The Setúbal Peninsula at a glance
The Setúbal Peninsula is the land between the Tagus and the Sado south of Lisbon. In statistics it is its own region, separate from Greater Lisbon, and it is bigger than the municipality of Setúbal. Tróia, across the Sado, is not part of the municipality of Setúbal either. Think of the peninsula as a set of stops you can link by car: Palmela, Azeitão, the Arrábida hills, Sesimbra and Cabo Espichel.
Setúbal itself makes a practical base because the stops lie in different directions around it. The where to stay page compares the areas. Plan each stop on its own, because opening hours, access rules and bus links differ, and a day can be shorter than it looks on the map.
Palmela castle
A stop for history.
The castle at Palmela holds the Igreja de Santiago and municipal museum areas inside its walls. It has been a protected monument since 1910 and was historically the seat of the Order of Santiago. Guided visits to the castle are arranged on request. The tourist office inside the castle is open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., except on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. These are office hours, not the opening hours of every gate, so check the current visiting information before you go.
Our picks: the peninsula in one day
Setúbal, the Arrábida hills and the Sesimbra coast in a single excursion from Lisbon, with wine tasting and a boat trip.
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.
Tours and day trips on the peninsula
Arrábida by jeep or kayak, dolphin boats in the Sado and day trips from Lisbon, with live prices and availability.
The stops of a road trip
What each one offers and what to check.
Setúbal
The old town with the Igreja de Jesus, the Mercado do Livramento and the Forte de São Filipe, plus the dolphin boats on the Sado.
Setúbal old town →Azeitão
Moscatel de Setúbal, the sheep cheese Queijo de Azeitão and historic houses. Some run guided visits, and a visit is not the same as open doors every day, so check the schedule first.
Azeitão →Arrábida Natural Park
Hills and the beaches of Portinho da Arrábida, Galapinhos and Figueirinha. It is a natural park, not a national park. In summer the beach roads have access controls, and the coastal link between the Figueirinha tunnel and Galapos is closed because of rockfall risk.
Arrábida Natural Park →Sesimbra
A beach town with a castle and two town beaches, Califórnia and Ouro, both with a Blue Flag in 2026, in the bathing season from 4 June to 13 September. Bus 3642 runs between Sesimbra Terminal and Setúbal Hospital.
Sesimbra →Cabo Espichel
A plateau above sea cliffs with the Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel and, in the area, dinosaur tracks from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. Do not count on a direct bus from Setúbal to the cape. Stay on marked paths and respect barriers near the cliff edge.
Sesimbra and Cabo Espichel →Tróia
A peninsula across the Sado, reached by ferry or catamaran, with beaches and Roman fish-salting ruins. It lies in the municipality of Grândola.
Tróia →Costa da Caparica and the Arrábida coast
Costa da Caparica belongs to Almada, on the Atlantic side between the Tagus mouth and Fonte da Telha. Treat it as an extra beach trip, not as a beach of Setúbal.
Plan one or two stops a day rather than all of them. Do not count on exact drive times, because traffic and the summer rules on the Arrábida roads change them. If you do not want to drive, the guided options in the tour block cover the Arrábida and the Sado estuary. Fertagus trains run between Lisbon and Setúbal, bus 3642 links Setúbal and Sesimbra, and the getting there page has the fares.
Plan the rest of your trip
More guides for the route.
Setúbal Peninsula: frequently asked questions
What is the Setúbal Peninsula?
It is the area between the Tagus and the Sado south of Lisbon. In statistics it is a region of its own, separate from Greater Lisbon, and larger than the municipality of Setúbal.
Is Tróia part of the peninsula road trip?
It is a stop on the same trip, but you reach it by ferry or catamaran from Setúbal, and it belongs to the municipality of Grândola.
Can I do the peninsula without a car?
Partly. Fertagus trains link Lisbon and Setúbal and bus 3642 links Setúbal and Sesimbra, but do not count on a direct bus from Setúbal to Cabo Espichel. A guided tour covers the Arrábida without driving.
Can I visit the inside of Palmela castle?
Guided visits are arranged on request, and the tourist office inside is open 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. except on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. Check the current visiting information before you go.
Is Costa da Caparica close to Setúbal?
It is on the Atlantic coast of Almada and a separate trip, not a beach of Setúbal.