Setúbal
Discover Setúbal
Setúbal is a city in Estremadura, Portugal, on the northern bank of the Sado River estuary. The city is connected with the nearby Arrábida hills natural park, which offers an unspoiled nature and beautiful beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. A dolphin colony inhabits the Sado River. Across the river on the south bank lies the peninsula of Tróia, a place with vast white/golden sand beaches where several luxury hotels and resorts have been built. The Tróia peninsula can be sighted from the city, across the river. Albarquel, Figueirinha, Galápos, Galapinhos, Creiro and Portinho da Arrábida are some of the city's many beaches, located in the north bank of the estuary, at the very beginning of the Arrábida hills. Setúbal (s(ih)-TOO-bahl, /sɨ.ˈtu.baɫ/) is a coastal town, known for its fishing activities, traditions and industrial area. It's the capital of the Setúbal district. You might also want to check out Serra da Arrábida, for the nature part of Setúbal.
What to Experience in Setúbal
Taste of Setúbal...
There are many typical restaurants where you can eat good grilled fish and typical food. There's also a good deal of fast-food shops and pizza places. You can also find Indian and Japanese food. There's a nice selection of bars in downtown Setúbal. Most hotels and accommodation you can find are probably downtown (once again, Luisa Todi Avenue) and there is also a hotel near the Bonfim, which is near the bus station. Setúbal is considered a generally safe area but it has some of the major problematic neighbourhoods in the country. There are some parts of the city you might want to avoid, but the shabbiness will warn you of that. By day even in those parts you shouldn't have any problems, but be cautious. Take the usual precautions, mostly at night, in downtown Setúbal, but usually you won't have a problem. Avoid being alone but if you find yourself in that situation, just walk in very well lit places and with many people around or call/grab a taxi to take you to your destination.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsThe nearest airport is Humberto Delgado Airport (IATA: LIS) in Lisbon. You can access Setúbal by trains from Lisbon, and most towns in the surrounding area. You also have lots of trains from anywhere to Lisbon, if there is not a direct train to Setúbal, you might want to consider getting one to Lisbon, and then to Setúbal. Also, if you are already downtown in the vicinity of Praça de Comércio, you don't have to backtrack to any of the rail stations, but can instead take a ferry from Terreiro do Paço terminal to Barreiro across the river and pick up a train from there; it's a different branch than the Lisbon-Setúbal line, and the combined travel time would be about the same. It shouldn't be a problem to find your way, Setúbal is a major town in the area, so, if you are around, you will have signs to point out your way. It is approximately 48 km (30 miles) south of Lisbon....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The historic centre of Setúbal, and the adjacent Avenida Luisa Todi, are flat and great to walk around, and where you can find several attractions, including the Livramento Market, the Convento de Jesus and the Setúbal Museum, on your way. If you can, stop for a meal at one of the many restaurants there. It is mandatory to take a tour, by car, motorbike or tuk-tuk, through Serra da Arrábida. Start at the end of Avenida Luisa Todi and walk through the Arrábida Natural Park where you will pass by fantastic beaches and stop at the viewpoints with a magnificent view over the Bay, considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Buses serve the whole town and are generally OK on schedules and quality. Stroll through downtown Setúbal on foot and discover the best of the city. Just ask how you can get to Avenida Luísa Todi, and the rest will work out just fine. You can see some of the nicer monuments, architecture and daily life there.
Where to Stay
Most hotels and accommodation you can find are probably downtown (once again, Luisa Todi Avenue) and there is also a hotel near the Bonfim, which is near the bus station. Setúbal is considered a generally safe area but it has some of the major problematic neighbourhoods in the country. There are some parts of the city you might want to avoid, but the shabbiness will warn you of that. By day even in those parts you shouldn't have any problems, but be cautious. Take the usual precautions, mostly at night, in downtown Setúbal, but usually you won't have a problem. Avoid being alone but if you find yourself in that situation, just walk in very well lit places and with many people around or call/grab a taxi to take you to your destination.
Money & Budget
There are many shops spread around the city, as normal. In the Luisa Todi area you will find many small shops and bigger clothing shops mostly. And there is the Shopping Center Alegro Setúbal, for your bigger needs. There are many typical restaurants where you can eat good grilled fish and typical food. There's also a good deal of fast-food shops and pizza places. You can also find Indian and Japanese food. There's a nice selection of bars in downtown Setúbal. Most hotels and accommodation you can find are probably downtown (once again, Luisa Todi Avenue) and there is also a hotel near the Bonfim, which is near the bus station. Setúbal is considered a generally safe area but it has some of the major problematic neighbourhoods in the country.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Setúbal is considered a generally safe area but it has some of the major problematic neighbourhoods in the country. There are some parts of the city you might want to avoid, but the shabbiness will warn you of that. By day even in those parts you shouldn't have any problems, but be cautious. Take the usual precautions, mostly at night, in downtown Setúbal, but usually you won't have a problem. Avoid being alone but if you find yourself in that situation, just walk in very well lit places and with many people around or call/grab a taxi to take you to your destination.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Setúbal
Setubal, Portugal
body of water beside mountain during daytime
Beach side in Portugal
Arrábida,hills,convent,monastery,Setúbal,bay,Serra-da-Arrábida,fouded,in,1542,Lisbon,Portugal
Portugal-Estuary of the river Sado in the city of Setúbal, birthplace of migratory birds and dolphins. Bird observatory.
Arrábida Convent - Setubal Bay. Built in the 16th century has around 25 hectares
Portugal,-Lisbon,city of Setúbal,-fishing-oars,-river-Sado,-artisanal-fishing,stilt-wharf,dusk. Carrasqueira, bird observatory
Portugal-Lisbon,Setubal,river-Sado,fishing-oars_artisanal-fishing,dusk,Carrasqueira,stilt-wharf,twilight Carrasqueira-bird watching
Portugal-Lisbon,Setubal-Carrasqueira,dusk,river-Sado,fishing-oars_artisanal-fishing,stilt-wharf,twilight Carrasqueira-bird watching
Portugal-Lisbon,Setubal-river-Sado,fishing-oars_artisanal-fishing,stilt-wharf,dusk,twilight angler, handmade Carrasqueira-bird watching
Setubal, Portugal
body of water beside mountain during daytime
Beach side in Portugal