The Perfect Beach Vacation in Peniche, Portugal

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Peniche, Portugal was a seaside dream for me. Between the soft sand beneath my toes, breathtaking cliffs that overlooked the sapphire Atlantic Ocean, quaint little European beach villages, friendly faces, historical wonders and delicious seafood, my trip to Peniche was heavenly and everything my soul needed.

I was so excited to have been invited to Peniche by Deck Lodge – a boutique seashore hostel made for wanderlust spirits! From the moment I stepped foot into this quaint and welcoming hostel, I was in love with it and automatically felt at home! Not only did Fred and Maria of Deck Lodge welcome me with open arms, they also exposed me to some pretty epic sites and adventures in Peniche! (For 5% off your stay at Deck Lodge, use code TAYLORPROMO.)

Traveling to Peniche made me realize that there is nothing better than exploring places that are local, authentic and rather “off-the-grid”. There is something so special about being in a place where you could wander aimlessly without being surrounded by tourists; go to a restaurant and know that you are eating authentic, local foods that are fresh; visit a landmark and getting that “wow” feeling (instead of feeling like you’ve already been there through social media) and stay at a hostel that is beautiful, clean, unique and authentic like Deck Lodge.

Discover the best things to do in Peniche, Portugal and learn how to have a memorable beach vacation on the Portuguese coastline.

*During my time in Peniche, Portugal, Deck Lodge hosted me for three nights. For 5% off your stay at Deck Lodge, use code TAYLORPROMO.

Getting to and Around Peniche:

During my most recent trip to Portugal, I traveled from Lisbon to Peniche through the Rede Expressos bus. It was a super easy and relaxing journey and it only took around an hour and 15 minutes to get from Lisboa Sete Rios bus station to Rodoviária do Tejo – Peniche bus station. Once I got to Peniche, Fred picked me up in his car and took me to Deck Lodge, which was really nice of him. It is also a 10-minute walk from the bus station to Deck Lodge as well.

While I was in Peniche, I was easily able to walk to most places such as Gâmboa Beach, Papôa and the Fort of Peniche as well as to all of the great restaurants in town. I was very thankful that Fred and Maria were able to give me a lift to some other amazing sites in Peniche that were a little further away from Deck Lodge. You could also get a taxi or rent a car as well during your time in Peniche.

Staying at Deck Lodge:

My stay in Portugal consisted of six days. I was in Lisbon my first day as well as the last day and a half. In between, I was in Peniche for three days. During my three days at this gorgeous coastal town, Deck Lodge hosted me in their all-girls dormitory room.

The Rooms at Deck Lodge:

As I mention above, I had never felt more at home and welcomed at Deck Lodge. This cheerful hostel is less than a year old, has the most charming decorations that is both “beachy and earthy” and is super clean. Deck Lodge also offers three en-suite dormitory rooms with beautiful wooden furniture. There are two mixed gender dorms; one room has five beds and the other has six. In addition, there is also a female-only dorm room with four beds (which is the one I stayed in). The rooms at Deck Lodge offer luxury, fun as well as peace and quiet to enhance the mind and spirit. All of these features are definitely something I look for when I stay at a hostel! In addition, there is also artwork made from local artists featured throughout the building. It is absolutely beautiful!

During your stay at Deck Lodge, you will be assigned a bed number, given a sensor key to get into both the hostel as well as your dorm room and you will also get a lock with a code for your personal locker. (All of the beds are marked with a number that correspond with the designated lockers. I was number 10.) Even though I wasn’t able to fit my hefty luggage in the locker, I was happy that there was more than enough room for my camera bag that included all my photography equipment along with my laptop! It also had enough room to fit my purse, tripod and a few other valuable belongings. In addition, each guest is given his or her own towel.

What is awesome about the rooms at Deck Lodge are that each of them has its own en-suite bathroom that includes a sink, toilet and shower. There is also a hook designated for each bed number in the bathroom so that you could hang your towel, a bathing suit, surfing gear or anything else to dry. There are also a few hooks throughout the room for you to hang your clothing. In addition, each bathroom has a hair dryer, outlet and soap (both at the sink as well as in the shower).

The actual beds at Deck Lodge are comfortable and they come with a fresh comforter, sheets, pillow and pillowcase. These wonderful wooden bunk beds also allow for privacy and the perfect sleep since there is a shade you could pull up and down. These great beds are also nice for reading or getting work done since there is a light and outlet in each bed space. There is also a little menu that includes food and drinks that you could order at reception. The rooms and bathrooms also have eco-friendly lights that work through a sensor. When you are up and walking around, the light will be on, but if you are just relaxing in your bed or using the bathroom (vice versa) the light will remain off. There are also windows in each room allowing natural light in during the daytime.

Other wonderful features my dorm room included was a mirror and high stool chair to use when I was getting ready (it also had little succulent plants on the side for decoration); a little wooden stool to place some items on; curtains and shades for the window (I mainly kept these shut at night for privacy) and a cute neon girls sign that lit up in pink. I loved staying in the all-girls room!

Amazing Amenities at Deck Lodge:

Reception:

The reception at Deck Lodge is open 24 hours. Checking into the hostel opens at 2pm and you must be checked out by 11am. What is nice about Deck Lodge is that they could hold your luggage for you if you arrive early and your room isn’t ready yet or if you are checked out and want to explore more. You could book your stay either online and walk ins are also open until 10pm.

Food:

When it comes to food, you could either order lunch or dinner at the reception. As I mention above, there is a menu in your bed where you could order lasagna, a burger or pizza. A continental breakfast is also included when you book a special package through Deck Lodge. When it comes to local restaurants, both Fred and Maria know of the best places to go to in Peniche! They sure gave me some amazing recommendations.

In addition to eating out, you could also go to the supermarket nearby and get groceries to make your own meals at Deck Lodge’s kitchen. Right next to the kitchen is a meal room where you could sit down and eat. You could also take your food up to the super adorable rooftop as well and enjoy the outdoors.

The Rooftop:

One of my favorite parts of Deck Lodge was the awesome Deck (or the rooftop) of the hostel. This space is perfect to relax with a drink, watch the sunset, meet new friends, read and just have fun!

There are tables, couches, bean bags and various sitting areas located on the Deck. There is also a captains wheel, a mini bar and a storage area for outdoor equipment. (Since Peniche is a big surfing town, Deck Lodge offers areas where you could store a surf board, body board and other outdoor equipment.)

On my first day, I was welcomed with a delicious pineapple mojito. Deck Lodge sure knows how to make THE BEST mojitos! It was super fresh, the fruit was delicious and there was the perfect amount of alcohol in my drink. In addition to pineapple, they also have strawberry, kiwi and bubblegum mojitos. You could also order virgin mojitos, beer, gin and tonic or wine (red or white). They also have bottled water and espresso.

Tours:

What I also loved about Deck Lodge is that they offer tours in and around Peniche! Even though I will talk more about these excursions below, Deck Lodge was able to help me book my very first surfing lesson as well as a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Berlenga Island. They also conduct their own tours in and around Peniche! During my first evening, both Fred and Maria took me on a sunset tour to some breathtaking hidden gems along the coast of Peniche. (Maria was also sweet enough to take my photos there. They came out amazing!) In addition, Fred and Maria also do tours to the other nearby seaside villages. They are awesome tour guides and offer a wealth of information!

Other Helpful Amenities:

No matter what, Deck Lodge has everything you need to help you stay comfortable during your time in Peniche. In addition to everything I talk about above, they also have high-speed WiFi, a laundry room, cable TV, a place to view and print your travel documents, free parking nearby as well as 24-hour security cameras. Fred and Maria are also always around to help you out.

Where to Eat in Peniche:

Breakfast:

Breakfast in both Peniche and Portugal in general is on another planet because Portuguese pastries are just amazing! I could definitely say they have some of my favorite pastries in the world. From custard tarts to sweet breads, most of Portuguese pastries originate within Catholic convents and monasteries. There are many reasons why pastries play a huge role in Catholicism, but most of these delicious treats consist of egg yolks, sugar, flour, nuts, cinnamon, vanilla, coconut and other spices popular in Southern Europe. Nowadays, both Portuguese and international visitors enjoy these delicious sweets both for breakfast as well as afternoon snacks and desserts.

Some of my favorite Portuguese pastries were the pasteis de nata (cream tarte), massa sovada (sweet bread), pão de deus (coconut roll) and palmier (elephant ear or a heart shaped puff pastry with sugar). They all were so amazing paired with a cappuccino every morning.

Below are the cafés I enjoyed these delicious pastries in Peniche:

• Pastelaria Brismar
• Java House Pastelaria
• Pastelaria Presidente – Aires & Perpetua, Lda.
• Café Oceano

In addition, a lot of these pastry shops and cafés also sell gelato, making for the perfect snack during a sunny beach day!

Lunch/Dinner:

If you are big seafood eater like myself, you definitely will be in a foodie heaven in Peniche. Since the town is located on the coast, you could find some of the freshest and most delicious seafood in Portugal. Below are the restaurants I ate at during my time in Peniche:

• A Sardinha: Known as a local favorite, I was recommended to come to this amazing restaurant from Fred and Maria. They specialize in seafood and as an American, I definitely got a great deal money wise. On my first night in Peniche, I enjoyed an amazing bottle of Portuguese red wine with sautéed octopus and roasted potatoes for only 22 euros! (That easily would’ve cost around $50 USD at a seafood restaurant in the U.S.) It was also the BEST octopus I’ve ever eaten!

• oS aMericanO’s: Another great restaurant that was recommended to me was oS aMericanO’s. Located right around the corner from Deck Lodge, this lovely Portuguese restaurant is actually owned by a couple who used to live in my neck of the woods here in the U.S. I was able to meet the wife, who was super friendly and happy to hear that I was from New Jersey. I also enjoyed another amazing fish dinner that consisted of grilled branzino with fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, olives and roasted potatoes. Since white sangria is more popular than red in Portugal, I had a white sangria to go along with it as well as a delicious panna cotta for dessert. What was so sweet was that the staff at oS aMericanO’s also gave me a complimentary shot of Ginjinha. Originated in Lisbon, Ginjinha is a sweet cherry liqueur that is usually served in chocolate that is molded into a shot glass. Both the chocolate and the cherry together was a nice treat after a savory dinner.

• Ristorante Pizzeria il Boccone: Since pizza is my favorite food and I cannot go a week without having it, I was so happy to see that a pizzeria was located right across the street from Deck Lodge. I enjoyed a glass of rosé with a prosciutto pie and it definitely did not disappoint!  

Top Things to do In Peniche:

Enjoy a Relaxing Beach Day:

After settling into Deck Lodge when I first arrived in Peniche, I was more than ready to hit the beach. Peniche is one of the largest traditional fishing ports in Portugal and also boasts a major surfing community.

One thing I did not know prior to coming back to Portugal is that surfing is HUGE in this country. In fact, surfers from all over the world including California, Hawaii and the Pacific islands travel to Portugal to catch some gnarly waves. You could also spot the biggest wave in Nazaré, Portugal, which is around 45 minutes north of Peniche. The largest waves could be found in the wintertime (particularly in December) when sea storms are more severe. People will travel to this area of Portugal throughout all times of the year for surfing, so during the wintertime these coastal towns are still thriving. The spring and fall are the quieter times of the year for Peniche, but there is still so much to see and do.

During my time in Peniche, I went to Gambôa Beach where I relaxed, took a lovely walk along the shore and watched the surfers. Getting from Deck Lodge to Gambôa Beach is around a 10 to 15 minute walk. This beach itself is absolutely stunning and I loved how blue the water was. In regards to getting onto the beach, there are high sand dunes, so you will need to walk up a staircase. If you walk towards Papôa or Baleal, it is easier to access the beach without having to walk up stairs. There isn’t a boardwalk at Gambôa Beach, but there is an area where you could grab food or shop for beach essentials.

Portugal is directly across the Atlantic Ocean from New Jersey. It was my first time ever swimming in the Atlantic Ocean on the other side. I remember when I was younger, I used to always look out into the horizon and wonder what life was like on the other side of the pond. 20 years later, here I am enjoying the beauty in Peniche! There are some similarities that I saw in both Peniche as well as my home beach town – Lavallette. The sand in both beach towns is so soft and beautiful offering no dirt or grit, there is also a lot of sea grass and dunes in both towns and the water temperature is about the same during the same time of the year. The differences are that Lavallette is flat and Peniche has more cliffs and beautiful rock formations. Plus Peniche has clearer water. Obviously the architecture of the houses and buildings have differences as well.

Watch the Sunset:

On my first evening in Peniche, Fred and Maria took me to some hidden gems along Peniche’s coastline. We stopped at a few breathtaking spots where we were able to take in the incredible views, enjoy the peacefulness and watch the sunset. Below are the best places in Peniche to catch the sunset:

Cave Furninha:

The first place we went to was Cave Furninha along the south coast of Peniche’s peninsula. What is cool about this cave area is that it was used during the pre-historical times and was also a shelter and cemetery.

I will admit that walking down the cliffs of this area was pretty scary. There were steep rock and cement steps that led down to the viewing area along the cliff (without railings), so please make sure you are careful and wear comfortable shoes! I was in a nice dress and sandals and will admit that I had some difficulties, but everything turned out to be great. Maria was able to snap amazing photos of me. It was absolutely stunning there! In addition, you could spot a lot of fishermen at this site.

Cabo Carvoeiro:

The second spot we visited was Cabo Carvoerio, which is the westernmost point of mainland Europe. Besides a few islands in the Atlantic Ocean, this is the last area on mainland Europe before you reach North America.

Located at Cabo Carvoeiro is the beautiful lighthouse – Farol do Cabo Carvoeiro. This lighthouse was built to save seafarers from the rugged rocks along Peniche’s coastline. The rocks at Cabo Carvoeiro were cool to see, but they present a lot of danger to ships. Over centuries, there have been many shipwrecks and collisions due to these rocks.

Just like at Cave Furninha, there is an area where you could walk down the cliffs and catch amazing views of both the sea, sunset and nearby Berlenga Island! Along the way, we also spotted some cute cats.

Papôa:

The final spot we visited during sunset was Papôa. This beautiful spot features gorgeous cliffs and a hiking area to enjoy the best ocean views. Papôa is an area designated for advanced surfers since there are large waves here and rocky bottoms. The sunset at Papôa was also wonderful!

Visit Fort Peniche and Get a History Lesson on the Former Prison:

A must-see when you’re in Peniche is the Fortaleza de Peniche (Fort Peniche). Opened from 10am to 6pm, you could visit this seaside fort for free!

Before entering the fort, I highly recommend visiting the secret beach. What is really cool is that there is a gateway where you could see the sea past the fort’s walls. It is a very beautiful site.

Fort Peniche is a 16^th century fortress that was commissioned during the reign of King João III. It was built in a star shaped form and holds the Santa Bárbara Chapel along with the Sentinel Tower. Throughout the centuries, Fort Peniche has served as a refuge for South Africans from the Boer War and then it became a prison for German troops in World War I. The fort became notorious when it became a political prison for Salazar’s “Estado Novo” between 1934 and 1974.

Through those 40 years, Fort Peniche was known as one of the worst fascist prisons in the world. 45 years later, it opened up as a museum where visitors could learn about the history behind the fort and read the stories shared by former prisoners.

Get Lost in the Beautiful Seaside Villages:

Throughout the town of Peniche are beautiful neighborhoods that are perfect to wander and get lost in. Peniche features stunning Portuguese architecture so there are beautiful buildings, churches and monuments to admire. There are also a variety of local artisan shops to go into and purchase souvenirs!

Within Peniche, you could explore the heart of the town along with seeing the gorgeous area of Baleal. In addition, you could also take a half-day trip and visit the nearby town of Óbidos.

Savor the Beauty in Papôa:

Not only is Papôa the perfect place to watch the sunset, it is also a must-visit during the day! Located in the north coast of Peniche, Papôa is a small limestone peninsula and volcanic gap that offers cool rock formations, amazing ocean views and unique birds.

Papôa is a breathtaking area to go on a mini hike. Throughout the small peninsula are various walking and hiking trails where you could catch amazing views no matter where you are! Papôa is an amazing area to watch surfers and become astonished over the large waves.

Take a Surfing Lesson:

I did it guys! During my time in Peniche, I actually had the guts to take my very first surfing lesson. Growing up at the beach every summer, I never had the desire to take a surf lesson. Since I was in Peniche and numerous people told me that I had to learn how to surf there, I signed myself up through Deck Lodge who booked my private group lesson through Good Surf Good Love in Baleal.

There were four of us taking the group lesson – a couple from Italy, a guy from Germany and myself. Good Surf Good Love only works with three to five people in a group session, which is what I like. My instructor was great and helped me a lot.

Our lesson started off with a basic warm up, then the instructor taught us the basic instructions on how to walk into the water with the board, how to get onto the board, how to stand up and balance and how to take the wave in. There is a lot to think about between the time a perfect wave comes and when you actually ride it in. I also didn’t think I would be able to stand up on the board and I actually did! I rode in about six small waves and it was a blast! (There was also a photographer there who took our photos. All of these surfing pictures were taken by Raquel Cordeiro of Raqa Free Spirit.)

Visit Berlenga Island:

My trip to Peniche wouldn’t have been complete without a journey to Berlenga Island. Through Deck Lodge, I was able to book a half-day trip to Berlenga Island through Berlenga Live.

From Peniche, a group of people and myself took a fun speedboat ride 7 miles west to Berlenga Island. Prior to hopping on the boat, we had to give all our belongings to a staff member because we definitely got wet during the journey. It was such a blast sailing fast through the choppy waves and we shared a lot of laughs! It took around 20 minutes to a half hour to get from Peniche to Berlenga Island and once we got there, I fell in love with all the beauty that surrounded me.

Berlenga Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so only a certain amount of people are allowed on the island daily. To ensure you get to visit this gem, I highly recommend booking this excursion in advance. Once I arrived at Berlenga Island, I took a tour through the impressive caves; visited the famous Fortress São João Baptista; hiked to the top of the island and saw the stunning lighthouse and brightly-colored fisherman houses; admired the exceptional views of the glistening turquoise sea and epic rock formations; relaxed at the hidden beach and saw some cool wildlife! (Please note that you could only visit Berlenga Island from May through September because the water is too rough during the winter months. In addition, tours could be canceled when the weather isn’t great during the summer months.)

Regarding what you could do at Berlenga Island, it all depends on what you enjoy! Since the water was pretty cold when I traveled to this stunning island, I only wore a dress and didn’t bring a bathing suit. When its warm enough, I highly recommend snorkeling, since the water has a lot of beautiful sea life. In addition, the small beach is one of the most picturesque in Portugal as it features emerald waters and stunning mountains and cliffs around it. I also suggest you go hiking and check out the amazing views and birdwatch.

During your time on Berlenga Island, I recommend seeing the caves (it usually comes at a separate price) and touring the 17^th Century São João Baptista Fort that is surrounded by the beautiful sea and stunning arched bridges. From the fort, take the hike up to the Farol Duque de Bragança (Berlengas Lighthouse). (Please note that this hike is tough and is mainly for the physically fit and mobile.) The lighthouse is situated at the highest point on the island and its light could be seen from more than 31 miles or 50 kilometers away. As you continue your hike down to the main area of the island, you could enjoy some epic viewpoints.

While you are on the island, you could also grab food and drinks at Restaurante Mar & Sol as well as the nearby café. I just enjoyed an ice cream along with a Portuguese beer. It was the perfect way to end my time in Peniche.

I had a memorable time staying at Deck Lodge and exploring Peniche, Portugal. I cannot wait to come back some day and hopefully soon! For 5% off your stay at Deck Lodge, please make sure you use code TAYLORPROMO. To stay up to date with Deck Lodge, follow their Instagram and Facebook pages. If you have any questions about my stay at Deck Lodge or general inquiries about my time in Portugal, please send me an email at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.

Basic Facts of Portugal:

Currency: Euro, Capital: Lisbon, Time Zone: Portugal has two time zones. Mainland Portugal and Madeira follow Western European Standard Time and the Azores follow the Azores Standard Time, which is an hour behind.

*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.