Setúbal old town at a glance
Most of what visitors see in the city sits around the old center: the Igreja de Jesus and its museum, the Praça do Bocage, the Mercado do Livramento and the Forte de São Filipe. A church, a market, a square and a fort give you four very different stops. Add the Museu do Trabalho Michel Giacometti if you want to see how the city worked.
Setúbal is also the base for dolphin trips and the Arrábida coast. If you want to book a boat for the same day, look at the Setúbal dolphin watching page before you fix times in town.
Igreja de Jesus and the museum
The Manueline church and convent complex.
The Igreja de Jesus is a Manueline building. Construction began in 1490, and the design is credited to Diogo Boitaca. The church and the Museu de Setúbal / Convento de Jesus keep different hours, so do not apply the museum times to the church.
| Summer (1 June to 30 September) | Winter (1 October to 31 May) | |
|---|---|---|
| Museum, Tuesday to Saturday | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Museum, Sunday | 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. | 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Church, Tuesday to Saturday | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Church, Sunday | 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. | 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. |
Both are closed on Mondays and public holidays. The last museum entry is 30 minutes before closing. The museum ticket costs €3.60 in 2026. Entry is free up to age 23 and from age 65, and also on the first Sunday of each month. For the church, ask at the entrance.
Our picks: the old town on foot
Two hours with a guide through the historic centre, the cheapest way to connect the town to its stories.
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.
Setúbal tours and day trips
Dolphin boats, Arrábida coast trips and city excursions, with live prices and availability.
Praça do Bocage and the market
The square and the daily food market.
Praça do Bocage
The main square carries the monument to Bocage, the poet who was born in Setúbal. The town hall and the Igreja de São Julião also face the square. It is the easiest place to start or to rest between stops.
Mercado do Livramento
The market is at Avenida Luísa Todi 163 and is open Tuesday to Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and on 1 January, 25 April, 1 May, 15 September and 25 December. On other holidays, check before you go. Expect fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables and regional goods.
Choco frito
Choco frito, fried cuttlefish, is a local dish linked to the city's market and its fresh fish. Ask in a restaurant what is on offer on the day and what the portion costs.
Forte de São Filipe and museums
The fort above the city and a canning-factory museum.
Forte de São Filipe
Construction of the fortress began in 1582. It sits above the city and looks over the Sado estuary. The chapel has azulejo tiles from 1736. Check the visiting hours of the fort before you walk up.
Museu do Trabalho Michel Giacometti
This museum is in a former canning factory and shows industrial fish processing and the working world around it. It is open Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Sundays, Mondays and public holidays. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing. For Saturday, check before you plan it. The ticket costs €2.00 to €2.05, depending on the fee list. The history of the canneries is in the Setúbal history guide.
Getting there and parking
A practical note.
Public parking near the Mercado do Livramento is free, but spaces are not guaranteed. If you come from Lisbon, the getting there page has trains, buses and car options. For a full list of what to see around the city, see things to do in Setúbal.
Setúbal old town: frequently asked questions
Is the Igreja de Jesus open every day?
No. It is closed on Mondays and public holidays. On other days the church opens at 10 a.m. from Tuesday to Saturday and in the afternoon on Sundays.
How much does the museum cost?
The Museu de Setúbal / Convento de Jesus costs €3.60 in 2026. Visitors up to 23 and from 65 enter free, and so does everyone on the first Sunday of the month.
When is the Mercado do Livramento open?
Tuesday to Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and on 1 January, 25 April, 1 May, 15 September and 25 December.
Is there parking near the market?
Public parking near the Mercado do Livramento is free, but spaces are not guaranteed.
Where should I start in the old town?
Save the market for the morning, because it closes at 2 p.m., and check the church and museum times, which differ. The square, the fort and the rest fit around those times.