The Baleal area is blessed with miles of sandy beaches, consistent surf breaks, numerous pretty villages and fantastic local seafood. Here you will find your perfect balance of activity and relaxation.
Baleal
Baleal is a small village flanked on both sides by glorious sandy beaches, about 4km along the curved bay from Peniche. Beachgoers can choose between sheltered bays and surf breaks, all within walking distance of each other. Surf culture is front and centre, with numerous surf schools offering lessons and rentals all year round. There’s a decent choice of beach bars, cafes and restaurants, plus a few surf shops.
Baleal Island
Just off the main beach at Baleal, this small island is connected to the mainland by a single lane road. A great place to watch the sunset, or storms! Easy to walk around in about 20 minutes, and with a couple of nice beach bars.
Ferrel
About 1km inland from Baleal is the village of Ferrel, slightly bigger than Baleal and with a more permanent community. Ferrel has mini markets, pharmacies, a bank and a school, plus plenty of holiday accommodation in a peaceful setting. Many people make the walk from Ferrel to Baleal beach which takes about 25 minutes, or it’s 8 minutes by bike and 5 minutes by car.
Peniche
An easy 20 minute cycle from Baleal brings you to the small peninsula city of Peniche. Not the most beautiful city in Portugal but with plenty of interesting places to visit: Cabo Carvoeiro and its amazing rock formations, the Fortaleza, and the marina from which you can take a boat trip to the spectacular archipelago of Berlengas. There’s a market and a decent selection of restaurants with fantastic seafood, and this is also where you’ll find the big supermarkets.
Just south of Peniche is a huge stretch of sand running from Mohle Leste beach, to the world famous Supertubos beach and on to Consolação. These popular beaches are lifeguarded in the summer but are typically less crowded than Baleal.
Heading North
The coast turns wilder as you head north from Baleal, with a series of beaches accessible only by track and without facilities. The golf resort of Praia D’El Rey is the first place you’ll come to, essentially a quiet collection of houses plus the big Marriott hotel with its golf courses. Further on there are many great day trip options, including:
-
The spectacular Lagoa de Óbidos at Foz do Arelho
-
São Martinho do Porto with its unique horseshoe bay
-
Nazaré, where the big swells in autumn and winter draw crowds to watch giant waves breaking just offshore and the elite surfers who try to ride them
Heading South
The road south from Peniche occasionally runs close to the coast giving spectacular glimpses of the ocean. Praia da Areia Branca is the first place of note and has a nice beach with a great pizza restaurant overlooking the ocean. Beyond this are numerous villages and beaches making it a great area for a day trip. Other good places to stop along this coast include:
- Dino Parque Lourinhã, for winding paths through the forest with realistic dinosaur models and sounds
- Lourinhã for restaurants and a decent skate park
- Santa Cruz, a smaller surf town than Peniche
- Ericeira, a well developed surf destination with a pretty town centre
Inland from Baleal
The area has much to offer beyond a spectacular coastline. The countryside is surprisingly green with rolling hills and numerous pretty villages. Some ideas for day trips from Baleal include:
- The medieval walled city of Óbidos, especially when the chocolate festival is on
- The city of Caldas da Rainha with its market and beautiful Parque Dom Carlos I
- Buddha Eden, an Asian peace garden with sculptures, lakes, pagodas, giant Buddha and terracotta soldiers