Berlengas: a practical guide to visiting the island from Peniche
BerlengasPass registration, boats, trails, sea caves and what to bring: everything you need to know before visiting Berlenga.
Off the coast of Peniche lies the Berlengas archipelago: granite rocks, crystal-clear water and thousands of seabirds. It is a Nature Reserve and, since 2011, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Berlenga Grande is the only island open to visitors and makes a perfect day trip.
Before you go: registration is mandatory
Since June 2022, visiting Berlenga requires prior registration on the BerlengasPass platform, which is checked when you board in Peniche. To protect the island, a maximum of 550 visitors per day are allowed, so in summer register and book your boat well in advance. There is also a small visitor fee (€3, with discounts for young people and over-65s, according to the most recent figures we found).
Getting there
Boats leave from Peniche harbour and the crossing takes about 30 minutes, a little longer in rough seas. Regular services run mainly in spring and summer and always depend on sea conditions. If you get seasick, come prepared.
What to see
- São João Baptista Fort, a 17th-century fort built on an islet and linked to the island by a stone bridge. It is Berlenga’s postcard view.
- Duque de Bragança lighthouse, at the island’s highest point.
- Marked trails with views over the cliffs and the gull colonies.
- Sea caves such as Furado Grande, visited on boat trips around the island.
- Carreiro do Mosteiro beach, next to the small fishermen’s quarter, for a swim in remarkably clear water.
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes for the trails.
- Water and some food (options on the island are few and seasonal).
- A hat and sunscreen: there is hardly any shade.
- Cash, as there are no ATMs.
- A bag to take your rubbish back with you.
The Berlengas are one of the best reasons to spend a few days in Peniche. Browse our homes and plan your trip.
*Photo: Lachlan Cruickshank / Unsplash*