Which bus goes to each Arrábida beach?

Choose the beach before you leave Setúbal. Bus 4474 serves Figueirinha from the Setúbal side. Bus 4470 reaches Creiro by the inland road through Azeitão. For Galapinhos and Galápos, change at Creiro to the free seasonal shuttle 4477. The shuttle does not start in central Setúbal.

BeachRoute from SetúbalWhat to know
Albarquel4471Direct city loop
Figueirinha4474No 4477 connection needed
Creiro4470 via AzeitãoTransfer point for the beach shuttle
Galapinhos4470, then 4477A walk down to the sand remains
Galápos4470, then 4477Use one of the marked pedestrian entrances
Portinho da Arrábida4470 to Creiro, then walkNo public car park at Portinho
Diagram of paid bus routes 4470, 4471 and 4474, free shuttle 4477, controlled parking at Figueirinha and the coastal no-through section to Galápos
The diagram is simplified: the mountain approaches remain roads, while access can be temporarily stopped when parking fills

How do you travel from Lisbon without a car?

Take a Fertagus train from Roma-Areeiro, Entrecampos, Sete Rios or Campolide to Setúbal. The trip from Campolide takes about 57 minutes. At Setúbal, continue by bus: 4470 leaves from the ITS transport hub for Creiro, while 4474 runs through Setúbal, Várzea and Alegro toward Figueirinha. Check the stop and departure time on the day because beach timetables change by season.

Figueirinha is the simplest choice with children or beach bags. Galapinhos and Galápos require an extra transfer at Creiro and finish with stairs or an uneven path.

Wide Figueirinha beach in Arrábida, reached from Setúbal by bus 4474
In 2026, Figueirinha parking is free while spaces remain; bus 4474 avoids access uncertainty

Which Arrábida buses are paid, and which one is free?

Lines 4470, 4471 and 4474 use Carris Metropolitana Tarifa 2. A ticket costs EUR 2.60 from the driver or EUR 1.55 with Navegante pre-paid credit, and Navegante passes are accepted. The short 4477 beach shuttle from Creiro is free for every passenger.

Line2026 fareRole
4470EUR 2.60 onboard / EUR 1.55 pre-paidSetúbal to Creiro via Azeitão
4471EUR 2.60 onboard / EUR 1.55 pre-paidSetúbal to Albarquel loop
4474EUR 2.60 onboard / EUR 1.55 pre-paidSetúbal to Figueirinha
4477FreeCreiro to Galapinhos and Galápos

In July and August 2026, 4477 runs daily every 30 minutes from 08:30 to 20:00. The official municipal page gives conflicting boundary dates for June and September, so check the live 4477 timetable if you travel in either month.

Galápos beach in Arrábida, reached via Creiro and the free seasonal 4477 shuttle
The shuttle reaches the pedestrian entrances; stairs or a path still separate the road from the beach

Why can you not drive along the coast between the beaches?

The Rua Círio da Arrábida section between the Figueirinha tunnel and Galápos remains closed because of rockfall risk. No reopening date has been announced. This permanent closure splits the coast into two approaches: Figueirinha and Albarquel from Setúbal, and Creiro, Galapinhos, Galápos and Portinho through Azeitão.

What changes for cars during summer 2026?

From 4 June to 15 September 2026, the eastern access toward Albarquel and Figueirinha and the western access toward Creiro, Portinho, Galápos and Galapinhos are controlled every day from 07:00 to 20:00. These mountain approaches are not permanently closed: officials can stop and reopen private-car access as parking capacity changes. Buses, taxis and licensed TVDE services such as Uber and Bolt can pass the control points, but they may leave you at a road entrance rather than on the sand.

Summer vehicle access control point on a road in Serra da Arrábida
When the beach car parks fill, officials can stop additional private cars at the access point

The formal Figueirinha car park is open to ordinary cars and free while spaces remain. Occupancy is assessed in real time at the Setúbal and Gávea control points; once full, new entries are temporarily stopped. Alegro or Várzea plus bus 4474 is the reliable fallback.

Where can you park before taking the bus?

  • Figueirinha: the formal beach car park is free while spaces remain.
  • Alegro Setúbal: a convenient interchange for 4474 to Figueirinha.
  • Várzea: more than 100 free spaces, served by 4470 and 4474.
  • Mercado Mensal de Azeitão: about 200 free spaces for the 4470 approach.
  • Creiro: about 140 spaces; entry costs EUR 5 from 07:00 and EUR 3 after 13:00, with collection until 18:00.
Creiro beach and its access area on the Arrábida coast
Creiro is the transfer point from paid bus 4470 to the free seasonal shuttle 4477

Portinho has no public car park. Leave the car at Creiro and continue on foot. A cheaper afternoon Creiro tariff does not guarantee a space; officials stop new entries when the car park is full.

Which route works best for your day?

  • From Lisbon with children: Fertagus to Setúbal, then 4474 to Figueirinha.
  • For Galapinhos or Galápos: 4470 to Creiro, then 4477, with time allowed for the final path and the return connection.
  • Without transfers: use a taxi, TVDE or a guided day trip, but still expect a walk down to the smaller coves.

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Five mistakes that make the journey longer

  1. Treating 4477 as a bus from Setúbal. It starts at Creiro; take 4470 first.
  2. Planning to drive from Figueirinha to Galápos beside the sea. The connecting coast road is closed.
  3. Using a timetable without selecting the date. Beach services change outside high season.
  4. Driving to Creiro without a backup. Access stops when the car park fills.
  5. Treating a Figueirinha space as guaranteed. The car park is free, but access is temporarily stopped when it fills; keep Alegro or Várzea plus 4474 as backup.

Official sources

Read next

Compare the coves in our guide to the best Arrábida beaches, then continue through Arrábida or Setúbal.