Arrábida & Setúbal

The Arrábida Natural Park is a protected area on the southern edge of the Setúbal Peninsula, created on 28 July 1976, which covers the Serra da Arrábida and its coast in the municipalities of Setúbal, Palmela and Sesimbra. The park covers 176.41 km², of which 123.30 km² are on land and 53.11 km² at sea.

Its highest point is the Formosinho, at 501 metres, above limestone cliffs that fall to the Atlantic between the city of Setúbal and Sesimbra.

Beaches in the Arrábida Natural Park

The beaches of the municipality of Setúbal lie at the foot of the Serra da Arrábida, from Albarquel near the city to Portinho da Arrábida.

Monuments in the Arrábida Natural Park

• Convent of Arrábida: a Franciscan convent founded in 1542 on the southern slope of the serra, spread over 25 hectares.
• Fortress of São Filipe: a fortress begun in 1582 on a hill at the eastern end of the park, above the city of Setúbal.
• Lapa de Santa Margarida: a sea cave near Portinho da Arrábida with a small altar to Santa Margarida, reached by a long stairway.

Nature in the Arrábida Natural Park

• Serra da Arrábida: a limestone range covered by Mediterranean scrub and woodland, which runs along the coast parallel to the sea.
• Formosinho: the highest point of the serra, at 501 metres.
• Marine area: in 1998 the park was enlarged at sea, with the creation of the Arrábida-Espichel marine area.
• Viewpoints: the roads over the serra, including the N379, pass viewpoints over Portinho da Arrábida, the Sado estuary and the Tróia peninsula.

History of the Arrábida Natural Park

• 1542: Franciscan friars found the Convent of Arrábida on the southern slope of the serra.
• 16 August 1971: the Arrábida Reserve is created on the southern slopes and the cliffs of the Risco.
• 28 July 1976: Decree 622/76 creates the Arrábida Natural Park.
• 14 October 1998: the park is reclassified and its coastal area enlarged, with the Arrábida-Espichel marine area.

Visiting the Arrábida Natural Park

• Management: the park is managed by the ICNF, the Portuguese institute for nature conservation and forests.
• Access in summer: the coast road to the beaches has limited parking, and the local authorities set access rules in the bathing season.

Places to visit in Setúbal

Setúbal, Portugal

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Arrábida & Setúbal

Azeitão

Convent of Jesus

Convent of Jesus

Fortress of São Filipe

Fortress of São Filipe

Convent of Arrábida

Convent of Arrábida

Livramento Market

Livramento Market

Sado Estuary Nature Reserve

Sado Estuary Nature Reserve

History of Setúbal

History of Setúbal

Visiting Setúbal

Visiting Setúbal