What's on in Peniche (Baleal), Portugal through the year

Busy — Christmas holidays in Portugal, school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Winter swell season (1 Oct – 31 Mar)

Busy — Carnival holidays in Portugal, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Winter swell season (1 Oct – 31 Mar)

Busy — Easter holidays in Portugal, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Winter swell season (1 Oct – 31 Mar)

Busy — Easter holidays in Portugal, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Opening

  Berlengas boat season

  1 May – 30 Sep · usuallySummer season opensBook early

  The nature reserve caps the island at 550 visitors at a time and the daily crossings only run through the summer, weather permitting. Book the pass and the boat together, and expect cancellations on a rough morning. Source ↗

• Season

  Nortada afternoons

  1 May – 30 SepWind seasonRisk

  The peninsula sticks far enough west that the summer north wind hits it hard from midday. Baleal and the north-facing beaches get chopped out; the south side under the wall stays sheltered.

Busy — Summer holidays in Portugal, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Berlengas boat season (1 May – 30 Sep (usually)), Nortada afternoons (1 May – 30 Sep)

Peak crowds — Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem, Summer holidays in Portugal

• Festival

  Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem

  28 Jul – 6 Aug · usuallyMajor festivalCrowded

  The fishing town's own festival, built around the only night-time sea procession in Portugal: twenty-odd lit and dressed trawlers, then the blessing of the fleet. A working-port occasion rather than a staged one. Source ↗

Still on: Berlengas boat season (1 May – 30 Sep (usually)), Nortada afternoons (1 May – 30 Sep)

Peak crowds — Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem, Summer holidays in Portugal

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Berlengas boat season (1 May – 30 Sep (usually)), Nortada afternoons (1 May – 30 Sep), Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem (28 Jul – 6 Aug (usually))

Busy — Summer holidays in Portugal, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Berlengas boat season (1 May – 30 Sep (usually)), Nortada afternoons (1 May – 30 Sep)

Busy — World tour surf event, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Season

  Winter swell season

  1 Oct – 31 MarSurf seasonRisk

  The Atlantic lows line up from October and Supertubos gets its heaviest days, with Nazare's canyon an hour up the coast on the same swells. Cold water and a full suit, and not a beginner's season.

• Festival

  World tour surf event

  22 Oct – 1 NovSurf seasonCrowdedBook early

  The championship tour stop at Supertubos runs on a waiting period rather than fixed days, so competition is called on the mornings the sandbank works. The town books out for the window either way. Source ↗

Busy — World tour surf event, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in November.

Still on: Winter swell season (1 Oct – 31 Mar), World tour surf event (22 Oct – 1 Nov)

Busy — Christmas holidays in Portugal, school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Winter swell season (1 Oct – 31 Mar)