Lisbon & Setúbal
The capital, Sintra and the Arrábida coast
Lisbon is the capital and the main gateway: its airport is the busiest in the country. The city spreads over hills above the Tagus, with the Belém monuments (Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, World Heritage) to the west.
Sintra, with its palaces in the hills, is a World Heritage cultural landscape. South of the Tagus, the Setúbal peninsula has the Arrábida hills and long beaches. This guide includes the Setúbal district here.
What to eat and drink
Pastel de nata, grilled sardines in summer, bifana, ginjinha
When to go
Spring and autumn are milder; summer is hot and busy
Must-see places
Lisbon
Hilly capital on the Tagus: miradouros, trams, Alfama and the riverside.
Belém
Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, World Heritage and a symbol of the Age of Discoveries.
UNESCOSintra
Hill-top palaces and forest, a World Heritage cultural landscape west of Lisbon.
UNESCOCabo da Roca
The westernmost point of mainland Europe, on cliffs above the Atlantic.
Arrábida
Limestone hills dropping to clear coves south of the Tagus.
Sources: Visit Portugal · UNESCO · checked 2026-11-06