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 or it can be reached by car using the A8 highway.

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 Nazare - Colorful, traditional fishing village Lisbon - The Age of Discovery, World Heritage monuments, museum treasures, vibrant nightlife

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