Peniche was originally an island and was only joined to the mainland in the 16th century when a sand spit formed linking the two. Today it's a peninsular with 15 kilometres of rocky coastline jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean.
It is an important fishing port and a major supplier of crayfish, sardines and tuna to Portugal. Today it's famous for its lace made locally (you can see it being made at the two lace-making schools) and for its fish restaurants serving some of the best seafood dishes around. It's a lively resort with plenty of bars, cafes and restaurants.
Peniche is also one of the most famous surfing resorts in Portugal with its coastline all around the peninsular you can always find a great surfing spot suitable for all ranging from beginner to expert level. It has the most consistent swell in Europe and is famed for its "Supertubos", very fast and powerful (tubular) waves, on the south side of the peninsular. Scuba diving, kitesurfing and windsurfing are also popular and there are a wide range of surf camps and schools that offer lessons and courses for all skill levels.
Baleal beach is another popular surfing location, a small island 4 kilometres to the north east of Peniche connected to mainland by a causeway. It is a very popular, laid back place with a string of surf schools where you can hire boards and wetsuits or book lessons, and restaurants dotted along the sandy beach.
The long stretches of sand around Peniche and to the north and south of them are all excellent beaches, the majority of which have Blue Flag status. Sao Bernardino, Consolacao, Medao-Supertubos, Cova de Alfarroba, Gamba and Baleal Norte are all also Blue Flag beaches but with no disabled access although they do have toilets, parking, bars and restaurants nearby and often sun loungers or sunshades for hire. Baleal Sud is also a Blue Flag beaches that has disabled access.
Peniche's town is fortified with walls and a moat dominated by its impressive 16th century fortress that was built to head off invaders at the narrow entrance to the peninsula.