Guide to Route 3640: from Azóia to Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, among beaches, wines and heritage

Guide to Route 3640: from Azóia to Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, among beaches, wines and heritage

Route 3640 connects Azóia to Vila Nogueira de Azeitão along a rural and tourist route that passes through Aldeia do Meco, Alfarim, Sampaio, Santana and different areas of Azeitão.

The journey begins near Cabo Espichel, in Azóia, amid a landscape marked by hills, farmland, small settlements and roads descending toward the Atlantic coast. Passing through Aldeia do Meco brings passengers closer to one of the largest stretches of sand in the municipality of Sesimbra, as well as to an area known for restaurants specializing in fish and seafood.

Midway through the route, it crosses Alfarim, Caixas, Zambujal, Corredoura, Santana and Sampaio, revealing a more rural and community-oriented side of the region. In Sampaio, industrial heritage and local agricultural production take center stage, while the Santana and Zambujal stops serve as gateways to small services and local shops.

In Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, the atmosphere changes: markets, historic houses, wineries, wine shops, regional products and green spaces appear. It is a good route for combining gastronomy, culture and outdoor leisure, although the limited service frequency requires planning.

Notice: the distances indicated are approximate and estimated from the route coordinates and the locations of the stops. According to the data provided, route 3640 operates only on Sundays and public holidays, with four departures in the Azóia–Vila Nogueira de Azeitão direction and three departures in the opposite direction. No fare or operator information was provided.

Cabo Espichel Sanctuary

Although the route ends in Azóia, the first part of the journey can also serve as a starting point for visiting the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Cabo Espichel. The complex stands on a plateau overlooking the Atlantic and includes a church, guesthouses, the Ermida da Memória, Casa da Água, an aqueduct and the remains of the former Opera House.

It is an especially interesting stop for those who enjoy history, architecture and coastal landscapes. The setting combines the silence of the promontory with cliffs and the maritime horizon, creating one of the most striking environments in the municipality of Sesimbra. The final approach to the cape requires additional travel from Azóia, so the visit should be regarded as a complementary excursion rather than an attraction immediately next to the stop.

• 📍 Location: Cabo Espichel, municipality of Sesimbra.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: first Azóia stops, near Estrada do Cabo; about 3 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Historic and religious heritage, and tourist attraction.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: monumental complex situated above the cliffs, with significant landscape and historical value.

Praia do Moinho de Baixo, or Meco Beach

As it passes through Aldeia do Meco, the route comes close to Praia do Moinho de Baixo, also known as Meco Beach. With an extensive sandy shore and an open dune landscape, it is one of the best-known beaches in the municipality of Sesimbra and has support facilities, restaurants and seasonal services.

The area works equally well for a full day by the sea or for an evening walk. The beach is associated with clear waters, rougher seas and a relaxed atmosphere, while the pine forest and dunes reinforce the sense of distance from urban centers. Access from the route is on foot from the center of Aldeia do Meco, so passengers should allow time for the walk.

• 📍 Location: Praia do Moinho de Baixo, Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: stops on Rua Praia do Moinho de Baixo and in the center of Aldeia do Meco; about 1.5 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Beach, leisure and nature tourism.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: broad Atlantic beach with dunes, beach facilities and a relaxed atmosphere.

Casa Meco

To turn a visit to Meco into a gastronomic experience, Casa Meco is one of the options closest to the route. The restaurant is located on Rua Praia do Moinho de Baixo, beside the path to the beach, and focuses on seafood cuisine based on fresh fish, seafood and dishes designed for sharing.

The setting combines an indoor dining room, a terrace and a lounge area, with an offering intended to match the slower pace of the village and late afternoons by the ocean. Its proximity to the beach makes it suitable for a meal after a walk or for extending the day along the coast. Since the route operates mainly on Sundays and public holidays, it is advisable to check the restaurant’s opening hours in advance and plan the return journey.

• 📍 Location: Rua Praia do Moinho de Baixo, Aldeia do Meco, Sesimbra.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Aldeia do Meco stops on Rua Praia do Moinho de Baixo; about 700 m.
• 🏷️ Category: Fish and seafood restaurant.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: seafood cuisine, terrace and proximity of approximately 200 meters to Meco Beach.

Moagem de Sampaio

The Sampaio section contains one of the itinerary’s most interesting cultural visits. Housed in a building that operated as a rural mill, Moagem de Sampaio was transformed into a museum center dedicated to rural life and the technological development of the municipality of Sesimbra.

The site provides an opportunity to see former equipment, milling circuits, grain-cleaning systems and the Hornsby-Stockport engine, installed at the beginning of the 20th century. On weekends, the surrounding area also hosts initiatives promoting local products, such as toasted flour, Azoia cheese, homemade bread and agricultural products from the region. It is a short visit, but one strongly connected to the identity of the territory crossed by the route.

• 📍 Location: Rua da Terra da Eira, Sampaio, Sesimbra.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Sampaio stops on EN 379, near the school section; about 600 m.
• 🏷️ Category: Museum, industrial heritage and local culture.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: preserves a former motorized mill and presents the history of flour production and the bread-making cycle.

Azeitão Bacalhôa Parque

Upon arriving in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, Azeitão Bacalhôa Parque offers an alternative to an itinerary focused on wineries and monuments. This green space, beside Estrada Nacional 10, includes pedestrian areas, a children’s playground, outdoor fitness equipment, a kiosk with a terrace, picnic areas and sports facilities.

With a spacious leisure area and walking paths, the park is a good choice for families, groups and passengers wishing to take an outdoor break. The presence of padel courts, an outdoor gym and other facilities makes it more than a garden to pass through: it is a community and physical-activity hub integrated into the urban area of Azeitão.

• 📍 Location: Estrada Nacional 10, Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, Setúbal.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: final stops in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão; about 500 m.
• 🏷️ Category: Urban park, leisure and sports.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: combines green areas, children’s facilities, pedestrian paths, a terrace and sports facilities.

Azeitão Municipal Market

Azeitão Municipal Market, on Rua José Augusto Coelho, is one of the best stops for experiencing the everyday commercial life of Vila Nogueira. The space was renovated while retaining its traditional-market function and brings together sellers of fresh produce and other goods connected to local supply.

The visit can be combined with a walk through the historic center, Praça da República and the streets lined with shops, cafés and establishments associated with regional gastronomy. At certain times of the month, the town also hosts the Azeitão Monthly and Traditional Market, held on the first Sunday, which can make the outing especially lively.

• 📍 Location: Rua José Augusto Coelho, Vila Nogueira de Azeitão, Setúbal.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Praça da República, Rua de Lisboa or the town’s final stops; about 300 m.
• 🏷️ Category: Market and traditional commerce.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: brings visitors closer to fresh produce, local commerce and the community life of Azeitão.

José Maria da Fonseca House Museum

The José Maria da Fonseca House Museum is a must-visit for anyone arriving in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão with an interest in wine and heritage. Housed in a 19th-century residence, the visit explores the company’s history, the gardens and the former wine cellars where wines, including Setúbal Moscatel, are aged.

The site combines corporate history, architecture and wine tourism. In addition to the guided tour, the experience includes wine tastings and access to the shop, where visitors can find products from the producer and regional gourmet goods. Its location is particularly convenient for the route: the company itself states that the House Museum and shop are just a few meters from a bus stop in Vila Nogueira.

• 📍 Location: Rua José Augusto Coelho, 11–13, Vila Nogueira de Azeitão.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Rua Frederico Franco de Paiva, Praça da República or central Vila Nogueira; about 300 m.
• 🏷️ Category: Wine tourism, museum and heritage.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: combines historic cellars, gardens, wine tasting and one of Azeitão’s most traditional brands.

By The Wine Azeitão

For those who prefer a gastronomic stop without leaving the center of Vila Nogueira, By The Wine Azeitão operates in association with the José Maria da Fonseca House Museum. It is a wine bar and restaurant offering wines by the glass or bottle, along with a menu of snacks, sharing boards, meat dishes, fish options and regional desserts.

The venue is especially interesting for sampling products linked to the region’s identity, such as cheeses, cured meats, olive oil, bread and the traditional Torta de Azeitão. Its location on Rua José Augusto Coelho makes it possible to combine a meal with the market, the central square and the House Museum, creating a small walking circuit at the end of the route.

• 📍 Location: Rua José Augusto Coelho, Vila Nogueira de Azeitão.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Praça da República and Vila Nogueira’s final stops; about 300 m.
• 🏷️ Category: Wine bar, restaurant and regional gastronomy.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: combines José Maria da Fonseca wines with snacks, gourmet products and typical Azeitão sweets.

Bacalhôa Palace

Bacalhôa Palace is one of the region’s major historic landmarks. Located at Quinta da Bacalhôa in Vila Fresca de Azeitão, the complex is recognized for its architectural value, gardens and decoration marked by tiles, Renaissance elements and influences from different periods.

The guided tour can be combined with the Bacalhôa Winery Museum, creating an itinerary devoted to heritage and wine. Since the palace is farther from the final stops than the facilities in central Vila Nogueira, it requires a longer walk or additional transportation. It is also important to note that the schedule published by Bacalhôa indicates closure on Sundays and public holidays—the very days on which route 3640 operates—making this an outing best considered with another means of transport or planned for an open day.

• 📍 Location: Estrada Nacional 10, Vila Fresca de Azeitão, Setúbal.
• 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: final stops in Vila Nogueira de Azeitão; about 2.5 km.
• 🏷️ Category: Palace, historic monument and wine tourism.
• ⭐ Distinctive feature: national monument associated with historic gardens, tilework and guided tours connected to wine production.

Route 3640 is more than a connection between Azóia and Azeitão: it is a journey of discovery through Atlantic beaches, rural villages, industrial heritage, markets and historic wine houses. To make the most of the route, the ideal approach is to choose one or two points of interest per trip, check opening hours in advance and pay special attention to the return journey, since the service is limited to Sundays and public holidays and has few departures in each direction.

Sources

• Municipality of Sesimbra — Cabo Espichel Sanctuary
• Municipality of Sesimbra — Praia do Moinho de Baixo
• Casa Meco — restaurant in Aldeia do Meco
• Municipality of Sesimbra — Moagem de Sampaio
• Municipality of Setúbal — Azeitão Bacalhôa Parque
• Municipality of Setúbal — markets and local commerce
• José Maria da Fonseca — House Museum and Wine Tourism
• José Maria da Fonseca — information about By The Wine Azeitão
• Bacalhôa — Bacalhôa Palace
• Cultural Heritage — Bacalhôa Palace and Estate