Where to stay in Setúbal at a glance
Most visitors choose between the old town and a base outside the city. The old town has the Praça de Bocage, the Igreja de Jesus, the Mercado do Livramento and the Forte de São Filipe within one area, and the ferry to Tróia leaves from the city. The Arrábida side and Tróia suit a beach stay. Azeitão suits a quiet, rural base near the Arrábida.
Pick the base by how you will get around. A booking does not give you a right to drive on restricted beach roads, and Tróia lies in a different municipality from Setúbal. If dolphins are on your list, the dolphin watching page covers the boat trips in the Sado estuary.
The four main areas
What each base is good for.
Old town and centre
A good base without a car. The Praça de Bocage with the monument to the poet, the Igreja de Jesus, the Mercado do Livramento on Avenida Luísa Todi and the fort above the city are all in this part of town. The harbour and the ferry to Tróia are in the city too. Public parking near the Livramento market is free of charge, but there is no guarantee of a space.
Setúbal old town →Arrábida side
West of the city, towards Albarquel, Figueirinha and Portinho da Arrábida. You are close to the natural park and the beaches. In summer 2026, from 4 June to 15 September, access to the beach roads is controlled from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Exceptions exist for public transport, taxis and authorised vehicles, and an exception is not a parking space. Having a booking nearby does not give driving rights.
Arrábida Natural Park →Tróia
A peninsula across the Sado with long sandy beaches. It belongs to the municipality of Grândola, not Setúbal. The crossing takes about 25 minutes by car ferry and about 15 by catamaran. A catamaran single costs €4.90 and a car on the ferry €21 with the driver included, tariffs 2026. Good for a beach holiday, less handy for the old town in the evening, so check the timetable of the last departure.
Tróia peninsula →Azeitão
A group of villages inland, including Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, in the rural hills of the municipality. It is not on the city beach. A car is the easiest way to move around. In summer 2026 bus 4470 runs from Setúbal via Vila Nogueira de Azeitão towards Creiro and Portinho, a trip of about an hour end to end.
Azeitão →Our picks: a day trip
If you sleep in Lisbon, this full day takes you to Setúbal, Arrábida and Sesimbra with a guide.
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 from Setúbal
Dolphin boats, Arrábida by jeep or kayak and trips to Tróia, with live prices and availability.
Areas compared
Getting around and what to watch for.
| Area | Best for | Getting around | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old town | First visit, no car | Ferry to Tróia in the city | Parking is limited, free spaces are not guaranteed |
| Arrábida side | Beaches and walks | Car, taxi or summer bus | Controlled access 4 June to 15 September 2026 |
| Tróia | Long beaches, a beach holiday | Ferry or catamaran | Different municipality, check the last crossing |
| Azeitão | A quiet base, historic houses | Car, regional bus | Not at the city beach |
| Sesimbra | Beach town, Cabo Espichel | Car, bus 3642 to Setúbal Hospital | Do not count on a direct bus from Setúbal to Cabo Espichel |
For most visitors the old town is the more practical base: the main sights are in the city, and the Tróia ferry leaves from there. Choose the Arrábida side or Tróia if the beach is the main reason for the trip and you have a car.
Tourist tax and booking tips
Setúbal charges a municipal tourist tax of €2.05 per guest and night in 2026. It applies to guests over 18, for a maximum of 5 nights, in tourist accommodation, local lodging with more than 10 beds and campsites. Small local lodgings are not automatically included. In 2025 the rate was €2.00. Exemptions exist, for example for medically justified stays, so ask your host.
Tróia is in Grândola and Sesimbra is a separate municipality, so the Setúbal rate does not carry over. Ask the property what applies.
Before you book, check three things: whether you need a car, whether parking is included, and how you reach the beaches in summer. In the 2026 summer season the free park-and-ride lots near Alegro, Várzea and the monthly market in Azeitão link to the beach buses. Line 4477 runs between the Creiro car park, Creiro and Galapos. The Creiro car park has 140 spaces and charges €5 from 7 a.m. and €3 from 1 p.m. in 2026.
Where to stay in Setúbal: frequently asked questions
Which area should I choose in Setúbal?
For most visitors the old town, because the main sights, the market and the ferry are in the same area. Beach visitors with a car may prefer the Arrábida side or Tróia.
Do I need a car in Setúbal?
Not for the old town. You need one, or buses and taxis, for Azeitão, the Arrábida beaches and Sesimbra. In summer the beach roads have access controls.
How much is the tourist tax in Setúbal?
€2.05 per guest and night in 2026, for guests over 18 and up to 5 nights, in tourist accommodation, local lodging with more than 10 beds and campsites. The 2025 rate was €2.00.
Is Tróia part of Setúbal?
No. Tróia is across the Sado and belongs to the municipality of Grândola. You reach it by ferry or catamaran from Setúbal in 15 to 25 minutes.
Can I drive to the Arrábida beaches if I book a stay nearby?
A booking does not give you driving rights. From 4 June to 15 September 2026 access to the beach roads is controlled from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with exceptions for public transport, taxis and authorised vehicles.
Does the tourist tax apply to a holiday flat?
In Setúbal it covers local lodging with more than 10 beds. Small local lodgings are not automatically included. Ask your host which rule applies.