Lapa de Santa Margarida

Lapa de Santa Margarida is a sea cave in the Serra da Arrábida near Setúbal, Portugal, with a small shrine to Saint Margaret built inside. The entrance sits almost at sea level, and getting there means following a narrow path and a flight of steps down a steep, overgrown slope.

Where is Lapa de Santa Margarida?

The cave lies on the coast of the Arrábida Natural Park, just off the road to Portinho da Arrábida, between Alpertuche and Pilotos beaches. There is no signpost and no street address, so finding it takes some care. The easiest approach is to park on the street opposite the Casa do Gaiato holiday home and follow the path to the top of the stairs.

How hard is the walk down?

The descent is steep and uneven, and bushes crowd the path. Accounts disagree on the number of steps: some say about 95, others more than 200. Wear sturdy shoes, because the steps can be slippery. The climb back up is the tiring part, so allow roughly an hour for the whole visit including a rest.

What is inside?

Under the rock ceiling stands a small altar to Saint Margaret, described as richly painted. Portuguese hiking listings say it is no longer used for services. The shrine rests on two stone columns, and the cave mouth opens onto the water. The quiet and half-light are what impress, not the size: this is an intimate sanctuary rather than a large cavern.

What is the history of the chapel?

The chapel is usually dated to the 17th or early 18th century, though no official record confirms the exact founding. Local tradition says fishermen from the Cabo Espichel area rowed here to attend Mass. A more legendary version credits sailors fleeing pirates with building it. Nineteenth-century writers visited, and Hans Christian Andersen called it a church hewn out of living rock.

When should you go?

Pick a day with a calm sea, since the entrance is right at the waterline and rough conditions make it dangerous. Mornings and late afternoons are cooler on the steps, and the light coming in from the water suits photography. The surrounding coast is busy in summer, yet the cave itself stays little known.

What else is nearby?

A few minutes down the road is Portinho da Arrábida with its beach and clear turquoise water, and uphill stands the Convento da Arrábida, a monastery founded in the 16th century. Around Setúbal you can also find other coastal caves, such as Lapa das Cabras and Gruta do Médico.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. There is no gate or ticket, and access is open.

How many steps are there? Sources give anywhere from about 95 to over 200. Expect a steep route both ways.

Is the chapel still in use? The altar remains in the cave, but accounts say services are no longer held there.

Is it suitable for small children? Not really. Steep, slippery steps and the nearby sea call for caution.