Imagine a hidden paradise just off the coast of Portugal, where crystal-clear waters lap against rugged cliffs, rare seabirds soar overhead, and a lone lighthouse stands sentinel over a landscape untouched by time. Welcome to the Berlengas Islands, a natural wonder that feels worlds away from the bustling streets of Lisbon, yet is easily accessible for an unforgettable day trip. With its pristine beaches, fascinating marine life, and rich history, this archipelago offers a perfect escape for adventurers, nature lovers, and history buffs alike. Ready to discover Portugal’s best-kept secret?
The Berlengas archipelago is a small group of islands off the coast of the charming fishing village of Peniche in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a UNESCO World biosphere reserve and is a protected area. Most tours will only take you to Grand Berlenga where the fort sits facing Peniche. The São João Baptista fort was built in the 17th century to prevent against pirate attacks. Today, it is a beautiful place to enjoy nature and have a little adventure.
How to get to the Berlengas Islands
Of course the easiest way to get to Peniche is to drive. Peniche is about an hour north of Lisbon on the Silver Coast. However, if you have not rented a car, you can catch a bus to Peniche. The Rede Expressos run daily. Once you arrive in Peniche, you will need to get a ride out to the Peniche marina or take the 15 minute walk. There are taxis and Ubers available.
You can also opt to take a private tour from Lisbon that will pick you up and drive you to Peniche. It includes snorkel equipment and the boat trip to the island. This is a full day trip (about 10 hours or so) but your tour guide will be able to take you to places along the way and recommend places to stop and grab some snacks.
The Boat Ride
The only way to get to the islands is by boat. Your boat ride will depend on the touring company you choose. There are several and you can also book this trip through Get your Guide. We went with Feeling Berlenga. You leave from the Peniche harbor and motor out for about 45 minutes. I HIGHLY recommend that you book with a tour that has a large boat.
The ride is not long but the weather and waves are sometimes unpredictable. The coast of Peniche is known for its strong winds. The ride out goes against the waves and if you get sea sick easily, it can be a rough ride. We have taken a smaller boat out when the waves were “small” and vowed to never do it again.
What to Pack for the Berlengas Islands
What you pack really depends on what you plan to do while you are there. If you want to swim or snorkel, bring your bathing suit and gear. If you are on a snorkelling trip, they may provide you with the gear already. Bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water. Also, if you plan on hiking to/from the fort, bring good walking shoes. People do this hike in flip flops but I don’t recommend that. The hike is straight up and down. Hiking sticks may also be a great idea.
The trip is usually 4 hours so you might want to bring a snack. There is a cafe and restaurant on the island at the dock and there is a bar at the fort. The prices will be a little more expensive though. I would also recommend that you bring a jacket for the boat ride. Even in high season, the breezes off the ocean can get pretty chilly.
Tours and Excursions
We booked our tour with Get Your Guide who hooked us up with Feeling Berlenga. We also opted for the glass-bottom boat excursion and cave tour. The tide was high so we couldn’t go as far into the caves but it was worth the trip. The boat tour was only about 30 minutes and took us from the fort back to the main dock so that we did not have to hike back. The tour was in Portuguese and English.
The caves tour was very cool. We got to see the blue cave (although the tide was too high to enter very far) and we went through the cave that fishermen used to get from one side of the island to another. We also rode around elephant rock and got to see the fort from the water.
Private tours are available from many operators that will take you out in a smaller boat and explore the caves, island and do some snorkelling. These trips are usually done in smaller boats so just be aware if you suffer from sea-sickness.
What ever tour you choose, make sure you pay the fees for the Berlenga Nature Reserve (Reserva Natural das Berlengas). They will not let you on the island unless you can provide proof of payment. Your tour operator will let you know how to pay if it is not included in the fee.
What’s on Berlenga Island?
Berlenga Island is the main island and the only island with any buildings and that allows visitors. It is the largest island and in the summer months is a popular tourist destination. If you enjoy hiking, snorkelling, or birdwatching, this is the perfect place for you. The island has a restaurant, a beach, a fort, a few places to stay (including the 6 room hotel and fort) camping area, and a cafe.
Once you are dropped off at the main dock, you can do several things. If you have signed up for the caves tour, your guides will have told you when to arrive back at the dock. You can take a short walk over to the small beach and hang out until your tour OR you can hike up to the cafe and restaurant area for a drink or a bit of food. Prices are going to be high here. All supplies are shipped in daily and the island has little resources.
If you opted for the caves tour, they may tell you to meet them at the forte de São João Baptista instead. To get there, you have to hike about a mile to get to it. But don’t be fooled. The hike is straight up a slanted trail that is paved to the light house. The light house is currently closed to visitors right now.
Once you get to the lighthouse, you follow a dirt trial back down to the fort. There are 300 steps straight back down and a narrow bridge to cross once you get there. If you are doing this during the middle of the day, there is no shade. The ocean breeze is nice and cool but it is easy to get dehydrated on this trail. I would personally classify the trail as strenuous and if you are not used to climbing or steep inclines, don’t do it.
At the fort, there is a small museum and bar/lounge area with bathrooms available. It costs €2 to get in. We had a chance to drink a coke, go to the bathroom and catch our breath before our cave tour.
When we saw that our tour was only 4 hours, we thought that might not be enough time to explore the island. It turned out to be just the right amount. We were tired and ready to head back by the time the boat arrived to pick us up.
Want to Stay longer?
Berlengas does offer some options for overnight stays on the island. Just keep in mind that unless you are staying at the Mar e Sol Pavilion, you will need to bring all of your food and water with you. The cost for a double room a the Mar e Sol Pavilion is €75 a night but they only have 6 rooms. You can stay at the fort for €15 a night or camp in the parque for €8 a night per tent. Book in advance since there is limited availability at all of these places. If interested, contact the people at berlengas.org.
Want to hear more! We have a podcast on our trip out to the Berlengas! We tell you all about our fantastic day.
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Shelley is a full time traveler, blogger and podcaster currently living in Portugal with her wife, 2 dogs and a cat. She is a former history teacher originally from Winston-Salem, NC but wanted to see what life was like abroad. Now she travels all over Portugal and Europe writing about what she sees and does and tells you all kinds of fun stories on the podcast at Wandering Works for Us.