Located on the coast of Portugal, Peniche is one of the most underrated destinations in Portugal. The seaside city Peniche is popular for a lot of different reasons but sadly most people head here just for a day trip and that too largely for the Berlengas island. Few actually explore all the things to do in Peniche. They just skip past it.
After staying here for four days, I found that it was one of the destinations in Portugal that I could return to again. This is because the things to do in Peniche aren’t just one time viewings. They tend to be more of experiences. Think about lying on the soft sand listening to the crashing of the waves, learning to surf or just indulging in seafood.
Yes! There are a number of attractions and historical landmarks in Peniche too. The real charm however is in finding a place where you can slow down and let the world go by. The best part is that the things to do in Peniche are great for all kinds of vacations. It’s a surfers paradise, a foodie’s paradise, a great place for kids and more.
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Where To Stay In Peniche
Peniche is a relatively small city. This means that it is pretty easy to get about if you stay in the center of the city. If you choose to stay on the outskirts, you will find that it is a bit quieter but you will need a mode of transport to get about.
MH Peniche
⭐️ Rating: 8.7/10 (3,310 Reviews) Price: $162 per night 📍Location: Avenida Monsenhor Bastos, Peniche Details: Read more on booking.com now!
When it comes to luxury in Peniche then MH Peniche is the way to go. The hotel is huge and has a lot of different facilities. First off the rooms are spacious and some of them come with a balcony where you can sit and enjoy the view. Air-conditioning is a must in Peniche especially on the hot summer days. I generally prefer to come indoors during the afternoons for a respite from the heat. MH Peniche is the perfect spot to kill a couple of hours mid day.
Now aside from the rooms, the hotel also has an outdoor swimming pool where you can cool off. This is obviously seasonal as it can get cold in winters.
Don’t worry though. On the colder days there is an indoor heated pool that you can enjoy. There is also a hot tub that you can choose to indulge in.
“I have been coming to this hotel for 4 years now with a group of friends to play golf in the Peniche area. The breakfast is great and the staff very hospitable, we now feel at home in this hotel!”
Ariejan (read more reviews now!)
Did I mention that there is a sauna present on site? Here you can catch a massage, a Turkish bath and more on site. Just make sure to reserve your spot because it is very popular.
Now if that wasn’t enough, MH Peniche also has a water park, a tennis court and a gorgeous garden that you can spend time at. So if you are tired of walking around and checking out all the different things to do in Peniche, then you can sit down and just enjoy the amenities.
Another great attraction is the inhouse restaurant that serves up local cuisine. That way you don’t even have to go far for a meal if you don’t feel like it. As I mentioned before, the hotel has everything you could possibly need!
Sea Garden Peniche
⭐️ Rating: 9/10 (2,141 Reviews) Price: $106 per night 📍Location: Rua Alexandre Herculano, 76, Peniche Details: Read more on booking.com now!
I love old and restored buildings. Sea Garden Peniche is an old 19h century building that has been restored and is now a hotel. While it retains the old school charm the interiors are very modern. One of the biggest draws is that it is located right in the heart of the city and is walking distance away from all the cool things to do in Peniche. This makes it super convenient.
The rooms have all the amenities that you would expect in a good hotel including air conditioning, free wifi, a safe for your valuables and more.
Some of the rooms have one or two balconies where you can enjoy the view. Its fun to watch the buzz of the city and since the hotel is central its one of the best places to be.
“Lovely staff and lovely accommodation. Very happy with it. Very central for us. 10 mins walk to Peniche Island boat tours and lots of cafes and restaurants a minute away”
Caoimhin (read more reviews now!)
If you want to head out to Berlengas island, the port is just a 10 minute walk away. You can easily catch your connection from there. It is also close to many of the beaches in the area.
Things To Do In Peniche
1. Visit The Fort of Peniche
Located along the coast of the island, the Fort of Peniche is definitely at the top of the list of things to do in Peniche. Entry to this fort is free but you still have to head to the ticket office and they’ll print you a ticket before you enter.
Now the reason why this fort is so popular is because of the breathtaking views that it offers from almost every side.
Make sure that you come either in the morning or in the evening because in the afternoon it is just plain hot and there isn’t much place to catch a break from the scorching heat.
2. Head To Berlengas Island
⭐️ Rating: 4.7/5 (988 Reviews) Price: $37 per person Duration: 4 hours 📍Meeting Point: Feeling Berlenga office Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Berlengas island is one gorgeous island. Located a short distance away from the coast, it is easily accessible by boat. Every day, tons of people head here to walk around the island and to enjoy the crystal blue waters that surround it. It is one of those picturesque spots that everyone dreams of visiting when on vacation. You can’t however stay on the island so you have to make do with day trips.
Now the best way to head out to the island is to book a tour from Peniche to Berlengas island. You will catch a boat from close to city and be able to maximize your time there.
You have to make sure that you register online and handle your permits before coming. This is because only a few people are allowed on the island every day. This also means that you have to book your tour in advance!
“Was a nice trip and everything was well organised, even though a quite touristic place. Guides watched out that my nearly 70 year old mother was fine as well. We had a very good time on the island and enjoyed our trip very much. Thank you to the feeling Berlengas team!”
Christina (read more reviews now!)
You can also visit Berlengas island from Lisbon but that’s a much longer trip. Irrespective of what kind of tour you take, you will be given a safety briefing by your guide before you reach. This is done in multiple languages which makes the visit so much easier. Make sure to carry sunscreen and lots of water. It gets hot and hydration is important to prevent sunstroke.
Once you reach the island, your guide will join you on a hike and show you different aspect of the island and its wildlife. You will also take a glass bottom boat and explore the caves that surround the island.
3. Watch The Famous Peniche Lace Being Made
Have you ever seen anyone make lace? If you head to the Escola Municipal de Renda de Bilros de Peniche, you can peer through the window and watch as people make lace. Its an amazing process and one that takes considerable skill.
We saw people doing this and were invited to come in and watch the process. The kids loved the idea and there were people in all different levels. Some were just beginners while others rapidly moved their bobbins about to form intricate patterns.
If you head to the Monumento à Rendilheira de Peniche which is nearby, you will see a stone carving of a lady sitting down and making lace much the same way as the people in the school were doing.
4. Wander Around The Main City Area
The main city area is pretty. It is laid back with few shops and has a slow pace to it. There are a couple of iconic buildings that you can stop at while wandering around. I’m not going to add them as separate things to do in Peniche because we couldn’t get into each of them. They are still noteworthy and easily accessible.
Church of Sao Pedro: This church is very picturesque especially if you capture it from a distance with the narrow streets leading up to it. By and far however the white structure fits in perfectly with its surroundings and has a very simple façade. You can enter inside only during mass times.
Antiga Alfândega de Peniche: This is the old customs office of the city. This building is currently closed and is due to be renovated but its one floor structure is iconic. The area was used for customs for almost 370 years.
Peniche City Hall: It is another very pretty building.
The Police Station: Speaking of gorgeous buildings in Peniche, you will find that the police station really stands out!
5. Drive To The Different Viewpoints
One of the pretty interesting things to do in Peniche involves moving from point to point along the coast. There are numerous view points and each one provides a unique view. This is because of the rugged limestone cliffs.
While the island is small, you will find that it is not easy to cover these on foot. These best way is to drive. The more adventurous people cycle. One thing that you definitely need to note is that the heat can get to you so pack a lot of water. There aren’t lot of places where you can hydrate.
6. Visit The Cabo Carvoeiro Lighthouse
If you are looking for things to do in peniche and don’t mind the drive then I highly recommend heading to the Cabo Carvoeiro Lighthouse. This is one of the viewpoints and you can’t really get in but it is one of the most picturesque spots on the island. The limestone cliffs for a dramatic backdrop and you can hear the waves lash against the coast.
7. Cave Furninha
One of the other viewpoints that gets mentioned quite often is the Cave Furninha. THis is located on the other side of the island as compared to the main city and you will need a car or a bike to reach it. The views from the top of the cliff are spectacular and there is a spot for campervans to park. nearby. The parking is also free and easily available.
You can trek down to the cave but note that it isn’t the safest route. Shawn went down and I didn’t. He said that the cave was littered and many people have used it as a toilet so you don’t really miss much if you don’t head down.
8. Visit The Beaches In Peniche
One of the other interesting things to do in Peniche is to head out to one of the many beaches. In fact, the beaches in Peniche are one of the prime attractions for staying in the city.
Prainha de São Pedro
Just outside the Fort of Peniche is a small beach that you probably miss if you are walking on the other side of the road. It is a little cove with clear water and gorgeous sand. It is also pretty rocky but it is a nice place to stop at if there is shade. Just note that it is rocky so you probably will need footwear if you want to swim here.
The tunnel in the wall connects this beach to the sea. You can also catch a glimpse of this beach from a different angle when you are walking into the fort.
Praia Baia
I think that if you are looking for beaches in Peniche, you really can’t go wrong with Praia Baia. We spent most of our time on this beach. It is located just adjacent to the dunes of Peniche and the sand is fine and soft. It is famous for surfing and you will find loads of surfers in the area.
It is also great for kids who want to play in the sand or anyone who wants to spend the day at the beach. It isn’t the best for swimming though because of the rough waves.
Praia Baleal Sul
Praia Baleal Sul is quite like Praia Baia. It is a wide stretch of sand and it extends from Praia Bai to Baleal Beach. This beach also has the dunes flanking it from one direction. Generally speaking this beach is a little less crowded.
Praia Baleal
Praia Baleal is an extension of of Praia Baleal sul and is just as nice. Since it is located closer to Peniche city, it is far easier to access and that means it has a larger footfall. I haven’t found it ultra crowded though. We always had place to spread out our beach towel and chill. There wasn’t much of shade though so in the afternoon it gets sweltering hot. Most people had their own portable shades to weather the heat.
Praia Baleal – Norte
Praia Baleal norte is on the other end of Praia Baleal sul and is much further from the city. It is however closer to Baleal which is a hub for a lot of backpackers. The prices are generally cheaper in the area and crowd is definitely younger. You’ll spot a lot of surfers and surfing wannabies here.
Other Things To Do In Peniche
There are a couple of other things to do in Peniche that you should consider if you are spending a lot of time in the city. It is the perfect place to kick back and relax. To enjoy the sand and the sun. Let’s not forget about the food.
There are however plenty of offbeat things to do Peniche that can take your vacation from being just a beach vacation to something even more. This is because the city has activities for everyone, from the very young to the very old.
9. Go Camping
Did you know that camping is an option in Peniche? There are a number of camping sites in and around the city. You do have to book your site in advance and get your camping gear but if roughing it is your gig, then this is one awesome place to go camping at.
10. Learn Surfing
⭐️ Rating: 4.9/5 (26 Reviews) Price: $33 per person Duration: 2 hours 📍Meeting Point: Tv. da Exportadora, 2520-497 Peniche, Portugal Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!
Peniche is along the very same coast that Nazare is. This coast is famous for its huge waves that attract surfers from all over the world. Even though we were not there during surfing season, one of the cool things to do in Peniche was surfing.
Don’t worry if you don’t know how to surf. You can easily take surfing classes. The waves aren’t very rough here so it isn’t too intimidating. The best part is that there are surfing classes for all levels. So if you know how to surf but want to tweak your technique or if you want to learn more skills, this is also a great spot to do this in.
“The teachers were excellent, teaching the technique well and paying attention to how we did it and putting it into practice. Carlos is crack!!”
Maximilano (read more reviews now!)
11. Enjoy A Spot Of Golf
There is even a golf course in Peniche that you can head out to. For many it is one of the top things to do in Peniche. We however did not visit it because we were short on time and aren’t big fans of golf.
When it comes to the things to do in Peniche, there are loads of activities to keep you busy. We stayed in the area for a couple of days and did not have the itch to leave. In fact, I could easily have spent another week or two in the area.
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