Discover Peniche: Coast, Berlengas and History

Peniche combines impressive coastal landscapes, island nature, Portuguese history and maritime traditions. Between Cabo Carvoeiro, the beaches of the peninsula and the Berlengas Archipelago, you will find very different ideas for your trip: observing nature, paths by the sea, water sports, historic buildings and regional cuisine. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can therefore take your preferred focus into account as early as the trip planning stage.

Sea, rocks and the Berlengas

Cabo Carvoeiro lies at the westernmost tip of the Peniche peninsula. At the cape, unusual geological formations shaped by the sea take centre stage. Cabo Carvoeiro also offers views of the sea and the Berlenga Islands. The cape is particularly suitable for observing seabirds. Another geological feature is the Ponta do Trovão geostratotype, which dates from the Lower Jurassic.

The Berlengas Archipelago lies around 10 kilometres from Peniche and has been preserved as an almost untouched natural area. The Berlengas protected area includes a 985-hectare marine reserve with diverse wildlife. The islands provide numerous bird species with a refuge for breeding or as a stopover along their migration routes. On Berlenga, footpaths lead to the caves and Forte de São João Baptista. Access to the island's land area requires prior electronic registration and payment of a fee. Between May and October, boats run daily from Peniche to the Berlengas.

Active days on beaches and dunes

Those who want to combine exercise and the sea will find several different options in Peniche. Praia de Medão beach, known as Supertubos, is considered particularly well suited to surfing and bodyboarding nationally and internationally because of its perfectly formed tube waves. The Rota Natura do Oeste begins at Cabo Carvoeiro, runs southwards and passes the beaches of Supertubos, Consolação and S. Bernardino. A cycle path connects Peniche with Baleal and runs through a dune landscape.

Baleal also has an unusual geographical character: the beach stretches between two seas and therefore appears like an island, although it was actually once an island. At Cape Papôa, stories recall shipwrecks, including the sinking of the Spanish galleon São Pedro de Alcântara in 1786 on its return journey from Peru. Depending on your itinerary, you can combine such landscape and historical experiences with an active day by the water.

Fortresses, churches and maritime history

The Fortaleza de Peniche is now home to the Museu Nacional Resistência e Liberdade, which was founded in 2017. Museum opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00; the last admission is at 17:15. Construction work on the Fortaleza de Peniche was completed in 1645, as evidenced by an inscription on the fortress gate. In 1934, the Fortaleza became a prison for opponents of the Estado Novo dictatorship.

The Forte de São João Baptista was built on Berlenga in 1656. It has been classified as a national monument since 1938 and is preserved as accommodation for visitors. The Farol do Duque de Bragança on Berlenga is also part of Peniche's historical diversity. It was built between 1839 and 1841 by Gaudêncio Fontana, who was then director-general of the royal lighthouses.

The Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Chapel on the west coast of the Peniche peninsula forms the basis of a Marian shrine. Its nave and chancel are completely covered with blue-and-white tiles from the 18th century depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. One side chapel is carved into the rock. The veneration of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios is associated with annual pilgrimages. The Festa de Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem is also an annual maritime religious tradition connected with Peniche's seafaring community.

In the old town of Atouguia da Baleia stands the Igreja de São Leonardo, dating from the 12th century. It is considered the oldest Christian church in the municipality of Peniche. Its chancel contains paintings from the 16th century as well as the tomb of Dom Álvaro Gonçalves de Ataíde, the first Count of Atouguia. On the northern coast of Peniche, a few surviving remains also recall the Convento do Bom Jesus, a Franciscan monastery dissolved in 1834.

Regional specialities and choosing your accommodation

Cuisine is also part of the local experience. Pastelarias Roma lists Esses de Peniche as a traditional regional speciality from Peniche. The dishes mentioned include Caldeirada de Peixe and Massada de Peixe. Peixe seco is made by salting and then drying it in the sun. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can therefore consider whether you mainly want to include nature and islands, water activities, history or culinary impressions in your trip. This means that your choice of accommodation is guided by the planned mix of experiences, without any particular feature being required.

If you would like to compare other local pages for your trip, you can switch here to Peniche, Serra D'el-Rei, Atouguia Da Baleia and Ferrel.

For the higher-level travel overview: Leiria.

More destinations

More places in the same destination:

Batalha, Porto De Mós, Alvaiázere, Caldas da Rainha.