Peniche

Peniche

The busy little fishing town of Peniche, is one of the Portugal’s most important places for crayfishes, sardines and tuna fisheries.
It lies on a rocky peninsula on the Portuguese Atlantic coast almost 3 km/2mi long and just over 2 km/1.25mi wide, hedged by rugged cliffs and linked to the main land by a narrow sands pit.
Fortifying walls and a moat, securing the town to landward, run from the fortress in the south of the town to the northernmost point of the peninsula. The harbour, protected by two breakwaters, is the scene of lively activity. In the summer a regular boat service runs from here to the Berlenga Island s and there is also a spectacle of the arriving of the fishing boats to be speedily unloaded. Their perishable cargoes are then auctioned on a conveyor belt in a large hangar.
You can also enjoy a traditional fisher festival in honour of their patron saints, seaborne procession, folk events, fireworks and popular festival.
Several roads lead to Cabo Carvoeiro and its light house (farol), 2km/1.25mi west of the town, on a rocky headland which has been eroded into bizarrely shape d pinnacles and sea caves.
Photos by Dias dos Reis