Setubal Travel Guide, Portugal

The beautiful seaside city of Setubal, located on the northern bank of River Sado’s estuary, is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Portugal. Although the city has humble origins as a fishing village, nowadays it is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Setubal is surrounded by amazingly beautiful countryside, and its beaches are some of the best in the country. The city is a paradise for beach-lovers, but also for visitors interested in a bit of unspoilt nature and wildlife. Setubal is famous for its colony of dolphins living in River Sado, and for the nearby Arrabida natural park. Setubal does not lack any historic sites either, and there are also several amazing medieval churches that are well worth visiting. This Setubal Travel Guide offers some useful information for tourists who are planning to visit this charming city.

Setubal Travel Guide - Transport

Setubal does not have its own airport, but fortunately the capital city of Lisbon is only 40 kilometers away. Lisbon Portela Airport is one of the largest airports in southern Europe, and it is a major European hub. It operates flights to and from most major European destinations, and several flights to other continents. If you are already in Portugal, the easiest way to reach Setubal is by train. Railway link among Portuguese cities are very good, but if you can’t find a direct train to Setubal, you can go to Lisbon and take a train to Setubal from there. Buses are another option for reaching Setubal, but although they are quite affordable, they can be uncomfortable as well, depending on the bus company. From Lisbon you can easily catch a bus to Setubal, and the surrounding cities all have regular transport links to Setubal. Like Vigo, Porto and other coastal cities, Setubal can be accessed by boat as well, but this is not a very common means of transport. Once you’ve arrived, you’ll have to take the city bus if you want to visit the most important tourist attractions of Setubal, since many of them are not in the city centre, and some are even outside city limits.

Setubal Travel Guide - Accommodation

Most hotels in Setubal are located in the vicinity of the beach, but there are several accommodation options in the city centre as well. Hotel Ibis Setubal is a comfortable mid-range hotel, far from the city centre but quite close to Arrabida Nature Park and the beaches. The hotel offers modern facilities such as outdoor swimming pool, wireless internet and a relatively good restaurant. If you are willing to spend a bit more than usual on accommodation, this Setubal Travel Guide recommends Pousada de Setubal, a luxury hotel located in a beautiful 17th century building. In addition to excellent amenities the hotel rooms offer a breathtaking view of the estuary.