Welcome!

Baleal is a small peninsula (formerly an island) located north of Peniche in the Oeste region of Portugal, separated from the mainland by a tombolo, forming a beach with fine white sand. Continuing south from the peninsula, there is the islet of Terra, and to the north are the islands of Pombas and the islet of Fora.

Baleal acquired its name due to the significant whale and tuna fishing in the past.

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Beach and Water Activities

Situated in the municipality of Peniche, Baleal has become a summer destination with potential for water sports. Because of its peninsula-like shape, on the north side of the narrow sandbar connecting Baleal to the mainland, those on the beach can simultaneously face both the land and the sea. Cut by the only road providing access to the area, it has pleasant bars and restaurants with outdoor seating, offering a great alternative for cooler days. The sea can be somewhat dangerous and very windy in winter. On the south side, the sea is calmer, and the wind is gentler, especially in summer.

Surfing in Baleal

The emergence of the sport of surfing in the Ferrel Parish was mainly at Baleal Beach, around the 1980s. From then on, Baleal experienced rapid population growth, accompanied not only by the construction of houses, a mini-market, surf houses, bars, parking facilities, but also by the interaction between locals and foreigners who, especially in the summer, rent houses/hostels in Baleal or Ferrel.

Currently, Baleal Beach is a sacred place for surfers in Portugal and beyond, engaging in various activities such as paddleboarding, fishing, among others. Baleal has a unique characteristic that no other beach in the country has - the diversity, the various languages heard and spoken among surfers, whether they are from Brazil, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, the USA, Canada, among others. Along the Ferrel coastline, there are also larger and more suitable places for surfing, including Pico da Mota, Almagreira, Lagido, Prainha, Cantinho da Baía, and Cova da Alfarroba.

The Fort of Peniche, or Fortress of São Francisco, is a fortified structure with bastion-style architecture that served as a military stronghold and citadel for the town of Peniche, located at the southern tip of the District of Leiria, Portugal. Since 1938, it has been classified as a National Monument.

The fortress is situated on the southern slope of the Peniche Peninsula, overlooking the cliffs, positioned between the fishing port to the east and Furninha Cave to the west.

Currently, the fortress houses the Museum of Resistance and Freedom, which is part of the Portuguese Museum Network.

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The Castle of the Town: The ancient site of Ribeira d'Atouguia, at the mouth of the river, was one of the most important ports in medieval Portugal, serving as a privileged access point to central locations (Lisbon, Óbidos, Torres Vedras, Santarém, and Leiria) and being involved in significant episodes of Portuguese history.

Frequently targeted by corsairs, English, French, and Berbers, King Manuel I (1495-1521) tasked the Count of Atouguia with devising a defense plan for the coastline. Construction began in 1557, supervised by D. Luís de Ataíde, and the fortified structure was completed around 1570 during the reign of King Sebastian (1557-1578).

During the Philippine Regency, Peniche was the landing site for English soldiers sent by Elizabeth I of England, under the command of D. António Prior do Crato, in an unsuccessful attempt to restore independence (July 1589).

The fishing village was elevated to a town in 1609 after repairs to its walls.

The War of Restoration and Fortification: In the context of the War of Restoration of Independence, Count D. Jerónimo de Ataíde continued the fortification works, completed around 1645 under the guidance of French military engineer Nicolau de Langres and later Portuguese engineer João Tomaz Correia.

The fortification, along with Forte da Praia da Consolação and Forte de São João Baptista das Berlengas, formed an extensive defensive system. However, it proved ineffective during the Peninsular War (Napoleonic invasion of 1807 under Jean-Andoche Junot). The French occupied Peniche from late 1807 to August 1808.

Occupied by British troops under William Carr Beresford, the fort underwent improvements. Further enhancements occurred during the reign of Miguel I of Portugal (1828-1834), culminating in the expansion of the defensive perimeter.

In 1836, the stronghold faced two tragic events: a fire that completely destroyed the so-called Governor's Palace and an explosion of gunpowder stored in one of the arsenals.

As its defensive function diminished, Peniche Fort became a prison (during the Napoleonic Invasions) and later a political prison (during the Liberal Wars), serving both liberals and absolutists. It remained in military use until 1897.

From the 20th Century to the Present: At the beginning of the 20th century, it sheltered Boers who sought refuge in the Portuguese colony of Mozambique after the English victory in South Africa. During World War I (1914-1918), it housed detained Germans and Austrians. In the era of the Estado Novo (1930-1974), it became a high-security political prison in 1934, witnessing two famous and spectacular escapes.

In 1954, António Dias Lourenço, a Communist Party leader, escaped through a hole in his cell door, descending the fortress wall to the sea using a makeshift rope made of torn sheets.

In 1956, old military barracks were demolished, and three high-security prison blocks (Blocks A, B, and C) were constructed by common-law prisoners, renaming it Cadeia do Forte de Peniche.

On January 3, 1960, the memorable "Peniche escape" took place, led by Álvaro Cunhal and others, facilitated by a Republican Guard who immobilized a colleague responsible for prisoner surveillance.

On April 25, 1974, during the Carnation Revolution, the fort was a major target for revolutionary military actions. It later served as a shelter for returnees from former Portuguese overseas territories in Africa during the decolonization process.

At Quinta dos Loridos, you will find the largest oriental garden in Europe, the impressive Bacalhôa Buddha Eden.

With about 35 hectares, the garden was created in protest against the destruction of the Giant Buddhas of Bamyan, in what was one of the greatest acts of cultural barbarism, erasing masterpieces from the late period of Gandhara Art from memory.

Among Buddhas, pagodas, terracotta statues, and various sculptures carefully placed among the vegetation, it is estimated that more than 6,000 tons of marble and granite were used to build this monumental work. The central staircase is the focal point of the garden, where golden Buddhas warmly welcome visitors.

In the central lake, you can observe KOI fish and hand-painted dragon sculptures rising from the water. You will also have the opportunity to see about 600 hand-painted terracotta soldiers, each one unique, with some of them buried, just as they were 2,200 years ago.

The Berlengas Archipelago is a small archipelago situated on the Portuguese continental shelf, 5.7 miles from Cape Carvoeiro (Peniche). It consists of a group of small islands and coastal reefs distributed among three groups: Berlenga Island, the Estelas, and the Farilhões-Forcadas. The larger islands reach a height of about 90 m, but the remaining islets and rocks are of small dimensions, sometimes barely protruding the sea surface.

The Berlengas Archipelago presents a biological heritage of high conservation interest, both in terms of its terrestrial insular ecosystem that includes endemic plants, protected habitats, and the nesting of several threatened seabird species, as well as in the vulnerable surrounding marine ecosystem, one of the richest in Portuguese waters. The complex geomorphology of the islands and islets forming the archipelago is also unique. The presence and human influence throughout the ages are inseparable from the archipelago.

The importance of the Berlengas Archipelago as an insular ecosystem, the biological value of the surrounding marine area, the high botanical interest, the role of the island in terms of marine avifauna, and the presence of interesting archaeological and underwater heritage contributed to its classification as a Natural Reserve in September 1981.

The Quinta do Mosteiro is dedicated to leisure activities, emphasizing contact with nature through teaching horseback riding and promoting routes on horseback or in motorized vehicles such as the 4x4 Jeep, ATV, and Can-Am

Horse Riding

They are dedicated to teaching horseback riding, both at the competition level and as a physical activity. We have renovated facilities and all the necessary equipment to enjoy services such as:

• Riding lessons
• School activities
• Hippotherapy
• Horse boarding
• Horseback rides
• Carriage rides.

Routes

They offer routes in 4x4 Jeep and ATV, always accompanied by guides. If you choose the Jeep, it will be driven by a guide from Quinta do Mosteiro with years of experience in competition, but if you prefer to drive, opt for the ATV!

Discover some of the routes:

• Tours to rural areas and near the beach
• Tours to monuments such as the Viewpoint in Pena Seca, Paimogo Fort, and the Main Church of Castelo
• Tour and visit to the Caves of the Cooperative Winery of Lourinhã for brandy tasting"

Radical CAN-AM

For more radical experiences, opt for a route done in a CAN-AM. It is driven by our guide for you to enjoy the view at high speed!

Extreme 4z4

If you're looking for pure adrenaline, then you should try our Extreme Trial track, in a 4x4 equipped to overcome any obstacle. Bring comfortable clothes and get ready for an unforgettable experience!.

The São Domingos Dam is built on the bed of the São Domingos River, located about five kilometers from its mouth, in the parish of Atouguia da Baleia, municipality of Peniche, Leiria district.

It is the largest municipal property and also the only dam in the West region intended for public water supply.

It is an embankment dam with a clay core, with a length of approximately four kilometers and an average width of three hundred meters.

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Explore the hiking trail at the São Domingos Reservoir, offering a rejuvenating walk, picturesque views, and ideal picnic spots. Breathe in the fresh air, capture magical moments, and experience romantic sunset strolls by the dam. Conveniently located in Atouguia da Baleia, just a few kilometers from our Rural Hotel A Coutada.