Lisbon Wine Tours: Setúbal, Arrábida & Day Trips from Lisbon
Wine tours from Lisbon: the Setúbal Peninsula and Azeitão, Moscatel de Setúbal, Arrábida and Sesimbra, Colares and Bucelas, and how to book a wine day trip.
The short version: Lisbon’s best wine day trip crosses the river to the Setúbal Peninsula, about 45 minutes south: the Arrábida hills, the fishing town of Sesimbra and the historic cellars of Azeitão, where you taste Moscatel de Setúbal, a sweet fortified wine, and Castelão reds from Palmela, with Azeitão sheep’s cheese. Closer still are Colares, where vines grow in sand by the Atlantic, and Bucelas for crisp Arinto whites. Here is how to plan it.
At a glance
| Region | Taste | From Lisbon |
|---|---|---|
| Setúbal Peninsula (Azeitão, Palmela) | Moscatel de Setúbal, Castelão reds, Azeitão cheese | About 45 minutes |
| Colares (near Sintra) | Rare reds from ungrafted vines in sand | About 40 minutes |
| Bucelas | Arinto, a fresh white | About 30 minutes |
| Alentejo (Évora) | Rich reds, cork forests | About 1h30 |
| In Lisbon | Wine bars, ginjinha cherry liqueur | On the spot |
Setúbal, Arrábida and Moscatel
The Setúbal Peninsula is the easiest wine day from Lisbon. In Azeitão, historic houses such as José Maria da Fonseca, founded in 1834, age Moscatel de Setúbal, an amber fortified wine tasting of orange peel and honey. Around Palmela, the red grape is Castelão. Pair them with Queijo de Azeitão, a creamy sheep’s cheese set with thistle, then drive through the Arrábida natural park to lunch on grilled fish in Sesimbra.
More wine near Lisbon
West of Sintra, Colares is one of Europe’s most unusual vineyards: vines planted in deep sand that saved them from phylloxera. North of the city, Bucelas makes zesty Arinto. In town, sample wine from all over Portugal in a wine bar, and learn the north’s famous wines in what is Vinho Verde and port wine explained. Plan your days with our 3-day Lisbon food and wine itinerary and see what to eat in Lisbon.
Our pick: Lisbon: Arrábida and Sesimbra Day Trip with Wine (4.8 stars) visits Palmela, a winery tasting in Azeitão and the Arrábida natural park, with time for lunch in Sesimbra.
Plan the whole trip: the best food and wine experiences in Portugal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best wine day trip from Lisbon?
The Setúbal Peninsula, with Azeitão’s wine cellars, the Arrábida hills and lunch in Sesimbra, about 45 minutes away.
What is Moscatel de Setúbal?
A sweet fortified wine from the Setúbal Peninsula, made from Muscat grapes and aged for flavours of orange peel, honey and dried fruit.
Are there vineyards near Sintra?
Yes, at Colares, where vines grow in sand near the Atlantic and make rare, long-lived reds.
Book a wine tour from Lisbon
Compare Lisbon wine tastings and day trips, or see Lisbon food tours.
