Arrabida Natural Park is located in southern Portugal. (Image: Getty)
is home to many stunning natural parks that host a wide variety of vegetation within their stunning landscapes, but one sticks out as particularly beautiful.
Arrabida Natural Park is a protected area in covering the southernmost part of the Setubal Peninsula. Situated by the sea and nestled between Setubal and the fishing town of Sesimbra, it boasts unparalleled natural beauty.
The azure sea contrasts with the stark white chalk cliffs and the lush green vegetation that
One of the park’s distinctive features is its carbonate geology mountain range, Serra da Arrabida, which meets the ocean in a contrast to the typical Portuguese coastline characterised by long sandy beaches and cliffs.
Three of – Galapinhos, Portinho da Arrabida and Figueirinha – are favoured by residents of Lisbon and Setubal.
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Arrabida Natural Park is home to stunning sandy beaches. (Image: Getty)
Overlooking these three beaches is the Convent of Our Lady of Arrabida, a 16th-century former monastery now managed by the Fundacao Oriente.
month, with daytime temperatures averaging between 24-28C, whereas January is the coldest month, with average daytime temperatures of 13-15C.
Arrabida boasts a vast expanse of diverse flora, encompassing 42 types and subtypes of habitats, with 10 prioritised for conservation efforts.
The park’s main draw is its It houses one of Portugal’s rare examples of Mediterranean maquis, a factor that contributed to Arrabida being recognised as an international scientific relic.
To safeguard these plant species, visitors can only access certain areas under the guidance of an official park-appointed guide. Additionally, several certified companies offer adventurous activities like speleology, diving, and mountain climbing.
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There are stunning ocean views at Arrabida Natural Park. (Image: Getty)
Film buffs may recognise a particular stretch of road within the natural park from the 1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
This was the dramatic location where Tracy Bond, portrayed by Diana Rigg, is gunned down by Irma Bunt (played by Ilse Steppat) in the movie’s climactic drive-by shooting scene.
One person wrote on : “Amazing park!!! We did a kayak trip with the family and it was such a memorable experience. Would recommend in a heartbeat.”
Another added: “The park is fantastic! Its nature is gorgeous! The beaches and the views are breathtaking! Strongly recommend!”
A third chimed in: “The , especially on a sunny day: the dense vegetation of the Arrabida, the cream color of the small beaches, the turquoise of the sea and the strong blue color of the sky make a beautiful scenery.”