Peniche: Surf, Fortress and the Berlengas

Peniche is a fishing town on a rocky peninsula that has become one of Europe’s top surf destinations. It has the famous Supertubos wave, the beginner-friendly beaches of Baleal, a historic fortress and boats out to the wild Berlengas islands. Here’s what to do.

Quick answer: Peniche is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Lisbon by car or bus. Surf or take lessons at Baleal, watch the pros at Supertubos, visit the Fortress of Peniche (now a museum of resistance and freedom), eat fresh fish, and take the boat to the Berlengas in season. See places to stay in Peniche.

Things to do

• Surfing: waves for all levels, with beaches facing different directions so there’s almost always somewhere to surf. See surfing in Portugal.
• Supertubos: a powerful beach break that hosts international competitions.
• Baleal: a village on a former island joined by a sandbar, with gentle beaches and surf schools. See places to stay in Baleal.
• The fortress: a former political prison, now a national museum of resistance and freedom.
• Cabo Carvoeiro: dramatic cliffs and rock formations at the tip of the peninsula.
• The Berlengas: boats from the harbour to the island reserve. See Berlengas trips. See Berlengas.
• Seafood: fish restaurants around the harbour.

Nearby

• Óbidos: 20 minutes inland. See Óbidos.
• Foz do Arelho and São Martinho: see Foz do Arelho and São Martinho do Porto.
• Nazaré: see Nazaré.

More: the Silver Coast and the best beach towns in Portugal.

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