# A Day in Setúbal: Sado Dolphins and the Beaches of Tróia A boat to see the Sado dolphins in the morning, the market and fried cuttlefish, and the catamaran to the white-sand beaches of Tróia. 45 minutes from Lisbon. Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/lisbon-region/setubal-and-troia/itineraries/sado-dolphins-and-troia · Revisado: 2026-11-12 ## El día - 08:30 · Salida: 45 min by car (over the 25 de Abril Bridge and the A2, or on the 4720 from Oriente) - 09:30 · Sado dolphins by boat from Setúbal (2 h outing with Rotas do Sal · from €45.57 · book beforehand) · Rotas do Sal, From €46 per person - 10 min on foot - 12:00 · Setúbal's centre and the Mercado do Livramento (the market in the morning and Avenida Luísa Todi) - 10 min on foot - 13:00 · Boat from Setúbal to Tróia and the peninsula's beaches (15-min catamaran, €4.90) - 15 min by boat - 13:30 · Queda d'Água (Queda d'Água · fish and seafood by the marina · in summer, daily from 12:15 to 22:30; in winter, call ahead) · Queda d'Água - 15 min on foot - 15:30 · Caldeira trail and the Tróia pine wood (flat stroll beside the tidal lagoon, or a beach afternoon on the estuary side) - 18:30 · Vuelta: 15 min by boat (catamaran to Setúbal and back to Lisbon around 20:00) A day trip from Lisbon to the other side of the Tagus: Setúbal is 45 minutes away and a group of about thirty bottlenose dolphins lives all year round in its estuary. This plan goes out to look for them by boat in the morning, stops at the fish market at midday and crosses by catamaran to the white-sand beaches of Tróia for the afternoon. It can be done without a car. ## The day, hour by hour 8:30 · Departure. By car over the 25 de Abril Bridge and the A2. Without a car, Carris Metropolitana buses 4720 from Oriente and 4725 from Sete Rios arrive at the Várzea terminal, about a 15-minute walk from the quay. 9:30 · Sado dolphins. Rotas do Sal runs a two-hour outing around the bay, for all ages, from €45.57. It also takes in beaches and sandbanks. Nobody guarantees the dolphins and in a swell the time can change: book and confirm the day before. 12:00 · Mercado do Livramento and Avenida Luísa Todi. The municipal market is the showcase for Sado fish, with tile panels on its walls. Afterwards, the avenue beside the river has eateries serving fried cuttlefish, the dish of Setúbal. 13:00 · Catamaran to Tróia. Atlantic Ferries crosses in about 15 minutes for €4.90 each way. On the river side, the beaches have calm water and the Arrábida hills opposite. 13:30 · Lunch at Queda d'Água. A fish and seafood restaurant in the commercial area next to the Tróia marina, a few minutes from the quay. On its summer timetable it is open every day from 12:15 to 22:30 without a break. Outside summer Tróia slows down: call ahead on +351 265 490 909 or eat in Setúbal before crossing, at Tasca da Fatinha, which opens on Sunday from 12:00 to 18:00. For those who prefer meat, El Cristo, next door, mixes seafood and Alentejo cooking from Wednesday to Sunday. 15:30 · Beach or the Caldeira. Spend the afternoon on the sand on the estuary side or on the flat Caldeira trail, beside a tidal lagoon with birds. The Roman ruins only open from June to September and never on Sundays. 18:30 · Heading back. Catamaran to Setúbal and bus or car to Lisbon; you arrive around 20:00. ## With children The dolphin outing is for all ages and in Tróia children under 6 do not pay for the boat. On the estuary side there are hardly any waves. ## Cómo llegar ### Without a car Bus 4720 (Oriente) or 4725 (Sete Rios) to Setúbal; walk to the quay; catamaran to Tróia. ### By car About 50 km along the A2. You do not need to take the car to Tróia: the catamaran is cheaper. ## Consejos ### Dolphins in the morning The wind usually rises in the afternoon. ### The ruins, best on a Saturday From June to September the Roman ruins of Tróia are open from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:30 to 18:00, but never on Sundays. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How much does it cost to see dolphins in Setúbal? From €45.57 per person with Rotas do Sal, two hours. ### How do you get from Lisbon to Setúbal without a car? On Carris Metropolitana buses 4720 or 4725. ### How much does the boat to Tróia cost? The passenger catamaran, €4.90 each way. ### Where can you eat in Tróia? Queda d'Água, next to the marina, is open every day in summer from 12:15 to 22:30. In winter, confirm by phone.