Beaches in Setúbal
From the Arrábida to Tróia, taking in Costa da Caparica and Sesimbra. The warmest, most sheltered waters on the coast west of Lisbon.
What to expect from beaches in Setúbal
The district of Setúbal has 41 beaches classified by APA and offers the greatest bathing variety in the Lisbon region. Just a few kilometres from the capital, it brings together three very different realities: Costa da Caparica (Almada/Sesimbra), the Arrábida (Setúbal/Sesimbra/Palmela) and the Alentejo coast of Tróia/Comporta (Grândola/Alcácer do Sal).
Costa da Caparica, with more than 30 kilometres of continuous sand, is Lisbon's urban beach by definition. The numbered beaches (1st to 21st) run from the town of Caparica to Fonte da Telha, with characteristics ranging from urban beaches with full amenities to wild beaches favoured by surfers. A few minutes by ferry from Cais do Sodré.
The Arrábida is the district's postcard image. The beaches of Galapinhos, Galapos, Coelhos and Portinho da Arrábida have Caribbean-blue water and lie within the Arrábida Natural Park — in July and August access to Portinho is controlled by online booking to prevent overcrowding. The limestone mountains shelter these beaches from northerly winds, which makes their water the warmest on Portugal's western coast.
Sesimbra, a fishing town sheltered by the mountains, offers a long, quiet beach ideal for families. Further south, the Tróia peninsula (reached by 25-minute ferry from Setúbal) extends the coast for another 60 kilometres down to Sines, with wild beaches and endless sand at Comporta, Pego, Carvalhal and Galé.
Getting there: A2 and A12 motorways from Lisbon (Caparica/Sesimbra: 30–45 min; Setúbal: 50 min). Setúbal–Tróia ferry for Tróia. Fertagus train plus bus for Caparica. The bathing season runs from 1 June to 30 September.
Beaches in the Setúbal district by municipality
62 beaches classified by APA, spread across 7 municipalities. Click a beach to see details, water quality and photos.
Alcácer do Sal
2 beachesAlmada
21 beaches- CDSBF
- Dragão VermelhoBF
- MataBF
- Praia da Costa da CaparicaBF
- Praia de Cabana do Pescador
- Praia de Cova do Vapor
- Praia de Fonte da Telha
- Praia de InfanteBF
- Praia de Morena
- Praia de Rainha (almada)BF
- Praia de Rei
- Praia de Riviera
- Praia de S. João da Caparica/praia do Norte
- Praia de Saúde
- Praia de SereiaBF
- Praia de Tarquínio-paraíso/dragão Vermelho
- Praia NovaBF
- Praia Nova/nova Praia
- S. João da CaparicaBF
- Santo AntónioBF
- Tarquínio-ParaísoBF
Grândola
11 beachesSantiago do Cacém
3 beachesSesimbra
9 beachesSetúbal
8 beachesFeatured beaches in Setúbal
Beaches in the district with Blue Flag or Excellent water quality.
Frequently asked questions about beaches in Setúbal
How many beaches does the district of Setúbal have?
The district of Setúbal has 62 beaches classified by APA, spread across 7 municipalities. 36 hold Blue Flag certification and 59 are rated Excellent for water quality.
What are the best beaches in the Arrábida?
Galapinhos is the favourite of Lisbon residents — white sand and turquoise water sheltered by the mountains. Galapos and Praia dos Coelhos have the same profile but are less crowded. Portinho da Arrábida is the traditional meeting point, with access by online booking between July and September. Praia da Figueirinha is larger and better equipped, ideal for families.
How do you get to the Tróia peninsula from Lisbon?
The most scenic route is the Setúbal–Tróia ferry, with departures every 30 minutes and a crossing of about 25 minutes. From Lisbon to Setúbal is 50 minutes via the A2/A12. Alternatively, you can drive the long way via A2 + A13 + A2, but that adds about 1h30 to the journey.
Is Costa da Caparica good for families?
Yes. The Caparica beaches up to the 5th (the urban area near the town) are the best equipped, with lifeguards, food, showers and easy access. From the 10th beach the setting is wilder and popular with surfers. The first beaches also have boardwalks and amphibious chairs, making them among the most accessible in the country for reduced mobility.
Where is the warmest water in the district of Setúbal?
The Arrábida beaches (Galapinhos, Galapos, Portinho) have the warmest water on the western Lisbon coast — sheltered by the limestone mountains from Atlantic upwelling, they reach 21–22°C in August. The water at Tróia and Comporta is also warmer than on the Cascais line. Costa da Caparica tracks Atlantic temperatures (16–19°C).