Sesimbra, Azeitao and Setubal Private Tour with Wine Tasting

The day will start by crossing the 25th of April bridge on the way to Sesimbra, starting by visit its its Castle, on the hillside north of the village, this fortress was classified as a national monument in 1910, and is today one of the most visited sites in the county. Built in the 9th century, still under Islamic occupation, its role throughout history has always been land and maritime defense of the region. In the bay, you will find the Maritime Museum of Sesimbra where you will know the connection of this Portuguese village to the sea and fishing art, from the history of the local fishermen, how they traveled and the utensils they used, to maritime devotions, there are several rooms to explore. The ex-libris of this museum is a 3D movie that takes you on a journey back to the time of prehistory and medieval times, ending in a return to the ocean and the future of Sesimbra.

Time to explore the interior of the Castle, with an excellent view of Sesimbra, as well as a visit to the Castle's interpretation center. The Sesimbra Castle another of the Morrish remains in Portugal, the ancient fortress in Sesimbra and the whole district, built at the highest point, to ensure a good protection and a privileged view. Built by the Saracens, although there are records of other civilizations even before its construction, proved by some prehistoric and proto-historical materials found there.

Crossing the Arrabida Natural Park, one of the most complete and protected Portuguese parks, over 500 meters high with a fabulous view of the estuary of the Sado river, where we have a resident colony of dolphins not very common for this class of mammals. Through scheduling it is possible to take a boat trip to see this fantastic family of mammals. With whitish tones of its calcareous cliffs, the blue of the waters and the green of the vegetal mantle that covers the Arrabida mountain, a conjugation of colors that results in a unique image.

Now its time to visit Setubal, a city where fish and boats were the most important economic factor for centuries, fishing and canning activity was one of the main export products, driven by its port. In the city center we will find shops for all tastes and ages, from global brands to local brands, with rarities and less conventional products, the culture lurks at every corner where the buildings are living testimonies of a city that has grown and modernized without forgetting its roots, the sea. In the Bocage square, the center point of the city where the locals meet is full of terraces and cafes, a square dedicated to one of the greatest figures of Portuguese poetry, its statue with its eyes fixed on the sea.

In Azeitao we will find one of the best artisan tile factory, all handmade faithful copies of tiles from the XVI, XVII, XVIII and XVIII centuries, where we will understand all this process from clay molding to the final process that beyond just decorative tiles, are pure art, where no two are alike, being the whole manual process.

Time to visit the winery Jose Maria da Fonseca ( known by PIRIQUITA wines) with visit and wine tasting, during our Sesimbra Azeitao and Setubal Tour, Piriquita winery is one of the best selling wines in Portugal, theres another nice thing to do in Azeitao, to taste the local sweet the “Torta de Azeitao”, another ” Conventual” sweet made in old convents where the gems “reigns”.

In the end we can cross the Vasco da Gama bridge, built in 1998, at the time the longest European bridge.