Known for its old-town charm, rich history, impressive location, and industrial port, Setúbal is one of the best cities to explore in Portugal. Setúbal might not have the prestige of other cities around Lisbon, but it’s a hardworking city with a rich Portuguese culture carved in every corner.
Ranging from white sandy beaches to ruins of the Roman Empire and fresh fish from the industrial fish ports, this city is only 30 minutes away from Lisbon but offers a completely different experience. In addition, it’s one of the best coastal cities in the country, and there’s a lot to explore here!
10 Best Things to Do in Setúbal
From stunning beaches to mouth-watering food and historic landmarks, Setúbal is a diverse city with natural beauty and rich history on every corner.
1. Forte de São Filipe
Commonly known as the Setúbal Castle, it’s on the highest point of the city and is a popular landmark of this region. Due to wars and invasions, the castle was ruined on the grounds, but it was restored by the government, after which it was transformed into a national monument. Now, this monument is operating as an exclusive hotel within the Commander’s House, but tourists still get the chance to explore the grounds and battlements of the castle as there are opening hour restrictions or entrance fees.
The hotel, known as Pousada, in Setúbal Castle, promises the finest food within the range of €20 to €30, and tourists get stunning views of a commercial fishing port. This castle is located on the Serra de Arrabida Hills’ eastern edge, and it’s only two kilometers from the central city area. Forte de Sao Filipe offers a stunning view of the city during sunset as all the lights come on.
The castle is an uphill walk and takes almost half an hour, but tourists can also get a taxi, which costs around €7. The fort was founded in the 14th century, and its purpose was to protect the fishing port from pirates coming from North Africa. There are two gigantic battlements here, and they offer a panoramic view of the city.
The castle also has a St. Philip Chapel, and the interior is adorned with white and blue glazed tiles. It has a rectangular architecture, and it’s completely covered by a barrel vault. There are volutes decorating the pediment in the portal and there are panels showcasing the life scenes of St. Philip.
2. Troia Roman Ruins
Troia was built in the 1st century AD’s first half, and was known for the production and trading of fish-based sauce, known as Garum. In addition to Garum, salted fish production was another specialty of this place, as River Sado’s fish and salt richness made it a popular place for fish processing. The salted fish and sauce were traded and sold throughout the Roman Empire, and the settlement was active till the 6th century AD. However, the German invasions changed the cultural and political standing of the region.
The ruins were founded in the 16th century, but excavations were initiated in the 18th century. According to the excavations, there are 182 processing tanks and 25 workshops, along with a burial platform, Christian graves, and Roman empires. The most surprising exploration was the paleochristian basilica, which shows how the fate of this region shifted through the Roman reign.
These ruins are close to beach restoration, and there are fish-salting arenas to explore, along with a cemetery, Roman baths, a mausoleum, and some ruins of residential spaces from the settlement. Christian basilica is also present, but tourists have to sign up for guided tours. Still, there is a special visitor track throughout the ruins, and there are explanatory panels and archeological exhibitions that mention the essential facts about the ruins.
3. Museu do Bonfim
Museu do Bonfim has been around since January 1975, and it’s the work of Rubem Freire de Carvalho and João Carlos Freire de Carvalho Lopes. It is located inside the Lord of Bonfim’s sanctuary, and tourists will come across the belongings made from silver and gold, photos, and mementos of people who got their wishes granted by the Lord or some miraculous happenings.
Museu do Bonfim has paintings related to the miracles, such as a Thanksgiving picture that survived the epidemic in 1855. The museum is located on Bonfim Church’s upper floor, right above the miracle room. It has Vasco da Gama player Edmundo’ shirt, pictorial and conventional ex-votos from the 18th and 19th centuries, and milagritos made from gold and silver. Museu do Bonfim has a small yet rich collection of vestments, and the museum administration often distributes the ex-votos to the museum collection.
4. Convento de Jesus
Convent de Jesus is also known as the Monastery of Jesus of Setúbal, and it’s the monastery of nuns from Poor Clare. It is designed in the Manueline style, which is officially known as the Gothic style. There is a cluster of complexes in this monastery, which has a museum of the monastery known as the Museu de Jesus. According to the Europa Nostra, this monastery is one of the seven most endangered monuments of Europe: this declaration came in 2013.
The monastery has been around since 1490 and it was founded by Justa Rodrigues Pereira, who was a noblewoman from the Portuguese royal court. However, after 1491, the building was sponsored by King John II, and he hired a French architect, Diogo de Boitaca. King John II passed away in 1495, after which King Manuel I supported the construction through annual payments. The majority of construction work was completed between 1490 and 1495, and the Order of Poor Clares’ nuns had already occupied the monastery in 1496.
After 1495, the church’s nave was completed with stone vaulting and the original wooden ceiling was completely replaced. However, the complete area of the monastery and church was destroyed in 1755, accrediting to the Great Earthquake. Then, the earthquakes from 1858, 1909, and 1969 also damaged the building.
The adjacent monastery was transformed into an art museum and has collections from Portuguese and Flemish painters, and these collections date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. In addition, there are historical coins, old books and documents, and archeological finds in the museum.
5. Our Lady of Grace Cathedral
Also known as the Setúbal Cathedral, this church is located in the heart of the city. Our Lady of Grace Cathedral dates back to the 13th century, and it was reconstructed with a Mannerist façade in mind. There are frescoed columns in the church, which showcase the High Renaissance origins of the building.
The white and blue tiles from the 17th and 18th centuries still adorn the interior of the church, and they show the scenes from the Virgin Mary’s life. Our Lady of Grace Cathedral has been operating as a church since 1975. The first construction was in the 13th century, and it was reconstructed in the 16th century’s second half, and the rebuilding work was finalized between 1565 and 1570.
António Rodrigues is the mastermind behind the architecture, and he incorporated the main façade with two huge bell towers. There are Tuscan columns on the interior side, and there are side chapels, but the highlight is a huge gilt-carved altarpiece in the chancel.
6. Serra da Arrábida
Serra da Arrábida Natural Park is situated right by the sea and is surrounded by the deep blue sea with a contrast of lush green hills: it’s the epitome of coastal scenery. It is at the highest point of Serra do Risco, which is a 380m-high cliff with Mediterranean vegetation. The park spans over 35km and has various naturally scenic points, ranging from Serra do Louro to Serra dos Gaiteiros and Serra de Arrábida.
The park has witnessed multiple changes since the 19th century, leading to diverse fauna and flora. The park was rampant with deer and wolves at the beginning of the 20th century, and since there are no natural predators now, the park has witnessed an increase in the wild boar population. However, this constantly increasing population of wild boars is threatening the production of wild tulips and rare orchids.
Serra da Arrábida Natural Park is home to the Euphorbia pedroi, a special plant. There are various international conservation networks in the natural park, which is why it has been labeled as a Site of Special Interest for Nature Conservation. The eastern side of the park also has multiple watercourses, but the Ajuda stream has the largest water flow. It’s the result of Picheleiro and Alcube, and it’s the only watercourse that maintains the current throughout the year.
7. The Fort of St. Philip
It is part of Forte de São Filipe and was incorporated into the architectural design to add a modern element and to protect the entrance to the river bar so the pirates couldn’t invade the medieval town. The fort has been around since the 14th century, and Brás Dias was given the assignment to administer the construction of the Castle of Setúbal and Plaza. However, financial issues delayed the development and construction work of this fort.
The fort has a cultural origin from the Philippine dynasty, as Philip I laid the foundation stone for this fort. It was designed by Filippo Terzi, an Italian military engineer and architect, and he managed the work till mid-1594 because he was sent to the Spanish War Council. After his retirement and passing, Leonardo Torriani was appointed to complete the construction, and he delivered the fortification in 1600.
Consequently, in the 18th century, tile covering was installed inside the chapel, and Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes signed the tiles in 1736.
8. Palácio de Almeirim (The Royal Palace of Almeirim)
The Royal Palace of Almeirim was home to the Portuguese royal family, and it was first constructed during the Middle Ages but the expansion was completed in the 16th century. The palace was used as a winter residence, but it was severely damaged because of the Lisbon earthquake in 1755. However, later in the 19th century, it was demolished.
The Royal Palace of Almeirim is close to the Tagus River and has expansive hunting grounds since kings from the Aviz Dynasty used to spend the entire winter season here. During 1411 and 1423, the palace’s construction started on the orders of John I, but the expansion was ordered by King Manuel I. The expansion resulted in the construction of a huge complex with vegetable gardens, stables, a royal chapel, and a labyrinth.
Later, in 1755, earthquakes completely damaged the palace, resulting in an uninhabitable place. However, the royal treasury didn’t have enough funds to restore and renovate the palaces, so Prince John ordered the demolition in 1792. The last wall of this palace was shattered in 1891. Currently, there are only some ruins of the palace, and the municipality of Almeirim is working on restoring the royal palace’s portico.
9. Museum of Archeology and Ethnography
Commonly referred to as MAEDS, this museum was first founded in 1974 as a part of the democratization framework launched by the District Board of Setúbal. It was opened for public access in 1976 and is home to Roman, post-Roman, and pre-historical collections. The pre-historic collections include Epipaleolithic, Paleolithic, Chalcolithic, Neolithic, and Iron Ages works.
The ethnography section has artifacts connected to Portuguese activities, ranging from agriculture to fishing, salt works to cattle breeding, shipbuilding to weaving, and rural handcrafts to spinning. It houses in the city center, and there is a library with over 10,000 volumes depicting the history of Portuguese culture through different times of history.
10. Mourisca Tide Mill
Mourisca Tide Mill is situated in Herdade da Mourisca and is a common point in the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve. It is one of the best locations for bird-watching and can be dated back to the 17th century. Mourisca Tide Mill is lined with salt marshes and salt pans, and there are eight grindstones that have been used to mill grain in history.
The land used for this tide mill was previously used for rice cultivation, making it an essential part of the cereal milling industry. There is a tombstone inside the mill, which has 1601 marked on it, and people say that this was the construction year. INCF was responsible for restoring the mill, and Setúbal City Council was responsible for managing it. In addition to tide mill management, the council promotes the mill and maintains the surrounding area.
Conclusion
Setúbal is a diverse city in Portugal as it has a fine balance of historical landmarks, commercial and industrial ports, natural parks, and forts. It offers a unique blend of cultural experiences and historical charm for tourists and has become a coastal gem as well. On a concluding note, Setúbal is a great destination whether you are looking for adventure or a cultural experience with enough relaxing time!
FAQs
Is Setúbal Better Than Lisbon?
Yes, it is better if you are tight on budget because it is more affordable than Lisbon. In addition, it has more nature-centric places and offers authentic opportunities to experience Portuguese culture.
What Is Setúbal Famous for?
Setúbal is famous for its local delicacies, and there are local wineries. In addition, it has transformed into an industrial city as there are commercial fishing ports, along with a historical center.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Setúbal?
It is recommended to spend at least a weekend in Setúbal. The first day can be spent exploring the forts and museums, and the second day is enough to relax on beaches.
What Is the Most Visited City in Portugal?
In the past few years, Lisbon has become the most visited city in Portugal. Moreover, it is a popular travel destination in Europe due to its rich history, culture, and seven hills which makes it a picture-perfect place.
Is Setubal Expensive?
No, it is not expensive, and the majority of reports have named it moderately priced. The daily average travel cost doesn’t exceed $130.
