4 Best Sights in Peniche, Estremadura and the Ribatejo

The first major fortification on what was the island of Peniche was built in the 16th century, and the Fortaleza de Peniche has played an important role in Portuguese history ever since. In the mid-20th century, the hulking fortress served as a prison for leading opponents of the New State dictatorship; in 1960, it was the site of a spectacular jail break, when Communist Party leader Alvaro Cunhal and a few of his comrades escaped from the high-security wing. This museum---created to tell the story of the prison in the context of the dictatorship, and to memorialize the resistance against it---opened in April 2024, half a century after the revolution that toppled that regime. A tour of its austere spaces and hard-hitting, informative displays will leave no one indifferent. 

The harbor at Peniche is the jumping-off point for excursions to the Berlengas Archipelago: six islets that are a nesting place for many migratory birds and a favorite spot for anglers and divers. Berlenga Grande, the largest of the group, is the site of a pretty lighthouse and the Forte de São João Baptista, a 17th-century fortress built to defend the area from pirates. There are trails around the island, including through caves. You can visit the islands by boat but, under a system introduced in 2022 to limit visitor numbers to 550 per day, you first need a €3 permit. Register on the website  berlengaspass.icnf.pt to buy a permit (several hours in advance, as it takes some time to be delivered). Boats fill up quickly in high season, so before buying the permit, first check availability with ferry company Viamar ( viamar-berlenga.com), which runs the 185-seat Cabo Avelar Pessoa once or twice a day from mid-May through September, or with one of the other companies that organize private trips year-round (all are listed on the Berlengas Pass website). It's a notoriously choppy crossing, so you may want to take something for motion sickness. The main island has a visitor center, a restaurant and bar, and a small guesthouse; it is also possible to camp or even stay in the fortress if you book ahead.

This beach on a natural island that's now an artificially created peninsula has long been a surfer hangout thanks to its great waves—it's home to a well-reputed surf school. But Baleal Beach is also popular with families who lounge about under rented umbrellas. Note that there are rocks in the water in some parts of the beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; surfing; swimming; windsurfing.