Just beyond Lisbon’s city limits, there’s a pocket of paradise where turquoise waves crash beneath limestone cliffs, dolphins splash alongside boats and the scent of salt, pine and grilled seafood lingers in the air. I’m talking about the spectacular Arrábida Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that’s close to the capital but still remains somewhat secret.
One of my favourite summer day trips from Lisbon combines the coastal park with the underrated port city of Setúbal and vineyards and artisans of Azeitão. It’s a day trip that combines breakfast oysters and beach time, a scenic road trip and seafood, and ends with a wine tasting or tile shopping. Bliss.
Let’s dive into this one-day Setúbal and Arrábida itinerary – which you can do independently or with a guided tour. At the bottom I’ll include ideas
How to do this day trip from Lisbon
I have a car and usually explore Arrábida independently, but there are some traffic restrictions in the park through the summer months (which you can read about in my Arrábida Natural Park guide). If you’re just visiting Lisbon, I’d suggest joining this guided day trip, which is basically my perfect day in Arrábida! If you’d prefer a private guided tour option instead of small-group, try that one instead.
📍 Route: Lisbon → Setúbal → Arrábida Natural Park → Azeitão → Lisbon
🚗 Total drive time: ~2 hours (round trip) – check the drive on Google Maps
This Setúbal & Arrábida day trip at a glance
| 🕗 9:30 AM | Start in Setúbal – Explore Mercado do Livramento, grab oysters and coffee, wander the old town and maybe stop at the castle café for views. |
| 🕛 12:00 PM | Scenic drive to Arrábida – Take the upper coastal road via Miradouro do Portinho da Arrábida for panoramic views. |
| 🍴 1:00 PM | Lunch at O Farol, Portinho da Arrábida – Order seafood rice or clams on the waterfront terrace. |
| 🏖️ 2:30 PM | Beach time at Praia do Creiro – Swim, read, or relax on the soft sand (watch for curious wild boar!). |
| 🍷 5:30 PM | Head inland to Azeitão – Visit Azulejos do Azeitão tile studio, enjoy a wine tasting at José Maria Fonseca or Bacalhôa, and try Queijo de Azeitão with a glass of moscatel. |
| 🌇 7:30 PM | Return to Lisbon – Drive back as the sun sets over the Arrábida hills. |
Morning: Start at Setúbal’s Mercado do Livramento
On most day trips I take from Lisbon to Arrábida Natural Park, I’ll first detour to Setúbal, the nearby port city that’s reachable in 45 minutes by car or train. The fun starts at the incredible daily market – Mercado do Livramento. We always end up at the oyster stall, shooting back breakfast oysters before grabbing a quick bica (espresso) at another stall.
This market is easily one of the best in Portugal with a selection that often outshines what you can find in Lisbon. There’s a great stall with all sorts of fresh chillis, fisherman slicing up ginormous swordfish or whole tuna, and glass counters stuffed with local cheeses that glisten like jewels.
Setúbal itself flies under the radar, but it’s actually a super cute little coastal city. There’s a historic centre with some cobblestone streets, historic churches, a grand promenade and an ancient castle looming above (complete with a café inside offering views over the city). If you set off early, you could explore the market and the small city before heading to the park.
Alternative: You could pre-organise a visit to a local cheese factory, Queijaria Simões, then explore Palmela Castle befire heading into Arrábida.
Midday: Scenic Drive to Portinho da Arrábida for lunch
For lunch, I’d either stay in Setúbal for the local specialty – choco frito (fried cuttlefish), or drive the curving mountain roads along the coast to Portinho da Arrábida. It’s worth taking the upper road, past Miradouro do Portinho do Arrábida, to gain a perspective over the protected reserve and coastline with its turquoise waters framed by limestone cliffs. This spot is perfect to pull over for a quick photo stop.
Then, drop down into the bay of Portinho. My go-to spot is O Farol, a restaurant with a waterfront terrace and some of the best seafood rice I’ve ever had. Message them ahead (on WhatsApp) to reserve a table ahead of time. The menu here is great, and the quality is top-notch.
Afternoon: Relax on Praia do Creiro, then go wine tasting or tile hunting
The afternoon is spent with a good book on the sand at Praia do Creiro, where you might be joined by a family of wild boar – a beach party with a touch of chaos. To reach this soft, sandy beach it’s just a 5-minute walk along some coastal Mediterranean scrubland.
I usually bring my own beach umbrella, but this praia does have sun loungers and parasols for rent at reasonable rates. If you prefer adventure, you can also rent kayaks, silly slide paddle boats or go snorkeling.
Alternative: Lace up your boots after lunch and go for a hike through the hills.
When it’s time to wrap up at the beach, I’d drive over the mountain towards the wine-and-cheese town of Azeitão. I like to take friends to Azulejos do Azeitão, a small artisan studio where the owner usually explains the tile-making techniques as we explore the atelier and showroom.
If you prefer the art of winemaking to artisans, pre-book a wine tasting at José Maria Fonseca or Bacalhôa, or just stop at a café in town for local cheese or sweet tortas.
Go guided – This guided day trip from Lisbon is basically my perfect day in Arrábida! Here’s a private guided tour option, too.
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.
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Extend the fun in Setúbal, Sesimbra or Azeitão
Things to do in Setúbal
Life has always revolved around fish in this historic port city, set on the Sado Estuary. Come here and don’t miss trying choco frito (fried cuttlefish).
- Setúbal has one of the best local mercados. Drop into Mercado do Livramento to see fishmongers slicing up whole tuna or swordfish, tuck into local oysters from the producer, and pick up some fresh fruit.
- Wander the historic old town, popping into churches (like the Igreja de São Julião) and strolling along cobblestone streets past traditional commerce.
- Board a dolphin-watching cruise and meet the best locals of all.
- Drive (or hike) up to the Castelo de São Filipe for coffee or a juice with a view.
- Take the car ferry across to the Troia Peninsula for even more sandy beaches, with a touch of Roman ruins.
Things to do in Sesimbra
Sitting at the other side fo Arrábida Natural Park is Sesimbra, a fishing village that feels like a vacation. The downtown has a great vibe, where the historic centre opens up to two sandy beaches on either side of a fort. Instead of starting in Setúbal, you could come here.
- Laze on the beach right in front of the town, or stop for a seafood lunch with a view.
- Promenade along the waterfront with a gelato from ECHO.
- Hike down to Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo, one of the most beautiful beaches in the area (or book this return taxi boat from Sesimbra).
- Take this boat tour to explore secret beaches and caves in the landscape.
- Try farinha torrada, a local sweet slice from this town.
- Join a guided kayaking and caves tour from Sesimbra.
Things to do in Azeitão
Trade salty air for vineyards and olive groves when you visit this inland town that’s small but full of flavour. Here are more ideas for things to do in Azeitão.
- Azeitão is famous for its creamy sheep’s cheese. You can join a cheese factory tour and tasting at Queijaria Simões to see how one of my favourite Portuguese cheeses, Queijo de Azeitão, is made before sampling.
- Visit Azulejos do Azeitão to pick up a souvenir with heart and see how tiles are made.
- Join a wine tasting at either Bacalhôa or José Maria. Both are large wineries, but it pays to book your tasting ahead of time.
- Better yet, if you’re more into wine than beaches, book a full-day guided wine tour of the Azeitão region.
- Kick back in a café with a glass of local syrupy moscatel dessert wine and a golden torta de Azeitão sponge roll.
So, now you can steal my favourite day trip from my adopted city of Lisbon. Leave me a comment if you do it –I want to know! Don’t forget to read my main guide to exploring Arrábida Natural Park.
Keep reading about Lisbon….
- 48-hour itinerary for Lisbon
- Where to eat in Lisbon
- Where to Find the Best Views in Lisbon: 11 Top Miradouros
- Local’s Guide to Feira da Ladra, Lisbon’s Famous Flea Market
- Lisbon’s best vintage shopping
- Best Pastéis de Nata in Lisbon
- The best cooking classes in Lisbon
- Where to find the best Portuguese street food and snacks in Lisbon
- 20 best things to do in Évora, the Alentejo capital
- My perfect day in Setúbal & Arrábida Natural Park
- Guide to Arrábida Natural Park – things to do, where to eat, where to stay
