PORTUGAL - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 468

Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]
www.turismolisboavaledotejo.pt
E-mail: [e-mail]
Hours: 0900-1230 and 1400-1900 Monday and Saturday, 0900-1900 Tues-
day-Friday, 0900-1230 Sunday
Town Hall Tourist Information: Praca do Quebedo; Tel: [phone]
Hours: 0900-1230 and 1400-1730 Monday-Friday
Notes: Take a taxi from the station to the regional tourist office (Região de Turismo
de Setúbal) or to the tourist office in the Town Hall, located across from the park,
Praca do Quebedo.
A day excursion to Setúbal begins at Lisbon's Terreiro do Paço Ferry Terminal with
a 25-minute ferryboat ride across the Tagus River to Barreiro Station, where you
board a southbound train to Setúbal. You may cross the 25 de April Bridge by train
until Fogueteiro and board a bus to Setúbal or just ride the bus over both bridges.
Although Setúbal is Portugal's third-largest city, its location on the estuary of
the Sado River provides a more restful, rural-type atmosphere. It can best be en-
joyed from Saint Philip's Castle, which overlooks Setúbal from its highest point.
The 16th-century castle was converted into a pousada (inn, or resting place), and
it commands an impressive view of both land and sea. A local taxi can take you
there. It's a perfect spot for a lunch in its fine restaurant or for an overnight stay.
Setúbal has a remarkable assemblage of monuments and grand old buildings.
The Church of Jesus is said to be one of the most beautiful small churches ever
built. Next door, the Town Museum displays a priceless collection of old masters.
There are also a Maritime Museum and the Bocage Monument, which honors the
city's great poet.
About 5 or 6 miles from Setúbal at the nearby seaport Sesimbra, the Pousada
do Castelo dePalmela (Palmela Castle) offers a fantastic view of the surrounding
countryside from high atop a hillside. Again, the best way to get there is via taxi.