Portugal is located on the west side of the Iberian Peninsula. It is the most occidental country in Europe. Its geographic location along the Atlantic coast soon determined its vocation to the sea. The natural advantages of a sunny country with such diverse geographic features have turned Portugal into a chosen destination for many holidaymakers. This is an ideal place for practicing water sports and playing golf, offering modern tourism facilities, and quaint and personalized means of accommodation, such as ‘turismo de habitação’ (privately owned homes ranging from wonderful farmhouses to manor houses), ‘hotéis de charme’ or ‘pousadas’. Setúbal is located near the Capital of Portugal, Lisbon. This city belongs to the Tourist Region of the Costa Azul. The territory of the Costa Azul is a palette of what best exists in Portugal. The spectacular coast and the immense Atlantic, two estuaries with their rivers, mountain and pasture, interior and plains, beaches and sun which accompany and characterize all of the Costa Azul.

São Filipe Fortress

Livramento Market

Baía House

Hans Christian Andersen, who visited the region in 1834, described it as a "terrestrial paradise". The untouched Setúbal city has evolved steadily since the 19th century until it became the 3rd largest port in the country and a major industrial centre in mid 20th century, particularly in the 1960’s and 1970’s. From shipbuilding to fish canning, production of fertilizers, cement, seafood and oysters culture, salt, and a variety of wines including a superb Muscatel (made from a type of grape, with the same name, typical from this region) to fishing and tourism, Setúbal has a lot to offer. Only at about 40 km south of the capital (Lisbon), Setúbal is situated in a beautiful estuary (the river Sado estuary), today a Natural Reserve, between Tróia Bay (ancient Roman settlement) and Arrábida Natural Park. This estuary is considered a dolphin sanctuary. A great awareness and an effort are being put in order to create a sustainable development that fully respects it.

Jesus Convent Setubal Museum

Luísa Todi Forum

Albarquel Urban Park

A local legend states that Setúbal was founded by Tubal, son of Cain. Although such remote and biblical origins are not credible, archaeology shows plenty evidence from prehistoric times, along with many traces of Phoenician and Greek passage. A lot more remains from Roman times when Setúbal was the famous town of Cetóbriga (situated across the river in Troia’s Peninsula) and an important fishing port. The potential of its natural harbour determined certainly, how and why this region was continuously chosen for human settlement throughout the times from Mesolithic era up to the present day. Many of these archaeological sites can nowadays be visited and are frequently undergoing excavations. Church of Jesus (667.45 kB) The city most important monument is the old Monastic Church of Jesus (Igreja de Jesus) dating back to 1491. Built in Manueline style (estilo Manuelino - style from the discoveries era, when the King D. Manuel I was the lord of the spices route), according to the plans of one of the king’s best architects, Diogo Boytac. It mixes late gothic structures, renaissance principles, and an exotic decoration of twisted columns, ropes and other navigation and/or festive symbols. Later during the 18th century an internal decoration of tiles was added. Attached to the church/convent is Town Museum (Museu da Cidade) where we can find many treasures from old times, like religious paintings, goldsmith’s crafts, etc.

Tide Mill of Moorish

Dolphin Watching

Troia

Another church roughly from the same period (1513) and style is São Julião church with a beautiful Manueline doorway. The inside walls are also decorated with large tile panels from the 18th century portraying scenes from São Julião’s life. It is worthwhile to visit the Ethnographic Museum (Museu Etnográfico) dedicated to the region’s main economic activities. Anthropologically is interesting to visit the lively Lota, which is the Fish Auction that takes place every morning by the quay side. This fresh fish and seafood is then redirected to the country’s best restaurants, hotels, and markets, including many in Setúbal where you can taste them daily.

José Maria da Fonseca Cellaro

Azeitão Cheese Museum

Palmela Castle