Cross the river to Lisbon with Transtejo. Atlantic Ferries will take you and your car to Tróia.
Passenger ferries are part of Lisbon’s public transport system and a great way to avoid traffic on the bridge with an affordable boat ride. If you want to head south from Sesimbra to the incredibly beautiful region, you can avoid the cumbersome detour around the Sado Estuary.
Transtejo
For commuters, it’s the easiest way to get to work and for Lisbon, it helps reduce even more car traffic. The route between Cacilhas and Cais do Sodré is particularly interesting for tourists with connections to the Metro and suburban train — there are combo tickets, single rides cost €1.50 and take about 15 minutes. In Cacilhas, you can park comfortably and affordably; the drive from Sesimbra takes about 45 minutes. By bus line 3536, you should expect double the time. The Cacilhas route is also popular in the other direction because Almada is slowly but surely becoming less of a hidden gem. The old ferries come from the Hamburg port; sometimes you can still see the old names under the paint.
Foodies with a sense of adventure will find tourist-free dining with industrial charm and views of the capital near the Seixal ferry port.
Another option goes from Porto Brandão to Belém. It’s a bit of a culture shock between a sleepy village and the hustle and bustle around the world famous sights. After a day of waiting in lines, a very relaxing dinner can work wonders. Having a car is helpful, but it’s possible by bus with two transfers: take the 3721 to ”Flor Mata” then the 3601 and from ”Mte Cap Rotunda” on the 3038. Somehow more for the adventurous.
Atlantic Ferries
Atlantic Ferries in Setúbal are really beneficial for anyone planning a trip to the Tróia Peninsula or further south. Even though the short journey crosses the Sado River rather than the Atlantic, it saves a lot of time by avoiding the lengthy detour around the estuary. There is a catamaran that goes to the town of Tróia and a car ferry that stops further south. Both run in both directions every half hour. €5.40 for pedestrians and bicycles, a car costs €20.40.