Praça do Bocage

Setúbal


All streets in the pedestrianised old town seem to lead to this mosaic-cobbled square, presided over by the arcaded bright-purple town hall. It’s a sunny spot for a wander amid the palms and fountains, or for coffee and people-watching on one of the pavement terraces.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Setúbal attractions

1. Casa da Cultura

0.05 MILES

This newish art space has a packed cultural calendar. Wander through changing exhibitions on the main floor, or stop in for an evening concert of jazz…

2. Convento de Jesus

0.15 MILES

Setúbal’s man-made wonder is this sand-coloured stunner, the first known example of Manueline architecture, adorned with gargoyles and twirling turrets…

3. Museu de Arqueologia e Etnografia

0.22 MILES

This small, rambling museum showcases prehistoric, proto-historic and Roman collections as well as traditional artefacts of fishing, gathering and salt…

4. Museu do Trabalho Michel Giacometti

0.34 MILES

How does the sardine get in the tin and 1001 other fishy mysteries are solved at this quirky, rarely visited museum, set in a former sardine-canning…

5. Castelo de São Filipe

1.01 MILES

Worth the 500m schlep uphill to the west, the castle was built by Filipe I in 1590 to fend off an English attack on the invincible Armada. Converted into…

6. Moinho de Maré da Mouriscas

4.81 MILES

This former tide mill built in 1601, which also houses a gallery and cafe, is a worthwhile nature-tourism interpretive centre amid prime birdwatching…

7. Convento da Arrábida

6.54 MILES

Local honey is delicious, especially that produced in the gardens of the whitewashed, red-roofed Convento da Arrábida, a 16th-century former monastery…

8. Reserva Natural do Estuário do Sado

6.99 MILES

This natural reserve protects the Sado Estuary, a biologically rich area of wetlands extending east and south of Setúbal. With more than 250 avian species…