PENICHE TOURISM GUIDE
A wonderful nature preserve and fine sandy beaches
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Peniche is a busy fishing town with a large harbor and some excellent seafood restaurants. In the main square is the baroque Misericordia Church with a painted ceiling depicting scenes from the New Testament, but the
town's most famous building is an imposing 16th century fortress.
It
was once used as a prison controlled by dictator Salazar's secret police to
incarcerate political opponents and today houses a museum about local
history.
There is a fantastic sandy beach nearby, Baleal,
with good surfing conditions and to the west is Cabo Carvoeiro, a
rugged cape with bizarrely shaped pinnacles and sea caves offering panoramic
ocean views all the way to the islands of Berlengas.
Accessible by ferry and with wonderful cliff and sea views, the biggest
island is a magical place declared a nature reserve. It is home to thousands
of seabirds, and
the azure waters are ideal for deep-sea fishing and diving.
The
surrounding weird rock formations and spectacular grottoes can be explored
on small boats that pass through a breathtaking sea tunnel called Furado
Grande. Only a handful of fishermen are permitted to live here, but the
17th century São João Baptista Fort, built to defend the area from
pirates, is now a basic hostel.
To the north of Peniche is the sandy Foz do Arelho beach, known
for its tranquil waters.
There are a few express buses per day connecting Lisbon to Peniche (departing from the Campo Grande terminal by the Sporting Lisbon stadium) or it can be reached by
car using the A8 highway.
Panoramic view from Cabo Carvoeiro, Peniche:
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Places Nearby
Obidos
- The wedding present town; Portugal's prettiest medieval village
Mafra -
One of Europe's biggest palaces, the building that bankrupted the nation
Ericeira
- Traditional seaside village; surfing mecca, superb seafood
Alcobaça
- Europe's greatest Cistercian temple
Batalha
- European Gothic masterpiece; spectacular underground caves
Nazaré
- Colorful, traditional fishing village
Lisbon - The
Age of Discovery, World Heritage monuments, museum treasures, vibrant
nightlife
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AROUND LISBON
AND TAGUS VALLEY Alcobaça Arrábida Azeitão Batalha Cascais Ericeira Estoril Fatima Leiria Mafra Nazaré Obidos Palmela Peniche Queluz Santarém Sesimbra Setubal Sintra Tomar |
ALENTEJO
Beja Castelo de Vide Elvas Estremoz Evora Marvão Mértola Monsaraz Vila Viçosa ALGARVE Albufeira Faro Lagos Sagres Silves Tavira Vila Real de Santo António Vilamoura |
BEIRAS (CENTRAL PORTUGAL)
Aveiro Belmonte Buçaco Coimbra Conimbriga Figueira da Foz Guarda Monsanto Piodão Serra da Estrela Viseu PORTO AND DOURO Amarante Lamego Porto |
MINHO
Barcelos Braga Gerês National Park Guimarães Ponte de Lima Ponte da Barca Viana do Castelo TRAS-OS-MONTES Bragança Chaves Vila Real THE ISLANDS Azores Madeira |