical lunch with several different tapas of Portuguese food. At the end of the day, visit one of the local wineries for a tour and wine tasting. 

Arrábida and Sesimbra Day Tour & Wine Tasting

5. Arrábida and Sesimbra Day Tour & Wine Tasting

Experience the flavors and natural beauty of Portugal on this lovely full-day tour. Heading towards Portugal's Extremadura region, you will travel out of Lisbon over the longest bridge in Europe, the Vasco da Gama Bridge. In Palmela, you will find a Moorish castle offering fantastic photo opportunities. Visit a family estate where you can try homemade wine. Then continue through the mountains of the Arrábida National Park - up to 500 meters or 1,640 feet above sea level- and marvel at the spectacular views of one of Portugal's most beautiful landscapes. The park is also home to many plant and animal species found exclusively in this region. Much of the park is subject to strong protective measures and certain locations can only be accessed with special permission. Time for a short break. Take a relaxed stroll on the beach of Portinho Arrábida and enjoy the cool sea breeze and crisp air. Then, head to the charming fishing village of Sesimbra to have lunch at one of the village's friendly local restaurants with delicious dishes featuring the day's fresh catch. In the summer, cool off with a swim in the Atlantic, or simply go for another walk along the village's inviting beaches. Don't miss your chance to visit the village's beautifully restored church dating back to 1725, or take a walk to explore the Sesimbra Castle. Of course, the perfect follow-up to a delicious meal is great wine. Take part in a guided tour of the José Maria da Fonseca winery, one of the oldest in Portugal. It is still family-owned. Discover the region's outstanding wines at a wine tasting that includes 2 local varieties. As a perfect finale, take in the view over Lisbon from the platform of the Christ the King statue before crossing the 25 de Abril Bridge and heading back to Lisbon.

Lisbon: Arrábida Snorkeling Adventure

6. Lisbon: Arrábida Snorkeling Adventure

Discover Arrábida, a magical place with breathtaking seas, sky, and mountains. See the Arrábida mountain's most beautiful high coastal cliffs along a calm and crystal blue sea. It is a place of high contrasts, with a very rich geological, ecological and cultural heritage linked with agriculture, fishing and cuisine.  Your 5-hour package includes snorkeling in the Arrábida waters, sightseeing and a trek through the mountains, or over the shadows of its valleys and peaks. Along the coastline several beaches await for you, with fine, warm sand, bathed by the Atlantic Ocean. Through the green vegetation of the Natural Park, there are clearings that unveil unique perspectives of the beaches and the sea. Experience all this in one day, and take the opportunity to dive into the amazing waters and discover the wildlife that is part of the beautiful coastline.

Lisbon: Arrábida Natural Park and Sesimbra Day Trip

7. Lisbon: Arrábida Natural Park and Sesimbra Day Trip

Discover Arrabida Natural Park and Sesimbra on a Day Trip from Lisbon. Learn about the history of the region from your expert guide, admire the beauty of the coastline, and visit a Moorish castle, lunch on fresh fish and swim at a hidden beach. Meet your guide at your local Lisbon hotel for your day trip to Arrábida National Park and Sesimbra. Hop aboard your air-conditioned minivan and cross the 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril). Drive for about 40 minutes and arrive at the stunningly green Arrábida Natural Park. Enter the park while learning from your guide the history of this protected region, and reach the cliffs of Meco Beach, where you can admire the beauty of the Western Coastline. Cruise onward to the beautiful cliffs of Cabo Espichel. Here, hop out to see Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel, a 600-year-old religious site where pilgrims gathered to honor Our Lady of the Cape. Then, snap some clifftop panoramic shots of the stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean. Next, drive to the charming seaside town of Sesimbra, where local fishermen haul in fresh catches from the ocean. Stroll to the Moorish castle and discover its medieval roots. Afterward, stop for lunch (own expense) fresh fish in Sesimbra. Rejoin your guide and continue driving by unmapped roads to explore the Southern Coastline of the Park, where you'll discover St. Margareth's Cave (moderate walking required) and the charming Portinho da Arrábida harbor. Continue by a curvy seaside road, admiring the gorgeous beaches of Arrábida, to Setúbal, where you'll visit the Casa da Baía Center, a historical XVIII century building hosting local products and an interpretative center about the resident dolphin community. Alternatively, spend some free time soaking up the sun and swimming at Galapos, Galapinhos, or Praia dos Coelhos, Arrábida’s hidden golden beaches. After an adventurous day, ride back to your Lisbon hotel where this tour ends.

Lisbon Private Setúbal Region Wine Tasting Tour

8. Lisbon Private Setúbal Region Wine Tasting Tour

On this full-day tour travel to Azeitão, an area that’s well known for its wines and cheeses. Visit some of the region's top wine cellars and taste fine wines. The first stop is at the renowned cellars of José Maria da Fonseca, where you’ll learn about the winery’s history and sample some of its wines. Next visit Quinta de Alcube, a wine cellar owned by a family for over a century. It is a traditional cellar that produces only 250,000 bottles a year. The wines are sold directly to customers, making it difficult to find them in shops. In your third and final experience, taste up to 3 more wines in a mid-sized winery, or even the “Mother House” of the wine region, where you can see what most of the 21 different wineries produce in the region. You will also sample some traditional locally-produced cheese, bread, and other goods. In addition to all the tastings, marvel at the views of the Arrábida Natural Park and its mountain range.

Sesimbra and Arrábida National Park Tour with Wine Tasting

9. Sesimbra and Arrábida National Park Tour with Wine Tasting

Spend a full day exploring the Setubal region of Portugal on a tour that takes you through the countryside to see castles and taste wine. Begin your trip by crossing the Tagus River on your way to the impressive Cabo Espiche on the westernmost point of the Sesimbra coastline. Then, it is time to go to the fishing town of Sesimbra and visit a Moorish castle. This seaport town also boasts plenty of beaches and restaurants serving fresh seafood. Nearby is Arrábida Natural Park, located on the shore of the Sado River estuary. Visit the famous beaches of Portinho da Arrábida and Figueirinha, before heading to Setubal for a fish lunch! After lunch you will make your way to the astonishing Arrabida Mountain. This is a protected (Arrabida Natural Park) area. Here you will visit a a small local family owned cellar in the middle of the peaceful Arrabida Mountain to learn more about how this precious nectar is made. You will see the vineyards, see how the process is completed and of course, taste the results. All this is done in the company of a local, in an informal and funny way.

Full-Day Dolphin Watching Tour from Lisbon

10. Full-Day Dolphin Watching Tour from Lisbon

This full-day tour begins as you head south from Lisbon to Setúbal, a picturesque region best known for its fishing port. In Setúbal, board a fully restored salt galleon, or a modern catamaran (depending on weather and sea conditions), for a relaxing and enjoyable cruise in the Sado Estuary, where you’ll learn about the resident bottlenose dolphins and hopefully be able to observe wild dolphins in their natural environment. The duration of the cruise takes about 2 to 3 hours. See the natural reserve of Arrábida, take in the stunning views, and learn about the area’s history and gastronomy. See the Arrábida Convent and discover some important historical sites before returning to the old city center of Setúbal. Before returning to Lisbon, stop at a few sights in the Arrabida Mountain range, from where you can marvel at the natural reserve and get a land view of all the region.

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What people are saying about Setúbal District, Portugal

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 2,421 reviews

We decided sort of last minute to take this tour. We were a family of 8 so it was a private tour. Miguel was super knowledgeable of the area and made the trip fun. We started at the old market in down town Setubal. The Christmas market was also going on along the Main Street thru the town. We learned a ton about fish and tried some fresh oysters with champagne. We then headed into Arrabida Park. The views were spectacular. We had lunch at a cute little seaside “town” with stunning views (not in used in price). Day ended at a winery where we tried Moscatel for the first time. Wish we had discovered this sooner bc we LOVED it. So yummy.

This was my first time rock climbing. Luis was really patient snd understanding. I managed to do big climbs that I never thought possible. Luis was amazing and really knowledgeable. 10/10 I recommend him

The tour was fantastic! Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, the wineries were diverse and interesting and the wine and snacks made for a perfect day away from Lisbon.

The guide Miguel is really amazing! The day was great and well organized. The local tastes(wine and food) were so good.

Setubal was a surprisingly beautiful town and the horseback riding at Melides tops up this entire experience.