Just 45 minutes south of Lisbon lies Arrábida Natural Park – a wild coastal paradise of turquoise bays, limestone cliffs and secret beaches that feel straight out of the Caribbean. Long one of my favourite Lisbon day trips, Arrábida has just earned new fame as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – so it’s finally time I let go of this local secret and share my full guide.
I’ll explain what Arrábida Natural Park is, the best things to do, the best beaches to visit, how I like to spend a day there, and nearby side quests you can add on.
Quick facts about Arrábida Natural Park
| 🌿 Location | 45 minutes south of Lisbon, between Sesimbra and Setúbal |
| 🚗 How to get there | Best explored by car or guided tour (roads close in summer to limit traffic) |
| ☀️ Best time to visit | May-October for beach weather; spring and autumn for hiking |
| 🏖️ Top beaches | Praia do Creiro, Galapinhos, Figueirinha |
| 🧭 Top viewpoint | Miradouro do Portinho da Arrábida – stunning coastal panorama |
| 🐬 Wildlife | Home to Sado Estuary bottlenose dolphins (join a dolphin-watching cruise) and 1,400+ plant species |
| 🎒 Perfect day trip | Go independently or join this guided tour from Lisbon: Market morning → seafood lunch → beach time → Azeitão wine |
Where and what is the Arrábida Biosphere Reserve?
Arrábida Natural Park is a protected coastal mountain reserve set between the fishing town of Sesimbra and the city of Setúbal, about 45 minutes south of Lisbon. At the mouth of the Sado Estuary, rocky and verdant limestone cliffs drop dramatically into the turquoise Atlantic Ocean. On a sunny day, the beaches here and views out to the Tróia Peninsula look like a Caribbean paradise (until you meet with the icy water).
The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve spans around 200 km² and takes in “Mediterranean scrubland, dense maritime pine forests, hidden caves, and vibrant marine ecosystems”, said to be 180 million years old. Within the reserve, you’ll find more than 1,400 plant types representing 40% of Portuguese flora (including 70 super rare and endemic species), along with 2,000 marine species – including the curious Sado bottlenose dolphins, which you’ll often meet on boat tours.
While one side of Arrábida’s mountain touches the ocean, the other meets with vineyards and olive groves. On the inland side, the wine town of Azeitão is famous for its sweet moscatel dessert wines, gooey sheep’s cheese, and traditional torta de Azeitão sweets. To the west lies the charming fishing town of Sesimbra, and to the east, you’ll come across Setúbal, a port city with a castle and a spectacular daily market.
For hundreds of years, the park was home to Franciscan monks, who built a secluded convent in the hills. You can hike up to find it, or spend a day lazing at one of the beautiful beaches.
Read next – My perfect day in Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park
How to get to Arrábida Natural Park
It’s not the easiest place to reach, and getting there becomes more complex in the summer months due to traffic restrictions. First of all, it’s best to explore with a car. For that reason, if you’re visiting Lisbon as a tourist and want to go for a day trip, I’d suggest going with a small-group tour – there are lots of options, like this guided day trip from Lisbon that explores the park and Sesimbra, or this snorkel-wine tour with Lisbon transfers.
In summer, authorities close some roads to car traffic to stop congestion and pollution at the beaches. The shutdown usually happens between mid-June and mid-September. From Setúbal, you can catch regular buses to reach some of the praias, or you can park in the parking lots at Praia da Figueirinha or Praia do Creiro.
If you want to use public transport to visit, I’d take the train to Setúbal and then either catch the beach bus or take a water taxi to one of the beaches. I’ve taken a water taxi with friends from Setúbal to Portinho da Arrábida before, and then from Praia do Creiro, we were able to hail a Bolt/Uber to get us back to Lisbon.
Things to do in Arrábida Natural Park
Arrábida is a natural eco-tourism playground. Expect gorgeous views, beaches, ocean fun and hiking trails, as well as vineyards and local producers. You can swim, snorkel, boat, dive, coasteer, abseil, rock climb, e-bike and even do a Via Ferrata.
Nature and adventure activities on land
- Swim at one of the many drop-dead gorgeous sandy beaches (I’ll list the best ones in the next segment).
- Hike across the landscape along one of these trails. It’s a huge park with plenty of choices! You can join this guided hike to trek to the highest point of Arrábida from Sesimbra.
- Navigate a Via Ferrata and go abseiling in Arrábida with this guided adventure tour.
- Go rock climbing within a huge cave with the adventure circuit.
- Visit the 16th-century Convento de Nossa Senhora da Arrábida (you have to call or email ahead of time).
- Cycle across the mountain with a guided electric bike tour.
Boat tours and aquatic adventures
- Join a dolphin-watching cruise from either Sesimbra or Setúbal to meet the best locals of all!
- Hire your own boat for the day from Setúbal and cruise from bay to bay (or better yet, book a skipper at sunset).
- Go coasteering – it’s like canyoning, but on the ocean’s edge. With a wetsuit and helmet, you navigate the rocky park with a kick of adrenaline.
- Join a guided kayaking and caves tour from Sesimbra.
- Go diving in the Arrábida Marine Reserve – it’s ideal for beginners.
- Rent kayaks, SUPs or those silly pedal-slide boats at Praia do Creiro.
Scenic drives & viewpoints
- Drive one of the most beautiful roads in Portugal, the ER379-1, and stop at Miradouro do Portinho da Arrábida to take in epic views of the park and ocean.
- Along this road, you’ll also find the 7ª Bataria de Costa, an abandoned military gunnery and fort.
- If you don’t have a car, this Jeep safari tour from Sesimbra gets you there.
Best beaches in Arrábida Natural Park
It’s hard to overstate how dreamlike the beaches of Arrábida feel on a clear summer morning. The limestone cliffs tumble down into glassy, turquoise water so bright it looks filtered – but it’s all real. The scrub-covered hills offer the faint scent of wild herbs, and the sand is soft and so pale it’s almost pristine white.
The downside to this paradise? Well, the Atlantic Ocean isn’t exactly a warm body of water. And you have to be careful with your snacks – wild boars are known to venture down from the bushland onto the sand. If they come for your towel, just run into the water. Unless it’s extremely hot, they don’t swim.
Here’s a list of the best beaches in Arrábida, from Sesimbra to Setúbal (west to east). I’ll give the more popular ones with facilities a star*:
- Alpertucho Beach – tricky to reach tiny cove, best at low tide (or risk getting stuck!)
- Portinho da Arrábida Beach – small patch of sand in a tiny port with three restaurants. I love to eat at O Farol here.
- Creiro Beach* – a 5-minute walk from Portinho will take you to the expansive sands of Praia do Creiro. There’s a small paid car park here, bathrooms, lifeguards, kayak and parasol rental and café-bars.
- Anicha Beach – at low tide, walk here from Creiro. Quiet beach.
- Coelhos Beach – popular wild beach, about a 10-minute walk through scrubland.
- Galapinhos Beach* – Once named Europe’s most beautiful beach. This long stretch of sand has lifeguards and parasol rentals. Climb over the rocks at Galapos to reach it.
- Galapos Beach* – Similar to Galapinhos, but smaller. Has rentals, a restaurant, and lifeguards.
- Figueirinha Beach• – the first of the best, pristine stretches of sand near Setúbal. It’s one of the widest stretches of sand, so there is always space. In summer, the bus drops you here, and there is a small car park.
- Albarquel Beach – close enough to Setúbal city that you can walk there
Map of the best beaches in Arrábida Natural Park
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Where to eat in Arrábida Natural Park
After a long beach day or a coastal hike, nothing hits quite like a long, lazy meal by the sea. Arrábida has a few local gems where seafood is obviously the star. Here, you’ll want to try grilled fish (dourada/sea bream is always a good choice), arroz de marisco (seafood rice), or choco frito (fried cuttlefish), all of which are always good options. You might also find cheese from Azeitão, located on the other side of the mountain, and for dessert, add a glass of local moscatel wine.
Within Arrábida Natural Park
- O Farol (Portinho da Arrábida) – An oceanfront favourite with knockout views and excellent food. I love the seafood rice and amêijoas à Bulhão Pato (clams) here, but everything is excellent. I return here again and again; it’s the best one.
- Galeão or D’uportinho (Portinho da Arrábida) – These two restaurants in Portinho are more relaxed, and the huge decks sit over the water. Good for grilled fish.
- O Zeca (Praia do Creiro) – Top spot for fried cuttlefish or clams by the beach.
- Ondagalapos (Praia dos Galapos) – Seafood spot on the beach. Reviews are mixed, and I’m yet to try it – so let me know if you do!
In Setúbal city
- Ostras Sobre Rodas – oyster truck by the water with fresh local oysters and wine
- Adega Leo do Petisco – famous for choco frito (fried cuttlefish)
- Xtoria – fancier spot for fusion Portuguese
- Peixoco – modern Portuguese seafood restaurant
- Restinguinha – rustic fish grill with a serious vibe
- Calma Calma – fresh pasta, natural wines, seasonal eating
In Sesimbra
- Casa Mateus – traditional yet modern spot serving Portuguese classics with a chef’s touch
- Lobo do Mar – Down by the fishing port, no-frills fish grill
- O Zagaia – modern Portuguese share plates
- Formiga – classic spot for local seafood
- ECHO Gelato Lab – excellent artisanal gelato
In Azeitão
- Sabores e Encantos de Azeitão – Drop in to try gooey Azeitão cheese or a slice of torta de Azeitão – paired with a glass of moscatel.
Where to stay in Arrábida Natural Park
Despite being a reserve, you’ll find some hotels and guesthouses within the park. Here’s my pick of the best:
- Hotel Casa Palmela – just the most beautiful 5-star property in the park
- Pédebicho – guesthouse with studios and pool in the park
- Quinta De Catralvos – wake up in a guest room at this winery
- Quinta da Arrábida – a series of smaller holiday homes
- YMCA Camp Alambre – little bungalows and cabins in nature
Otherwise, your options are to rent a huge house – there are lots to choose from with 4-5 bedrooms, perfect for groups of friends or big families on vacation (try Chalet Machado, Arrabida Country Retreat or Villa Casal Assis), or you can opt to stay in Setúbal or Sesimbra.
That’s my guide to Arrábida park covering everything you can you do to explore the the protected reserve on land and in the ocean. Let me know if you do something cool in the comments….
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- My perfect day in Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park
- Guide to Arrábida Natural Park – things to do, where to eat, where to stay
