You must take a stroll around the historic centre of Peniche before heading to the beach on your trip to the city. The Peniche Fort, in addition to the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, the São Pedro and Misericórdia Churches, is a must-see attraction. It was constructed in the 16th and 17th centuries to protect the coastline, together with the Fort on Consolaço beach and the fort on the island of Berlengas, which were both constructed at the same time. It has played a significant role at different moments in Portuguese history, but its most recent use was as a political prison under the Estado Novo dictatorship, where it housed some of the most prominent public figures in the country’s anti-Fascist struggle. Because it is presently serving as the Peniche City Museum, you will be able to learn all about it once you visit.
In addition to fishing, which has traditionally been a major source of revenue for the locals, Peniche is well-known for the technique of bobbin lacework, which was developed by the women while the men were away at sea.
The water continues to be one of the most significant points of interest and activity, and the beaches of Peniche are particularly well-liked even though the bays of Consolaço and Baleal are ideal for a family day out, surfers and bodyboarders from all over the globe flock to this part of the island’s west coast for the Supertubos (tubular Supertube waves) off Medão Grande Beach. After competing in a national contest, it was named one of “Portugal’s 7 Wonders.” It is the site of the biggest global surf championship, the Rip Curl Pro Portugal, which takes place in conjunction with Lagido Beach and is a stop on the World Surf League’s World Surf League Tour.
A short boat trip away lies the Berlengas Nature Reserve on the island of Berlengas. Because of its clear waters, it is an excellent diving destination, since it is a natural haven for marine flora and animals.
Things to do and see
- Surf, surf and surf
- Municipal School of Bobbin Lace
The Municipal School of Bilros Lace in Peniche, Portugal, was established in 1987 with the goal of preserving the technique of weaving bobbin lace. It is housed in the Peniche Tourist Office building, in the heart of the city, and has become a point of reference in the protection of the region’s cultural heritage.
- Peniche Fortress
Built by D. João III in 1557 and completed in 1645 by D. João IV, who considered it the main key to the Kingdom from the sea, it stands out in the Peniche Fortress, in addition to the typical star design, the Baluarte Redondo – the first fortification built on the Peniche peninsula – the Watch Tower, and the chapel of Santa Bárbara. This property saw its space used in a different way according to the needs and historical vicissitudes of each era. Military square of vital strategic importance until 1897, shelter for Boer refugees from South Africa at the beginning of the 19th century. XX, the residence of German and Austrian prisoners during the First World War, political prison of the Estado Novo between 1934 and 1974, temporary accommodation for Portuguese families arriving from the former overseas colonies in 1974, and from 1984 onwards housing the Municipal Museum, until November 20, 2017, the Peniche Fortress assumes a special relevance as an important document of a historical diachrony of a local and national nature.
- Fort of S. João Baptista
Built-in 1651 by order of D. João IV and finished in 1656, the Fort of S. João Baptista is located on Berlenga Island. The most notable war occurrence in the island’s history occurred in June 1666, when it was built to prevent the seizure of the island by North African corsairs or foreign forces. On that date, the Fort of S. João Baptista was besieged by a Spanish fleet led by D. Diogo Ibarra, which consisted of fourteen ships and a caravel. Defended by a small garrison of fewer than twenty men and with only nine pieces of artillery at the time, this fortification led by Cape Avelar Pessoa managed to withstand the fierce enemy bombardment for two days, as well as causing significant casualties among the besieging forces. This resulted in a high number of deaths, one ship sunk and two others severely damaged, compared to one dead and four wounded Portuguese. The Fort of S. João Baptista was eventually surrendered due to a lack of supplies and ammunition, as well as the desertion of one of the troops who reported the catastrophic position of the Portuguese garrison to D. Diogo Ibarra.
- Church of S. Leonardo – Atouguia da Baleia
The Church of S. Leonardo located in the old town of Atouguia da Baleia is the oldest Christian temple in the county, dating from the 17th century. XII. This Gothic-style church, consecrated to S. Leonardo, was built, according to tradition, using the bones of a whale that had washed up on the coast. Its façade has a beautiful ogival portal topped by capitals with stylized representations of mythological beings. Also noteworthy is the rose window, the bell tower, topped off at the top by two curved-edged pyramids, and, at the back, an apse crowned by a row of merlons. The interior of the church is divided into three naves, by an imposing ogival arcade. In the chancel pontificate the 16th century altarpieces and paintings, in addition to the tomb of D. Álvaro Gonçalves de Ataíde, 1st Count of Atouguia.
- Church of Our Lady of Conception – Atouguia da Baleia
The Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, in Atouguia da Baleia, dating from the end of the 19th century. XVII is a temple of Baroque style, attributable to the architect João Antunes, built with the alms of the population and some figures of the Portuguese nobility of the 17th century, such as Queen Maria Sofia Isabel of Neuburgo, second wife of D. Pedro II. Inside, with a single vaulted nave, the main chapel is covered in marble, in different shades (from the twisted colonnade of the altarpiece to the medallions on the sidewalls and ceiling), the gilded altar, where the image of the patron saint, a 17th-century piece, and the holy water fonts, made of Arrábida marble, carved in the shape of a shell.
- St. Peter’s Church
The Church of S. Pedro is located in the heart of the historic centre of Peniche, constituting the largest temple in the county. This church, dating from the end of the century. XVI is divided into three large naves. In the side aisles there are several altars consecrated to deities such as Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem, Senhor do Bonfim, or S. Pedro de Alcântara. In the central nave, the baroque magnificence of the chancel consecrated to S. Pedro stands out, decorated with gilded carvings and boasting beautiful back columns, in addition to several 18th-century paintings depicting scenes from the life of the patron saint. It is undoubtedly the most imposing church in the county.
- Church of Mercy
The Misericórdia Church dates from the beginning of the 19th century. XVII, belonging to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Peniche. This church, attached to the former hospital of the aforementioned institution, boasts a rare decorative beauty inside, visible in the 17th-century tile panels, in the oil paintings, some of which are large, which decorate the walls with scenes alluding to evangelical events, and on the ceiling. decorated with coffers, illustrating scenes from the Life and Passion of Christ.
- Sanctuary of Our Lady of Remedies
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, located along the coast at the western end of the Peniche peninsula, forms the basis of a Sanctuary dedicated to the Marian cult. The date of construction of this church is unknown, but it is assumed that it was probably built in the 19th century. XVI. According to legend, the image of Our Lady was found in the 19th century. XII hidden in a small cave, located in the place where the chapel is today, having started, from that date, the cult of the so-called Senhora dos Remédios. The importance of this cult translated into annual pilgrimages, the candles, motivated the creation of a sanctuary in the 19th century. XVII, composed of the aforementioned church and a border square lined with houses in which the hermit and the stewards lived, the pilgrims sheltered, and the stables were set up.
- Touril Atouguia da Baleia
Possibly dating from the 19th century. In the 18th century, the Touril, as the name implies, seems to correspond to a structure used as a stage for bullfighting, perhaps by the idle royal family and nobility, often hosted in the neighbouring Paço da Serra de El-Rei. From this structure, located in the square opposite the church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, in Atouguia da Baleia, several stone pillars can still be observed, embedded in the ground, delimiting the “arena”, presenting the traditional three holes. The Touril de Atouguia da Baleia corresponds to one of the rare and, at the same time, oldest specimens of the genus existing in Portugal.
Peniche Beach Guide
- North Baleal Beach
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Consolação beach
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Gamboa Beach
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Cova de Alfarroba beach
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Peniche de Cima beach
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Sao Bernardino beach
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Baleal Beach Camping
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Baleal do Sul beach
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Praia do Medão / Supertubos
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Praia do Molhe East
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Praia do Porto de Areia Sul
