Arrábida Natural Park and Sesimbra Day Trip from Lisbon

Cliffs, castles and hidden beaches along the southern coast

A full-day guided tour from Lisbon crosses the 25th of April Bridge and heads south through Arrábida Natural Park, stopping at the clifftop Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Cape, the medieval Moorish Castle in Sesimbra, and the secluded beaches of Portinho da Arrábida. You travel by minivan with a professional guide, pick your own lunch in Sesimbra, and can swim at several beaches or visit Casa da Baía to learn about the local dolphin community.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. 25th of April Bridgepassing by
2. Cabo Espichel30m
3. Sesimbra30m
4. Arrábida Natural Parkpassing by

Explore Arrábida Park and Sesimbra

• Meet guide at Lisbon hotel
• Cross 25th of April Bridge
• Pass Aldeia do Meco beaches
• Visit Cabo Espichel sanctuary
• Explore Sesimbra Castle
• Lunch in Sesimbra (own expense)
• Drive through Arrábida Natural Park
• Visit Portinho da Arrábida beaches
• Swim or relax at beaches
• Visit Casa da Baía center

The experience

The tour leaves your Lisbon hotel and crosses the iconic 25th of April Bridge heading south toward the coast. After roughly an hour of driving through the Cascais coastline, you enter Arrábida Natural Park. The guide tailors the commentary to what interests you, so the route is not locked to a script. You can ask about what you're seeing as it passes.

Your first stop is Cabo Espichel, where the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Cape sits on a clifftop overlooking the Atlantic. From there, the drive continues to Sesimbra, a working fishing village with a Moorish Castle perched above the bay. You'll explore the castle and its church, then have free time for lunch (your own expense) at one of the local restaurants: Sesimbra is one of Portugal's major fishing ports, so fresh fish is the standard. After lunch, the route turns inland through unmapped roads of the park, passing Aldeia do Meco's beaches on the way.

The afternoon centers on the park's southern coastline. You'll stop at St. Margareth's Cave, which requires moderate walking, and reach Portinho da Arrábida, a small harbor ringed by golden sand. Several beaches along this stretch offer time for swimming if you want it. At the end of the day, you can either spend more time on the beaches or visit Casa da Baía, an interpretative center in Setúbal focused on the resident dolphin community. The center also stocks local wine and cheese. The minivan returns you to your hotel after eight hours out.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Lisbon accommodation.
• professional guide speaking English.
• air-conditioned minivan transport for the full day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Group TourGuide in English · 09:00Pickup is included

Private TourGuide in English · 09:00Private tour with greater flexibility in a private vehicle, pickup included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 8h, runs Monday to Friday at 09:00, from € 67.50 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 8 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to FridayDeparts at 09:00Other times ›

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 82 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Around Lisbon

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour if you want the guide to adjust the pace and stops to your interests. The commentary is entirely tailored to you. Choose the group tour if you prefer to share the cost and don't mind a fixed itinerary. Both options include the same sites and the same eight-hour route.

Traveler reviews

4.68★★★★★★★★★★

31 verified traveler reviews

5 ★27

4 ★1

3 ★1

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is Cabo Espichel and why is it worth the stop?

Cabo Espichel is a clifftop sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of the Cape, sitting on the Atlantic coast south of Lisbon. The site offers sweeping ocean views and a peaceful religious space. The guide walks you through it and explains its significance to the region.

Can I swim during this tour?

Yes. Several beaches appear along the route, and you have time to swim at Portinho da Arrábida or other spots in the park if you choose to. Swimming is optional, not required.

Is lunch included, or do I need to pay separately?

Lunch is your own expense. You have free time in Sesimbra to eat at a restaurant of your choice. The town is known for fresh fish since it's a major fishing port.

What is the difference between the private tour and the group tour?

On the private tour, you book the minivan for your party alone and the guide tailors the pace and commentary entirely to your interests. On the group tour, you join other travelers, and the itinerary follows a set schedule. Both include hotel pickup, the same guide, and the same stops.

How much walking is involved?

Most of the day is spent in the minivan or at viewpoints requiring little effort. St. Margareth's Cave involves moderate walking, but it's optional. You can skip it and spend the time on the beaches instead. The castle in Sesimbra and the sanctuary at Cabo Espichel are accessible without strenuous hiking.