Pedro DominguesSetúbal’s beaches are some of the most beautiful in Portugal, true refuges of calm, crystal-clear waters, protected by the dramatic cliffs of Serra da Arrábida. They are authentic ocean pools near the mouth of River Sado, which even the dolphins enjoy. 😉
If you don’t know this region yet, get ready to be dazzled by Setúbal’s best beaches. There you’ll find places to suit all tastes, from small coves near Portinho da Arrábida to long stretches of sand on Tróia peninsula.
In this article I’ll give you a detailed list of Setúbal’s beaches to discover during your next visit to the region. Ready to discover them all? Read on!
MORE ARTICLES FROM CENTRAL PORTUGAL AND ALENTEJO: - Things to do in Espinho - Things to do in Ovar - Things to do in Aveiro - Aveiro to Costa Nova - Best beaches in Aveiro - Things to do in Mira beach - Things to do in Coimbra - Schist Villages in Portugal - Things to do in Figueira da Foz - Visit Monsanto in Portugal - Historical Village of Piódão - Historical Villages of Portugal - Things to do in Leiria - Visit Batalha Monastery and surroundings - Visit Alcobaça Monastery and surroundings - Things to do in Fátima - Visit Mira de Aire Caves - Things to do in Nazaré - Things to do in Peniche - Best beaches in Peniche - Visit Berlenga Island - Best beaches in Ericeira - Visit Ursa Beach - Best Beaches in Sintra - Best Beaches in Cascais - Best Costa da Caparica Beaches - Best Beaches in Sesimbra - Visit Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach - Best Beaches in Tróia, Comporta and Melides - Best Things to do in Évora and surroundings - Best Beaches in Alentejo and Vicentine Coast - Things to do in Porto Covo and Sines - Things to do in Odemira and Vila Nova de Milfontes - Things to do in Beja
When to visit the best beaches in Setúbal?
Setúbal should be visited in spring or summer, depending on what you really want to do there.
- For trails in Serra da Arrábida, you should visit Setúbal in spring, choosing a milder climate for hikes that can be quite strenuous in another season. Don’t go hiking in Serra da Arrábida during rainy periods when the ground can be slippery and the cliffs more unstable.
- For a dip in the ocean, or simply relaxing on Setúbal’s beaches, it’s best to choose summer, but be prepared to meet more people there, as this destination has grown in terms of choice for vacations in Portugal. Be prepared for limited access and parking near Portinho da Arrábida, due to the higher risk of fires.
- It’s possible to go on boat trips or other water activities at any time of year, but don’t forget the minimum number of participants required by the tourist agencies. The trick is to book the activities in advance, so that the agencies have time to try and form a group that you can join.
How to get to the best beaches in Setúbal?
To get to the best beaches in Setúbal, consider the following options:
- It’s easy to get to the beaches closest to the center of Setúbal by car, in this case all the beaches from the city to Figueirinha. There is a paved road directly to them.
- Beyond Figueirinha beach, however, the road is closed due to the risk of landslides, so you’ll have to go around the mountains to get to Portinho da Arrábida, Creiro and the beaches of Galápos and Galapinhos. Be aware that the road is closed and even off limits to pedestrians!
- There is public transport to Portinho da Arrábida and Figueirinha beach from the center of Setúbal: Carris Metropolitana buses – 4470 and 4474, respectively.
- To get to Tróia peninsula you have two options: either drive around via Alcácer do Sal, or cross river Sado on the regular boats that exist for this purpose. If you want to head south to Comporta, you can take your car on the boat at an extra cost.
Tours and Guided Activities to visit the best beaches in Setúbal
When it comes to activities to visit the best beaches in Setúbal, there are plenty of options to suit all tastes, including dolphin watching. Below you’ll find several suggestions that also include excursions from Lisbon or Sesimbra.
SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTIVITIES: 1 - Setubal & Tróia: Sado Estuary Dolphin Watching Boat Trip 2 - Coasteering Adventure Sesimbra/Arrábida Natural Park 3 - Portinho da Arrábida: Coasteering Trip 4 - Comporta and Setúbal Trip with Horseback Riding 5 - Arrábida: Kayaking and Snorkeling Experience 6 - Kayak Adventure with Cliff Jumping, Sea Caves and Snorkeling 7 - Arrábida Natural Park and Sesimbra Day Trip 8 - Setúbal Sunset Boat Ride + Oyster Tasting
Accommodation tips to visit the best beaches in Setúbal
If you haven’t booked your stay in Setúbal yet, consider doing so now by following my suggestions below, or by clicking on the blue button to do your own search for the dates of your trip! Book early to get the best prices. Whenever possible, opt for accommodation that allows free cancellation.
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| CASA DO LARGO | 8.5 | Setúbal |
| Day Off Suite&Hostel | 8.6 | Setúbal |
| Guesthouse Bocage | 8.2 | Setúbal |
| Melia Setubal | 8.3 | Setúbal |
| 6/4 de Sado | 8.9 | Setúbal |
| Rio Art Hotel | 9.0 | Setúbal |
| Luna Esperanca Centro Hotel | 8.1 | Setúbal |
| Hotel Cristal Setúbal | 8.7 | Setúbal |
| RM The Experience | 8.9 | Setúbal |
| Marina Blue | 9.2 | Setúbal |
| Alcaçaria do Bairro | 8.9 | Setúbal |
| Day Off Suite&Hostel | 8.6 | Setúbal |
| PÊPA Guesthouse | 9.2 | Setúbal |
| Alojamentos Vista Mar-Luisa Todi | 8.4 | Setúbal |
| Quinta de Sao Filipe | 8.9 | Setúbal |
| Hotel Solaris | 8.7 | Setúbal |
| 34 GuestHouse | 9.6 | Setúbal |
Best beaches in Setúbal
And now for the best beaches in Setúbal. I’ve decided to divide this section into 4 beach locations: the beaches near the center of Setúbal; the beaches near Portinho da Arrábida; the beaches of Tróia and Comporta; and the beaches of Sesimbra, which are just as, if not more, desirable. 😉 Other articles to complement this one will be suggested in the following text.
Map with the best beaches in Setúbal
Beaches near the center of Setúbal
I’ll start with the beaches near the center of Setúbal, more precisely the beaches from the center to Figueirinha Beach. They are all in the area around the mouth of River Sado, and some of them are river beaches.
- Praia da Saúde (Health beach) – It has the advantage of being the closest to the city, located between Saúde Park and Sado Sailing Club / Albarquel Urban Park. The water is already salty, as it is so close to the sea. São Filipe Fort to the rear stands out.
- Albarquel Beach – This beach has one of the longest stretches of sand on this list (ignoring Tróia Peninsula), bordered to the west by unique-looking rocks and to the east by the Albarquel Fort. Access to the beach by car may be restricted during the summer, when there is a risk of fires in Portugal.
- Comenda and Rasca Beaches – Both near the mouth of Ajuda stream, they are in my opinion less beautiful than the others, with coarser sand and lots of rocks near the water. Comenda Palace stands out in the landscape, completely restored recently. Unfortunately, you can’t get close to it as it’s private property and fenced off, but did you know that it once housed the Portuguese royal family, as well as the French aristocracy?
- Figueirinha Beach – The best on this list of beaches near the city of Setúbal. It has fine sand and is ideal for children, as it is an authentic saltwater pool. At low tide, the sand gets even longer, as a huge tongue of sand forms and stretches towards the horizon, as you can see in the photos below. It’s several kilometers from Setúbal, but it has all the necessary infrastructure to welcome visitors.
1. Praia da Saúde (Health beach)
2. Albarquel beach
3. Comenda and Rasca beaches
4. Figueirinha beach
Beaches near Portinho da Arrábida
In the case of the beaches at Portinho da Arrábida, you’ll have to go around the mountain, as access from Figueirinha beach is closed due to the risk of landslides in Serra da Arrábida. All the beaches that follow are, for this very reason, very remote and even wild, with the vegetation of the natural park extending right down to the sand. It was on these beaches that wild boars were once seen bathing in the sea water. 😀 They too were enjoying paradise.
If you visit Arrábida in the summer, to make the most of the sun and the cold sea water, make sure you arrive early so that you can park your car close to Creiro beach. There are always a lot of restrictions due to the risk of fire, so be prepared to walk one or more kilometers to the place where you will spend the day.
For lunch, there are several top restaurants in Portinho da Arrábida area, such as D’uportinho, where I enjoyed the grilled fish you see in the photo below. 😉 Very good.
- Galápos, Galapinhos and Coelhos beaches – Galapinhos was chosen by the European Best Destinations website as the best beach in Europe in 2017!
- Anixa and Monte Branco beaches – the small Pedra da Anixa islet, just 250m from the coast, is a place of shelter and reproduction for various marine species.
- Creiro beach – the easiest to reach, with an archaeological site nearby (ruins of a Roman fish-salting factory).
- Portinho da Arrábida beach, in a cove that is always full of boats. Portinho da Arrábida region is one of the 7 natural wonders of Portugal. Don’t miss a visit to the Fort of Santa Maria da Arrábida, home to Setúbal Oceanographic Museum. Don’t miss the Lapa de Santa Margarida Chapel, in an impressive cave by the sea. 😉
- And Alpertuche beach – Perhaps the most secluded place on this list, as it is less well known and requires a tiring descent to the sand, unsuitable for the hottest days. The sand is not as fine as that of the other beaches mentioned, and there are lots of stones at the water’s edge.
1. Galapinhos, Galápos, Coelhos, Anixa and Monte Branco beaches
1. Creiro beach
3. Portinho da Arrábida beach
4. Alpertuche beach
Troia and Comporta beaches
You can also cross river Sado to Tróia to visit Setúbal’s best beaches on the peninsula. You don’t need a car if you want to stay on the first beach (Tróia Mar), but to get down to Comporta you’ll have to take your car with you on the boat.
I have an article dedicated to the best beaches in Tróia and Comporta, which you should check out. Personally, I loved Atlantic beach and also Carvalhal beach, but they’re all good in terms of landscape and water quality.
Beaches in Sesimbra
Finally, the best beaches in Sesimbra, for which you will also find a dedicated article on this blog. Some of them are much wilder than those already mentioned, and even more remote, requiring a trail to reach them, or a water taxi from the port of Sesimbra. Don’t miss out on a kayak or boat trip to the caves off the coast of Sesimbra!
Secure a Car Rental and Travel Insurance
A car is indispensable for exploring all the best beaches in Setúbal I presented in this article. If you don’t own a vehicle, I suggest renting one via Discover Cars, a platform that enables you to compare prices easily.
Similarly, it’s prudent to obtain travel insurance for your trip. To be protected against several types of travel hazards, I also recommend that you take out travel insurance for your stay in Portugal, and I recommend you to do it with World Nomads.
More articles on Central Portugal and Alentejo
MORE ARTICLES FROM CENTRAL PORTUGAL AND ALENTEJO: - Things to do in Espinho - Things to do in Ovar - Things to do in Aveiro - Aveiro to Costa Nova - Best beaches in Aveiro - Things to do in Mira beach - Things to do in Coimbra - Schist Villages in Portugal - Things to do in Figueira da Foz - Visit Monsanto in Portugal - Historical Village of Piódão - Historical Villages of Portugal - Things to do in Leiria - Visit Batalha Monastery and surroundings - Visit Alcobaça Monastery and surroundings - Things to do in Fátima - Visit Mira de Aire Caves - Things to do in Nazaré - Things to do in Peniche - Best beaches in Peniche - Visit Berlenga Island - Best beaches in Ericeira - Visit Ursa Beach - Best Beaches in Sintra - Best Beaches in Cascais - Best Costa da Caparica Beaches - Best Beaches in Sesimbra - Visit Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach - Best Beaches in Tróia, Comporta and Melides - Best Things to do in Évora and surroundings - Best Beaches in Alentejo and Vicentine Coast - Things to do in Porto Covo and Sines - Things to do in Odemira and Vila Nova de Milfontes - Things to do in Beja
