Excellence Luxury Villas · Setúbal
Luxury Villa Rentals in Setúbal
Villas with pools from the Caparica coast and the Arrábida hills to the rice fields and dunes of Comporta
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South of the Tagus, where Lisbon goes for the weekend
Cross the Tagus from Lisbon and Portugal slows down. The Setúbal region runs south from the long Atlantic beaches of Costa da Caparica, past the limestone ridge of the Serra da Arrábida and the fishing town of Sesimbra, then across the Sado estuary to the pine woods, rice paddies and empty sands of Comporta and Melides. Lisbon families have kept it to themselves for years. They are no longer quite managing to.
Our Setúbal collection runs to 230+ villas. In the south you will find low, whitewashed houses with private pools around Comporta and Grândola. Further north there are family villas among the pines at Herdade da Aroeira and homes within reach of the sea at Sesimbra and Almada. The largest sleep big family parties.
Here is how the region divides up, when to come and what to eat once you arrive.
Setúbal at a glance
- Villas
- 230+ across the Setúbal region, with up to 16 bedrooms
- Guide prices
- Typically £1,900 to £6,700 a week, from around £1,400
- Best areas
- Comporta, Grândola and Melides; Sesimbra and Arrábida; Aroeira and the Caparica coast
- Best time
- June to September for the beach; spring and autumn for walking, wine and golf
- Getting there
- Lisbon airport, from around half an hour to Aroeira to around 75 minutes to Comporta
Browse all 230+ villas in Setúbal
Villa numbers and guide prices are updated daily from our live collection.
Comporta Monte Portugal7 bedrooms
Rent Villa Dimity Portugal6 bedrooms
Deluxe Comporta Mundo | 7-Bedroom Villa in Grandola7 bedrooms
Villa Lagoa Formosa Portugal4 bedroomsWhere to stay in Setúbal
Comporta, Grândola and Melides for dunes, rice fields and the most sought-after villas, Sesimbra and the Arrábida coast for coves and seafood, and Herdade da Aroeira and Almada for golf and beaches close to Lisbon.
Rice paddies, storks and very long beaches
South of the Sado, the coast turns into one long sweep of sand backed by dunes and umbrella pines, with rice fields and cork oaks inland. Comporta and the villages around it, such as Brejo da Carregueira, have stayed low-rise and barefoot, and that is a large part of the appeal. Storks nest on the chimneys and telegraph poles.
At Carrasqueira, the old fishermen's pier stands on wooden stilts over the estuary mud, and it is at its best at sunset. Further south, Melides has a lagoon where children can swim in calm water a short walk from the Atlantic surf. Tróia, at the tip of the peninsula, has a marina, golf and the Roman ruins of Cetóbriga.
Browse villas in Grândola
Limestone hills and a dolphin-watched estuary
The Serra da Arrábida drops steeply to the sea between Setúbal and Sesimbra, and the coves beneath it, such as Portinho da Arrábida and Galapinhos, have water so clear and green that they barely look Atlantic. The hills are a natural park and make for fine walking.
Sesimbra is a working fishing town under a hilltop Moorish castle, with grilled fish served on the seafront. Out at Cabo Espichel, a lonely pilgrimage church stands on the cliff edge, with dinosaur footprints in the rock below. Setúbal itself has a busy market and a resident pod of bottlenose dolphins in the Sado estuary. The ferry to Tróia takes under half an hour, and it saves a long drive round to Comporta.
Browse villas in Sesimbra
Pines, fairways and Lisbon across the water
Just over the 25 de Abril bridge, Almada looks back at Lisbon from beneath the statue of Cristo Rei. Beyond it, the beaches of Costa da Caparica run south for miles, busy near the town and much quieter towards Fonte da Telha.
Herdade da Aroeira, near Charneca de Caparica, is a residential estate of pine woods with two golf courses, and its villas suit families who want the beach, golf and a dinner in Lisbon all within the same week. It is the closest part of the region to the airport, which counts for a lot on a long weekend.
Browse villas in Herdade da Aroeira
Choco frito, Moscatel and a long, dry summer
Setúbal's dish is choco frito, strips of fried cuttlefish, and the town is very proud of it. In the Arrábida foothills, the village of Azeitão makes a soft, creamy sheep's cheese and Moscatel de Setúbal, an amber fortified wine. José Maria da Fonseca has been making wine there since the nineteenth century and welcomes visitors. Around Comporta, rice from the Sado paddies turns up in rich seafood stews.
The beach season runs from June to September, when the Atlantic is bracing but the sun is reliable. In May, June and September the beaches are quieter, and spring and autumn are best for walking Arrábida. Our concierge can book dolphin trips, wine tastings, tee times and tables in Comporta.
Ask our conciergeFeatured villas in Setúbal
Rent Villa Quoi Portugal4 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £12,551 a week
Rent Villa Comporta Modern Portugal4 bedrooms · sleeps 8From £12,000 a week
Villa Bana | 6-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Comporta Grandola6 bedrooms · sleeps 14From £11,805 a week
Villa Acude | 5-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Grandola5 bedrooms · sleeps 14From £11,736 a week
Rent Golden Glow Comporta Portugal5 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £11,410 a week
Palm House | 6-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Comporta6 bedrooms · sleeps 12From £11,391 a week
Coastal Tree Haven | 5-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Portugal5 bedrooms · sleeps 10From £11,336 a week
Villa Julo | 6-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool in Grandola6 bedrooms · sleeps 14From £11,322 a weekWhy book your Setúbal villa with Excellence Luxury Villas
The right house, not the nearest one
The Setúbal region covers very different coastlines on either side of the Sado, and we know which villas are within walking distance of a beach, a lagoon or a village restaurant, and which side of the estuary suits your plans. With 230+ properties in Setúbal, we can usually find the house that suits you rather than the one that happens to be free. Search by size, pool, location and price, or tell us what you have in mind and we will put together a shortlist.
Book direct
You book with us directly, with no booking fees. Questions about access, parking, pool heating or how far it really is to the nearest beach go to people who can find out the answer.
A concierge who knows the territory
Transfers from Lisbon, Tróia ferry advice, dolphin trips on the Sado, wine tastings in Azeitão, tee times at Aroeira and Tróia, a private chef and restaurant tables in Comporta. Our concierge team arranges all of it, leaving you free to decide which terrace to sit on.
A house for every kind of party
Couples, families with small children, three generations together or a crowd of friends celebrating a birthday: we match the house to the group, down to the number of bathrooms and whether the pool is fenced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to stay in the Setúbal region?
Comporta, Grândola and Melides have the most sought-after villas, with dunes, rice fields and long empty beaches. Sesimbra and the Arrábida coast suit those who want sheltered coves and fishing-town restaurants, and Herdade da Aroeira and Almada are the choice for golf and quick trips into Lisbon.
How do I get to Setúbal and Comporta?
Fly to Lisbon. Aroeira and the Caparica coast are around half an hour from the airport by road, and Comporta around an hour and a quarter. You can also drive to Setúbal and take the ferry across the Sado to Tróia, which takes under half an hour. Our concierge can arrange transfers.
Can you see dolphins near Setúbal?
Yes. The Sado estuary has a resident population of bottlenose dolphins, and licensed boat trips run from Setúbal and Tróia. They are sometimes seen from the Tróia ferry too. Our concierge can book a trip.
Can you arrange a private chef at a villa in Setúbal?
Yes. Our concierge can arrange a private chef for a single dinner or your whole stay, along with cookery lessons, guided visits, transfers and restaurant reservations.
How much does a luxury villa in Setúbal cost?
Across our 230+ villas in Setúbal, weekly rates typically range from £1,900 to £6,700, with the most affordable from around £1,400 a week and the largest estates well above. Prices depend on the size of the property, its location and the season, with July and August the most expensive. These are guide prices based on current listings; each property page shows its own rates for your dates.
When is the best time to visit the Setúbal region?
June to September is the main beach season. May and late September are warm and quieter, and spring and autumn are ideal for walking in the Serra da Arrábida, wine tasting in Azeitão and golf.
Are there villas in Setúbal for large groups?
Yes. Our Setúbal collection includes properties with up to 16 bedrooms. Tell us the size of your party and the occasion, and we will send a shortlist that suits it.
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Find your villa in Setúbal
230+ villas between the Tagus and the rice fields of Comporta, with our concierge on hand