This village, located in one of the foothills of the Serra da Arrábida Natural Park, has attracted over the centuries the various peoples who have passed through the Iberian Peninsula.

It is believed that it owes its name to the Romans, more specifically to a praetor surnamed Palma, and to the Arabs the construction of the castle at its highest point, from where the entire region that stretches between the Rivers Sado and Tagus dominates, still seeing the Serra de Sintra.

Due to this aspect, its importance at that time, for reasons of military strategy, is understandable, as well as nowadays when it is one of the best viewpoints in the entire region.

Palmela was recaptured from the Moors by the 1st King of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques (12th century) with the help of the Knights of the Order of Santiago de Espada, who rewarded him by donating these lands to him for settlement and defense. In the century In the 15th century, a Convent was founded inside the Castle, which served as the seat of this Religious and Military Order, and which currently houses a Pousada.

Palmela is also an important wine region, where table wines of excellent quality are produced, as well as a fortified wine known as Moscatel de Setúbal. It is this activity that gives rise to the most important festivities in the town, the Grape Harvest Festivals that take place at the beginning of September, and include parades, shows and bullfights in their program.