Porto das Barcas & Peralta
PORTO DAS BARCAS BEACH
Is a large sandy beach near the town of Lourinhã and about 15km south of Peniche. Within about an hour’s drive of Lisbon the beach here was once very popular.
The beach is backed by high cliffs for most of its length. These rocks are of some interest to palaeontologists with several fossils of dinosaurs being found here.
About halfway along the length of the beach the cliffs dip down and there is a car park and road leading down. This road runs along the back of the northern section of the beach, protected by boulders which have been placed in front of it. At the end of the road is the old fishing port which consists of a slipway and some run-down, whitewashed, old hotel buildings. It is also worth noting
the stone sculptures made by local artist Zé (ZenArtes) at this end of the beach.
Check out some old pictures
PERALTA BEACH
Is a long sandy beach that stretches for just over a kilometre before it joins with the Praia do Areal. Despite having a wild and remote feel to it Praia da Peralta is an accessible beach with good facilities. It is a popular spot for both surfing and fishing. Praia da Peralta is backed by imposing cliffs which run the length of the beach. These cliffs were the site of a significant archaeological find in 1982 when a local farmer discovered the bones of a new species of large carnivorous dinosaur here.
The species was named Lourinhanosaurus antunesi after the town of Lourinha and the eminent Portuguese palaeontologist Miguel Antunes. More recent history is commemorated here with a memorial to the galleon São Nicolau which was shipwrecked here in 1642 whilst under the command of General Tristão de Mendonça.
There are a few other recommendations:
Lourinhã | Sintra | Lisboa | Cascais | Mafra | Silver Coast
Additional information please reach out to us.
