Setubal and Arrabida: Beaches, Dolphins and Wine Near Lisbon

Just south of Lisbon, across the Tagus, the Arrábida hills drop straight into a turquoise sea. It’s home to some of the most beautiful beaches near the capital, dolphins in the Sado estuary and the excellent fried cuttlefish of Setúbal. It’s a favourite escape for Lisboetas, and far less touristy than Sintra or Cascais.

Quick answer: get to Setúbal by train (Fertagus, about an hour from Lisbon) or car. In summer (early June to mid-September), cars are restricted on the Arrábida beach road, so use the buses and shuttles from Setúbal. Swim at Galapinhos or Portinho da Arrábida, take a dolphin-watching boat, and eat choco frito in Setúbal.

Getting there from Lisbon

• Train: the Fertagus line crosses the 25 de Abril bridge from Lisbon (Roma-Areeiro, Entrecampos and Sete Rios) to Setúbal in about an hour. The views from the bridge are great.
• Bus: buses from Lisbon (including Sete Rios) also run to Setúbal.
• Car: about 45 minutes via the A2 (tolled). A car makes it easy to combine the beaches, Azeitão wineries and Sesimbra, but see the summer restrictions below.
• Tour: day trips from Lisbon often combine Arrábida, a wine tasting and Sesimbra. See Arrábida tours.

Summer car restrictions: “Arrábida sem carros”

To protect the natural park and ease traffic, Setúbal restricts cars on the coastal road to the beaches every summer. In 2026 the rules ran from 4 June to 15 September, from 7am to 8pm, covering the road to Portinho da Arrábida, Creiro and Galapos. Instead:

• Buses run from Setúbal to the beaches (Creiro and Figueirinha), and a shuttle runs between Creiro and Galapos every 30 minutes.
• The navegante card works on these buses.
• Arrive early on summer weekends, as buses fill up.

Dates change each year, so check the Setúbal council website before you go. Outside summer you can drive and park along the road as normal.

The best Arrábida beaches

• Galapinhos: once voted the best beach in Europe. A small cove of white sand and clear water under green cliffs, reached by a steep path.
• Portinho da Arrábida: a sheltered bay with calm, shallow water and seafood restaurants. Great for families and snorkelling.
• Creiro: a long, easy beach next to Portinho.
• Figueirinha: the closest to Setúbal, with shallow water and sandbanks at low tide.

The water here is calmer and often warmer than on Lisbon’s Atlantic beaches, as the hills shelter the bay.

Other things to do

Dolphin watching in the Sado

The Sado estuary has a resident pod of bottlenose dolphins, one of only a few in Europe. Boat trips leave from Setúbal, take 2–2.5 hours and cost around €40–45. Sightings are very likely but never guaranteed. See dolphin-watching trips.

Setúbal town

A working port town with a lively market (Mercado do Livramento, one of the best fish markets in Portugal), a pretty old centre and the hilltop São Filipe fort with views over the estuary. Places to stay in Setúbal.

Choco frito

Setúbal’s signature dish: strips of fried cuttlefish, crispy outside and tender inside, often with chips and salad. Order it along the waterfront Avenida Luisa Todi.

Convento da Arrábida

A 16th-century Franciscan monastery tucked into the green hillside, with wonderful sea views. Visits are by appointment only, on set days, so book ahead.

Azeitão wine

On the inland side of the hills, the village of Azeitão is famous for Moscatel de Setúbal (a sweet fortified wine) and for José Maria da Fonseca, one of Portugal’s oldest wineries, which runs cellar tours and tastings. Try the local queijo de Azeitão (a creamy sheep’s cheese) and tortas de Azeitão (rolled sponge cakes).

Tróia

Across the estuary, the Tróia peninsula has miles of white sand. The Atlantic Ferries catamaran takes about 15 minutes and costs about €5 each way.

Sesimbra

A fishing town on the far side of Arrábida, with a lovely town beach, a castle on the hill and grilled-fish restaurants. Cabo Espichel, with its cliffs and old pilgrim church, is nearby.

A perfect day

1. Early train or drive to Setúbal, and a look around the market.
2. Morning dolphin-watching trip, or straight to the beach.
3. Lunch at Portinho da Arrábida, or choco frito in Setúbal.
4. Afternoon swimming at Galapinhos or Creiro.
5. A wine tasting in Azeitão on the way back to Lisbon if you have a car.

More day trips

See the best day trips from Lisbon, Cascais and Évora and the Alentejo.

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