The beautiful city of Setubal is a great addition to any Portugal trip itinerary. But if you are looking to travel around the country on a budget, will this stop fit in? Absolutely! Setubal has so many awesome things you can see and do completely for free — from hikes to beaches to viewpoints. And in addition to all of that, there are plenty of fantastic restaurants which you can enjoy for quite an affordable price. Here is how to enjoy Setubal on a budget including all of the attractions to check out plus where to eat and sleep.
What to do in Setubal for free
It is very easy to spend time in Setubal on a budget as there is plenty you can do for free or at a very low cost. Here are nine things to do for free in Setubal.
Visit the beaches
Setubal is ripe with gorgeous beaches. And of course each and every one of them is free for the public to access. Immediately in the city is Rockalot praia. I would strongly advise against swimming here as it used to be a ship harbor and there are a lot of sunken pieces of metal which can be dangerous. However, for a bit of sand and sun, it is perfect.
At low tide you can walk along the coast from there to Albarquel (or at high tide you can walk around along the road). Albarquel is a larger beach and it is generally safer to swim at. It is also guarded during the summer season. This is still a city beach — considering it is walkable from downtown — so you get quite a lot of activity here. Teenagers will come to play volleyball, big groups will blast their music, kids and dogs will be running amuck.
Beyond these first two beaches you would have to start paying for the transportation to get you further. The next beach along the coast is Figuerinha, it is extremely popular amongst locals as it is close but points out to the ocean rather than the river. The bus will get you to Figuerinha for €2.20 each way. Another option is to go to Troia on the ferry. Unfortunately the ferry is a bit pricier at €4.90 each way.
Go hiking
Setubal sits in the shadows of Arrabida Natural Park which is full of amazing trails for beginners as well as more advanced hikers. Leaving right from the city you have a few options including two Roman roads. One which leads you up to Palmela castle and the other which goes through the countryside behind the Viso neighborhood.
You could also walk up to the fort and then continue through trails back down to the beaches. There are plenty of trails which you can hike and explore all around the park.
If you are willing to sacrifice a few euros, I recommend hopping on the bus up to Azeitao and hiking from there as this puts you more solidly in the middle of the mountains. You can read more about the best hiking trails around Setubal here.
Enjoy the parks
Without leaving the city of Setubal you can spend quite a lot of time in quiet green spaces. There are plenty of beautiful parks around the city with walking or running trails. You can find great kid’s play areas like the one in Bonfim Park. If you stop by a market and pick up a few snacks you can grab a table in Vanicelos and have a picnic. For a good dog walk without a lot else going on, head to Várzea. Read more about all of the parks in Setubal here.
Check out the market
One of the top highlights of Setubal is the Mercado do Livramento — a gorgeous fresh food market right in the middle of the city. It is always free to enter but if you want to buy anything, that will of course cost you money — it is also not the cheapest place in town so while I highly recommend a visit, if you are looking to save money I’d do your food shopping elsewhere.
The market is decorated with intricate tiling, there are statues through the center aisles of market vendors from decades past. It is a cavernous space full of sounds and smells. Around the walls are butchers, down the center aisles is where you’ll find fresh fruits and vegetables as well as bakers and cheese mongers. And in the back is the crowning jewel — the vast amount of fish. Back there you can see full swordfish, piles of choco, freshly shucked oysters, and all sorts of other fish of different shapes and sizes being gutted and filleted.
Explore the churches, forts, and castles
Amazingly, all of the churches, forts, and castles in the area are completely free to enter. A few I recommend you visit on your trip to Setubal are:
- Forte de São Filipe – Estr. do Castelo de São Filipe – a semi-restored fort with a beautiful chapel and stunning view
- Castelo de Palmela – Av. dos Cavaleiros de Santiago e Espada – for a bit of history and more views
- Igreja do Convento de Jesus – R. Acácio Barradas 2 – an intimate, beautifully designed historic space
- Igreja de São Julião – Praça de Bocage – a 13th century church centrally located in the city
- Sé Catedral de Setúbal – R. Dr. António Joaquim Granjo no 31 – the oldest church in Setubal
Walk around the city center
The city center of Setubal is small but it is very pretty. There is the main square — Praca de Bocage, which is no doubt gorgeous with its grand open space, beautiful tile patterns, and large palm trees. But beyond that there are several smaller squares scattered about. Check out Largo Dr. Francisco Soveral, Largo da Misericórdia, and Praça Machado dos Santos, just to name a few. As you go throughout the squares and avenues, look out for the Magras — statues by artists João Duarte of large women engaged in various activities.
Make sure to stroll down Luisa Todi avenue, the main drag of the city. During the Christmas season this space plays host to the annual Christmas market. It also has several other markets throughout the year including maker’s markets, a flower market, and more.
Beyond that, just get lost. The city is small, you won’t actually be able to wander far before you hit a recognizable landmark, but it’s the best way to find a quiet corner or the most perfect beam of sunlight.
Head up to the viewpoints
The best thing about Setubal is its privileged location on the glittering Sado River. While sitting on its banks is always lovely, if you get up above it you can see across the entire region. From the active port to the east all the way over to the mountains in the west. This post covers all of the best viewpoints in Setubal.
Hunt for cool street art
There is a lot of unofficial art around the streets of Setubal, tags scrawled across old abandoned buildings, and sometimes this art can be just as exciting as the stuff that was put there in a more official capacity. A few of my favorite to look out for are:
- The large black cat on the roof of the Casa do Tourismo — a piece by Ricardo Romero
- The Setubal sign and wildlife mural on the N10 as you make your way down the hill from Azeitao
- All of the roundabout art
- The chocos escaping the hot pan at either end of Luisa Todi
There is so much more street art to discover around Setubal!
Watch the sunrise
Because of Setubal’s location to the east of the Arrabida mountains, the sunrises are better to witness than the sunsets. Any of the viewpoints around the city will have a great view of the orange ball in the sky as it lights up the harbor before progressing down the river to the city and then the mountains.
My favorite spot to watch the sunrise is from the small park on the hillside below R. Sr. Jesus dos Aflitos in the Viso neighborhood.
Where to Eat in Setubal on a budget
Generally speaking, eating out in Setubal is quite affordable. Certainly though, there are some restaurants which are more expensive than others. Generally you will get better deals during lunch time — look out for the prato do dia, or plate of the deal, a sort of “meal deal” which usually includes a meat or a fish with a side, a dessert, and a drink. These usually max out at around €12 so can be a great way to have a big, restaurant meal without breaking the bank. Often prato do dias will be advertised on a sandwich board out front, but they are also often limited in numbers, so try to eat no later than 12:30 to make sure they haven’t run out.
Tascas are typical Portuguese restaurants. They will serve hearty comfort food and often will have no fuss decorations and a few old men sitting around drinking and smoking (outside only). Some restaurants have the word very clearly in their name “tasca da…”
If you’re looking to have a coffee in the morning, find a spot with a bunch of old Portuguese sitting around out front, the coffees there will probably be under one euro.
Here are a few of my suggestions of cheap places to eat in Setubal:
- Snack-Bar Delícia – does a great bitoque and you can easily get dinner with a drink for around €12
- Yoshiki Sushi – there are a lot of sushi restaurants in Setubal – this one is my favorite with a great all you can eat deal which is cheaper at lunch
- Casa de Pasto “A Faca” – for a totally no-fuss delicious fish lunch, you’ll want to arrive right at noon to make sure there is still fish available
Where to stay for a Setubal cheap holiday
There is not a huge amount of options when it comes to accommodation in Setubal. And your choices are even more limited when you want to stick to visiting Setubal on a budget. Nonetheless, here are a few options of affordable accommodation in Setubal:
- Day Off Suite & Hostel — this property is very well located, it has comfortable, clean rooms, and one of the only rooftop terraces in the city.
- Guesthouse Bocage — I would have to say this is more of a mid-range option than a budget option, but it has a great location and offers private rooms.
- Casa do Largo — this is a rather large hostel, there is a public bar downstairs which gets busy and noisy at certain times. There is also sometimes live music in the square out front.
How to get around Setubal on a budget
Setubal is an extremely walkable city — especially the city center. I highly recommend that if you are capable of doing so, you walk as much as possible. If you do need to skip a few steps, the most affordable way to get around Setubal is by bus. You can read more here about how to navigate the bus system in the city.
When to visit Setubal for an inexpensive trip
High season in Setubal is summer, and low season is winter. While many prices will remain the same no matter the time of year, your biggest spend will always be accommodation, and that is where you will see the most fluctuation from winter to summer. If you want to find a balance between good weather and prices that aren’t too high, aim for shoulder season.
My favorite months in Setubal are June and September — the weather is fabulous but the crowds aren’t quite as dense as through summer.
Typical costs
Here is what your spending might like look if you’re hoping to visit Setubal on a budget:
- Prato do dia at lunch: €12
- Dinner at a mid-range restaurant: €20
- One night in a hostel: €30
- One night in a mid-range hotel: €60
