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Six good reasons to visit Setúbal, a charming destination south of Lisbon

2022-05-24T05:47:19.079Z


Protected from mass tourism, this port city stands out as an authentic and typical destination, where the Atlantic marks a constant presence. Follow the leader !


Some 50 kilometers south of Lisbon, the small coastal town of Setúbal is renowned for its fish, wines and

serra

wild and protected.

Not very touristy, but very popular with the Portuguese, its district marks the border between the Greater Lisbon region and that of the Alentejo and contains some nuggets to visit during a stay in Portugal.

Setúbal, ideally located in the estuary of the Sado River, has a history and an industry closely linked to the sea. Its port, one of the main ones in the country since the 19th century, supplies octopus, seafood and other fresh fish a covered market that alone deserves the 45-minute drive that separates it from Lisbon.

But the charms of the region do not stop with its fishing resources.

Discover its heavenly beaches, its trendy peninsula, its wine culture, its succulent gastronomy and its architectural heritage.

Six things to do in Setúbal.

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Visit its city center

The Livramento market is, according to

USA Today

magazine , one of the best fish markets in the world.

Municipality of Setubal

Strolling through its historic center is the ideal way to take the pulse of the port city and discover its architectural heritage.

From the central

Praça do Bocage

, the old quarter and its typical shopping and pedestrian streets, such as

Rua Alvaro Castelões

, are only a few steps away.

But it is around its port and its small artisanal fishing boats that beats the heart of Setúbal, up to the very popular

Mercado do Livramento

, voted among the best fish markets in the world by

USA Today

magazine .

Its fragrant stalls are full of cuttlefish, bass and sea bream on Tuesday and Sunday mornings.

A pleasure for the eyes and the taste buds.

To learn more about the history of the peninsula, do not miss the visit

to the City Museum

, which opened its doors in the charming, Gothic and Manueline

Convent of Jesus

, built in the 15th century.

The Mother

Church of Santa Maria da Graça

, a cathedral since 1975, is worth a detour for its mannerist facade, columns, frescoes and azulejos from the 17th and 18th centuries.

And to end a day in Setúbal, having a drink at the

Fort of São Filipe

is a must.

The view of the Sado estuary, the Serra da Arrabida and the Troia peninsula is unique and the sunset breathtaking.

Take the opportunity to visit its chapel, covered with splendid

azulejos

.

Discover the dolphins of Sado

The Sado estuary is the playground of Setúbal's resident bottlenose dolphin population.

Municipality of Setubal

They are about thirty to have established their domicile at the mouth of the Sado, a resident population of bottlenose dolphins as we see few in the world.

The first evidence of the presence of these mammals dates back to 1863. Since then, they have delighted the Portuguese and tourists from the Peninsula, who never tire of watching these affable creatures frolic in the calm waters of the estuary.

Discover this marine community aboard a catamaran with Vertigem Azul, a specialized operator and pioneer in the observation of dolphins in Sado since 1998. Its two managers are true enthusiasts, who know the name of each dolphin, thanks to the details of their dorsal fin!

A magical moment for everyone, from 7 to 77 years old.

Taste local specialties

The local gastronomy of Setúbal comes mainly from these small fishing boats.

Municipality of Setubal

Every day, small boats from the fishing port of Setúbal deliver to the town's fish auction and its covered market the best that Portugal has to offer in terms of seafood. If the freshness and quality of its fish are the main asset of the region, its specialty is

fried cuttlefish

(

chocos

), which can be enjoyed in most restaurants near the port.

For example at Casa Santiago – Rei do choco frito, which is aptly named “King of fried cuttlefish”, or at Ribeirinha do Sado, a modest restaurant whose grilled fish is to die for.

For some time, however, the excellent

oysters

from the Sado nature reserve have been in the spotlight, especially during “oyster week”, which is held in April.

Finally, lovers of runny cheese will not miss a tasting of the "

must eat

" of the region, the much appreciated

Azeitão cheese

, which will be accompanied by a glass of

Moscatel de Setúbal

(muscat), the wine fortified local.

Dive in crystal clear waters

Crystal clear waters, white sand and Serra da Arrabida: the dream setting of the region's beaches.

Municipality of Setubal

The Setúbal region is known for its paradisiacal stretches of sand, its clear ocean and its postcard settings.

And often prances at the top of the country's beach rankings.

The cliffs of the Serra da Arrabida natural park, plunging into the Atlantic, offer it a de facto unique environment.

The most popular (and busiest) is the beach in the quiet little bay of

Portinho da Arrabida

, considered one of the most beautiful in Portugal.

Equally fashionable and family-friendly,

Figueirinha

beach is also very popular with locals.

Another option, the magnificent beach of

Galapinhos

is more difficult to access and requires a walk of about fifteen minutes, but the effort is worth it: its turquoise waters are reasonably crowded, even in summer.

However, it is out of season that you can best enjoy these highly sought-after little sandy gems.

Taste local wines

The grape varieties of the region give birth to wines particularly appreciated by the Portuguese.

Municipality of Setubal

Portugal is certainly wine-growing.

From north to south of the territory, vines are cultivated there and the region of Setúbal is no exception to the rule: its red, white and fortified wines are among the most appreciated in the country.

We invite you to discover them at the

Quinta da Bacalhoa

, which has the particularity of combining the visit of its estate-palace and museum with the tasting of the nectars produced there.

The ticket includes the Lake House and its superb azulejos, the Exhibition Hall and its African, Portuguese and Art Deco works of art, and of course, the Tasting Room and its Japanese garden, where you will get to know the tasty beverages of the estate, including the famous

Moscatel de Setúbal

.

Spend a day in Troia

From old Setúbal, the modern peninsula of Troia.

Adobe Stock

The Troia peninsula and its protected landscapes have become THE destination for the Portuguese and international elite, who appreciate its stretches of sand as far as the eye can see, its wild pine forest, its huge casino, its

superb golf course

, its upscale restaurants and its luxurious hotels. .

This long peninsula which stretches over 18 km of uninterrupted beach is easily accessible from the port of Setúbal, thanks to the ferries or catamarans which provide the connection in about twenty minutes.

With a little luck, you will even have the opportunity to observe the resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the estuary during the crossing.

A

chic and trendy beach day,

that you can conclude at the table of a famous restaurant then at one of those of the very popular casino of Troia, or why not in Comporta, a trendy village on the peninsula?

More info:

Setúbal Tourist Office

WHERE TO SLEEP IN SETÚBAL?

Rio Art Hotel, Avenida Luísa Todi, 117, 2900-461 Setúbal.

Such.

: 965 801 988. A charming century-old building, ideally located a few steps from the covered market.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2022-05-24

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