Arrábida Small Group Tour from Lisbon

Start your morning with a hotel pick-up in Lisbon, then ride south to Arrábida in your air-conditioned vehicle. Cross the Tagus River on the 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril), and discover the verdant Arrábida Mountains. On the way to this UNESCO World Heritage Site applicant, pass by landmarks such as the statue of Cristo Rei, fashioned after the Corcovado statue in Rio de Janeiro.

Stop at Albufeira Lagoon (Lagoa de Albufeira), home to a popular beach and one of Europe’s top bird watching spots. Continue on to picturesque Espichel Cape, and see its 18th-century Our Lady of the Cape sanctuary, a popular pilgrimage site. See hundred million year-old dinosaur footprints in this protected area.

Next, visit the marlin-fishing village of Sesimbra, and admire its 12th-century castle overlooking the bay. Sample local seafood such as the famous Mariscada de Sesimbra (local seafood, including lobster, crab, shrimp, and more) or the Caldeirada (fish stew with local seafood). After lunch (own expense), journey up the Arrábida Mountain. Pass by lush greenery and vineyards where some of the world’s most premium muscat wines are produced and go for a taste of a Torta de Azeitão, a traditional pastry and a local muscat wine. Snap photos of the stunning vistas overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Set out for Palmela, passing through Setúbal and Sado estuary, a nature reserve inhabited by birds and dolphins.

Wander the medieval labyrinthine streets of Palmela, and take in views of Setúbal Peninsula, Lisbon, and the Atlantic Coast. Finally have a wine tasting in a famous winery in Azeitão before getting back home. Watch the glow of the sunset color the city as you cross the bridge back into Lisbon.