Majestic and timeless, the Arrábida rises over the landscape and sets the stage for life in the Setúbal Peninsula.
More than a “ridge” — as it is affectionately called by locals — Arrábida is an extensive mountain range stretching across the municipalities of Palmela, Sesimbra, and Setúbal, alongside the mouth of the River Sado.
Setúbal, with its deep fishing traditions, rich gastronomy, and intimate connection to the Sado Estuary, is a privileged gateway to the range. From its historic centre or the slopes of the São Filipe Fort, one can take in the infinite blue and the scenic contours of the Arrábida — a perfect harmony of urban heritage and wild nature.
Palmela, crowned by its imposing castle and surrounded by vineyards cascading down the hillsides, embodies the rural and winemaking heart of Arrábida, where natural heritage intertwines with centuries-old traditions. It also serves as an entry point, through the Serra do Louro ridge, to dazzling trails and viewpoints offering panoramic vistas of the range.
On the Sesimbra side, the park embraces the Atlantic coast, where hidden beaches lie at the foot of steep slopes plunging straight into the sea. At its westernmost edge stands one of its most iconic landmarks, Cabo Espichel cape and its Sanctuary. Deeply connected to the sea and its fishing communities, the town of Sesimbra, with its castle and maritime soul, completes this portrait of authenticity and character.
Hidden within the mountains, almost invisible from afar, the Convent of Arrábida reminds us that this has always been a place of retreat and hermitage, a sanctuary for those seeking communion with nature.
The region’s biodiversity and geological heritage are second to none on a global scale, and these very qualities justify the recognition of Arrábida as a unique heritage site and its designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It is home to rare species of flora and fauna, natural caves, and unique landscapes that shift with the light throughout the day.
The Arrábida Biosphere Reserve is part of both the National Network of Biosphere Reserves and the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, a distinction that honours and elevates the region to a standard of excellence matched by its level recognition.
ARRÁBIDA
NATURAL PARK
The Arrábida mountain range, from which the natural park takes its name, is an area of significant Mediterranean influence. Along its slopes, there are beautiful landscapes, where the mountains form an orographic barrier between the coast and the interior, with lush vegetation.
The mountain range runs ENE-OSO, with a length of about 35 km and an average width of 6 km.
The maximum altitude is 501 m, at the Formosinho anticline.
The Arrábida Natural Park covers an area of approximately 17,000 hectares, of which more than 5,000 are marine surface area. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times , resulting in a significant cultural and religious heritage, notably the Arrábida Convent, as well as traditional activities that still play an important role in the territory, such as fishing and the production of cheese, wine, such as the Moscatel grape variety, and honey, due to the abundance of aromatic flowers such as rosemary, myrtle, rockrose, lavender, thyme and gorse.
Its privileged location at the western end of the European continent, combined with its climatic and geological characteristics, has allowed unique natural processes to develop here throughout the history of the flora.
Although the vegetation has many similarities with that of other limestone mountains further north, it also has some unique features, such as the tree-covered heathland and the heather.
The country's limestone regions are also among the richest in orchids, and Arrábida Natural Park is no exception, with around 30 species of the Orchidaceae family recorded in the area.
In terms of fauna, the Arrábida territory also has many specific features, with evidence of birds that see this location as a privileged spot for their migratory routes.
Bonelli's eagle, the buzzard and the common kestrel are all endangered birds of prey that nest on the cliffs. These habitats are also home to a wide range of other birds, such as the
osprey, the eagle owl, the crested cormorant and the rock pigeon.
The Arrábida Natural Park is a privileged location for bird watching and for studying the interactions between migratory birds and Mediterranean plants. These interactions are mutualistic and seem to be associated with a process of co-evolution.
In addition to birds, bats and mammals such as foxes, genets, mongooses, wild boars, hares and rabbits are common inhabitants of this territory. It is also worth noting that the emerald green tree frog Cneorhinus serranoi and the snail Candidula setubalensis occur exclusively in the Arrábida Mountains, the latter being on the IUCN Red List.
Climate
The region's climate has Mediterranean characteristics, with a clear Atlantic influence, marked by a sub-humid and temperate climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. Throughout the year, temperatures generally range from 7°C to 30°C and rarely fall below 3°C or rise above 36°C.
