Peniche, Portugal

Q: When to go to Peniche?

The natural conditions and captivating atmosphere make Peniche a perfect destination all year round. But if you want to experience the excitement of its people at its best, then the best thing to do is to travel during one of its festivals. Travel in October and experience the thrill of watching man defy nature at MEO Rip Curl Pro at Praia do Medão Beach . Watch the athletes with the greatest board control battle against the weather and the sea while avoiding being blown away by tubes twice or thrice their height. None of them forget that their job is to surprise and provide a spectacle, so even on the edge of danger they keep their cool and style, in a performance not to be missed. Travel in August for an expression of spirit like no other with the Fête de Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem ( Our Lady of Good Voyage Party ). This is a magnificent festival that features a procession of fishing boats, because Peniche never leaves the sea behind . It is a celebration in honour of the virgin in the style that only this culture can present, with fireworks, decorated boats and even grilled sardines for guests. Everything about this festival has “welcome” written all over it. You also can’t miss the upcoming festivities that Peniche puts at your disposal. Travel in July and experience the Óbidos Medieval Fair , an amazing party where the Middle Ages take over, with costumes, horses, lances and alcohol. Don’t miss the classic New Year and Christmas parties, where carols, the Christmas spirit and spectacle take place in Peniche and all over Portugal .

Immerse yourself in Peniche and the natural wealth of this picturesque city in your upcoming vacations to Portugal

Peniche © Sergio Lopes

Peniche is a coastal city flooded by culture, traditions and notable natural resources. This city is identified as being located on a peninsula with 10 kilometers of perimeter.

Boats in Peniche © João Leitão Travel.

The most extreme point of this peninsula is known as the Carvoeiro Cape. Near the Peniche coast there’s one of the most beautiful natural reserves in Portugal, the Berlenga Island.

Peniche is a town that has managed to tame the sea as no other town has ever done. The other coasts of Portugal, and even the world view this particular area with both envy and amazement, for the culture that has formed around these waters is one to be admired.

Due to the particular design that nature gave it, Peniche has all the tools for its citizens and visitors to get the best out of their stay. Thanks to its peninsular terrain located between Cabo Carvoeiro and Cabo da Roca, Peniche never has unfavorable winds, an element that its citizens have known how to use at will for centuries. From Paleolithic times where its citizens took advantage of its natural protection, or Roman times where it was used for agriculture and fishing, and even today where different modern tools have brought amusement and prosperity, Peniche and its environment play on the side of man.

A city rich in as much culture as beauty, there is delight around every corner waiting to be discovered. Let your eyes be dazzled by the beautiful beaches such as Baleal Beach and Medão Beach, not even the sun can dull their charm. Savor the agricultural and fishing-based cuisine that is as delicious as it is nutritious. Join the surfing culture that Peniche has collected over the years, being known as the surfing capital of Portugal.

Index

What to see in Peniche?
What to do in Peniche?
What are the best beaches in Peniche?
When to go to Peniche?
Where to stay?
How to get to Peniche?

What to see in Peniche, Portugal?

Peniche
© Vitor Oliveira

Peniche is an area whose natural beauty has attracted people for millions of generations, making it both a historical and natural gem. With a history that stretches from the Paleolithic period to the present day, and with countless civilizations leaving their mark, travelling to Peniche is a constant battle between mother nature and man to see who can amaze its visitors the most.

Discover the wonders of nature that the city’s coastline has to offer. Experience being on the edge of the world by visiting the tip of the peninsula at Cabo Carvoeiro and Cabo da Roca, two points that offer beautiful cliffs with spectacular views where you can appreciate the birds on a marine spectacle. If you want to be part of the very same spectacle, travel to the Berlengas Islands Nature Reserve, an archipelago made up of the Berlegna, Estelas and Farilhoes Islands, where the flora, fauna and paradisiacal scenery make you feel attached to nature. This area is also rich in history and spirit, in ancient times there used to be a monastery of the order of St. Jerome of which you can still see the remains, so venture out to explore the mysteries that these islands hold.

To pass by the monuments of Peniche is like swinging on a time-line, with each step being a different era. Delve into the depths of the Gruta da Furninha, a cave dating back to the Paleolithic period where various hunting implements were found, which will transport your mind back to a wild epoch. Admire the dedication to work that the citizens of Peniche always had in mind with its Pottery Centre, a complex production of pottery from the Roman period, with craftsmanship as useful as it is aesthetic.

Forte São João Batista, Peniche
© Vitor Oliveira

Peniche is also a town that knows when to switch to a different image, so it has changed the use of several monuments but has never lost the magic concealed in them. One such case can be seen with a visit to the Fort of São João Batista, which has been an anti-pirate fortress, and today is an inn that gives you the possibility to experience life as a corsair in an unforgettable medieval atmosphere. Another similar case is Praça-Forte de Peniche, a fortress that in its time was known as Castelo da Vila. It became a prison during the 20th Century where popular political fighters such as Álvaro Cunhal were held captive, today it is a museum proud of showing what it used to be. Additionally it allows you to be part of its history because it also encompasses an inn for those interested in this cultural emblem.

Igreja de São Pedro, Peniche
© João Leitão

When it comes to surprise, God and man made a pact in Peniche with its beautiful chapels and churches. Buildings of great historical and iconographic value such as the Church of Misericórdia and the Church of São Pedro, put the life of saints in a new perspective, with touching stories everywhere you look. Visit living legends such as the Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies), it was once a cave where images of Nossa Senhora were found, and four Centuries later the chapel was created to honour these discoveries.

What to do in Peniche?

Peniche is a town where if you don’t paddle, you can’t ride the wave of all it has to offer. You feel the call to adventure from the moment you set foot on its streets, everything will motivate you to move your body downwind and experience the activities it has to offer.

The peninsular location of its coastline means that the waves are always perfect for surfing. The winds and tidal undertows generate a phenomenon known as the super tube. It is a delight for spectators and intrepid surfers willing to challenge these waves, Beginners can algo get incredible experiences, with the best coaches the world has to offer, and a wind that will always be in your favour.

Surfing is not the only activity that allows you to discover the sea, diving in Peniche also allows you to discover its deepest secrets. The beautiful marine flora and fauna of the area has fascinated experts for generations as it is so diverse that in every drop of water there’s a new discovery waiting for you. There are plenty of dive centres in Peniche that allow you to uncover the wonders it has to offer, so immerse yourself in this experience.

Berlengas Islands, Peniche
© Vitor Oliveira

Mother nature made sure that the depths of the sea were not only beautiful, she also adorned the sea with gemstones. The Berlenga Island Caves boat tour is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate this natural beauty. This tour goes through the island’s caves while passing rocks with shapes so marked that they look like clouds in the sky, such as the Rocha da Baleia or the Tromba do Elefante. If you are interested in the beauty of shapes like these, make the most of your time and take a trip to the Mira de Aire Caves, an amazing complex where the most beautiful rocks will surround you for four kilometres.

Another wonder of Peniche is its geographical location, which is what has allowed it to become a central point for many excursions. If you are eager for history, the city has nearby towns such as Óbidos and Coímbra, places that will transport you back to medieval times where you can live your wildest adventures surrounded by an atmosphere that will captivate any gentleman. Lovers of modernity and the marvel offered in its simplicity can take trips to Lisbon or Vila Nova de Gaia, where the comfort and efficiency of the structure is a dream come true. Even surf lovers can get even more out of Peniche by travelling to Nazaré or Costa de Caparica, where the waves never fail to entice the most daring surfers looking to push their limits. And as it is only an hour away, you can’t miss the magnificent mix of history and religion that is the Monastery of Batalha and the Monastery of Alcobaça, two glorious memorials to faith following Portuguese victories against the Spanish and the Arabs respectively.

What are the best beaches in Peniche?

Beaches in Peniche © Alvaro Roxo

“The surfing capital of Portugal” name is not something to be taken lightly. With competition as strong as Nazaré and Costa de Caparica, Peniche still came out on top with the title thanks to its beautiful beaches and incredible weather.

One of the most popular and world-renowned beaches is Praia do Medão. Home to the WSL (World Surfing League), and many championships such as the MEO Rip Curl Pro. The beach boasts 3 metre high tubular waves that have delighted surfers and photographers for generations. Non-surfers can still enjoy the beach’s fine sand, immovable sunshine and its numerous facilities such as sport fishing and nightlife entertainment.

Praia Baleal Beach, Peniche
© Vitor Oliveira

Peniche also has other beaches with entertainment for the whole family. Coasts such as the beaches of Da Gambôa and Baleal Beach have fine white sand, perfect for hollows to China, castles for kings or even museum sculptures. This pair of beaches offer optimal conditions for surfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding and much more. Do Baleal beach is particularly interesting because of its double shore format, whether you look back or forward this beach has the sea at your reach. It doesn’t matter if one shore has bad waves because you always have the other ready to make up for it.

When to go to Peniche?

The natural conditions and captivating atmosphere make Peniche a perfect destination all year round. But if you want to experience the excitement of its people at its best, then the best thing to do is to travel during one of its festivals.

Travel in October and experience the thrill of watching man defy nature at MEO Rip Curl Pro at Praia do Medão Beach. Watch the athletes with the greatest board control battle against the weather and the sea while avoiding being blown away by tubes twice or thrice their height. None of them forget that their job is to surprise and provide a spectacle, so even on the edge of danger they keep their cool and style, in a performance not to be missed.

Travel in August for an expression of spirit like no other with the Fête de Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem (Our Lady of Good Voyage Party). This is a magnificent festival that features a procession of fishing boats, because Peniche never leaves the sea behind. It is a celebration in honour of the virgin in the style that only this culture can present, with fireworks, decorated boats and even grilled sardines for guests. Everything about this festival has “welcome” written all over it.

You also can’t miss the upcoming festivities that Peniche puts at your disposal. Travel in July and experience the Óbidos Medieval Fair, an amazing party where the Middle Ages take over, with costumes, horses, lances and alcohol. Don’t miss the classic New Year and Christmas parties, where carols, the Christmas spirit and spectacle take place in Peniche and all over Portugal.

Where to stay in Peniche?

The beautiful views are so captivating that you will want to see them from every possible angle. Due to the immensity of this task, it is advisable to stay somewhere so that you will have a chance to explore it all, and, as a bonus, to wake up to a summer breeze.

It is best to get accommodation overlooking the sea, allowing you to appreciate the magnificent sight of nature. Hotels such as the MH chain offer comfortable accommodation for tourists with beath-taking views, others such as the Pinhalmar Hotel and Star Inn give you a closer view of the fishing community while not missing out on the attractive views. If you’re looking for accommodation linked to your passion for surfing, the Pineapple Surf House offers cheap accommodation and good company.

How to get to Peniche?

Its location makes the city a perfect destination, especially because of its proximity to Lisbon. You can take the A8 road from Lisbon and get there directly, or take a bus to Baleal, where if you notify the time of arrival it is completely free.

Recommended Excursions:

Mapa Interactivo:

Other worth-visiting nearby towns and cities:

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