Peniche is now located on a peninsula but in the 12th century it was an island. The city has a very important fishing port, a rather large fleet and some fish canning facilities. In the region there are very beautiful beaches, that are extremely popular during the summer.
Due to unique geographic location, surf is guaranteed every day, no matter what wind or swell direction.
There is a number of places of interest in Peniche, namely the port with its coloured boats, the Citadel, and many churches.
- The Citadel
It is an old 16th century fortress restored in a Vauban style in the 17th century. It dominates the port. During the dictatorship it functioned as a prison and several contemporary characters were locked up there. Inside there is a museum that illustrates this period and a collection of objects which tell the history of the town and the region.
- Nossa Senhora da Ajuda church,
from the 17th and 18th century, with azulejos and beautiful wooden statues.
- Nossa Senhora da Conceição church, d ating back to the 18th century., with azulejos and interesting woodwork.
- Nossa Senhora dos Remédios church with 18th century azulejos.
- Da Misericórdia church with a beautiful painted ceiling
- S.Pedro church dating back to the 17th century, with beautiful woodwork.
In Peniche you must see and maybe buy the typical lace, made with the spindle. Today the town hall makes an effort to maintain this art by supporting a school and a museum.
The gastronomical specialities all contain fish and seafood, "Caldeirada" being a famous fish and vegetable stew. During the 1st weekend in August Peniche becomes animated with the festivals dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem, patron saint of the fishermen.
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Bay on Berlenga Grande |
Cabo Carvoeiro |
Before leaving Peniche you must travel towards Cabo Carvoeiro. There is an 18th century lighthouse and the view over the rocks and the sea is splendid. In the distance, one can see the Berlengas islands. Located 12 km from the coast, this small archipelago is composed of 5 uninhabited islands, Berlenga being the largest (1 400 m long). The island was classified as a Nature Reserve in 1981 in order to protect the vegetation and the birds. There are deep caves, pits, abrupt cliffs and splendid views. One can only walk following signed paths. There is a regular ferry service from Peniche from the beginning of June to mid-September. The crossing lasts approximately one hour depending on the weather but it is not easy to find space in the boat so we recommend you arrive early in the morning and queue.
After Peniche, one take the road towards Lourinhã.
Lourinhã is located 18 km from TorresVedras. The city was conquered from the Arabs by the 1st king of Portugal then given to the French crusader Jordan in 1160. The most important monument in Lourinhã is the Santa Maria do Castelo church. Dating back to the 14th century it is located on the hill where the Arabs had built the fortress.
The area has a rich agriculture, cattle breeding, mainly pigs and chicken. Tourism is increasingly an important source of income, drawn by the extensive beaches and, more recently, by the palaeontological remains of the municipality, which include fossilised bones, footprints, eggs and even embryos from Jurassic dinosaurs. Many of them can be seen nowadays at the local Museu da Lourinhã.
The whole of the area is rich in relics from that period. In Lourinhã they found fossils and eggs from two single species in the world, Lourinhnosaurus antunesi and Dinheirosaurus Lourinhanenses. This museum is really a visit not to be missed.
To leave Lourinhã, one take the road towards Torres Vedras and from there, you go back to Ericeira.
