The huge waves that draw surfers to the beaches around Peniche were not the reason I visited. One disastrous surfing lesson was enough to persuade me that it’s not the sport for me. I had other plans, the main one being a boat trip to the nature reserve on Berlenga Islands.
I wasn’t expecting very much from Peniche itself but discovered a few things worth seeing and doing.
I’ve also included it in this self-drive itinerary for Central Portugal.
Peniche Museum and Fortress
By the 16th century, Peniche was firmly established and under constant threat of attack from pirates and potential invaders. The obvious response was to build a fortress. Over the centuries, the building has served many purposes beyond its original defensive role.
In the 1970s, it was used to provide temporary shelter for the retornados, refugees from former Portuguese colonies in Africa following independence. Given that, in the 1950s and 60s, Salazar’s secret police imprisoned dissenters of his facist dictatorship within the fort, that can’t have felt like much of a welcome back to the motherland.
Note: The fortress museum is currently being renovated to become the National Resistance and Freedom Museum. It’s due to reopen on 27th April 2024.
When I visited, pre renovations, the main building offered chilling evidence of its time as a prison on the upper floor and I expect this will also be a feature of the new museum. The open cells contained typical utensils and equipment to give visitors and insight into prison life.
One cell was devoted to artwork created by prisoners, the most prominent of these being Alvaro Cunhal, one of the regime’s most ardent opponents. He managed to escape from Peniche prison in 1960 and, although exiled in Moscow, was elected secretary general of the Portuguese Communist Party, formalising the status he had held within the party since 1941.
Lace-making in Peniche
Peniche, along with Vila do Conde in the north of Portugal, was a renowned centre for producing high quality lace and by the 19th century it had around 1,000 skilled lace makers. Fashions and technology have changed and handmade lace is no longer as sought after, but fortunately the skills have not been allowed to completely die out. In fact, the 3rd Sunday of July is Lace Maker Day, celebrated with an international lace exhibition.
Outside of this period, if you want to see lace makers tossing and clacking their bobbins as they weave intricate patterns, head to the Escola de Rendas Bilros (Bobbin Lace School) next to the tourist information office. From Monday to Friday, you’ll find local ladies exchanging gossip as they work away.
There is now a dedicated Bobbin Lace Making Museum on Rua de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, 1. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm, free entry.
Fishermen and boats
If ladies with lace don’t appeal, you could stroll down to the harbour to watch local fishermen go about their daily tasks. They could be mending or storing nets, unloading a fresh catch or preparing to go out in one of their colourful boats.
Fishing is such an important part of Peniche’s economy that there’s a commemorative azulejo panel at the harbour. The various seafood restaurants in the town pay tribute by serving up delicious fresh fish and seafood.
Try this boat trip that takes you along the west coast of Peniche, where you’ll be able to spot different sea life including birds, dolphins, and sometimes sharks.
Cabo Carvoeiro and other odd rocks
Another place to watch fishermen in action is near the lighthouse at Cabo Carvoeiro. It’ll take about 45 minutes to walk there from the marina. Longer if you keep stopping to take photos of the weird rock formations and coastline.
You can take this 1-hour boat tour to Cabo Carvoeiro on a high speed vessel but with plenty of time to wonder at the many sculpted geological formations you’ll discover.
Not only is this a perfect spot for photo opportunities, it also affords a great view past the detached stack of rocks to the island of Berlenga. There’s a café and restaurant here (Nau dos Corvos) should you wish to linger for the sunset and beyond.
Enjoy a round-trip ferry ride to the Berlengas Islands where you can explore the island on your own or this trip where you can join a hiking tour.
Baleal Beach and pancake rocks
Strictly speaking, Baleal isn’t in Peniche but it’s only about 5 km away and well worth a visit, even just for the day as suggested in this article about Europe Day trips.
The headland is all but cut off from the mainland and the connecting causeway actually runs across the beach to the cluster of houses and accommodation on the rock. Here, the geology is strikingly different from Peniche. Instead of moulded grey shapes, jagged stacks of pancake rocks lie piled on top of each other.
Baleal is a popular spot for surfers but it’s also great for families and walks on the beach and it has a few reasonably priced seafood restaurants and cafés. It made it into my list of the best beaches in Portugal, too!
If you go to Peniche
A car will obviously give you greater flexibility but it is possible to get to Peniche by bus with connections to Obidos, Caldas da Rainha, Leiria and Lisbon.
Compare prices for Peniche accommodationOr consider using Óbidos as a base for exploring Portugal’s Silver Coast.
Peniche now has a museum dedicated to bobbin lace with a fantastic permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions, well worth a visit.
The fortaleza used to hold well curated temporary exhibitions.
Peniche is also known for its gastronomy, making the most of the fresh fish caught on the coast. Caldeirada (fish stew) arroz de marisco (seafood risotto)and grilled sardines are the favourites.