Palmela - Palmela visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Palmela' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Distrito Setubal.

The small town of Palmela rests at 1200m on the edge of the Arrábida mountains south of Lisbon in Portugal. Named after the Roman founder Cornelius Palma (Palmella), the town contains a 12th century castle (Castelo de Palmela) which offers stunning views over the surrounding countryside all the way down the peninsula to Setúbal. Palmela has a strong tradition in wine growing and has won several international accolades for good wines. The wine is often made from Periquita grape, and the wine industry is reflected in the Festa das Vindimas, which take place in September to celebrate the wine harvest.

Palmela Castle has now been converted into a luxury hotel, the Pousada de Palmela, which boasts a fine restaurant and access to various activities such as golf, hot air ballooning, boating, country walks and riding.

The town is built around the castle and is surrounded by vast farmland and mountains, with views of the Sado estuary to the south and Lisbon to the north. Palmela is a little off the beaten track, but has good access to some popular beaches and is also an excellent base from which to explore Arrábida National Park where ancient forests contain much wildlife and the occasional secluded monastery.

Palmela Attractions

• Castelo de Palmela (Palmela Castle) - 12th century castle, now a luxury hotel, with great views over the surrounding area and a good restaurant.
• Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo - ruins of a Renaissance church that collapsed in the 1755 earthquake. It was built on the site of a mosque within the castle grounds.
• Sao Tiago - former covenant within Palmela castle, now part of the Pousada. Contains Romanesque and Gothic church with beautiful azulejo decoration and the tomb of Jorge de Lencastre (died 1550).
• Torre de Menagem - 14th century keep tower of Palmela Castle. In 1484 Garcia de Meneses, the bishop of Évora, was imprisoned here for conspiring against the king. Go to the top for amazing views.
• Por do Sol em Palmela - town square with plaza, views over the town and the Church of S. Baptista João.
• Quinta do Anjo - 5,000 year old tombs carved out of rock and used as burial chambers until the Middle Ages. About 2miles west of Palmela.
• Arrábida National Park - great for walking, riding and full of various wildlife, with great views from the peaks.

Car: Palmela is about 8km north of Setubal and 40km south of Lisbon and Almada.