Peniche and Baleal
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Surf Culture Close to the Golf Courses
Summary
Just a short drive from the golf courses around Óbidos you find one of Portugal’s most famous surf areas. The town of Peniche and the nearby peninsula of Baleal are known for their strong surf culture, beautiful beaches and relaxed Atlantic atmosphere.
Practical Tips
Distance: About 10 minutes from Praia d'El Rey
Perfect for: A short trip with beach and surf vibe
Tips: Stop for a coffee or a drink in the area
Just Minutes from the Golf Courses
One of the interesting things about the Silver Coast is how quickly the landscape changes.
Within a short drive from the championship golf courses around Óbidos you reach the surf town of Peniche, which has become one of the most important surfing destinations in Europe.
From Praia D’El Rey Golf Resort, the beaches around Baleal are only about 10 minutes by car, making it an easy excursion if you feel like seeing a different side of the Atlantic coast.
Baleal – A Small Peninsula Surrounded by Surf Beaches
Just north of Peniche lies Baleal, a small peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow stretch of sand.
To reach the peninsula itself by car you drive along a short road across the beach, where traffic can only move in one direction at a time. For that reason, most visitors simply park at the large parking area before the peninsula and walk the last few hundred meters.
Note: the parking area is a paid parking zone, and payment machines are located in the parking area.
From Baleal you can look out over several beaches where surfers are often in the water throughout the day. On good swell days it can be quite impressive to watch.
Because of the consistent waves, Baleal has become a hub for surf schools, small guesthouses and cafés serving the international surf community.
One of Europe’s Most Famous Surf Areas
Peniche is particularly famous for the beach Supertubos, located just south of the town.
This powerful beach break produces some of the best surf conditions in Europe and hosts one of the major competitions on the World Surf League Championship Tour, where the world’s best surfers compete each year.
Even outside competitions the beaches around Peniche and Baleal are busy with surfers taking advantage of the Atlantic swells.
A Lively Street Near the Beach
Near the beach in Baleal you will find a lively street with several restaurants, small hotels and surf-related businesses.
It has a relaxed atmosphere typical of a surf town, and while it is not a large area, it can be a pleasant place to stop for a drink or a simple meal after spending some time near the ocean.
An Easy Coastal Excursion
Because Peniche and Baleal are located so close to the golf courses, they make an easy and interesting excursion if you want to explore more of the coastline.
Even if you do not surf yourself, the scenery, the beaches and the lively surf culture give a different perspective on life along Portugal’s Atlantic coast.
More surf
If you are interested in how surfing and golf coexist along this coastline, you can also read our article about World-Class Golf and Surf on the Same Coast
-or our interesting tips about Nazaré: The Giant Waves of Nazaré
Jorgen/Living on the West Coast of Portugal
Small moments • True gems • Real Portugal
If our inspiration can help you get more out of your time in Portugal – both on and off the course – then we're happy.
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