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When to Visit

The weather in Setúbal has a warm, mild climate, shaped by the warm Atlantic current. As a result, the climate in the region is warm and comfortable.

In winter, the average temperature in the daytime is +10°C, and in summer, it may vary from +25°C to +33°C. In spring and autumn, the weather is rainy, and the most rainy months are May and September. The weather is most favorable for visiting Setubal in the summer, just as it is for other coastal cities in Portugal. At this time, a refreshing breeze blows from the ocean, creating comfortable conditions for rest.

When we talk about the water temperature in Portugal, we should remember that it is quite low, only +17 °C. The Atlantic Ocean off the western coast of Portugal is noticeably colder than the Mediterranean Sea.

Getting Around

There are several ways to get to Setubal from Lisbon. The easiest way is to get there by bus. For €6, all the volunteers can get one of Rede Expressos buses, which depart from Sete Rios station every hour.

One more option to get here from Lisbon is by train from Sete-Rios station. Travel time will fly by fast as there are comfortable double-decker Fertagus trains to get to Setubal.

To get from Lisbon to Setubal, it is possible by ferry, which operates from Terreiro do Paço.

If we talk about Setubal itself, the city has a well-developed public transport system. There are numerous bus routes from Sul do Tejo. The public road transport service serves the beaches of the municipality.

Bus number 4423 connects Setubal with Praia do Creiro. Bus number 4424 connects Praia da Figueirinha to Avenida Antero de Quental. Bus number 4425 goes to Praia de Albarquel.

As for the 4426, it connects the Brejos de Azeitão and Praia do Creiro routes

Travel Information

You can get an unforgettable experience while traveling in Setubal if you consider a few simple Setubal travel tips:

1. How do you make the first trip to Setubal unforgettable?

Setubal is not only about architecture, as there are also interesting museums. The Museum of Archeology and Ethnography displays a collection of interesting exhibits, from the Paleolithic era to antiquity. The museum exhibits a collection dedicated to the history of fishing of local residents, starting with traditional fishing methods and methods of extracting salt. Here, the exhibition showcases some features of local forms of agriculture, including the cultivation of grapes and cork oak.

One more museum in the Church of Igreja de Jesus hosts an interesting Gallery of Art from the 16th century, which displays 14 beautiful panels from the altar of the church. 

But the main tourist attraction is Portinho da Arrábida Bay. People come here for beach rest and diving. A great option for the beach is to rent a boat and take a trip along the coast.

2. What is a list of Setubal hidden gems?

Setubal became a very popular tourist destination a few years ago thanks to the perfect mixture of historical, architectural, and natural attractions. The city stands on the site of an ancient Roman settlement, and its ruins are now considered a part of Portugal’s historical heritage.

Setubal’s hidden gem is its rich nature. On one side, national mountain parks surround it. On the other hand, it stands at the mouth of the picturesque Sado River. In the waters of this river live dolphins, which swim into the waters of this river every morning and evening to feast on river fish. The locals adore dolphins and consider them the smartest marine creatures. 

And although Setubal is not a resort town, to the west of it there is a wonderful beach called Portinho da Arrabida, protected from the cool northern winds by a mountain slope.

3. What dishes are the must-tries in Setubal? 

Setubal is located on the ocean shore, so it's mostly famous for its seafood cuisine. The local traditional dish is Caldeirada a setubalense. Since ancient times, this dish has been prepared by sailors and fishermen from the least valued fish on the local market. You can try it in one of the local restaurants as it's cooked by one classic recipe. 

The restaurant here serves the signature dish of freshly caught fish cooked over coals. One more popular dish is octopus. Typically, they prepare freshly caught seafood here by cooking it over an open fire without taking too long to maintain its natural freshness.

As an accompaniment to the dinner, don't miss the opportunity to try local wines.