Portinho Da Arrábida, One Of The Most Beautiful Towns In Portugal
Portinho da Arrábida is located in the province of Setúbal, south of Lisbon and near the mouth of the Sado River. It is framed in an incredible natural environment at the foot of the Arrábida Natural Park.
This charming paradise is completely integrated into the protected landscape of the Sierra de Arrábida, together with the crystal blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean that end in beautiful beaches.
The geographical location of this corner makes it a wonder of nature, in addition to providing it with a temperate Mediterranean-type microclimate, which is fantastic for visitors who want to relax in the sun.
What to know in Portinho da Arrábida
Beautiful beaches
The charming town of Portinho da Arrábida is located in a horseshoe-shaped bay that opens to the ocean. This gives you some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal.
The Portinho da Arrábida beach has calm and crystalline waters of intense blue, with fine sands that, together with the green of the mountains, form a set of colors worth enjoying.
They are ideal for snorkeling or scuba diving to get to know the marine fauna. In addition, there are all the services for the visitor’s comfort, as well as restaurants, shops and accommodation for all tastes.
Anicha Stone
Piedra Anicha is a small island located about 100 meters off the coast of Portinho da Arrábida. It is considered a Zoological Reserve of the Arrábida Natural Park because it provides shelter for various marine species.
The Oceanographic Museum
It is located in the Forte de Santa María de Arrábida, a fortress dating from the 18th century. It is a building with several rooms where exhibits, aquariums and audiovisual content are presented. It also exhibits an interesting collection of flora and fauna from the Arrábida Natural Park.
The Chapel of Santa Margarita
The Chapel of Santa Margarita in Portugal, is located inside a cave by the sea. This beautiful chapel is supported by columns that initially had the images of Santa Margarita, San Antonio and Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, of which only one is preserved that is in the Arrábida convent.
The Grotto of Santa Margarita is full of stalactites with a large dome supported by limestone pillars. It is surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation dominated by carob trees, Aleppo pines, wild olive trees, murta and some thorny species, such as cacti.
Velho Convent and Novo Convent.
A little above the Santa Margarita grotto, there are two walled complexes corresponding to the Velho Convent and the Novo Convent. In the Velho Convent you can see the Chapel of Memory, the Chapel of Santa Catarina and the small hermitage of Jesus.
The Novo Convent is larger, there you can see constructions embedded in supporting walls. A little further up, you will find the Bom Jesús Chapel. Outside the walled enclosure are the São João do Deserto and São Paulo chapels and also several hermitages scattered along the side.
The convent is the protagonist in the Nossa Señora da Arrábida festivities, when at the end of July it is a pilgrimage center, a tradition that dates back to the 13th century. Facing the sea, there is the Nossa Senhora da Arrábida fort, which we have already mentioned, a hexagonal polygon that seems to defend the beach of Portinho da Arrábida and the convent.
Other visits of interest
You cannot miss visiting the town of Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, as well as other small and picturesque villages, characterized by their steep streets, typical houses and some hermitages.
Also interesting is a visit to the new Museum dedicated to Sebastião da Gama, Arrábida poet, and to the Tróia Dunes Botanical Reserve, which is home to a very particular flora and fauna.
Definitely Portinho da Arrábida, it is a beautiful town in Portugal that is well worth a visit. Its charming beaches and picturesque places where nature and tradition meet, will make you live beautiful experiences.
