Setúbal

While the town of Setúbal is itself of limited interest compared to some of Portugal’s historic towns and cities, it does serve as a regional base from which to explore both the River Tejo and Sado estuaries, which boast a rich array of water fowl and the elusive Sado estuary dolphins, against the stunning backdrop of the Serra da Arrábida hills and surrounding vineyards.

Located 32 km South-West of Lisbon, this industrial port town is within easy reach of some of the areas’ picturesque towns and villages, including Palmela, Sessimbra, Alcácer do Sal and Grândola.

The town was a bustling port during Roman times, and once again gained prominence when the region was conquered from the Moors in 1217 and was awarded protective status through the Order of São Tiago. The town became an important centre for ceramics and curing dried fish. It was also a popular seasonal resort for the nobility from the 15th century onwards while the town is associated with the life and times of the celebrated 18th century poet and writer Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage (1765-1805) and the house where he was born is today a museum which can be visited. Another famous native of the city is the celebrated 18th century opera singer Luísa Todi. 

Setúbal boasts the impressive 16th century Santa Maria da Graça Cathedral with its excellent 18th century blue tile azulejos, the Gothic Igreja de Jesus which features a rich interior with twisted Manuelian columns, an archaeological museum with various local finds from Roman times, and the Castle of São Filipe which was built in 1595 by King Philip II of Spain during the period when Portugal was absorbed by her larger neighbour.

Although including densely urbanized areas which sometimes act as "dormitories" for people who work around the capital, like Almada and Barreiro, for example, this district also offers small fishing ports and markets, with a great variety of fish and seafood, and unspoilt natural reserves.

Of the first Sesimbra is a charming example, with its sheltered bay and narrow steep streets. It is a popular holiday resort, in Summer, and lies on the slopes of Serra da Arrábida, where a natural park was established in a small range of mountains. Here you can enjoy a wild and beautiful landscape, where birds and shrubs and trees thrive, and, on the southern slopes, spectacular views over a limpid sea.

For those who search for peace and quiet, exploring the natural reserves of the Tagus and Sado river estuaries is another option.
Palmela, known for its wine, holds an enormous castle on a hilltop that dominates the views over Serra da Arrábida.

Another breathtaking view can be seen from the huge cliffs of Cabo Espichel, a desolate promontory where the land suddenly ends before the Atlantic Ocean.
South of the district, on the way to Algarve, you can stop at the ancient town of Alcácer do Sal, with its moorish castle, or visit Sines, the birthplace of the discoverer Vasco da Gama, surrounded by sandy beaches and picturesque villages.
But if you go to Setúbal, Tróia, is a must to visit with its wonderful beach and nautical sports.

Azeitão
En route to the Serra da Arrábida, on the N379, it is worth stopping off in this little village to sample some of the local sweet wines or muscatels that this region is famous for. Most of the local producers have adegas or wine cellars and shops which are open to the public. 

Palmela
The only real reason for visiting Palmela is to see the impressive castle which affords fantastic panoramic views of both the Sado and Tagus estuaries and the surrounding Serra da Arrábida. Particularly pretty at night when it is all lit up, the castle was built to defend the surrounding countryside from the Moors from whom it was taken 12th century during the reign of Sancho I. The castle also features a charming monastery which today has been converted into a charm hotel or pousada.

Serra da Arrábida
These picturesque hills form part of a National Nature Park along the coast between Sesimbra and Setúbal. Although small and compact, the hills contain an astonishing variety of wildlife including rare eagles, falcons, wild cats and badgers. The best way to see this lush Eden punctuated with cypress trees and pines is to take the N379 road which boasts wonderful views of the Tróia peninsular and winds its way down to the Sado estuary via the pretty Arrábida Convent.

Sado River Boat Trip
It’s well worth catching a boat from the Port of Setúbal and taking a leisurely two-hour cruise around the breathtakingly beautiful Sado estuary which contains some of the best river wildfowl in the country. Take a pair of binoculars, you never know you just might sport the shy estuary dolphins and even if you don’t you can admire the stunning hills of Serra da Arrábida.

Santa Maria do Castelo Church (Vouzela)
This church’s foundation is connected to the Santiago Order. It constitutes one of the most interesting exemplary of the late Romantic style.
Santa Maria do Castelo is a church with three naves and a rectangular chancel.

S. Faústo Dolmen (Alcácer do Sal)
Near the road that leads to Alcáçovas one can observe a dolmen called S. Faústo Dolmen, because of the proximity of the old chapel with this name.
This is the only exemplary known in this council that still remains intact and is formed by a small chamber with supports and lid, and without corridor.

Santiago’s Church (Alcácer do Sal)
This church has only one nave that is large and typically from the 18th century, not only because of its disposal but also because the conjunct joins the sobriety of the squared stone with the exuberance of ploughed wood, paintings and tiles.
In fascias superposed one can see panels representing the Santiago’s life, and all around representations of the Virgin’s life, figurations of the Apostles, of the Evangelists and of the Holly Bishops, in blue and white tiles from the 18th century.

Sesimbra
This pretty fishing village and beach is worthwhile stopping off to have lunch for, not only because it has some excellent fish restaurants but also because you can admire the typical brightly coloured fishing boats moored in the harbour. It’s fun to explore the narrow winding alleys of the old town and see the Fort of Santiago where one can get a good view of the town, beach and port from its terrace.

Sesimbra’s Castle (Sesimbra)
This castle symbolises several episodes of the Portuguese history.
In 1190, when the Saracen took over Alcácer do Sal, the castle’s garrison escaped and the Sesimbra’s Castle was completely destroyed.
In 1200 the castle was rebuilt and in 1236 it was donated to the Santiago’s Order.

Cape Espichel (Sesimbra)
For many years the Portuguese shores had very few nocturnal signalising and they were known between the English as the "black shores". Several lighthouses were built to illuminate the coasts and the Cape Espichel’s was the first.
Nowadays, the lighthouse is completely automatic so in case any of the vital systems fails there will always be alternative systems that start working without human intervention.

Archaeology Museum (Sesimbra)
The Archaeology Museum was opened on May 28, 1960 and is presently working in one of the ex- High School pavilions, located in the Luís de Camões Square.
It gathers tracks left by the Portuguese ancestors, safeguarding and revealing this region’s patrimony. The exposed pieces go from the Paleolithic to the Iron Age, the Roman Age and the Portuguese Age.