Things to do in Setúbal District, Portugal

Enjoy a horseback ride that will connect you with nature. Breathe in the fresh sea air under an immense sky. Explore the woods of Grândola near the coast and discover the local wildlife. Pass through dunes and pine forest of the protected area of Melides. Ride along a beach that stretches out for over 60 kilometers with the ocean at your side. After the beach, you will ride close to the Melides freshwater lagoon, where you will be able to spot a variety of bird species. If selected, at the end of your activity, enjoy a wine tasting session of three different types of wine produced in the region or a barbecue lunch. You can also opt to book a private instructor and enjoy a memorable day with a group of your friends or family.

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.

This discovery tour by kayak is 3-hour guided tour which begins from the Bork outdoor center in Sesimbra Harbour. The tour travels through the Bay of Sesimbra, before also traveling along the beautiful coast of Arrabida Nature Park and Luiz de Saldanha Maritime Reserve. Your guide/instructor will help you find your way, as you explore the cliffs, caves, and other geological wonders during the tour. You’ll also have time to rest and enjoy a snack on Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo, one of Portugal’s areas which contains crystal clear waters. You will then paddle back toward Sesimbra Harbour, where your tour began. This tour by kayak is the best way to have fun with family and friends while admiring unique landscapes and taking amazing souvenir photos.

Explore the coast of Portugal’s picturesque Sesimbra on a unique coasteering activity, and experience the latest adventure sport craze to hit Portugal and Arrábida. Coasteering is a mix of rock climbing, rappelling, swimming and walking, and Sesimbra is one of the best spots for the sport. Thanks to its combination of a natural protected area with the blue green translucent waters of the sea, coasteering in Sesimbra is a special adventure guaranteed to be a thrill whatever time of year. Meet your guide at the Porto de Abrigo to collect your coasteering equipment. As you’d expect, this activity requires several security measures, and you will be assisted and monitored by experienced professionals all the time. You’ll be provided with a helmet, buoyancy aid wet suit, and trainers. Some routes require rappelling and the use of a harness. Ropes and rescue kits are available in case of an emergency, but typically the activity is a cool and calm experience. Marvel at the breathtaking landscapes as you swim, walk, climb, and jump. Clamber over magnificent rocky escarpments that plunge over bays and coves.

Maximize your time in Lisbon by experiencing a memorable adventure in the Arrabida Natural Park, and have fun with friends and family kayaking, snorkeling, and exploring caves. Glide along the crystal clear waters of Arrabida in your kayak and enjoy several breaks to explore caves and take an optional opportunity to jump from a cliff. Snorkel next to the iconic Anicha Rock, one of the most recognizable features in the park, and look out for bountiful sea life around you. Relax as you enjoy several breaks to enjoy coffee and snacks, and soak in the fantastic views as you cross the Portuguese answer to the Golden Gate Bridge to and from the park.

Depart from Sesimbra and discover the beauty of Arrábida's Natural Park. Go into the protected area of Arrábida and explore the different types of habitats, from mountains to the sea. Venture along the coast on a kayak to discover sacred caves that are only accessible by the sea. Find a secret beach on your way towards the remarkable karst formation of Frade's cave. Enjoy the coastal landscape and get up close to the impressive rock formations with your guide's help. On our way back to Sesimbra, stop on the peaceful beach of Ribeira do Cavalo. Enjoy a snack and swim in the transparent and calm waters, surrounded by dramatic rock formations. Taste some typical sweets from the region to cap off this amazing experience.

Depart from Setubal or Tróia onboard a 22-meter long catamaran and go in search of the community of dolphins that inhabit the Sado estuary. Be accompanied by a knowledgeable crew who will use their expertise to locate these playful dolphins in their natural habitat. Learn more about this unique dolphin community, the only one of its kind in Portugal, with your expert guides. Sail through the estuary and admire the beautiful landscapes of the coastline of the Arrábida Natural Park. Keep an eye out for the playful dolphins which have inhabited this part of the coast for generations. Watch the dolphins frolic and play as they swim through the calm waters. Hear more about their feeding habits, breeding and their relationship to humans on an informative and relaxing boat trip.

Take a trip from Lisbon to Setúbal for a day of fun in the sun and the sea. Dive into the town's history and seafaring heritage on a walking tour. Take a ferry ride to the Troia Peninsula dotted with pine forested sand dunes. Then, in Comporta, mount your horse and gallop off to the beach. Explore Setúbal, the most important center of Portugal's fishing industry. Visit the bustling fish market of  Mercado do Livramento, the historic center, the Monastery of Jesus, and the São Filipe Fortress where you can soak in one of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Next, head towards Comporta on a 25-minute ferry ride, admiring the beauty of the Troia's coast, one of the world’s longest uninterrupted stretches of sand, and keep your eye peeled for dolphins. Upon arrival in Comporta, a protected natural reserve suspended between sea and rice fields, get ready for horseback riding with instructions from your guide. Ride your horse across rice paddies, pine forests, and sand dunes until you reach the Atlantic coast. At the end of the tour, return to the center of Lisbon in a comfortable minibus. Before bidding farewell to your guide, get recommendations on things to do during the rest of your stay in Lisbon.

Discover the wonders of the Sesimbra in the heart of Arrábida Natural Park on this guided trip. Explore the water by kayak and stop at the Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach for a picnic and some relaxation in the sun. Choose between the option with pickup from Lisbon or the option of meeting directly in the ancient village of Sesimbra (about a 45-minute drive from Lisbon). Once in Sesimbra, hop in a kayak (double sit on top kayaks) to go into the ocean. In both options, you'll have all the necessary equipment for kayaking, including mandatory life vests. Sesimbra is located in the heart of Arrábida Natural Park and has the most beautiful landscape in the region, filled with limestone cliffs, grouts, passages in between rock formations, and a beach to enjoy a break and soak in the sun. The first leg of the kayaking tour includes about 1.5-hours of paddling until you reach Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach. Enjoy a picnic break where you can admire the landscape in a relaxed way for about an hour. Get comfortable on a provided beach blanket. Enjoy a homemade, fresh picnic of a salad, fresh fruit, Farinha Torrada (a typical sweet from Sesimbra), and water. Options are available if you have food allergies or other restrictions (a message will be sent with extra info about the food and with extra info before the start of the trip) but by default, a chicken salad will be served. The second leg on the kayaks will bring you back to the starting point. The journey, in general, is a bit faster as you'll have some wind helping you on the return route so it should take about an hour. If you chose pickup from Lisbon you will have time to change into a dry set of clothes before going back to Lisbon for drop-off.

Depart from the Sesimbra Harbor and search for dolphins in their natural habitat with your marine biologist guide. See Bottlenose Dolphins as well as Short Beaked Common Dolphins in the clear blue waters of the park.  Learn about their food habits, group behaviors and family relations. Observe various forms of other wildlife, including birds, as well. At the end of the dolphin watching activity, take the opportunity to swim and sunbathe in one of the Portugal's most beautiful beaches, only accessible by sea. Also, visit some caves and rock formations along the coastline of the park.