While driving towards Lisbon, we saw on the GPS a huge green square right in the ocean. Back then I did not have much experience with travel so I thought, quite childishly that there must be a protected island or something like in Jurassic Park. 

Well not quite, it is Ocean and there is an island. But the whole area is just a natural reserve. 

We thought about visiting the island (since it has a very beautiful fort, really a must-see) but when we saw two boats coming back from there, I felt like I don't really have the stomach for it (now). 

Peniche has two things that make it great. 

One you see it as you pass through the city itself: huge sand dunes. Sadly we did not made pictures of it because the traffic was full and we found no place to stop. So we continued and we thought it will be like that much further. Well, it wasn't. 

Second, is the Berlengas Natural Reserve (island) which houses one iconic fort. That one if the weather is great, you can make a wonderful picture, even if it is crowded. (I personally visited multiple islands in the Atlantic but the smaller the boat was, the worst I felt. So when I saw that there are no trees to make some shade I felt like I don't wish to feel sick and have the sun also aggravate it). This fort, Nazare and Sintra are the reason why I would like to return to Portugal, in this region.

 I really wish to stay a night at Peniche and get in the morning to see the dolphins, the caves and the Fort. And hope I can return closer to the sunset.

Just like with Nazare, we think that a trip to Peniche must be planned way in advance and perhaps book a tour online. 

Thank you for watching this article and hope you visit another one also,

MiDe.