Lisbon

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Arrábida

The Arrábida region, 30 minutes from Lisbon, is a surprise to all those who visit. After crossing the Tagus and before reaching the River Sado, the hills, sea and land come together in these three magical and enchanting places where history is written in the stones and the quality of life can be felt in the air.

If you head south out of Lisbon, you don’t have to go far to find three small gems worth discovering with time and leisure. Sesimbra, one of the most popular holiday regions for the Portuguese, has all the hustle and liveliness of a holiday resort. With snack bars and classy restaurants for partying, Sesimbra also offers a lively family environment besides beach and nightlife. Distant from the urban excitement, the imposing Cape Espichel and the legend of Azóia envelop it in a mystical and contemplative atmosphere that is ideal for enjoying the sunset.

And as you approach, you start to see the outline of Palmela and its castle forming, with the form of the hills of the Serra de Arrábida hills in the background. Palmela has plenty of food options which help you to gather your forces to climb up to the castle and visit the old main square, from which smoke signals would be sent to communicate with the castles of São Jorge and Alcácer do Sal. In Setúbal today, the only smoke you see is from the BBQs, grilling fish for the hungry customers who have been on the beach or gone for a walk. Don’t miss the great culinary speciality of the area: fried cuttlefish. It’s ideal as you try to catch a glimpse of the bottlenose dolphins in the River Sado.

In this area, which is perfect for nature tourism thanks to the Sado estuary nature park, you can also combine your passion for golf. Arrábida provides a unique verdant backdrop, with its beaches hidden in the middle of the vegetation, its walking trails and the beautiful town of Azeitão where you can visit the wineries and the famous muscatel producers and try the incomparable tortas which are the delight of the region.

  • Beaches of Arrábida and Sesimbra

    If you want to find the best beaches in Lisbon, head south to Arrábida, pass through Setúbal and forget the ferry to Tróia. As you drive towards the popular Albarquel and Figueirinha beaches, don’t stop. It’s the beaches in the coves formed by the serra, stretches of golden sand between the transparent blue of the sea and the lush green of the hills, that you’re after. Memorise the names: Galapinhos, Galápos, Coelhos and Creiro. Park the car and follow those leading the way. Believes us, it’s worth it. A little further on, you’ll see Portinho da Arrábida, one of the prettiest beaches in Portugal. On the Sesimbra side, Lagoa de Albufeira is perfect for wind and kite surfing. At Meco, there are nudist beaches and a cosmopolitan atmosphere; while at Sesimbra the mood is more family oriented.

  • Sado Estuary Nature Reserve

    If you visit Setúbal and Arrábida, you’ll be surprised by the magnitude of the nature and the balance between hills and sea. But to get to know the nature of this region better, mainly the huge area of the Sado estuary, there’s no better way than to explore the huge wetlands separated from the sea by the Tróia peninsula: the Reserva Natural do Estuário do Sado. Here you can find countless species of birds and several dozen dolphins amid marshes, sandbanks, rice paddies and a vast area of woods and reed plantations. This conservation area is also home to several threatened species, such as the black bat and otter. Ideally, join one of the many cruises that visit the estuary from Setúbal to observe nature in its calmest state. But if you only have time to take the ferry across to Tróia, you may still catch sight of the friendly dolphins. Nature is famous for being generous here.

  • Castelo de Palmela

    Palmela castle is one of the most impressive sights in the Lisbon region. Occupied, conquered, lost and regained, it is a faithful testament to the battles waged during the first royal dynasty (1143 to 1383) to establish the territory of Portugal. Erected at a uniquely strategic point, between the Tagus and Sado rivers, it was founded by the Romans, probably in 310 BC. But the first fortifications were built by the Moors from the 8th to 9th centuries. The castle was successively added to: the primitive round towers by the Romans; the square towers by the Moors; the entrance tower by the Master of Avis; and the cannon fortifications by Pedro II. It has a great view of the Arrábida hills and Sado estuary. It also houses two churches, one lined with 17th-century tiles and a set of 16th-century graves. Come and visit for its view and unique location.

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TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 149 reviews

Anthia Diving Center is a Tourism Animation company. Our main objective is to promote recreational diving in all its aspects.

TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 94 reviews

Aquarama is a company of Maritime-tourist activity, which operates in Sesimbra and marine area of Arrábida Natural Park and has an unique boat. The APNEA boat allows underwater view.

TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 343 reviews

See one of the loveliest beaches in Portugal and the fort by Portinho da Arrábida beach which guards it: Arrábida Fort. It’s a breathtaking sight.

TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 1705 reviews

Dotted by idyllic beaches and secret coves next door to Setúbal, the Parque Natural da Arrábida represents a peaceful, natural and protected encounter between land and sea.

TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 31 reviews

À Vela Passeios offers catamaran or sailboat tours in private regime, in the Sado Estuary, Tróia Coast and Arrábida. Sado Dolphin Watching and Sunset Cruises.

Want a different accommodation? We have unique spaces and a set of ZEN services. Come and meet us.

TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 340 reviews

Badger Tours oferece uma diversidade de passeios turísticos, visitas guiadas, passeios pedestres, hiking trips, golf trips, transferes, shuttles de/para o aeroporto e rent-a-car.

Discover the most idyllic beaches in the Lisbon region, protected by the hills and blessed by a sea of tranquil water ideal for swimming.

The biovilla, as an agro-tourism project inserted in the Serra da Arrábida Natural Park, intends to develop a tourist activity that contributes to the economic, cultural and environmental development of the region in a sustainable way.

BoatCenter has been on the recreational boating sector since 2000 and we value our resources to qualify this activity, creating the right conditions for customers to enjoy unforgettable experiences of the sea all year round!

Caramela is the oldest grocery store in Poceirão. The first opening date is 1952 and after being closed for more than three decades, it reopens in 2020 in the midst of a pandemic, as a gourmet grocery store.

TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 644 reviews

It’s your turn to conquer this monumental castle in the Lisbon region. Take a trip to Palmela to get to know the area and the Arrábida hills which surround it.

TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 89 reviews

This place of worship, which was founded in 1165, is a landmark of the Christian reconquest of Portugal led by King Afonso Henriques.

TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 146 reviews

Take a trip five centuries back in time 30 km outside Lisbon. The church of the Antigo Mosteiro de Jesus is an old and impressive building that you should visit.

Dive Club Cipreia ... diving since 1992! We offer services related to maritime activities for leisure, from boating and snorkeling to diving experiences.

TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 9 reviews

Discover a unique convent in an amazing place close to Lisbon. In the middle of the Serra da Arrábida Nature Park, this convent could be taken from a fairytale.

TripAdvisor Traveler RatingBased on 393 reviews

The Frigate D. Fernando II e Glória is the last wooden sailing ship of the Portuguese Navy and the last “Nau” of the “Carreira da Índia”, the connection between Portugal and India.

With a modern and timeless total of 207 rooms, this dream resort is located in the village of Sesimbra in the heart of Arrabida Natural Park and Atlantic Ocean

Sesimbra is located in a huge bay facing south, the weather being predominantly north, it is very sheltered throughout the year allowing unique conditions for diving.

Situated in the heart of the Arrábida Natural Park, Hotel Casa Palmela is located in Quinta do Esteval, a house with a history dating back to the seventeenth century.