SESIMBRA

The mighty Sesimbra Hotel & Spa dominates the Eastern end of the seafront; and spans a mile along the golden sands of the bay. Beyond which one finds the marina. Along the route, there are many smaller hotels, a plethora of fish restaurants and several shops. The beach is divided in two by the Fortaleza de Santiago fort, with Praia da Califórnia on the western side and Praia do Ouro on the eastern side.

Fortaleza de Santiago

During Portugal's golden age of discovery, Sesimbra was an important port that needed protection from raiders. The fort was constructed in 1648 as part of a larger coastal defence strategy. It sits on a polygonal layout with bastions in each corner. Inside are the governor's residence, barracks, a cistern, a storeroom and a chapel. During its lifetime, its use has changed. During its long history, it served as a royal summer retreat, the seat of the regional military government, the headquarters of the local coastguard, and a customs office. Since being decreed as a Monument of Public Interest in 1977, it's a tourist attraction and houses the Maritime Museum.
Daily: 08h00 - 16h00

Housed within the grounds of the Fortaleza de Santiago fort is this small but informative oceanographical museum. It celebrates Sesimbra's relationship with the sea and maritime and fishing heritage. The exhibits feature saltwater aquariums containing marine life found along the Sesimbra coastline, preserved species and artefacts spanning 5000 years of human seafaring activity. Impressive lighting and interactive displays are employed to enhance the visitor's experience.
June to September Tusesday - Sunday: 15h30 – 19h00/18h30 - 23h00, Monday: CLOSED
September to May Tusesday - Sunday: 10h00 – 13h00/14h30 - 17h30, Monday: CLOSED

Rua da Fortaleza, 2970-738 Sesimbra, Portugal. | 38º 26" 34.4' N | 09º 06" 03.7' W
+351 212 288 206/7 | museu@cm-sesimbra.pt | Website

Adult: €3.00, Concessionary: €1.50, Family: €6.00

Away from the coast, the town ascends steeply through a network of narrow streets. It's in these lanes you'll find the best value restaurants. One curious building you'll encounter when meandering the back lanes is the Capela do Espírito Santo dos Mareantes chapel. Originally constructed in the 15th century to house Sesimbra Seamen's Brotherhood of the Holy Spirit, the building contained both a hospital and a place of worship. The building was mostly destroyed during the great earthquake of 1755. Only the chapel was re-built. After a period of restoration, it has housed Sesimbra's Municipal Museum. The first floor corresponds to the old chapel. It exhibits an excellent collection of Sacred Art, notably the Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia panel, by Gregório Lopes, which dates from the first half of the 16th century. The ground floor houses a medieval hospital, where visitors can see parietal drawings of boats used from the 16th to the 18th century.
July to August Tusesday - Sunday: 14h30 – 19h00/21h00 - 23h00, Monday: CLOSED
August to July Tusesday - Sunday: 09h00 – 12h30/14h00 - 17h30, Monday: CLOSED

Adult: €1.00, Concessionary: €0.50, Child: FREE
17 Rua Cândido dos Reis, 2970-724, Sesimbra, Portugal. | 38º 26" 37.9' N | 09º 06" 06.1' W
+351 212 231 134 | museu@cm-sesimbra.pt | Website

The castle was constructed during the Moorish occupation of the area and was the last built by them to defend Sesimbra against Christian forces. It fell to the Crusader army in 1165. Its damaged walls were hastily rebuilt and strengthened. Its commanding position to the north of the city and overlooking the coast protected Sesimbra and its townsfolk from North African pirates. The broad vista makes the 230m trek to the top a rewarding experience. The view over the town, the Sado estuary, the Tróia peninsula and Arrábida mountain are breathtaking.

Housed within one of the towers is a small museum that explains Sesimbra's historic role on the world stage and describes the evolution of Portuguese castle design. Also inside the castle complex, there's a small church, the Igreja de Santa Maria. Its somewhat stark exterior hides a richly decorated interior. There's also a café at hand for your refreshment. Visitors are welcome with free entry. The gates at the Porta do Sol close at night.
High Season Daily: 07h00 – 20h00
Low Season Daily: 07h00 – 19h00

38º 27" 10.8' N | 09º 06" 24.8' W

Founded in 1971 and covering 42 square miles (108 square kilometres) between Setúbal and Sesimbra, Palmela to the north and terminating at the Tejo estuary. Arrábida has a varied landscape from valleys surrounded by limestone mountain ridges, dramatic coastlines and the Arrábida mountain - Alto do Formosinho (499m) that stands guard over most of the park. This Nature Park contains vast amounts of Mediterranean scrubland biome and numerous microhabitats. Perched on the slopes overlooking the sea is a whitewashed 16th-century Franciscan monastery. Alongside are five circular chapels once used for solitary meditation.

Where the park meets the sea, one finds the crystal-clear waters of the Costa Azul. These warm waters are popular with divers and bathers alike. It was along this stretch of coastline where Tracy Bond (played by Diana Rigg) was shot dead by Irma Bunt (Ilse Steppat) in a drive-by shooting at the end of the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, 1969.

Between Sesimbra and Setúbal, where the Arrábida Natural Park meets the sea, is a series of beaches, most of which have Blue Flag status. Often marketed as Portugal's Dream Coast or Costa Azul, this dramatic and beautiful coastline offers white sands, warm clear waters and stunning views. Take the M585 coastal road east of Sesimbra. There are buses from central Setúbal to most of these beaches:-

Praia Figueirinha, Outão

With the Arrábida Hills as the backdrop, Figueirinha Beach extends over a great expanse of sand. A sandbank becomes exposed during low tide. Because of its easy access, and its proximity to Setúbal (only five miles west), calm waters, size and amenities, this Blue Flag beach can be quite popular, especially with young families.

Praia de Galápos

Approached via a staircase, the sheltered cove of the Galápos beach has crystal clear waters favoured by divers and bathers alike. With a calm swell, it's ideal for children and popular with windsurfers. Ample parking and a restaurant with facilities that hire marquees and serve good coffee. There's a lifeguard at hand. The architectural record of the area indicates the richness of marine life here has been harvested since Neolithic times.

Separated from Praia de Galápos by a few rocks is Praia Dos Galapinhos and offers visitors a more tranquil and secluded spot to bathe. A little further along still is Praia dos Coelhos (Arrábida). Coelho's beach is a small cove surrounded by a forest at the foot of the Arrábida Natural Park. It comprises soft white sand, with clear and calm waters. Small and quiet, it has a bar accessed via Galapos Beach or by boat.

Praia Portinho da Arrábida

Fourteen miles East of Sesimbra, toward the Convento da Arrábida and down a meandering road, is the tranquil little beach of Praia Portinho da Arrabida. It is accessed from the turnoff after the road leading to the village of the same name. The warm and crystal clear water here makes it a great spot for divers and bathers. Closer to the village, there's a 17th-century fort, now an oceanic museum (Museo Oceanografico) that houses live and preserved local marine animals. There's a small restaurant on the beach and further along the coast in Portinho da Arrabida village.

The main feature of Vila Nogueira de Azeitão is this magnificent nineteenth-century manor house. It is the traditional home to the Soares Franco family, owners of the José Maria Fonseca, who still produce Portugal's oldest wine brand. Lovingly restored in 1923 by the Swiss architect Ernesto Korrodi, the manor house was a family home until 1974. Now it's a living museum that pays tribute to the family's long winemaking heritage. The house itself is a place of beauty with an imposing façade and elegant gardens. As visitors arrive, the tour starts with a brief explanation of the company's history, where traditions and values have been passed down eight generations and kept alive while allowing the company to project itself into the 21st century.

The tour continues through the gardens to the cellars, where iconic wines, such as Periquita, are aged. José Maria Fonseca is also renown for Muscatel de Sétubal wines. This fortified sweet wine is made from the Muscatel (Muscat) grape and aged in oak barrels. Within the darkest and most cobwebbed regions of the winery lie true relics, over 100 years old. The company has expanded into other wine regions, applying the same values and dedication to produce wines that excel. The tour ends in the wine shop, where, as part of the tour, you will sample three wines and can sample wines from their whole range, complementing the wine with regional gourmet products.

April to October 10h00 – 12h00/14h00pm - 17h30 | November to March 10h00 – 12h00/14h30pm - 16h30
Rua José Augusto Coelho 11/13, Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, Portugal. | 38° 31' 05.2" N | 09° 00' 55.5" W
+351 212 198 940 | enoturismo@jmfonseca.pt | Website | Facebook

A mile and a half east of Vila Nogueira de Azeitão on the road to Setúbal is the magnificent 15th-century Paláçio da Bacalhoa and its beautiful gardens. The estate is one of the loveliest country houses in Portugal. Built by order of King Manuel I as a summer palace for his mother. The design is thought to be the work of the Tuscan sculptor and architect Sansovino. The building's most notable features are Moorish melon domed towers and Italianate loggias. It was first restored in the 16th century and again in 1937 by the American Orlena Scoville. Inside antiques associated with Catherine of Braganza, the wife of King Charles II and Queen of England during the 17th century, can be found.

The Paláçio da Bacalhoa gardens are some of the most outstanding in Portugal and form part of the tour. Renaissance in style, they feature the oldest azulejo tile panel in the country, depicting the story of Susannah and the Elders. Newly established vineyards spread out beneath the well-ordered French parterres, here too, rose bushes flourish year-round. An asymmetrical garden pool that placidly mirrors the genteel Renaissance geometry of an exquisitely tiled l6th Century pavilion. The tour around the Palace and grounds takes about 60 minutes and includes a wine-tasting session of the fine Bacalhôa wines. Tours can be combined with visits to the museum and winery in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão. Note: All visits start at the Bacalhôa Winery in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão.

Monday - Saturday: 10h00 – 19h00, Sunday: CLOSED | Guided Tours 10h30, 11h30, 14h30, 15h30, 16h30
Bacalhôa Palace/Quinta: €4.00, Bacalhôa Museum & Palace/Quinta (inc. wine tasting): €6.00
Estrada Nacional 10, 2925-483, São Simão, Azeitão, Portugal. | 38° 31' 09.8" N | 09° 00' 49.7" W
+351 212 198 060 | bacalhoa@jpvinhos.com | Website