A close relationship between the mountains and the sea, the type of markedly calcareous and fertile soils, the relative abundance of water and a hot and humid climate gave rise to the development of a wide range of highly important plant species, due to their genetic diversity and the grand scale of its elements. These were the decisive factors for the development of a varied fauna, from an enormous diversity and rarity of invertebrate species to large mammals, where the human species has settled since the Paleolithic.

The human occupation of Arrábida is witnessed in several traces from prehistoric times to modern times. Archeology and history have revealed that this has been a privileged region to live in, to build settlements, to explore the forest and agricultural riches and, for some time now, to enjoy as a leisure area of high beauty.

Since 1971, a legal statute for the protection of Arrábida has been established, and in July 1976 the Arrábida Natural Park was created. This classification created the protection of all the geological, geomorphological, floristic, faunal and landscape values of the territory, as well as the historical, cultural and heritage testimonies created and left here by human presence. In 1998, the entire marine area of Arrábida was added to the protection regime, with the designation of Parque Marinho Professor Luiz Saldanha.

This protection status was essential to underline the phrase of Friar Martinho de Santa Maria, when he arrived here to found the Convent of Arrábida in the 16th century.