The Arrabida Beaches: Galapinhos, Portinho and More

The beaches of the Arrábida Natural Park, near Setúbal, look almost Mediterranean: white sand, turquoise water and green hills plunging into the sea. They’re among the most beautiful beaches near Lisbon, and very popular in summer. Here’s how to visit.

Quick answer: the stars are Galapinhos, Portinho da Arrábida, Creiro, Figueirinha and Galapos. In summer (roughly early June to mid-September), cars are restricted on the beach road, so use the buses from Setúbal and the shuttle between the beaches. Arrábida is about 45 minutes south of Lisbon.

Why go

The Serra da Arrábida is a limestone ridge that drops straight into the Atlantic, and the mountain shelters the coves from the strong northerly wind. That means calmer, clearer and often slightly warmer water than on Lisbon’s west-facing beaches. The hills are covered in Mediterranean scrub and woodland, and the drive along the coast road is one of the prettiest in the Lisbon region.

The park was created in 1976 to protect this stretch of coast and mountain, and building is tightly limited. There are no big resorts, just a few beach cafés, a tiny fishing bay and a lot of green hillside.

The beaches

• Figueirinha: the closest of the big beaches to Setúbal, long and sandy, with shallow water. Good for families.
• Galapos: a sheltered cove with clear water, and the end of the summer shuttle from Creiro.
• Galapinhos: often named one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, reached by a path down from the road. Facilities are minimal, so bring everything you need. Access depends on the road and cliff works nearby, so check before you set out.
• Portinho da Arrábida: a tiny bay with fishing boats and restaurants. The water is very clear and good for a swim off the rocks.
• Creiro: next to Portinho, with calm water and snorkelling. It’s where the main summer bus ends.

Road closures you should know about

The coast road between the Figueirinha tunnel and Galapos (Rua do Círio da Arrábida) has been closed to people and vehicles since February 2023 because of the risk of rockfall. Storms in January and February 2026 caused further damage to roads and slopes in the area. In practice, this means you can’t follow the coast all the way from Setúbal to Creiro. Buses and cars reach Portinho, Creiro and Galapos over the hills via the Azeitão side instead. Check the council’s updates before you go.

Getting there

From Lisbon to Setúbal

• Train: Fertagus trains cross the 25 de Abril Bridge from stations such as Roma-Areeiro, Entrecampos and Sete Rios to Setúbal. The trip takes about an hour.
• Bus: regular coaches run from Lisbon to Setúbal, taking about 45 minutes to an hour.
• Car: about 45 minutes from central Lisbon via the A2, longer in summer traffic. The A2 is a toll road. See Portugal tolls explained.

Getting there in summer

During the bathing season, the “Arrábida sem Carros” plan limits private cars. In 2026 it ran from 4 June to 15 September, between 7am and 8pm. Dates change a little each year, so check before you go.

• Buses run from Setúbal to Creiro and Figueirinha. Line 4470 runs between Setúbal and Creiro, with about 20 trips a day in 2026 and a journey of about an hour. Line 4474 runs frequently from the Alegro shopping centre in Setúbal to Figueirinha, and line 4471 serves Albarquel.
• A shuttle (line 4477) runs between Creiro and Galapos about every 30 minutes, from about 8:30am to 8pm.
• Tickets: you can pay on board, and the buses are part of the Lisbon region’s Navegante network, so a Navegante pass covers them.
• Driving: the road to Figueirinha is closed to private cars during those hours. Access to Portinho, Creiro and Galapos is limited and closes when the parking near Creiro is full. The Creiro car park is small and paid. Free car parks on the edge of Setúbal, such as at the Alegro shopping centre, and at Azeitão link with the buses.
• Kayak or boat: tours from Sesimbra explore the coast. See kayak tours.
• Tours: see Arrábida tours.

Outside the summer rules, you can drive and park along the coast road, but spaces are few and the road is narrow. Setúbal council has also said it wants to start boat links to the Arrábida beaches from 2027, so watch for news if you are planning ahead.

How long to spend

A full day lets you swim at two beaches and have a long lunch. A good plan is an early bus to Creiro, a swim and snorkel there, the shuttle to Galapos for the afternoon, then back to Setúbal for dinner.

A one-day plan from Lisbon

• Early morning: Fertagus train or a coach to Setúbal.
• Mid-morning: bus 4470 to Creiro, then swim and snorkel around Portinho.
• Afternoon: the shuttle to Galapos for a quieter swim.
• Evening: back to Setúbal for choco frito by the river, then the train to Lisbon.

Food

Setúbal is famous for choco frito, strips of fried cuttlefish, and for grilled fresh fish. Look out for creamy Azeitão cheese from the villages behind the hills, and sweet Moscatel de Setúbal wine. Portinho has a handful of restaurants, but they get very busy in summer. See the Portuguese cheese guide.

When to go

July and August are hottest and busiest. June and September are quieter, and the sea is still pleasant. Spring is lovely for walks in the hills, though the water is cold. Weekdays are always calmer than weekends.

Tips

• Go early on summer weekends.
• Bring supplies: facilities are limited at some beaches.
• Protected area: take your litter home and stick to marked paths.
• Shoes: water shoes help on the rocky edges, and good shoes help on the path to Galapinhos.
• Shade: there’s little natural shade on the sand, so bring a sunshade.

FAQ

Can you drive to the Arrábida beaches?

Outside summer, yes. From early June to mid-September, private cars are banned on the roads to Figueirinha and Albarquel between 7am and 8pm, and access to Creiro is closed when its small car park fills up.

How do I get to Arrábida without a car?

Take the Fertagus train or a coach from Lisbon to Setúbal, then a summer bus to Creiro or Figueirinha. A shuttle links Creiro and Galapos.

Which is the best Arrábida beach?

Galapinhos is often called the most beautiful, while Creiro and Portinho are best for snorkelling and Figueirinha suits families. Most visitors try two in one day.

Nearby, Sesimbra and the Tróia peninsula make good extra stops.

More: Setúbal and Arrábida, where to stay in Setúbal, the best beaches near Lisbon and Cabo Espichel.

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