Setúbal

Setúbal is a city in the Lisbon Region of Portugal, in the Setubal Peninsula subregion.

Understand

Setúbal is a coastal town, known for its fishing activities, traditions and industrial area. It's the capital of the Setúbal district. You might also want to check out Serra da Arrábida, for the nature part of Setúbal.

Getting there

By plane

Lisbon/Portela

By train

You can access Setúbal by trains from Lisbon, and most towns in the surrounding area. You also have lots of trains from anywhere to Lisbon, if there is not a direct train to Setúbal, you might want to consider getting one to Lisbon, and then to Setúbal.

By car

It shouldn't be a problem to find your way, Setubal is a major town in the area, so, if you are around, you will have signs to point out your way.

By bus

There are buses that serve from Lisbon to Setúbal everyday and almost every hour a day, if you're in the capital it won't be a problem. There are also buses that serve the surrounding area towns.

By boat

The troia is a peninsula near Setúbal, and that is probably the only way to commercially reach Setúbal by boat.

Traveling around

Buses serve the whole town and are generally OK on schedules and quality.

See

The city of Setubal lacks in attractions, there isn't much to do. The suburbs of Palmela (castle), Sesimbra (beautiful beaches), Troia Peninsula (quite/adorable beach), serra da Arrabida (mount) are quite nice & lovely. Setúbal downtown is probably the place to go if you want to see the best parts of the city. Just ask how you can get to Avenida Luisa Tody (venue), and the rest will work out just fine. You can see some of the nicer monuments, architecture and daily life there. Also, at the end of the venue you will enter Arrabida. And anywhere to the sides is filled with shops and typical streets.

Things to do

You might want to go to Arrabida to enjoy nature at its best in the Setúbal area, but be careful, its really not that hard to get lost there. Also, in avenida Luisa Tody, and if want to experience the typical morning for many people, you can go to the fishmarket and see things around. Theatre Luisa Tody, is located in the venue also, if you are a theatre fan, shows will be in Portuguese, though. You can also go for a walk in the park, it is located near the bus terminal, and rather near the Luisa Tody venue, its called "Parque do Bonfim" (Bonfim park).

Eat

There are many typical restaurants where you can eat good grilled fish and typical food. There's also a good deal of fast-food shops and pizza places. You can also find Indian and Japanese food. For inexpensive Japanese food, you can go to the Aranguês area and ask around for the Japanese place, you can eat about everything you want with only 7,5€.

Drink

There's a nice selection of bars in Setúbal downtown.

Sleep

The most hotels and accommodation you can find are probably downtown (once again, Luisa Tody venue) and there's also an hotel near the Bonfim, which is near the bus station.

Budget

• Hotel Ibis Setúbal , (+351)265 700 900, Rua do Alto da Guerra

Mid-range

• Pousada de Torrão - Vale do Gaio, Nature Hotel , +351-265 669 610, +351-265 669 610, Vale do Gaio 7595-034 Torrão In the heart of the Alentejo region, 30 km from Alcácer do Sal and over the Vale do Gaio dam, stands the beautiful Pousada of Torrão, Vale do Gaio.

• Pousada de Santiago do Cacém - Quinta da Ortiga, Nature Hotel , +351-269 822 871 / 269 822 074, +351-269 822 871 / 269 822 074, Quinta da Ortiga 7540-909 Santiago do Cacém This nature hotel has a beautiful chapel and it is encircled in a magnificent landscape crossed by a refreshing river, terraced gardens and a swimming pool are located where the former watering reservoir used to be.

• Hotel Novotel Setúbal*** , (+351)265 739 370, (+351)265 739 370, Monte Belo EN 10

Splurge

• Pousada de Setúbal - São Filipe, Historic Luxury Hotel , +351-265 550 070, +351-265 550 070, Forte de São Filipe - Nossa Srª. da Anunciada 2900-300 Setúbal São Filipe's historical Pousada is installed in a fort from the late XVII century. This historic luxury hotel has a breathtaking view over the River Sado estuary from its terrace.

• Pousada de Palmela - Castelo de Palmela, Historic Luxury Hotel , +351-212 351 226, +351-212 351 226, Castelo de Palmela 2950-317 Palmela This historic luxury hotel is located on top of an imposing hill, and it is one of the best architectural fortresses in Portugal, specially known for its location and the magnificent views that it has to offer.

• Pousada de Alcácer do Sal - D. Afonso II, Historic Luxury Hotel , +351-265 613 070, +351-265 613 070, Castelo de Alcácer do Sal 7580-197 Alcácer do Sal The Pousada de Alcácer do Sal, D. Afonso II, is a luxury hotel situated in the thousand year old Alcácer castle that overlooks the river Sado, which runs through a vast green valley.

Buy

There are many shops spread around the city, as normal. In the Luisa Tody area you will find many small shops and bigger clothing shops mostly. For bigger commercial areas, theres the Aranguês Mall, which is well, not very big, but has a nice selection of stores. Theres the De Borla/Aqua park, where you can find some big and good appliances and eletronics shops. And theres the supermarket Jumbo, for your bigger needs, with a few shops outside too.

Safety

Setúbal is overall a safe area. There are some parts you might want to avoid, but the shabbiness will warn you of that. By day even in those parts you shouldn't have any problems, however, be cautious. Take the usual precautions, mostly at night in Setúbal downtown, usually you won't have a problem. If you are alone at night, just walk in very well lit places and with many people around. Lately there have been some troubles in Setubal, especially late at nite.

Learn

There are several schools in Setúbal, and one polytechnic for higher education.

Get out

• Alentejo coast/Minfontes

• Evora.