Free walking tours in Peniche and what to see

Must-sees

Peniche is a fishing town on a rocky Atlantic peninsula, surrounded by walls. Its fortress, a political prison during the dictatorship, now houses the National Museum of Resistance and Freedom. The port, one of the most important in the country, keeps the fish auction and the fish restaurants alive.

Cabo Carvoeiro, at the tip of the peninsula, has oddly shaped cliffs and a lighthouse with views of the open sea. Supertubos beach is famous among surfers for its tubular waves. And off the coast, about ten kilometres away, lie the Berlengas islands, a nature reserve with crystal-clear water and the São João Baptista fort.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free walking tours in Peniche: the star attraction is the sea. The most booked trip is the boat excursion to the Berlengas islands, visiting their sea caves, or the ferry to Berlenga Grande to spend the day on the island.

There you can try a first dive or go snorkelling. On the coast, Peniche is one of the best-known surf destinations in Europe, with schools and courses for every level.

How long to spend

One day lets you see the fortress, Cabo Carvoeiro and the port. To go to the Berlengas, which only makes sense in good weather and in season, you need another day. Many travellers come for a week to learn to surf. Óbidos is twenty minutes away by car, and Baleal, an island joined to land by a sandy isthmus, is right next door.

Where to stay

The centre, inside the walls and by the port, is practical for restaurants and trips to the Berlengas. Baleal, a few minutes away, has many surfer places to stay, seafront houses and a more relaxed atmosphere. Consolação and the south coast are quieter, with apartments and houses for long stays.