Setúbal, Portugal, at a glance
Setúbal is a port city on the Sado estuary, south of Lisbon. The Arrábida hills rise in the western part of the municipality, and the Tróia peninsula lies just across the water. The city is the seat of its municipality and of the district of the same name. The municipality covers 230.3 km² and includes Azeitão and rural areas, so it is far larger than the town centre.
Most visitors come for one of four things: dolphins in the estuary, the beaches below the Arrábida hills, the old town, or a day trip to Tróia, Azeitão or Sesimbra. This guide covers all of them, with prices in euros for 2026. Fares, timetables and opening hours change, so check them before you go.
Our picks: Setúbal tours
If you come for the dolphins, the speedboat between Setúbal and Tróia is the place to start, with no sighting guaranteed. The kayak and the jeep show the Arrábida coast, and the walking tour is the cheapest way into town. The two excursions from Lisbon make sense if you are not staying in Setúbal.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Full day from Lisbon to Setúbal, Arrábida and Sesimbra
- Palmela Castle and market
- Drive through Arrábida
- Sesimbra fishing village
Seven hours from Lisbon with a guide and an air-conditioned van. Entry to monuments is paid separately unless stated otherwise.
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Jeep nature trip through Arrábida and Sesimbra
- Jeep with local guide
- Moscatel and regional sweet
- Insurance included
Three hours by jeep with a local guide on the mountain tracks, a way to reach viewpoints without driving. There are only a few reviews so far, so check the details before booking.
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Arrábida and Sesimbra day trip with wine, from Lisbon
- Transport and guide
- Manor visit with tastings
- Wine cellar with tastings
A full 8-hour day from Lisbon with stops in Arrábida and Sesimbra. Lunch is not included.
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Speedboat trip to watch dolphins between Setúbal and Tróia
- Speedboat with captain
- Free voucher if no sighting
Two hours by speedboat on the Sado estuary. Dolphins are never guaranteed: if you see none, you get a voucher. Check the departure point of your chosen option before booking.
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Guided kayaking to the Arrábida caves
- Double kayak and gear
- Waterproof bag and snack
- Accident insurance
Three hours in a double kayak with a guide along the natural park coast, the most booked activity here. It starts in Sesimbra.
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Walking tour of Setúbal: history, flavours and views
- Guide with city stories
- Churches, depending on the day
- Fish market stop
Two hours on foot through the historic centre, the cheapest way to get to know the town. Church access depends on the day of the week.
Check availability →Setúbal tours and day trips
Dolphin boat trips, Arrábida by land and sea, and other excursions, with live prices and availability.
Plan your trip to Setúbal
Start with the pages that match what you came for.
Things to do in Setúbal
The old town, museums, the market and day trips.
Setúbal tours
Dolphin boats, Arrábida trips and what to check before you book.
Dolphin watching
Resident bottlenose dolphins, boat rules and the nature reserve.
Arrábida Natural Park
Nature, trails and the convent on the hillside.
Beaches near Setúbal
Portinho da Arrábida, Galapinhos and Figueirinha, with summer access rules.
Tróia
Ferry, long beaches and Roman ruins across the Sado.
Azeitão
Moscatel wine, sheep cheese and the village squares.
Sesimbra and Cabo Espichel
A beach town, a castle and a lighthouse on the cliffs.
Setúbal old town
Igreja de Jesus, the market and the Fort of São Filipe.
Lisbon to Setúbal
Train, bus, transfer and car, with fares.
Weather and best time
Monthly averages and which season suits which plan.
Where to stay
Old town, Arrábida, Tróia or Azeitão: which area fits.
Setúbal Peninsula
Palmela, Cabo Espichel and a road trip outline.
History of Setúbal
Romans, fish canning, Bocage and the port.
A few things to know before you go
Details that save time and avoid surprises in 2026.
Dolphins live here, but a sighting is never certain
A resident group of bottlenose dolphins lives in the Sado estuary. The nature conservation institute gave a count of 25 animals in 2025. No boat can promise to find them, and extra rules apply in August.
Dolphin watching →Beach roads are controlled in summer
From 4 June to 15 September 2026, access to certain Arrábida beach roads is controlled from 07:00 to 20:00. Shuttle buses serve the beaches. A stretch of coast between the Figueirinha tunnel and Galapos stays closed because of rockfall risk.
Beach access →Tróia belongs to another municipality
The Tróia beaches are in the municipality of Grândola, not Setúbal. The catamaran and the car ferry have different timetables and fares. A car pays €21 including the driver, and other passengers pay €5.50 each way.
Tróia and the ferry →Arrábida is a biosphere reserve
UNESCO recognised Arrábida as a Biosphere Reserve on 27 September 2025. That is not the same as World Heritage status, and it does not open every trail or road to everyone.
Arrábida →Tourist tax in Setúbal
The 2026 municipal table sets €2.05 per guest per night for visitors over 18, for up to 5 nights, in tourist accommodation, larger local lodging and campsites.
Where to stay →Setúbal: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Lisbon to Setúbal?
The Fertagus train runs between Lisbon and Setúbal. A normal single costs €5.70 in 2026, and a timetable example shows a journey time of 58 minutes. A Carris Metropolitana bus (line 4725) runs from Lisboa Sete Rios to the Setúbal bus terminal. See the getting there page for the other options.
Can I be sure of seeing dolphins?
No. The dolphins are resident, but nobody can promise a sighting on a given trip. Boats must keep their distance, and August has extra rules.
How do I get to Tróia?
By boat from Setúbal. The ferry takes about 25 minutes and the catamaran about 15 minutes. A catamaran single is €4.90, and children aged 0 to 5 travel free.
Do I need a car in Setúbal?
Not for the town. In summer shuttle buses serve the Arrábida beaches. A car helps for Azeitão and Sesimbra, but beach roads are controlled in summer.
Is this the official Setúbal website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the municipality, a nature conservation body, a tourist board or a tour operator.