Berlengas Islands Guide - A 50 Minutes Boat Ride from Peniche in Portugal - Best Time and Tips
Berlengas Islands Guide - A 50 Minutes Boat Ride from Peniche in Portugal

Berlengas Islands Guide - A 50 Minutes Boat Ride from Peniche in Portugal

Portugal
Portugal

When Is the Best Time

About 10 km west of the small fishing town Peniche, the rugged, windswept Berlengas Islands rise out of the Atlantic Ocean.

The view out of one of the many caves.
In the afternoon, younger visitors jumped from the bridge into the sea. Please do so only at high tide!

The islands appear harsh initially, but a closer look reveals that the nutrient-rich seawater and sheltered cliffs provide an ideal habitat for numerous breeding birds and marine animals. This healthy ecosystem is under special protection and forms the Nature Reserve da Berlengas.

Two holes in a rock formation at Berlenga Grande
Berlengas is full of caves and holes.

Powerful storms regularly hit the Berlengas, and the rocky archipelago threatened ships. Therefore, in the 16th century, a monastery was built on the largest island, Berlenga Grande, to accommodate shipwrecked sailors. However, this was abandoned after a short time because of numerous attacks by pirates.

The fortress and bridge with visitors
São João Baptista Fortress and Bridge

Later, the São João Baptista fortress was built for protection. Today, this picturesque fortress is one of the most beautiful in Portugal and one of the main attractions for visitors.  Some visitors are dropped off at the fortress and hike to the harbour for their pick-up.

Watch our YouTube Berlengas Short here.

Flags and a cannon on top of the fortress
You can visit the fortress for a 1€ entrance fee.

Tourists can visit the largest island of the Berlengas, Berlenga Grande, on a day trip from Peniche. A typical excursion includes a boat ride along the rock formations, a visit to the São João Baptista fortress, a hike in the island's hinterland, bird watching, a snorkelling tour, swimming, and some time at the only accessible beach.

A seagull and her chicks
Do you see the two small fluffy chicks?

Glass-bottomed boats depart from the port on Berlenga Grande, where you can explore the caves and the diverse marine habitat.

How to Get to Berlengas?

The view from the distance to Berlengas jetty and lighthouse
The view from the distance.

To get to Berlengas, you must book a boat transfer or guided tour from Peniche Harbour. You need a rental car or book a guided small group tour to get to Peniche from Lisbon. It takes less than a 1 1/2 hour drive from Lisbon to get to Peniche on HW 8 to the north.

Farol do Cabo Carvoeiro and the rock formation from the boat
The Cabo Carvoeiro Lighthouse

The boat route runs along Peniche’s rocky coast, passing the Cape Carvoeiro headland and straight forward to Berlengas, which you can already see in the distance.

Berlenga Grande Map

Berlenga Grande Map
Map in high resolution

The offered Berlengas tour lead along the interesting southeast coast, south of the beach and the lighthouse.

How Long is the Boat Ride to Berlengas?

The upper deck of ferry boat totally full
Our boat in the morning was fully booked.

The ferry boat ride takes 45-50 minutes, depending on the sea conditions. It is usually bumpy, and you shouldn't eat much for breakfast. You can also take a speedboat which needs 20 minutes to reach Berlenga Grande.

When Can I Get to Berlengas?

Smaller islands of the Berlengas
Smaller Berlengas islands or better rocks are seen from Buzinas.

The Berlengas are exposed to the full power of the Atlantic Ocean and are not far away from Nazare, famous for the highest waves in the world. Tours to this island are only offered from mid-May until fall. However, tours are cancelled during strong winds and storms, which cause high surf.

Can I Swim in Berlengas?

The beach full of visitors and many swimmers
Swimming is awesome here.

You can swim and also jump into the water from different places. Most visitors swim from Praia do Carreiro do Mosteiro. This beach is located next to the jetty. Another excellent spot to swim in the crystal-clear sea is “Ponte do Forte”, the bridge which leads to the fortress.

Swimmer and jumper at the Forte Sao Joao Baptista Bridge

A staircase on the hiking trail “Caminho do Forte São João Baptista” leads to the bridges and also to the sea. Although the sea is colder at the Berlengas than in Peniche, it was a great refreshment.

Hiking on Berlenga Grande

A hiker on a narrow path to Buzinas
Markus on the path to Buzinas.

The main route is the most popular route between the harbour and the São João Baptista fortress, which is 3,8 km long and very well maintained. The trail to the cemetery in the southwest is closed. The track to Buzinas in the southeast is a narrow and quiet trail. The entire area is full of nesting seagulls and their chicks.

Hiking signs on Berlenga Grande
All trails are marked

At the end of Buzinas, you are able to spot nesting shags. 

The Best Time to Visit Berlengas

The ascend from the top down to the fortress bridge
It is a steep ascend with some steps down to the fortress.

The best time to visit Berlenga Grande is from May to September. If you would like to swim here, I recommend July to September when the sea temperature reaches a maximum of 20°C/68°F. We experienced 17°C at the beginning of July. August is the peak season and is super busy here because Berlengas is a popular destination for locals.

The Berlenga Beach with few visitors
Berlenga Grande was tranquil in the morning.

I recommend booking a morning tour to experience Berlenga Grande with fewer visitors - the afternoon is super busy, and the only accessible beach is crowded.

Offered Tours to Explore Berlengas

Kayaks passing by under the fortress bridge
The kayak trip is absolutely worth it.

Two guided tours are offered to see more of the beauty of this island.

  • A glass-bottom boat explores the caves and the entire southeast coast with you.
  • A kayak trip in small groups accesses the caves, and you paddle along the coast, which we preferred.

Best Months to Visit

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Location and Tips

Peniche
Portugal
Portugal

The Berlengas are a few islands within 10-17 km from Peniche, the mainland of Portugal. Berlenga Grande is the biggest island and the only inhabited one.

A purple endemic plant
Lax Viper's Bugloss - an endemic subspecies on Berlenga Grande

Although there are hard conditions, some robust plants adapted to it in this environment.

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Created by
Micha Herber-Bleich
Micha Herber-Bleich
I am always open, curious about new…