Setúbal: a laid-back fishing town so close to Lisbon

What most visitors to Lisbon don't know is that south of the Tagus River and across the 25th of April Bridge is Setúbal, a beautiful seaside town famous for its own amazing cuisine, a sweet and internationally acclaimed muscatel wine, and your secret gateway to a hidden natural paradise!

Although Setúbal is primarily known as an industrial city, its stunning location between the Serra da Arrábida and the Troia Peninsula really makes it the perfect base to see some of Portugal's best unspoiled beaches and most dramatic coastlines.

Nature lovers prepare to fall in love while walking along the Arrábida Natural Park, tourists prepare to be amazed by the pod of bottlenose dolphins in the Sado estuary and foodies, you are on a gastronomic adventure with incredible seafood dishes that will seduce your taste buds.

Read on and see why you really need to start planning your next trip to Setúbal!

Where is Setúbal in Portugal?

Setúbal is located just 32 km south of Lisbon and the best part is that it's only a train ride away too, with trains departing from Roma-Areeiro station in Lisbon (passing through Entrecampos, Sete Rios and Campolide stations) to Setúbal.

The train journey takes just over 1h and spectacularly crosses the Tagus River via the famous 25th of April Bridge. Alternatively, you can also take a bus from Praça Espanha or drive to Setúbal from Lisbon, which will only take you 30 minutes by car.

What type of cuisine is typical of Setúbal?

Setúbal is a fishing town, so naturally you will find that most of the traditional dishes are, in fact, fish-based.

Food lovers get ready because this city knows how to cook delicious fish and proof of this can be seen in 2011, when the grilled sardines of Setúbal were elected as one of the "7 Wonders of Portuguese Gastronomy!"

While you should definitely try the grilled sardines from Setúbal, there is also a wide variety of other great traditional fish dishes to try and we definitely recommend the horse mackerel (butter mackerel), flounder (sole), grouper (Atlantic shipwreck fish or stone bass) and grouper (grouper) just to name a few.

Delicious grilled fish is not all that Setúbal is known for, however, it is also famous for a wide variety of seafood dishes, such as choco frito (choco frito), caldeirada or the "ensopado do mar", feijoadas, saladas (salads) made with cuttlefish (cuttlefish), octopus (octopus) and massadas de peixe (fish stews with pasta).

Above all, Setúbal is probably best known for dishes that feature local eel, which you can try prepared in stews or simply fried.

For meat lovers, there is also a wide variety of dishes to try such as chicken cabidela, duck rice with sausage, lamb stew, pork tenderloins with açorda and a good Portuguese stew.

What to see and do in Setúbal Portugal

While you can definitely spend more than enough time eating your way through Setúbal, there are still so many lovely things to see and do.

Here are some of the best sites you should see on your visit:

 • Arrábida Natural Park – it is located by the sea, between Setúbal and the fishing village of Sesimbra and has natural beauty that you have to see to believe –  where the crystal clear waters mix with the stunning vegetation of the mountains that surround it. Figueirinha, Galápos and Portinho da Arrábida are found in the park and contribute to its unique and unspoiled beauty.

 • Monastery of Jesus of Setúbal – is a historic building in downtown Setúbal , which served as a monastery of Poor Clare nuns. It is one of the first buildings in the Manueline style, the Portuguese version of late Gothic and dates back to the 1490s. The tiles here are a must-see!

 • Livramento Market – is located on Avenida Luísa Todi and is worth the visit just to see the incredible variety of fresh fish and seafood on display. Built in 1930, its columns are made of wrought iron and feature some beautiful original tiles.

 • St. Philip's Fortress – dates back to the 14th century and has stunning views looking out over the ocean and over the city. It is located on Estrada do Castelo de São Filipe.

 • Avenida Luísa Todi – the main avenue of Setúbal and with its multiple bars, restaurants and green spaces, it is the perfect place to visit on a beautiful sunny day.

 • Praça de Bocage – it is the main square in Setúbal and is located in the heart of the city. It is a truly historic place and the central statue dates back to 1871. Sit on the terrace of a local café and enjoy the prime viewing spot of watching city life go by!

 • Albarquel Urban Park –  it is an incredible park next to the beach. Ideal for a leisurely stroll in the sun or just to take a break and enjoy some nature in the city!

Best beaches near Setúbal

Truly one of the best things to see are the stunning beaches in the area. For a little slice of paradise, I've listed the best beaches you have to see when visiting Setúbal:

1. Portinho da Arrábida

Considered by many to be the most beautiful beach in all of Portugal. From the crystal clear waters to the picturesque green mountain scenery, you'll forget where you are while you're completely immersed in nature. With basically no artificial structures in sight and no cars allowed in the area, Portinho da Arrábida is the reason why many go to Setúbal in the first place.

2. Galapinhos Beach

It is located near Portinho da Arrábida and was considered the best beach in Europe in 2017 by the European Best Destinations website. If you're planning to visit, the beach is also located in the car-free zone, so you'll need to walk a bit to get there – trust me, it's worth it!

3. Figueirinha Beach

It is the new hotspot in Setúbal as it is the last beach where you can drive and it stretches over a large stretch of sand, which at low tide extends outwards to form a sandbar and creates a type of cove ideal for windsurfing?

4. Tróia Beach

 Tróia beach is one of the most beautiful coastlines in Portugal, which boasts a 13 km stretch of pristine sands, crystal clear waters, and pine forested sand dunes.

5. Albarquel Beach

It is the closest beach to the city of Setúbal. An enchanting stretch of golden sand with great views over the calm waters of the Sado estuary to the Tróia Peninsula .

by : Setúbal: A laid-back fishing town so close to Lisbon (beportugal.com)