The busy little fishing town of Peniche (altitude: 15m/50ft), is one of Portugal's most important places for crayfish, sardine and tuna fisheries (cannery). It lies on a rocky peninsula on the Portuguese Atlantic coast, almost 3km/2mi long and just over 2km/1.25mi wide, edged by rugged cliffs and linked to the mainland by a narrow sandspit. Peniche's tourism has remained within reasonable bounds. There are few hotels of any size in the town itself, and seaside pursuits tend to be enjoyed on the long sandy beaches on both sides of the isthmus (istmo).
Peniche has a State school of pillowlace making, which is a traditional local craft.
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 harbor, protected by two breakwaters, is the scene of lively activity. In the summer a regular boat service runs from here to the Berlenga Islands, and there is also the spectacle of the arrival of the fishing boats to be speedily unloaded. Their perishable cargoes are then auctioned on a conveyor belt in a large hangar.
Several roads lead to Cabo Carvoeiro, and its lighthouse (farol), 2km/ 1.25mi west of the town, on a rocky headland which has been eroded into bizarrely shaped pinnacles and seacaves and has excellent fishing and crayfish grounds. There are views of the Nau dos Corvos ("raven's ship") rock offshore, and beyond to the Berlenga Islands. There are also fine views from the fish restaurant that has been opened on this exposed spot.
This well preserved fort, built in the 16th C, has also been used as a jail over the years. Today visitors can see the cells or wander through the museum.
A few yards south of the Misericórdia in Peniche is another Baroque church, the 17th century church of Sao Pedro, with 18th century talha dourada in the choir.
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Fortaleza
Peniche
