Peniche
A fishing harbor on Portugal's Atlantic coast, known for long windy beaches, Supertubos surf and ferries to the Berlenga islands.
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Peniche is a seaside city and municipality on Portugal's Atlantic coast, in the Oeste region of Leiria District. Its rocky peninsula holds a geological example of the Toarcian turnover in the Early Jurassic extinction. The town has been a fishing harbor since ancient times.
Surf is the main draw. Its long, windy beaches suit surfing, windsurfing, bodyboarding and kitesurfing. Supertubos, also called Praia do Medão, has fast waves that form tubes and is nicknamed the European Pipeline. Da Gambôa and Baleal are other surf spots, and the beaches and breaks face three directions, so conditions stay consistent. The Peniche Fortress was used as a prison for communists and other opponents under the Estado Novo regime. In summer, ferries run to the Berlenga islands, about 10 km offshore. The climate stays mild year-round, with wet winters and cool, dry summers.
Peniche in five
- Register for the BerlengasPass before the boatAccess to Berlenga island needs a personal BerlengasPass issued online through ICNF. The fee is 3 euros per person per day, half price for ages 6 to 17 and 65 and over, and children under 6 still need a pass.BerlengasPass (ICNF)
- Carry cash and water for BerlengaThe municipality says the island has little shade, no fresh water streams and no working card or ATM operations, and pets are not allowed. Bring water, sun cover and euros in cash.
- Visit the fortress as a half-day stopThe Museu Nacional Resistência e Liberdade in the Peniche fortress is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00, with a 10 euro ticket on the official museums site. It covers the political prison years.
- Choose licensed boats and a calm morningThe crossing takes about 30 minutes from the marina and several operators run it. Pick one that is licensed for nature tourism and keep a backup day, because swell can cancel sailings.
- Pair Peniche with Nazaré and EriceiraPeniche sits between two better-known surf towns, so a coastal loop by car makes sense if you have three or four days.Nazaré travel guide
Need to know
- Airport
- Lisbon (LIS) is the nearest main airport, roughly 1.5 hours by road
- Getting there
- Car or coach from Lisbon; there is no rail line into Peniche
- Getting around
- Walk the old town and harbor; a car or taxi for the surf beaches
- Best base
- The old town and harbor, or a beach-side stay for surfers
- Time needed
- A day for the fortress, two with Berlenga
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Cool, swellJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, swell
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Cool, swellFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, swell
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Mild, windyMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, windy
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Mild, surfAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, surf
- MayClear8 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Mild, calmMayClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Warm, boats runJuneClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 33 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, boats run
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Warm, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low17°Peak, crowdedAugustClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak, crowded
- SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Warm, surfSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 31 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, surf
- OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Mild, quieterOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quieter
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Cool, rainNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rain
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Cool, swellDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, swell
Average daily high and low in Peniche, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Peniche
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 16°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Peniche
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today23°12°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue22°12°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed20°12°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu18°9°8%Thursday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Fri17°11°63%Friday: Rain. High 17°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Sat20°16°71%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Sun21°17°93%Sunday: Rain. High 21°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 93%.
Updated 06:28 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- JulNOS AliveLisbon, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Berlenga islandabout 30 minutes by boatA protected island with a pass system, coves and a fort, weather permitting.
- Nazaréby car along the coastGiant winter waves, the Sítio funicular and a fishing beach.Read the guide
- Ericeiraby car southA surf village and the Mafra palace stop.Read the guide
Before you go to Peniche
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Rules for Peniche, checked
- BerlengasPass: 3 euros per person per day; half price for ages 6 to 17 and 65+; children under 6 free but registered; capacity 550 on the island.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Museu Nacional Resistência e Liberdade, Peniche fortress: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 to 18:00; ticket 10 euros (official museums site).Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Berlenga boats leave the Peniche marina, take about 30 minutes and need a licensed operator; the island has no working card or ATM operations.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Peniche
Giant winter waves a short drive north
Read the guideEriceira travel guideA surf reserve town south of Peniche
Read the guideEstremadura and RibatejoAlcobaça, Batalha and Tomar monasteries
Read the guideLisbon travel guideThe gateway city and its airport
Read the guideCar and rail in PortugalWhy a car helps on the Silver Coast
Read the guideAll of PortugalCities, coast and entry rules
Read the guidePeniche FAQ
How do you get to Berlenga from Peniche?
By licensed boat from the Peniche marina, about 30 minutes each way, with several operators running it. You must also hold a BerlengasPass from ICNF, and sailings depend on sea conditions.
How much is the BerlengasPass?
The ICNF FAQ lists 3 euros per person per day, with 50 percent off for ages 6 to 17 and 65 and over. Children under 6 pay nothing but still need a registered pass. Residents of Peniche are exempt.
Is Peniche worth visiting?
Yes for surf, seafood and the fortress museum, and as a base for Berlenga. It is less suited to a long beach holiday in August, when the beaches fill and the wind can be strong.
Can you visit Peniche without a car?
Yes, by coach from Lisbon, then on foot in the old town and harbor. The surf beaches and the headland are easier with a taxi or bike, and a car helps if you combine Nazaré or Ericeira.
Does Peniche charge a tourist tax?
Peniche has a municipal tourist tax regime in force since 1 April 2024, collected by accommodation operators. The page checked did not list the rate, so ask your host what applies to your stay.