Nature Park of Arrábida, Nature reserve in Setúbal Peninsula, Portugal.
This protected area covers the hills and coast of the Setúbal Peninsula south of Lisbon, where dense forest meets limestone ridges dropping straight into the Atlantic. Valleys sheltering old monasteries and small vineyards run between the wooded slopes and hidden coves with clear shallow water.
The region received protected status in 1976 when Portugal began securing areas with rare plants and geological features. Religious orders had used the isolated valleys for monasteries and hermitages since medieval times, leaving ruins still visible today.
Vineyards and cheese makers around Azeitão follow methods handed down for centuries, so visitors today can taste flavors rooted in older ways of life. Trails through the park bear names from the daily routines of fishermen and shepherds who once worked this land.
Certain parts require visitors to hire licensed guides who explain regulations and access points. Check ahead at local visitor centers to confirm which areas are open and what permissions you need before setting out.
Serra do Risco stands 380 meters (1,250 feet) above the ocean and is the tallest coastal cliff on mainland Portugal. On clear days the view from this spot reaches across the entire bay toward Lisbon and beyond.
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