Serra da Arrábida, Portugal: Our most recommended tours and activities

Lisbon: Arrábida All-Inclusive Kayak Adventure Tour

1. Lisbon: Arrábida All-Inclusive Kayak Adventure Tour

Discover Arrabida Natural Park in this unforgettable adventure experience. Enjoy amazing natural locations, the relics of the Blue Coast, and the panoramic view from the Arrábida Mountain on a guided kayak tour. The day begins with your pickup at the meeting location. Following a quick equipment stop, it’s off to Portinho Bay, an old pirate cove that will fill you with a sense of mystery and adventure.  Once the kayak is loaded up with all the food and gear necessary to make sure you’re always safe, warm, and refreshed – the adventure truly begins. Kayak along a limestone coastline and past cliffside beaches, where you’ll have the opportunity to cliff jump, snorkel in the clear waters or explore caves like adventurers of old. For lunch, take a break at the beach and enjoy a picnic. Then explore the mountain and search out the very best views for taking pics. As evening sets, homemade wine and grape juice and traditionally-grilled chorizo will serve as the perfect ending to your adventure-filled day. 

Sesimbra: Beginner Scuba Diving in Prof. Luiz S. Marine Park

2. Sesimbra: Beginner Scuba Diving in Prof. Luiz S. Marine Park

Prof. Luiz Saldanha Marine Park is the perfect spot for your first Scuba Diving experience. In a reef and coral gardens environment, you will be able to watch close by the 1000+ different marine species, like anemones, gorgónias, lobsters, octopuses, stingrays, sea horses, sea stars, and sea urchins. Some of these unique to this zoologic reserve and biodiveristy conservation zone, and other rare, from other geographic áreas, making it one of the most diverse seabed in Europe, throughout all the Setúbal coast, between Serra da Arrábida and Cabo Espichel, less than an hour by car from Lisbon. In the Try Scuba Dive you will begin with a safety briefing and an introduction to your Instructor and Scuba Diving gear. Then you will start an adaptation session, during which you will learn to breathe underwater, applying recreational scuba diving techniques and gear, following with a guided dive, where you will increase your knowledge about the endemic fauna of this marine life sanctuary, feeling completely in harmony with nature. At the end of this Try Scuba Diving, you will return to the starting point on our speedboat. The Instructors and diving leaders (Divemasters) are certified by the world’s most prestige training organizations, namely by CMAS (World Confederation of Underwater Activities) and SSI (Scuba Schools International). Whether you are beginner or experienced, it is ideal to enjoy by yourself or in group, with your friends, family and/or partner, celebrate birthdays, bachelor(ettes), or school or corporate events, accessible to everyone.

From Sesimbra: Arrábida Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

3. From Sesimbra: Arrábida Dolphin Watching Boat Tour

Enjoy a boat tour with dolphin observation through Arrábida coast, with boarding in Sesimbra. Observe more than one species of dolphin if you are lucky, like common dolphin and roazes corvineiros. Watch the cetaceans in their own natural habitat, as they socialize, swim, and eat. Experience an educational component about sea living and biodiversity, and the geology and points of interest of archeological and historical importance connected with this region. Travel along Arrábida coast, passing through the caves and sacred beaches protected by cliffs with transparent and crystalline water if the dolphin observation happens early in the tour. Stop for diving and swimming if the weather and sea conditions are favorable.

Arrábida: Guided Caving Experience + Rapel

4. Arrábida: Guided Caving Experience + Rapel

Explore the cracks, crevices, and high-walled corridors of Serra da Arrábida's underground caves. Journey beneath the surface of the earth accompanied by your guide and get ready to be amazed by this environment as you admire the forces of nature inside the Serra da Arrábida Natural Park. After getting set up, begin with a short walk to the viewpoint near Portinho da Arrábida Bay. From there, it's time for the first rappel descent. Using ropes and similar techniques to those used in climbing, alternate between vertical progressions, horizontal positions, and other natural obstacles. Explore the narrow corridors and unique geological formations on the southern slope of Serra da Arrábida. The descent finishes up at Portinho da Arrábida Beach, known for its spectacular natural beauty.

From Lisbon: Half-Day Arrábida Tour w/ Transfers

5. From Lisbon: Half-Day Arrábida Tour w/ Transfers

You have a choice of landmarks and attractions that can be worked into a 4-hour program. First, visit Albufeira Lagoon and its warm waters known as a perfect place for kayaking, kitesurfing and windsurfing. Then, visit an almost wild Praia das Bicas, an unexplored beach with clear waters in the Sesimbra area. From the cliffs, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the ocean and of the Sintra ridge in the background. Cabo Espichel is an impressive cliff where you can visit the sanctuary and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Cabo and the aqueduct. Make the most of this incredible landscape by making a toast. Admire the dinosaur footprints at Zambujal. Then at Sesimbra Castle, contemplate the view over the fishing village. Sesimbra is a fishing village located in a bay with calm waters. In the village, you can enjoy fish and seafood of exceptional quality and take a walk along the breakwater near the beach. Afterwards, head to Portinho da Arrábida, a paradisiacal beach with crystal clear waters and white sand in the mouth of the river Sado. It can’t be missed. Serra da Arrábida is a climb up to the top of the ridge. You will have no words to describe the incredible landscape presented in front of you. To the north, you will be able to see the entire city of Lisbon, the mountains of S. Luís, S. Francisco, Louro and Gaiteiros. And to the south, the crystal clear blue sea, the islets, the Tróia peninsula and the city of Setúbal. Then go to the Azeitão in the cellars of José Maria da Fonseca to have a tasting of the best regional wines and the local delicacy of Tortas de Azeitão.

Serra da Arrábida: Private Tour with Wine Tasting

6. Serra da Arrábida: Private Tour with Wine Tasting

We will start our tour passing by the famous Vasco da Gama Bridge. It is the longest bridge in Portugal and the second longest in Europe. It has a total length of 17,345 meters, of which 12,000 meters are over the waters of the Tejo estuary. Destination is Palmela Castle, a castle full of history, made up of several conquests. Headquarters of the Order of Santiago until 1834 and considered National Monument, where Within the walls of the Castle are: the Pousada Histórica de Palmela We then set off to discover the famous Adega-Museu with wine tasting, famous for its long history of wine production, the Moscatel de Setúbal liqueur wine (a regional liquor), and also the world famous wine called "Periquita". We pass by the artisanal Tile Factory that maintains the manual manufacturing process, with origins in the 18th century and using the faience technique. We continue towards the Arrábida Mountain where we can glimpse the famous views of the mountains where the combination of the blue tones of the sea water and the green vegetation of the mountains gives the perfect coloring for an escape into nature. One can say, bluntly, that Mother Nature spared no effort when she created this little corner of Portugal! We pass through Sesimbra - a fishing village, where you can visit the fishing port and the 12th century castle, better known as the Moorish Castle. Here you can enjoy a lunch with typical dishes of the region. We will finish with a brief stop at Cristo - Rei. This National Sanctuary is located at an altitude of 133 meters above the level of the Tagus. The sanctuary and monument "Cristo Rei" constitutes the biggest tourist attraction of the council of Almada with a magnificent view over Lisbon, ending our visit with the crossing of the 25th of April Bridge in direction to Lisbon. Come make this tour with us and get to know the most spectacular places in Portugal.

From Lisbon: Palmela Wine Tasting Tour with Snacks

7. From Lisbon: Palmela Wine Tasting Tour with Snacks

Take at trip 40-kilometers south of Lisbon to wine country. Enjoy wi-fi in the vehicle, then take part in a tasting of several wines and a liqeur in the scenic landscape that surrounds Arrábida Mountain. Nibble on snacks, and take a visit to the store to complete your experience. About 40kms south of Lisbon in Palmela, it rises a great opportunity to taste the excellent wines of the Setúbal region, as well as enjoy the beautiful green landscape of Arrábida Mountain. Its excellent wines are produced on soils close to the Atlantic Ocean belonging to the huge massif of Arrábida Mountain. A professional in wines will conduct the wine tasting in a totally relaxed and passionate environment explaining since the harvest species up to the wine production processing that is, the grape treatment related to the amount of sugar, acidity and the fermentation process. You will be tasting several varieties such as the Setúbal muscatel a sweet and fresh wine, the liqueur Bastardo as well as the rare boal grape variety called White Tradition. Also noteworthy are the White Reserve and the Red Reserve wines, the latter being produced in a tank using the technique of foot trodden. The wine tasting is served along with local bread, olives, cheeses, and a variety of Portuguese chorizo. The visit ends at the local store, thus providing the wines tasted and also with some unique products such as regional sweets.

Hiking Tour to the highest point of Arrábida Mountain

8. Hiking Tour to the highest point of Arrábida Mountain

Discover the beauty of the Arrábida Mountain and its surroundings on this beautiful hike. Learn about the Arrábida flora and fauna from your specialist local guide and explore the various vegetation that grows there. Zigzag through the pathways of plants as you head to the top of the mountain (501 m) and marvel at the amazing view. Snap a photo from the summit of the Arrábida as you overlook one of the most beautiful areas in the Mediterranean.  From the top, gaze at the stunning panoramic views of the Setúbal Peninsula, Serra do Risco, and the coastline of Lisbon.

Sesimbra: Sesimbra Coast Private Boat Tour and Beaches

9. Sesimbra: Sesimbra Coast Private Boat Tour and Beaches

Enjoy paradisiacal beaches and other scenic places along the coast from Sesimbra on this private boat tour. Have the opportunity to spot dolphins in their natural habitat and observe the different species of fish that fly through the crystalline waters. Depart from the beautiful coast of Sesimbra and begin your private tour. During the boat trip, discover Ribeira do Horse Beach, Praia da Mijona, Cramesines Beach, Cable Espichel, and more. Soak up the sun on board, or take a dip in the welcoming sea.

Lisbon: Arrábida Natural Park Cave Tour with Guide

10. Lisbon: Arrábida Natural Park Cave Tour with Guide

Check out the natural wonders and biodiversity of the Arrábida Natural Park and have fun traversing the cave system on a half-day exploration tour. In the limestone mountains of Arrábida, the water has formed several cave systems that are believed to have more than 100 caves. The "Doctor's Cave" is a system composed of 3 levels of depth, where we sometimes find bats. The cave tours are led by qualified caving guides. During the adventure, you will climb walls and crawl through narrow passages. Marvel at the natural parts of the cave under the supervision of a professional guide specialized in caving (all guides are certified members of the Portuguese Caving Federation).

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What people are saying about Serra da Arrábida, Portugal

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 108 reviews

What a great day that was! We've seen some amazing caves and just seeing all those things makes your whole day. The guides were funny and we had a nice group of people. All in all, a great trip!

We did this excursion with our teenage kids and everyone loved it! We didn't expect to see so many dolphins and these so close. It was an unforgettable experience! Thanks!

A team that listens and cares about the well-being of its customers. We attended a magnificent ballet of dolphins Outing that I recommend for adults and children

Joao was an amazing tour guide and was so welcoming and funny! He provided an amazing experience like we were family!

Saw many dolphins and we were allowed to sit on deck in turn. Had a great morning!