Welcome to Sesimbra
As well as fine sands, turquoise waters and a Moorish castle slung high above the centre, this former fishing village offers excellent seafood in its waterfront restaurants.
Top experiences in Sesimbra
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Sesimbra activities
Arrabida, Sesimbra Small-Group Wine Tour from Lisbon
Board your vehicle with your local guide, and leave Lisbon behind as you cross the Tagus River on the Vasco da Gama Bridge. Built for the 1998 Lisbon Universal Exposition, it is the longest bridge in Europe at nearly 11 miles (17 km) long! Visit the beautiful Palmela Castle then head over to a local winery to sample four delicious local wines!Next, continue to the northern shore of the Sado River and discover the beauty of Arrabida Natural Park. Climb to the tallest peak at 1,640 feet (500 meters) and gaze over the verdant park towards the Atlantic and the beaches below. Then, stop for a fresh seafood lunch (own expense) in the charming fishing town of Sesimbra. Spend more free time strolling along lively streets or continue for a walk along golden beaches.You will then follow your guide to a wine tasting session at Casa Museu Jose Maria da Fonseca, one of the oldest wine-producers in Portugal. Enjoy a guided tour of the winery and sample two wines (included) from a wide selection of regional wines.Finally, visit the Cristo Rei Sanctuary, inaugurated in 1959 and inspired by the famous Cristo Rei monument in Brazil, and admire Lisbon from a distance before returning to the city.
Lisbon to Arrábida, Sesimbra Day Trip, Dolphin Cruise Option
Begin with a pickup from your centrally located Lisbon hotel, and then travel by comfortable minivan to Arrábida Natural Park. Cross over the iconic 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril) and gaze out the window as the city sights give way to the undulating Cascais coastline.After around an hour on the road, enter the verdant Arrábida Natural Park. Hear interesting facts and details about the protected region from your expert guide, and drink in breathtaking views of the Albufeira Lagoon (Lagoa de Albufeira) whose swamps are inhabited by ducks and other migratory birds.Make your first stop at Cabo Espichel to visit Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel, a peaceful clifftop sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of the Cape. Explore the religious site with your guide and capture postcard-perfect photos of the Atlantic Ocean.Continue to the pretty fishing village of Sesimbra. Visit the Moorish castle to explore independently. Then, enjoy free time for lunch (own expense) in Sesimbra or the neighboring bay of Portinho da Arrábida.After lunch, join back up with your guide. If you’ve upgraded, set off on your 3-hour dolphin cruise. Board your luxury catamaran and listen to the live onboard commentary as you scan the waters for dolphins.Alternatively, spend your time lazing on the golden sands of Arrábida’s hidden beaches, Praia dos Coelhos (Rabbits’ Beach) and Praia do Piloto (Pilot’s Beach). Depending on the group’s preferences, you’ll also have time to visit Setúbal Castle and Palmela Castle, or you can choose to end your day trip with a food and wine tasting in Azeitão village. Visit a local wine cellar and savor two varietals of Portuguese wine, accompanied by Azeitão cheese and tortas de Azeitão (sweet pastry).When the time comes, return to your minivan and relax on the journey back to Lisbon. Your day trip then concludes with a drop-off at your hotel.
Lisbon to Arrabida Private Day Trip with Wine Tasting
Start with pickup from your Lisbon hotel in the morning or early afternoon, depending on option selected. Cross over the Vasco da Gama Bridge, the longest in Europe, and wave goodbye to Lisbon as you travel south toward the lush green Arrábida Natural Park, located on the shore of the Sado Estuary. As you cruise along the roads, hear your private guide explain more about this beautiful winemaking region.At the edge of the Arrábida mountain range, stop in the small town of Palmela. Ascend the fortified castle — a former Moorish stronghold — around which the village is built and take in astounding views of the surrounding peaks and farmland, as well as of Lisbon and the coastline. Hop back into the car and continue the journey with your guide, weaving through the slopes of the forested Arrábida range. Call into an intimate family-owned winery in the heart of the protected park. Explore the cellars, before raising four local wines to your lips during a tasting session. Before leaving the park, stop at the highest point, a 1,640-foot (500-meter) peak to snap some photos and take in the verdant vistas.Return to Lisbon, stopping briefly at the Christ the King monument, which — just like its famous namesake statue in Rio de Janeiro — overlooks the city. Your tour then finishes with a drop-off back at your Lisbon hotel.Full-Day Tour Upgrade (8 Hours)After pickup from your Lisbon accommodation in the morning, follow the same itinerary as the half-day tour.Instead of leaving Arrábida Natural Park for Lisbon, continue on to the fishing village of Sesimbra, which is situated at the foothills of the adjacent mountains on the Atlantic coast. Perhaps sit down for lunch in one of the town’s restaurants (own expense), before enjoying free time to lounge on the beautiful golden sand beach.Next up is the pretty village of Azeitao, also located in the foot of the Arrábida hills amid olive and cork trees. Call into a local wine cellar, where you can try the region’s renowned sweet muscatel wine and a red variety.Travel back to Lisbon with your private guide, stopping to soak up the city views from the Christ the King monument. Your tour ends with a drop-off back at your accommodation in Lisbon.
Lisbon to Arrábida and Sesimbra Private Day-Trip with Guide
Meet your private guide at your hotel in central Lisbon, and then settle into your comfortable minivan and travel south to Arrábida Natural Park. Cross over the iconic 25th of April Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril) and, as you travel, feel free to ask your guide any questions you have; the beauty of a private tour is that the commentary is entirely tailored to your interests.Take in the city sights and the breathtaking Cascais coastline, then, after around an hour, find yourself traveling through the luscious Arrábida Natural Park. Hear fascinating facts and stories about the protected region, and gaze out of the window at the Albufeira Lagoon (Lagoa de Albufeira).Make your first stop at Cabo Espichel to visit Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel, a peaceful sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of the Cape. Explore the religious site with your guide and enjoy sweeping panoramas of the Atlantic Ocean from your clifftop vantage point.Then, head for Sesimbra. Explore the quaint fishing village’s Moorish castle independently, and then enjoy free time for lunch (own expense) in Sesimbra or the neighboring bay of Portinho da Arrábida.With your appetite sated, join back up with your private guide. If you’ve upgraded, travel to the starting point of your 3-hour dolphin cruise. Board your luxury catamaran and listen to the live onboard commentary as you scan the waters for dolphins.Alternatively, spend some time relaxing on the pristine sands of Arrábida’s hidden beaches, Praia dos Coelhos (Rabbits’ Beach) and Praia do Piloto (Pilot’s Beach). Then, depending on your preferences, visit Setúbal Castle and Palmela Castle, or continue on to Azeitão village, where you’ll visit a local wine cellar for a wine and food tasting.When the time comes, return to your minivan and relax on the journey back to your hotel in Lisbon.
Sesimbra Discovery by Kayak
After getting picked up from your hotel in Lisbon by a professional guide, cross the Tagus River and 25th of April bridge and head towards Sesimbra. This kayak tour departs from BORK & Haliotis outdoor centre in Sesimbra Harbour and goes along the beautiful coast of Arrabida Nature Park and Luiz de Saldanha Maritime Reserve. Once you’ve arrived in the maritime reserve, take time to explore the park and learn about its caves, geology, and wonderful cliffs. Then head to ‘Ribeira do Cavalo,’ considered by some to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and known for its crystal clear waters. Take some time to relax, snap photos, and enjoy a snack on the beach before turning around and heading back to Lisbon. This tour will travel between 6-10 kilometers and be led by a professional guide who is committed to guest safety and enjoyment. BORK's guides are the best trained professionals and are certified by the Portuguese canoe federation; they will be constantly watching out for your safety. In our 30+ years of kayaking experience, no one has ever sustained a serious injury on any BORK kayak trip.
Arrábida Kayak Day Tour from Lisbon
You'll get picked up from your hotel in a comfortable and air conditioned van. Then, you'll be taken to the town of Sesimbra. Upon arrival, you will take a short walk along the sea boulevard until you reach the local market and a pastry shop. Here, you can pick up some delicious pastries and a drink, and can opt to buy some food for a picnic lunch. Then, you will prepare your gear on the beach and start paddling out of Sesimbra’s fishing and recreational harbor. Paddling along the coast, you will have the chance to explore little inlets, caves, and rocks before you reach an isolated beach. Once at the beach, you can go for a swim and have a picnic lunch. After some relaxing time sunbathing or swimming, you will paddle back and reach Sesimbra’s beach again. From there, you will drive to the Castle of Sesimbra, built above the old town, and take a brief walk through the castle before returning to Lisbon. If you feel like experiencing the natural side of the Portuguese capital while enjoying some physical activity, then this tour is perfect for you!