Arrabida and Wine Experience

Arrabida and Wine Experience

Arrábida Natural Park covers an area of 10,800 hectares, covering areas of the municipalities of Setubal, Palmela and Sesimbra. The originality of the landscape is due not only to its natural characteristics but also to the remote humanization of these spaces, which in general was developed in harmony with the natural environment involving history and cultural heritage. A sublime combination with a wine tasting is one of the most famous and emblematic treasures of this region that you will find in a sublime visit.

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Our experience is your guarantee that we understand, meet and exceed your expectations. We invite you to experience the authenticity of a full day tour through Arrábida, Setúbal & Palmela.

Where you will know the best of Portugal!

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Santuario Nacional de Cristo Rei, Praceta do Cristo Rei 27A Não é localizado em Lisboa e sim em Almada, Almada 2800-058 Portugal

Inspiring for some, symbol of dictatorship and obscurantism for others, the monument to Christ leaves no one indifferent. It was inaugurated across the Tagus in 1959, as a way for the Portuguese episcopate to thank God for having spared Lisbon from World War II.
The 28 meter-high (90ft) image of Christ stands at a 75 meter-tall pedestal (246ft), and an elevator takes visitors up to the feet of the statue, with the 25 April Bridge standing right below. From the statue or from the terrace across the monument there´s a beautiful panoramic view of practically the entire city of Lisbon.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Palacio e Quinta da Bacalhoa, En 10 Vila Fresca de Azeitão, Setubal Portugal

The vineyard has 14 ha and was planted in 1972. At the request of Thomas Scoville, then owner of Quinta da Bacalhôa, António Avillez installed a vineyard here to produce a wine with a similar design to that used in Bordeaux, namely in Médoc. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot are the red varieties produced here. The vineyard planted at Quinta da Bacalhôa finds the ideal terroir for the production of excellent wines: well-drained clay-limestone soils and mild climate due to the strong Atlantic influence.

Discover a privileged landscape passing along the gardens and the vineyards to the lake house, where you can find the first tile dated in Portugal and discover the unique pieces of art from the private art collection of the Commander.

The experience includes a visit to the Bacalhôa Museum and ends with a wine tasting.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Castelo de Palmela, Palmela 2950-997 Portugal

The Palmela castle is located on one of the highest points in the Arrabida Mountain. It is difficult to get to and was hence ideal for its role in defending the surrounding lands.

During the Christian Reconquest led by the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, Palmela was part of the defensive line built south of the Tagus. At that time, the king bestowed the lands of Palmela, Almada and Alcácer to the Order of Holy Sword which took on responsibility for their defense and settlement. In 1205, king Sancho I reaffirmed this gift by installing the Order´s Chapter in the castle.

In the 15th century, king John I set about a series of restoration projects, particularly focusing on the Donjon tower, and decreeing the construction of the convent that would become the Order's headquarters as from 1443. The castle underwent further alterations in the 17th century, during the reign of king Pedro II.

The Santiago convent remained active through the prohibition of religious orders in 1834. After a period left abandoned, the building was restored by the state in 1945 and transformed into the Pousada (manor hotel) of Portugal.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Fort of Sao Filipe, Estrada do Castelo de Sao Filipe, Setubal 2900-300 Portugal

Around 1 km from the city of Setubal, there is the imposing Fort of St. Philip (Saint Philip) guarding access to the Sado river. It is named after the king who ordered its construction, Philip I of Portugal and the II of Spain, in 1590. Italian military engineer Filipe Terzi, protégé of the Spanish Royal Court, was awarded the project. It was completed in 1600 but under the guidance of Leonardo Torreano due to the death of Filipe Terzi.

These fortifications are an example of the adaptations being made due to new military strategies and the progress in ballistic firepower that were being made at the beginning of the 17th century. The star shape and the thickness of the double walls, and wide moat, ensured attacks could not be concentrated hence increasing the defensive effectiveness.

On the inside, the fort was protecting a number of buildings including the former governors residence and a small chapel decorated in tiles completed by the artist Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes. These represent scenes from the life of Saint Philip and are dated 1736.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Boca do Inferno, Northern section of Cascais, Cascais 2750-642 Portugal

The Mouth of Hell (literally the Jaws of Hell), an inlet along the coast that is surrounded by steep rocks and cellars, continues to be a natural curiosity attracting many thousands of visitors to marvel at the brute strength of the sea.

Duration: 30 minutes