Setúbal
Portugal City Travel Guide: Setúbal
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Setúbal
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Castelo Sao Felipe |
- Portugal's third port.
- 50km south of Lisbon.
- Home to the amazing Igreja de Jesus.
- Lively old town centre with good nightlife.
- Good beaches withn easy reach.
- Dolphin watching in the Sado estuary.
- Local population of 120,000 people.
- Area noted for its local wine and seafood.
Setúbal (pronounced shtoo-bal) is
located around 50km south of Lisbon and
is today a major port and industrial center - without an overly industrial
feel.
Setúbal's most famous site is the amazing Igreja de Jesus (open
9am-1pm; 2-5pm; Tues-Sun). Designed by Diogo de Boitaca (whose other
work includes the Monsteiro dos Jerónimos in Belém)
this incredible church was completed in 1491 and is known as the first
Manueline building in Portugal. The high altar is surrounded by blue
and white azulejos tiles. The nearby Galeria
da Pintura Quinhentista (admission free) displays many of the treasures
of the Igreja de Jesus.
The Castelo São Felipe was built to protect the coast
in the late sixteenth century and parts of the castle have been converted
into a luxury Pousada (guesthouse)
complete with a Baroque chapel lined with azulejos celebrating the life
of King Philip. The bar, excellent restaurant (known for its local seafood
cuisine and muscatel wine) and rampants are open to non-guests, which
have great views of the Sado estuary and Tróia peninsula.
Setúbal's other attractions include the pedestrianized parts
of the old town especially the streets around Rua A. Castelões,
the Museu do Trabalho Michel Giacometti (admission free) which
contains traditional agricultural implements collected from around Portugal
and even a complete 1920s Lisbon grocery, and the Museu de Arquelogica
e Etnografia (admission free) houses a mishmash of exhibits including
Roman mosaics and local crafts.
Other things to do around Setúbal include a visit to the local
beaches on the Tróia peninsula which can be reached by
car ferry from the town, or head farther west to the far-less touristy
beaches of the Parque Natural da Arrábida, including Galapos,
Figueirinha and Praia de Albarquel. The park is famous for its varied
wildlife and the granite ridge Serra da Arrábida which provided
the stone for the Igreja de Jesus. Parque Natural da Arrábida
can be reached by bus from either Setúbal or Sesimbra - a pleasant
seaside town popular as an escape from Lisbon.
Boat trips are a popular excusion with trips up the River Sado
in traditional vessels used to transport salt or watching the bottle-nosed
dolpins in the river.
There are also numerous organized tours for wine-sampling, cycling or
walking in the area with full details on all local activities available
from the tourist office.
Setúbal Tourist Offices
Municipal turismo Praça do Quebedo (tel. 265 534 402) located
near the train station.
Regional turismo Travessa Frei Gaspar (tel. 265 539 120) located off
Avenida Luísa Todi; interestingly the turismo has a glass floor
revealing a Roman fish condiment factory below.
Getting to Setúbal
There are frequent bus services to Lisbon (Praça
de Espanha) as well as to Évora and Faro.
There are daily trains to Setúbal from Lisbon.
You first need to catch a ferry from Terreiro do Paço to Barreiro
across the Tejo: the bus is quicker.
Setúbal easily connects with Lisbon via the A12/IP1 and A1 motorways
and to Faro and the Algarve via IC1
or E1/IP1.
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From the Airport
The nearest airport is in Lisbon.
Featured Hotel
 Estalagem
Do Sado Hotel - 5 Star, banquet and conference facilities available
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this hotel
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Setúbal has excellent seafood restaurants - try the western end
of Avenida Luísa Todi.
Setúbal is known for its local muscatel. The late night bar scene
is also centered on Avenida Luísa Todi.
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The average high June temperatures for Portugal is between 22 degrees Centigrade and 26 degrees Centigrade.
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