Surf Holidays & Camps in Peniche Home to Europe's best beach breaks

Peniche is located in western Portugal, about 90 km north of Lisbon and is the largest fishing port in Portugal.

It was an island until the Middle Ages, but it progressively became a peninsula as from the seventeenth century (and therefore a perfect surfing area!!). Legend has it that a group of Lusitanians escaping retaliation by Julius Caesar’s hosts took refuge in the island and founded the town.

Europe’s westernmost city, Peniche has always been linked to the sea and the main economic activities of its residents have centred on sardine, tuna and lobster fishing, together with naval construction shipyards and canned fish industries, and now surfing!

Activities

Besides the obvious activity of surfing, there are plenty of other interesting things to do. The town's Fortress is a local and national landmark. The fortress is now a Museum dedicated to the memory of those that have been incarcerated during the time of political prisoners in Portugal before the 1974 revolution.

One of the most interesting things to do is an afternoon boat trip to the beautiful Berlengas Islands - it's also a great area to scuba diving and observe marine fauna as well as shipwrecks.

Surrounding Areas

20Kms away is Praia d’El Rey Golf and Beach Resort were you’ll find a world class 18 holes awarded golf course (Praia D’El Rey Marriott Hotel won “Portugal’s Leading Resort” at the 2008 World Travel Awards).

Close by is the unique medieval village of Óbidos, built in 1195. Definitely worth an afternoon trip - wander around the ancient village walls and in and around the winding cobblestone streets.

In the village of Bombarral is one of the largest Asian Buddhist garden in Europe at Quinta dos Loridos. This spectacular garden hosts a unique collection of sculptures inspired by Buddhist themes. Also next to Bombarral village is a traditional Portuguese vineyard 'Companhia Agrícola do Sanguinha'. For those interested in trying some of the best wines produced in Western Portugal with the DOC Óbidos stamp this is one of the options, the farm's shop is open from Mondays to Saturdays, guided tours to the farm are arranged by appointment.

There's also a large kart track about 10Km from Baleal, a good alternative for a different day

And of course the capital Lisbon is about an hour and 10 minutes drive away

Restaurants and Bars

In Peniche just outside the city centre you’ll find the excellent restaurant Tasca do Joel. With it’s gourmet shop where a remarkable wine, Port and Portuguese and Spanish delicatessen can be found at a surprising price, this is definitely a place to visit - its address is 73 Rua do Lapaduço, Peniche

Closer to Baleal you will find many delicious sea food restaurants including Amigos do Baleal, Baia Secreta and Baleal à Vista.

There are numerous bars but the best one is Bar do Bruno right on Baleal beach. In the summer its beach parties go on until the early morning (just don't forget the surf in the morning!)

Peniche is approximately a 1hr drive from Lisbon airport. And two and a half from Porto

Flights

Please note to check airports as new routes & airlines may begin operating at any time. Below are just some that fly to Portugal. www.wegolo.com is a website that lets you know who flies where from different cities.

www.aerlingus.com
www.flytap.com
www.ryanair.com
www.britishairways.com
www.flymonarch.com

How to get to Peniche from Lisbon Airport:

Transfers - Share a taxi or mini bus with our shuttle bus partner here

Car Hire - We have a discount car hire section on our website where you can rent a car.

Bus:
Getting the bus is very easy and only cost a few euros:
In Lisbon the bus station to Peniche is called Sete Rios, it is next to the Zoo and about 10-15 minutes from the airport in a taxi. Or instead of a taxi take the Aeroshuttle to Av.José Malhoa Sul (leaves you beside the Sete Rios bus station to Peniche). The Aeroshuttles leave the airport every 30 mins from 08.15-21.30. The Sete Rios bus station address is Praça Marechal Humberto Delgado - Rua das Laranjeiras 1500-543 Lisboa.

Subway - This is also very easy. From the airport take the Redline to Sao Sebastiao. Then get off and take the Blueline two stops north to Jadrom Zoologico which is beside Sete Rios bus station. The subway runs from 6am-1am

From Sete Rios bus station in Lisbon: get the Rede Expressos bus www.rede-expressos.pt to Peniche. The website usually only shows timetables 2 weeks in advance but the bus is year round and goes every one/two hours (first one at 07.00 and last one is approximately 19.30 although in the summer it can be 22.00). Approx travel time: 1 hour 35 minutes. The bus will take surf boards no problem (although if its a long board more than 9ft they might not).

Just as you reach Peniche you call your accommodation and they will pick you up from the bus station.

How to get from Peniche to Lisbon:

Take the rede expressos bus from Peniche to Sete Rios station. First bus is usually 07.00. At the bus stop next to the Bus station get the Aeroshuttle or Subway to the Airport.

The best thing about the Peniche & Baleal peninsula is that the beaches face both north and south, and are all within a few kilometres of each other. So on nearly all conditions there is surf - it is well known as one of Portugal's most consistent surf destinations and a great place for a Surfing Holiday.

The WSL World Tour comes to Peniche every year in October and is a great time to visit if you want to watch the worlds best surfers such as Kelly Slater, Gabriel Medina & Mick Fanning battle it out to win. Surf everyday while watching the event also.

The areas main surf beach is called Cantinho da Baía, its starts in Peniche and ends up in the area knows as Baleal. The spot is famous for its consistency and for being ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers and is where some of the best Baleal Surf Camps are located. Protected from the bigger swell by the headland makes it’s almost always possible to surf here even when there is big swell hitting the coast. The beach stretches 4kms further west with many spots to surf - a great place to get away from crowds.

On the other side of the Baleal headland is Prainha, another great protected surf spot for beginner and intermediate surfers. And next to this is Lagide , a reef break and one of the best surf spots in Portugal if you have big swell and southerly winds. It's a long perfect left with a shallow reef at low tides - great for intermediate/advanced surfers.

On the other side of Peniche (south) is the area's and arguably Portugal's most famous break Supertubos . It's a powerful wave breaking in very shallow sand bar, advanced/pro surfers only! Other waves such as Molhe Leste, Consolação, Porto Batel and Almagreira are all close by giving every kind of alternative including many uncrowded areas; a great area to explore and Surf Portugal's best waves!

And don't forget you can head south and surf Ericeira - less than an hour's drive away.

Come Surf Peniche with us…