Praia dos Galapos is one of the most accessible beaches in the Arrábida Natural Park
After Praia do Creiro, this is the most accessible beach and the easiest to find from the road in the Arrábida Natural Park. It’s about a 15-minute walk up the road from Creiro, and reached via a staircase.
Galapos has wicker parasols for rent in the summer
More accessibility means more crowds, so this is not the beach for you if you’re looking for seclusion. But if you want a beach with bathrooms and a place to eat and drink, wicker parasols for shade, a beautiful landscape, and calm and clear waters, this is where you should go. Over the rocks is the more spacious Praia dos Galapinhos.
You can see much of the Arrábida Natural Park from this beach
Beach for: Swimming, Couples, Instagram
Lifeguards: Yes
Bathrooms: Yes
Showers: No
Rentals: Yes
Bar or Restaurant: Yes
Accessible: No
Parking: No
How to Get to Praia dos Galapos Beach
The steps that lead down to Praia dos Galapos
Follow the directions to Arrábida, and park your car on the parking lot of Praia do Creiro. As mentioned above, this beach is within walking distance from there. Alternatively, park by the Secil factory and take the seasonal (operating in the summer only) bus that goes to the beaches from there.
If you don’t have a car, you may take the train or bus to Setúbal from Lisbon and then connect to the buses to the beaches. See the complete transportation details on the guide to Arrábida.
Hotels in Praia dos Galapos Beach
Hotel Casa Palmela
There are no hotels by Praia dos Galapos, but there's one up on the hills. You need a car (it's about a 15-minute drive away), but if you want to stay overnight and explore this and the other beaches in the Arrábida Natural Park, this is where you should stay. It's a beautiful 5-star hotel that resulted from the renovation of a 17th-century estate, and is perfect for couples on a romantic getaway. In addition to an exceptional service, it offers an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and elegant rooms and suites, some of them with balconies.