Once Upon a Moment

Experiences with a story

Once upon a time, there were unique moments that became surprises that our memory carried for life.

In the same family since the XIX century, at Hotel Casa Palmela you will be welcomed as a member of the family and invited to sit down and listen to the story of the house.

Also get privilege information from local people that make part of the team. Who better to know the gossip of the house and the region?

Whether you are looking for a well-deserved rest in the nature, an active and sporty time, a fire-place in colder seasons or a reinvigorating swim in the region’s white sand beaches and blue turquoise waters, the options are many, focused on discrete and exclusive moments.

With over 170 acres, 50 of which are planted with Syrah and Moscatel grape vineyards. This secular estate, inside Arrábida Nature Park, offers the opportunity to enjoy nature at its best whether on foot, by bike or horse riding.

Memorable moments to take home and tell a story.

In the region, local villages like Azeitão or Palmela offer visits to cultural sites, traditional artisan workshops or well-known wine producers, such as José Maria da Fonseca or Bacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal as well as smaller boutique wineries like Quinta de Alcube or Quinta do Piloto.

For gourmets, we suggest visiting local small dairy factories, where the exquisite Queijo de Azeitão DOP (Azeitão Cheese PDO) is produced, and listen to stories, testimony the techniques and tools of this local artisanal production.

Crafts and arts, like crockery or tiles, using the traditional methods, are still to be seen and we strongly suggest a visit.

We cannot forget the city and district capital that is Setúbal with its historical heritage and riverside location, bringing us excellent gastronomic experiences and is a starting point to navigate along the coast of Arrábida or upriver Sado. Dazzle with the local dolphin community that makes part of Luís Saldanha Marine Reserve or dive into the turquoise waters of Arrábida beaches.

If you are into castles, proper castles with battlements, and thousand-year-old ones, around us we can visit three quite important ones. Sesimbra, Setubal and Palmela. Definitely worth a visit admire the architecture as well as the wide views.

Horseback riding

It’s all about animal companionship, this is a perfect experience to get to know the nature park in a different way.
The interaction between human and animal in its environment is absolutely unmissable.
In the Arrábida Nature Park, among cork oaks, arbutus, vineyards and other unique species of the region, this horse ride through Quinta do Esteval, where Hotel Casa Palmela is located.
Sights and scents throughout the paths, while enjoying the wonderful landscape in contact with nature.

Bike rental

MTB, E-bikes and children’s bikes are available at the Hotel.
These bikes are ideal to explore the estate through the indicated paths. With different levels of difficulty, it can be a great work out or a very pleasant ride.
Upon request we can also have available top road bikes like Pinarello or Off-road Bikes, such as Trekk, both equipped with top level gear. For those who still prefer to pedal, but with less effort, we can offer trail electrical bikes to wonder through the region of Arrábida and throughout the nature park.

Tasting of regional products

In an enchanted place like Quinta do Esteval, wine is a reference around us and is always highlighted in the centre of the table.
Come and enjoy with us the best and most valuable characteristics of a good wine, from colour to aroma and palate paired with some local delicacies.
Boost your experience by accompanying with renowned regional Azeitão cheese.
At the cork oak deck or picnic mode anywhere in the estate you choose, there is no perfect place for this experience!

Yoga

Start your day with a Yoga mind, a moment for yourself within a natural landscape, and beyond.
Relaxing, strengthening and opening positions, connecting you with a deeper sense of self training of mind and body for a healthier and better life.
Come and get acquainted.
Our teacher, a well travelled expert and yoga lifestyle lover, will help to bring the balance to your day when practicing outdoors, surrounded by an amazing scenery that changes everyday.
Both private or group sessions are available.

Stretching and flexibility

An excellent activity to achieve physical relaxation, eliminate stiffness and increase the feeling of lightness.
With this practice you will be able to prevent muscle and tendon injuries due to its gentle and slow exercise pace.
Increase mental and body well-being through exercises combined with breathing and body awareness improving your mobility, flexibility and reducing fatigue by strengthening your muscles.
Add to these benefits, the fact of being outdoors, surrounded by vineyards and the lush green vegetation of Serra da Arrábida.

Pilates

The movements performed in Pilates provide the stretching and strengthening of the body in an integrated and individualized way, in addition to improving breathing, reducing stress, developing body awareness and balance, improving motor coordination and joint mobility and providing relaxation.
Low impact exercises with few repetitions provide effective results and, at the same time, less wear and tear on joints and muscles.
It is important that every Pilates practitioner is accompanied by specialized professionals, and we have them.

Wellness Centre

Surrounded by vineyards and natural landscape of Serra da Arrábida, the Slow Wellness Center is the perfect place to enjoy your moment, alone or as couple.
The use of products with natural ingredients from this untouched region, used by our specialized therapist, add the environmentally friendly feeling that Casa Palmela stands for.
All Treatments and Massages are specially made for your wellbeing and potions used are prepared on the moment.
Enjoy the careful and personalized care that you deserve.

Rent a boat

Setubal offers unique boating conditions, during most months of the year. Renting a boat in Setúbal allows you to enjoy the seacoast as well as stunning beaches and landscapes.
Setúbal Bay and all the surrounding areas such as the Sado Estuary, Tróia and the Professor Luiz Saldanha Nature Park, are areas of rare landscaping beauty, easy to navigate and great beaches, some, only accessible from the sea.
It is possible to rent boats with or without a crew, different pleasure boats with different capacities, allowing you to enjoy total autonomy and independence.