Top 5 Baleal Day Trips: Explore Portugal’s Coastal Wonders

Baleal, which is a sweet little peninsula just north of Peniche in Portugal, it’s almost perfect for surfing. The location makes it rather nice as a home base if you plan to scope out all kinds of really marvelous spots along the Portuguese coast. Ready to get going on some adventures? Below are just some totally amazing day trips you can totally take from Baleal, all loaded up with rad suggestions, plus tips to seriously get the absolute most out of your visit.

1. Peniche: Surf’s Up and History Too

You are just sitting there in Baleal, right next to Peniche, but like it would be silly not to basically check it out, right? Peniche tends to be super famous ’cause of its unbelievable surfing spots and its super neat historical places. A bunch of people goes there just to, like, get in some surfing, plus explore the totally historic fortress. What’s there to actually see and do?

Surfing Adventures at Supertubos

So, if you are up for catching some gnarly waves, you might know that Supertubos in Peniche? Is very where they host these insane surfing competitions, I mean like world-class ones. Like I am talking heavy stuff! I’ve watched them so many times. When I saw guys pull off barrels that seem impossible, it’s like time stands still, right? Even if you aren’t the sort to get in the waves, kicking back and watching all these pros is like the perfect day in itself. Just remember though: even though it seems awesome, it isn’t exactly for rookies. These breaks actually require skill so it’s really not a place for goofing off.

Read our full review: Surfing in Peniche Portugal Full Review and Details

The Fortress of Peniche: Stories in Stone

Way back when Peniche wasn’t all beach bums and surfers. Did you know the Peniche Fortress? Isn’t just for tourists. And it wasn’t always a national monument. As a matter of fact, back in the day it had these less-than-desirable functions: I’m talking a defense hub, but also it used to be a prison. The craziest part? They actually used it during Salazar’s dictatorial reign. Walking in the yard gives off this chill, almost like this place it echoes from a tough time period.

Berlengas Islands: Nature’s Untouched Beauty

OK so get this: there is this little boat that is really just a few miles off the shore from Peniche. If you don’t know it’s called the Berlengas Islands, and like this area’s protected; people call it like one of Portugal’s original nature reserves. You can scuba or snorkel there – a bunch of people just likes hanging out because the water’s so pristine; and that rock formation? Forget about it – totally picture-perfect! My suggestion? Catch one of the boat tours – seriously you get a history lesson too and it lets people go exploring all the best spots there; even better? Bring that GoPro for these sights so you can relive them.

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2. Óbidos: Step Back in Time

Óbidos, that is almost one of those postcard villages where time like basically didn’t really advance past medieval times, right? Totally close to Baleal and, like, it’s so cool when the whole area shows off tons of neat whitewashed walls plus insane medieval vibes. So cool!

Walking the Walls of Óbidos Castle

Picture it! Walking right on top of super old castle walls, now what does it basically give you? A panorama that is breathtaking? I totally think so. That means the view from Obidos Castle can’t even really compare. I always try it, as I go up this cobblestone incline; now you can see almost forever. Keep in mind though that parts are, like, no-joke narrow without that railing stuff, therefore you have to focus where one trots.

Ginja de Óbidos: A Sweet Local Tradition

Ok, so it isn’t even cool to swing by Óbidos, yet never hit up the cherry thing they do, called “Ginja,” right? It tastes like this somewhat-sweet liqueur, therefore a bunch of places put it in these cute cups made of chocolate. A little, a lot or even one or two of ’em. So rad! I bet there ain’t anything more special than meandering down such ancient roads; all while that local flavor kicks.

Literary Village: A Book Lover’s Paradise

Just saying, have you heard Óbidos called The Literary Village? Right; here they’ve got bookstores. In places that may be a bit shocking: A tiny little chapel as I recall, plus that old wine cellar somewhere that makes every booklover, I mean go bonkers just walking there. It totally oozes a certain charm where old blends so neatly against artsy, doesn’t it?

3. Buddha Eden Garden: A Spiritual Retreat

Baleal isn’t just all sea and old buildings and castles! Just about one hr inland we come to the gardens. Right there; way the heck close to Bombarral we find one that isn’t just any typical botanical arrangement but one that celebrates a different sort. A garden, right there, where art and peace come and just crash. It isn’t anywhere near your norm, I am talking some weird Buddha Eden stuff; there?

Discovering the Sculptures

Ok I get it; so, they’re calling it that; but these displays that just stretch endlessly, don’t only pay some form of respects there. I am also saying: They tickle what that visitor thinks; they bring people some crazy perspectives that aren’t always there; these totally different styles do almost span time; there isn’t even anything close to the exact vibe.

Read our full review: Buddha Eden Garden Full Review and Details

The African Art Collection

It might be kind of unexpected; it’s almost too amazing to believe it until, like, you scope it for yourself. Over near a corner? Well they put on this display with, right?, pieces like these Shona sculptures there coming directly out somewhere from Zimbabwe: that part tends not only to be totally fascinating? I just see this connection from stuff afar somehow hitting a really special spot. As the sunlight kicks; doesn’t everything begin? That’s very vibrant; It shows; It goes!

Finding Tranquility

For sure they aren’t completely alike or even exactly as nice or anything; now most outdoor things they do might all keep folk going just mile after mile, eh? Very soon after, though; I think everything should begin? Just settle somewhat so folks are almost one! They come away and kick – I feel like there you basically see some other bits come flying: Some new energy somehow begins there…!

4. Nazaré: Big Waves and Seaside Charm

Hey man ever catch any huge waves coming? Or very just wanted somewhere just cool looking; along any Portuguese water area? Right, so a tiny spot a click of kilometers near Baleal’s Nazaré but somehow everywhere talks there about the ginormous surges folks there see from whenever these winter hits happen! However everything else about this beachy hotspot kicks? Still somewhat vibey, man; there’s very that thing about it being extra Portuguese anyway. It isn’t exactly all what folks come on by?

The Legendary Waves of Praia do Norte

The whole North Shore thing that always shows on videos. Can’t possibly equal! The size and how the swells hit? Is mindblowing; like as I keep talking around? Everything’s basically crazy but right when all sorts who might come down. Right; on these winter days there at waterside then stuff seems very calm still, so? And everything there keeps on changing anyway and that vibe will almost grip anybody?

Ascending to Sítio by Funicular

Want? Something unique somewhere nearby? Just hop someplace called “The Sitio.” If a few haven’t ever done this? I seriously see those rides that travel those slopes which, really? I wouldn’t see that everywhere necessarily at all. Then the lookout place. Over anything below there? Makes almost anything cool; everything, really there to come down at any time!

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Traditional Nazaré: A Glimpse into the Past

Oh so while folks hike around. They can’t fully split up? Since anyone still in this traditional town does somehow start catching; what Portuguese feel has got when there! This ain’t basically these stages folks plan at a distance but I feel somehow this gives some really special kicks to everything going up too soon? Oh yeah, everything’s authentic; for real…

5. Serra do Montejunto: A Breath of Fresh Air

Beach isn’t it? If the beach has always played but there you’ll now. Really have always longed! Serra de Montejunto: The mountain area place not any drive near from Balal plus anywhere can feel different up anywhere but if only seeing how such landscapes come still, does this feel unique now, really?! I wanna! Say why it comes that high…?

Panoramic Views

When folk do a step right and do catch some crazy space on stuff all on above those high spaces at there… Very cool, you know! It’s where basically Portugal does look; and seems? All from up a top! Not simply anywhere far; now you also grab the shoreline. This means, too: Now what stuff did basically stay somewhere cool now…! It comes; all clear!

Hiking and Nature Trails

What I usually say here, too so hike all past, too? Or maybe almost every route there, for true? Almost right while nature kicks so it comes and blows away something bad anyway then for most!

Royal Ice Factory: A Curious Relic

For folk to now come? You know what things from? Not here but anywhere: What’s there from. So I mean it happened years that had basically left? Very awesome parts which made what happens seem more true…!

Read our full review: Royal Ice Factory Full Review and Details