Setúbal, Nature&Culture, among castles, mountains and beaches

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Recommended by 100% of reviewers

| Lisbon, Portugal

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7 to 8 hours (approx.)

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Overview

Get ready to explore stunning landscapes, castles, beaches, and villages like Setúbal, Palmela, Sesimbra, and the iconic Christ King monument, with breathtaking views over Lisbon. Discover the Livramento Market, the Arrábida Natural Park, and the medieval castles of Palmela and Sesimbra.

Private Tour – €400 per group
Pick-up at your hotel in Lisbon, personalized itinerary. Time to relax, walk, and enjoy.

Shared Tour – €85 per person
Departure from a public meeting point in Lisbon. Small group or solo travellers. Time to relax, walk, and enjoy. Confirmed with minimum of 4 person.

Passionate, experienced, and flexible guides
Comfortable vehicles with water, Wi-Fi.
A perfect balance of information, discovery, and relaxation
Attention to detail and genuine care for every traveler
Private or shared — the important thing is to experience Portugal as it deserves: with time, with soul, and with a great guide by your side.

What's Included

Private transportation
WiFi on board
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
An amazing driver; · 8 hours of everlasting memories; Guided tour of the monuments

Lunch · Lunch, but we do have a selection of incredible restaurants that never disappoint · Snacks · Personal expenses

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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Pickup details

Hotel - Meeting point at Reception Lisbon Airport - Park P1 Departures (Kiss and Fly) or P2 Arrivals Railway stations - at the entrance

What To Expect

Castelo de Palmela

Palmela Castle is located at one of the highest points in Serra da Arrábida. It is a difficult to access location and therefore ideal for fulfilling its territorial defense function. During the Christian Reconquista led by D. Afonso Henriques, first king of Portugal, Palmela was part of the defense line south of the Tagus. At that time, the king donated the territories of Palmela, Almada and Alcácer to the Order of Sant'Iago da Espada for defense and settlement. In 1205, D. Sancho I confirmed the donation and installed the Chapter of the Order in the castle. In the century. XV, D. João I ordered a series of restoration works to be carried out, especially in the keep and ordered the construction of the convent that would become the seat of the Order from 1443 onwards. The castle also underwent some changes in the 14th century. XVII, under order of D. Pedro II. The friars remained in the Santiago convent until the extinction of the religious orders in 1834.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Mercado do Livramento

Built to replace another market, demolished in 1876, it was opened in 1930. The interior was completely remodeled following renovation work on the facilities carried out between 2010 and 2011. The tile panels inside stand out, depicting the city's various economic activities, designed by Portuguese engraver and painter Pedro Pinto, dating from 1929. At the north entrance there are also, on both sides, two other panels by Rosa Rodrigues, with images of the city, dating from 1944. In June 2014, the North American magazine USA Today recognized Mercado do Livramento as one of the best fish markets in the world.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

SetubalSouv

Local souvenir shop, handmade by local artisans. Fish-shaped building, made of cork and wood.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Church of the former Monastery of Jesus

The Convent and the Church of Jesus constitute true landmarks in Portuguese architectural history, marking the beginning of the Manueline style. The works, which began in 1490 and, apparently, ended in 1496, were led by Diogo Boitaca who signed works on monuments such as the Jerónimos Monastery, the Belém Tower and the Batalha Monastery. The Church of Jesus is considered the first attempt at a church-hall in Portugal, designed as a homogeneously lit space. At the Convent of Jesus, innovative solutions were used for the time, such as round arches, vaults based on lowered arches and networks of ribs.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Forte de Sao Filipe

A must-visit tourist spot, the São Filipe Fort was once an important defensive and control bastion for the city. The São Filipe Fort is the result of orders from the Spanish monarch Philip II on the fortification of the coastline that protects Setúbal and the mouth of the Sado River. It was designed by Captain Fratino in 1583, consisting of an irregular polygonal plan, in the shape of a six-pointed star with six bastions, and on a steep slope over the sea, being protected on the north side by a second walled line. Forte de São Filipe, more often referred to as a fort or fortress, played a tactical role in reinforcing the defense line of the Portuguese coast attacked by pirates from northern Europe and Africa. From the fort walls you can see one of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the bay.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Serra da Arrabida

The crystal clear blue of the sea waters crossing with the green of Nature, makes Serra da Arrábida a special corner of Portugal. From paradisiacal beaches, stunning landscapes and viewpoints, to mysterious caves and castles to visit, Serra da Arrábida brings you a great diversity of activities. Serra da Arrábida is part of the Arrábida Natural Park and is located near the city of Setúbal (about 10 km), 45 km from Lisbon and approximately 17km from Sesimbra. The Arrábida Natural Park is made up of very steep terrain from the various mountains: Serra do Louro, Serra do Risco, Serra de São Luís, Serra dos Gaiteiros, Serra de São Francisco and Serra da Arrábida. Its highest point is 501 meters of altitude, allowing you to see a part of the Portuguese Vincentian coast. With an extension of around 10,800 hectares, Arrábida covers the municipalities of Palmela, Sesimbra and Setúbal.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Portinho da Arrabida

It belongs to the district of Setúbal and its beach (Portinho da Arrábida beach) is the main tourist attraction of this small town. It is a small sandy area next to the small town (village) of Portinho da Arrábida. It is at the foot of the mountain between other beaches (Creiro and Alpertuche) in the region. As in this entire area, the waters are calm, clear, cold and perfect for those who like diving. The beach is rocky and has some beach facilities (restaurants). In 2010, it won a distinction for being considered “one of the 7 natural wonders of Portugal” – beaches categories.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Castelo de Sesimbra

Sesimbra Castle is the last of the Portuguese castles on the sea to maintain its medieval design. It was classified as a National Monument on June 16, 1910 and has several reasons of interest. Its walls have a unique view over the town and the sea.Inside there are two permanent exhibitions about its history, a heritage interpretation center, a church and a disused cemetery. It also offers a museum circuit that allows visitors, independently, to enjoy the property's various points of interest. Visitors can walk along the walls and enjoy a privileged view of the town of Sesimbra and the region. The café with terrace offers some local products. It stands out in the landscape for its grandeur.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Fortaleza de Santiago

The Fortaleza de Santiago has coexisted with the Sesimbra community for 365 years. It was built at a time when danger arrived from the sea and maritime borders had to be defended, however, the course of history meant that it lost its defensive preponderance. After meticulous and specialized work, which preserved the initial structure as much as possible, the Santiago Fortress opened to the public in July 2014, fully restored. Visitors were then able to understand the original functions of each space, from the magazine area to the Governor's house, passing through the dormitories, getting an idea of how these fortifications worked. In 2016, the Fortaleza de Santiago received what is the biggest project destined for the space: the Sesimbra Maritime Museum, which showcases the history of the sea, fishing and the fishing community from the earliest times to the present.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cabo Espichel

The Cabo Espichel Sanctuary, inserted in the Arrábida natural park, also known as the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Pedra Mua, is located in Cabo Espichel, west of the town of Sesimbra, which marks the southwestern tip of the Setúbal peninsula and from where glimpse the dizzying and abysmal Lagosteiros Bay. According to legend, an apparition of Our Lady took place there. Nothing remains of the primitive sanctuary referred to by the Visitations of the Order of Santiago. Based on the cult of Nossa Senhora do Cabo and the 14th century Ermida da Memória, in the 18th century, D. Pedro II and D. José ordered the construction of a sanctuary that continued to be worshiped until the transition to the 20th century, before going into decline. The sanctuary brings together the church built between 1701-1707 in a floor-to-ceiling style, two wings of inns built between 1745-1760, the water house dating from 1770 and supplied by an aqueduct and the opera house, from the end of the 1800s.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei

The desire to build a monument to Christ the King began in 1940 when the Portuguese bishops vowed to build a Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus over Lisbon if Portugal were spared from the War. Portugal maintained a position of neutrality in World War II, not participating directly in war actions and this fact was decisive in launching a national fundraising campaign, so that the construction could become a reality. And, in 1959, the Monument to Christ the King was inaugurated, rising 113 meters over the cities of Almada and Lisbon, offering a 360º panoramic view over both banks of the Tagus River and surrounding areas. Within the four pillars of the Monument to Christ the King, symbol of the four cardinal points, is the Chapel of Our Lady of Peace. The image of Our Lady is a replica of the same image that was offered to the Church of Saint Eugene in Rome, on the occasion of the Holy Year of 1950.

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Service animals allowed
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Please wait in the pick up point 15 min prior to the starting time of the program, The guide will contact you via whatsapp. Minimum number of participants is 2 The program is subject to a minimum of 2 participants. If the minimum number of participants is not met, the reservation will be canceled up to 24 hours before the scheduled date, and the full amount paid will be refunded.

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Setúbal, Nature&Culture, among castles, mountains and beaches?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (WEST).This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Read more Apr 2025