Setubal lies on the coast in the vicinity of Lisbon. It has been the center of Portuguese fishing for centuries and an important seaport. There is one of the largest fish markets in Portugal, and the city is also known for the monumental 16th century Fortress of St. Philip.
The city developed from Phoenician times, initially as a fishing settlement, and later also an important seaport. The Mercado do Livramento market is still operating here, where seafood, fish and agricultural products from all over the country are sold. There is also a port here, currently used primarily by fishermen and a marina. From Setúbal you can go on sea trips, during which you can observe dolphins and sea birds.
The heart of Setúbal is his Strare City. Although small, it has a lot of charm. By the cobbled squares and streets there are houses with facades from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, many of which are decorated with azulejos tiles. A valuable monument is the Jesus Church from the 15th century, considered one of the first buildings erected in the Manueline style. Above the buildings, on the hill, there is the Fortress of St. Filipa, which is a great vantage point to the city and the coast. Within its walls there is a chapel, the interior of which is entirely lined with azulejos tiles creating scenes from the Holy Bible.
