The name Setúbal is derived from the word Cetobriga, which is the name that the Romans gave this coastal town. Once a prosperous fish-salting town, its ruins can still be marveled at during a visit to modern day Setúbal. Situated south of Lisbon, this charming town is full of gardens and plenty of tiny streets through which to wander.
The tradition of salting fish to preserve it is a Roman one and has been practiced in this region throughout the centuries. Setúbal is the third largest port in Portugal and also offers some spectacular beaches. For nature lovers, there is much to do in the surrounding area, such as a visit to the Sado Estuary nature reserve, which is full of lagoons and mud flats and, if you are lucky, playful bottlenose dolphins that live and frolic there in the wild.
Arrábida Bay - Setúbal, photo by Arquivo ITP
The city itself is home to some splendid churches and museums, as well as numerous influential Portuguese people. The Museu de Arqueológia e Etnográfia displays many historical artifacts collected in the area from as early as the Bronze Age. And the Museu de Setúbal, located in the Mosterio de Jesus, houses religious paintings and paraphernalia.
One cannot visit this town without also trying some of the justifiably famous wine that hails from the fertile vineyards that surround it. There are some lovely beaches to explore in the region such as the divine Portinho da Arrábida, surrounded by slopes that create a sheltered and very private cove type beach. Upon the slope is the 16th Century Franciscan Monastery that has been carefully restored by the Fundação Oriente and is being now used as a Study Centre. The views from here are spectacular and the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon.
More information: visitportugal.com
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