Arrábida & Setúbal

O Parque Natural da Arrábida é uma área protegida na margem sul da Península de Setúbal, criada a 28 de julho de 1976, que abrange a Serra da Arrábida e a sua costa nos concelhos de Setúbal, Palmela e Sesimbra. O parque abrange 176,41 km², dos quais 123,30 km² são em terra e 53,11 km² no mar.

O seu ponto mais alto é o Formosinho, a 501 metros, sobre falésias de calcário que caem para o Atlântico entre a cidade de Setúbal e Sesimbra.

Setúbal, the Sado and the Tróia peninsula seen from the Serra da Arrábida — Setúbal, the Sado estuary and the Tróia peninsula, seen from the Serra da Arrábida.

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.

Figueirinha beach

Localização⁨Setúbal⁩
Tipo de praia⁨Praia oceânica⁩

Albarquel beach

Localização⁨Setúbal⁩
Tipo de praia⁨Praia oceânica⁩

Galapos beach

Localização⁨Setúbal⁩
Tipo de praia⁨Praia oceânica⁩

Galapinhos beach

Localização⁨Setúbal⁩
Tipo de praia⁨Praia oceânica⁩

Portinho da Arrábida beach

Localização⁨Setúbal⁩
Tipo de praia⁨Praia oceânica⁩

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.