Setúbal
A port city on the Sado estuary, with dolphin boat trips and the Arrábida hills close enough for a day trip from Lisbon.
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Setúbal is a city and municipality on the north bank of the Sado River estuary, in Portugal's Lisbon metropolitan area. It lies about 50 km by road from Lisbon downtown. Once Portugal's most important fishing centre, it processed and exported sardines in the early 20th century, but none of those factories still operate. The Monastery of Jesus, a 15th- and 16th-century church, is one of the earliest buildings in Manueline style, and King John II signed the first treaty dividing the world between two powers there.
A dolphin colony lives in the Sado, so boat trips from the city can offer sightings. Across the river, the Tróia peninsula has hotels and resorts. The Arrábida hills natural park lies close by, with beaches such as Portinho da Arrábida and Galápos at its start on the north bank. CP trains leave Setúbal station, and Fertagus trains run to Lisbon Roma-Areeiro. Summer days reach about 28 to 31 °C with little rain, so spring or autumn suits sightseeing best.
Setúbal in five
- Take the Fertagus from LisbonFertagus trains run from Roma-Areeiro through Entrecampos and Sete Rios to Pragal, Coina, Pinhal Novo, Palmela and Setúbal. Check the timetable for the current service before you plan the day.
- Cross to Tróia by ferry or catamaranAtlantic Ferries runs ferries (average crossing 25 minutes, seasonal timetables) and catamarans that run around the clock from the Setúbal docks. Catamarans take passengers on foot; the ferry also carries vehicles.
- Visit the market and harbor before noonThe Mercado do Livramento is the town's fish and produce market, and mornings are the best time for fresh stalls. Pair it with lunch at a grilled-fish restaurant near the docks.
- Pair the town with Arrábida only on the right dayThe coves sit just west of town. Read the Arrábida guide for beach-season access before you plan a summer weekend.Arrábida travel guide
- Take an estuary boat trip with a licensed operatorThe Sado estuary is a nature reserve with wildlife, and boat trips leave from the harbor. Choose a licensed operator and ask about weather and tides before you book.
Things to do in Setúbal
See all attractions in Setúbal
Need to know
- Airport
- Lisbon (LIS), roughly 1 hour by road or train and transfer
- Getting there
- Fertagus train from Lisbon, or car via the A2
- Getting around
- Walk the center and harbor; taxis and shuttles to the hills
- Best base
- The old town and harbor, near the ferry docks
- Time needed
- A day, or two with Arrábida and Tróia
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Mild, quietJanuaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Mild, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Mild, flowersMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, flowers
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Warm, easyAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easy
- MayClear7 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Warm, easyMayClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easy
- JuneClear4 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Warm, beachJuneClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, beach
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low17°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh30°Low18°Hot, peakAugustClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, peak
- SeptemberClear4 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°Warm, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- OctoberClear9 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Mild, quieterOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Cool, showersNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, showers
- DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Cool, wetDecemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
Average daily high and low in Setúbal, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: Jul Super Bock Super Rock
Right now in Setúbal
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
22
- Feels like
- 21°
- Humidity
- 42%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Setúbal
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today26°11°0%Monday: Clear. High 26°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue23°10°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed21°10°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 21°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu20°11°3%Thursday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Fri19°13°52%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Sat20°18°69%Saturday: Rain. High 20°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sun20°18°93%Sunday: Rain. High 20°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 93%.
Updated 06:02 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- JulSuper Bock Super RockSetúbal
- JulNOS AliveLisbon, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Arrábidaabout 20 minutes by carLimestone hills and coves, with summer car restrictions.Read the guide
- Tróia peninsulaby ferry or catamaranA long sandy spit across the Sado estuary.
- Lisbonby Fertagus or carThe gateway city for onward trains and flights.Read the guide
Before you go to Setúbal
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Rules for Setúbal, checked
- Atlantic Ferries: Setúbal to Tróia ferries average 25 minutes on seasonal timetables; catamarans run 24 hours a day; Setúbal terminal at Doca do Comércio.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Fertagus stations include Roma-Areeiro, Entrecampos, Sete Rios, Pragal, Coina, Pinhal Novo, Palmela and Setúbal.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Setúbal
Limestone hills and hidden coves
Read the guideSetúbal PeninsulaTrains, ferries and the wider region
Read the guideLisbon travel guideThe gateway city and its airport
Read the guideCascais travel guideAnother coastal day trip from Lisbon
Read the guideTrains in PortugalFertagus, CP and ferry links
Read the guideAll of PortugalCities, coast and entry rules
Read the guideSetúbal FAQ
Is Setúbal worth visiting?
Yes for fresh fish, the estuary and as a base for Arrábida and Tróia, and it is less crowded than Lisbon or Cascais. It is a working city, so expect fewer monuments than a classic old town.
How do you get from Lisbon to Setúbal?
By Fertagus train from the Lisbon stations Roma-Areeiro, Entrecampos or Sete Rios, or by car or bus. The train stops at Setúbal station near the center, so no transfer is needed for the town itself.
How do you get to Tróia from Setúbal?
By Atlantic Ferries: ferries (about 25 minutes on average, seasonal timetables) or passenger catamarans that run around the clock. Buy a ticket at the terminal in the Doca do Comércio.
Can you visit Arrábida from Setúbal without a car?
Yes, using the council's seasonal shuttle, a taxi or a guided tour. In the beach season cars are restricted, so check the current year's rules before you set off.
How many days do you need in Setúbal?
One day covers the harbor, the market and the old town, and two days let you add Arrábida or Tróia. A longer stay only suits beach and walking trips.