Page 115 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Lisbon

THE LISBON C O AST  113

t Serra da Arrábida
@ from Setúbal. n Parque Natural
da Arrábida, Avenida Luísa Todi (265
545 010).
The Parque Natural da Arrábida
covers the small range of
limestone mountains that
stretches east–west along the
coast between Sesimbra and
Setúbal. It was established
to protect the wild, beautiful
landscape and rich variety of
birds and wildlife, including
eagles, wildcats and badgers.
The name Arrábida is from
Arabic, meaning a place of
prayer, and the wooded
hillsides are indeed a peaceful,
secluded retreat. The sheltered,
south-facing slopes are thickly
covered with aromatic and
evergreen shrubs and trees,
such as pine and cypress, more
typical of the Mediterranean.
Vineyards also thrive on the Portinho da Arrábida on the dramatic coastline of the Serra da Arrábida
sheltered slopes and the town
of Vila Nogueira de Azeitão is R Convento da Arrábida E Museu Oceanográfico
known for its wine, especially Serra da Arrábida. Tel 212 197 620. Fortaleza de Santa Maria, Portinho
the Moscatel de Setúbal. Open 10am, 3pm Wed–Sun (by appt da Arrábida. Tel 212 189 791.
The Estrada de Escarpa (the only). Closed Aug. & Open 10am–4pm Tue–Fri, 3–6pm Sat.
N379-1) snakes across the top of Half-hidden among the trees Closed public hols, Sat in Aug. &
the ridge and affords astounding of the Serra, this 16th-century This small fort, just above
views. A narrow road winds down building was once a Franciscan Portinho da Arrábida, was
to Portinho da Arrábida, a monastery. The five round built by Pedro, the Prince
sheltered cove with a beach of towers were probably used for Regent, in 1676 to protect local
fine white sand and crystal clear meditation. The building now communities from attacks by
sea, popular with underwater houses a cultural centre. Moorish pirates. It now houses
fishermen. The sandy beaches a Sea Museum and Marine
of Galapos and Figueirinha Lisboa Biology Centre where visitors
are a little further east along the can see aquaria containing
coast road towards Setúbal. Just many local sea creatures,
east of Sesimbra, the Serra da Palmela including sea urchins,
Arrábida drops to the sea in octopus and starfish.
the sheer 380-m (1,250-ft)
cliffs of Risco, the  José Maria da Fonseca
highest in main- Lisboa Rua José Augusto Coelho 11,
land Portugal. Vila Fresca Vila Nogueira de Azeitão.
de Azeitäo Tel 212 197 500. Open 10am–
noon, 2:30–5:30pm daily (Nov–
Vila Nogueira Setúbal
de Azeitäo Mar: to 4:30pm). Closed 1 & 2 Jan,
31 May, 24 & 25 Dec. & 8 (prior
appointment required) =
The Fonseca winery produces
quality table wines and is
Galapos Figueirinha famous for its fragrant dessert
wine, Moscatel de Setúbal
J
Portinho da
Santana Arrábida (see p129). Tours of the winery
Key explain the process of making
Baía de Setúbal old cellars containing huge oak
Sesimbra Major road moscatel and visit a series of
0 kilometres 5 Minor road and chestnut vats. Tours last
Other road about 45 minutes and include
0 miles 3 a wine-tasting.
For keys to symbols see back flap

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