IF YOU love Portugal but don’t love all the British crowds, then you can instead head to the Berlenga Islands.
Located off the coast of Peniche, a seaside town in the Oeste region, lies a Portuguese archipelago consisting of three islands, Berlenga Grande, Estelas and Farilhões-Forcado.
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The three islands were recognised as a Biosphere Reserve back in 2011, with visitors only allowed on one of the islands.
Only 550 visitors per day can visit the island when it’s open to the public from March to October.
This limit was imposed back in 2020 by local authorities in a bid to help preserve the natural habitat.
Arguably, the best way to explore Berlenga Grande is via one of its walking trails.
One trail starts from the pier and runs for 1.5km passing local fishing spots and viewpoints.
Berlenga Grande has two main buildings, Farol da Berlenga and Forte de São João Baptista.
Visitors can also explore Berlenga Grande on a boat ride where they can visit beach caves and hidden coves.
Carreiro do Mosteiro Beach is another popular spot with holidaymakers.
The beach has a small stretch of sand and crystal-clear waters that are good for swimming and fishing.
When the island is open throughout the summer season, there are several accommodation options on the island.
One of those is The Bairro dos Pescadores a serviced accommodation provide that’s home to the only restaurant on the island.
There’s also Forte de São João Baptista – a 17th century fort that was built to help ward off any invaders.
Nowadays, it’s one of the island’s most well-known landmarks and actually functions as an overnight accommodation option.
Guests can sleep in an old cell – although they’ll need to bring basic provisions like bed linen.
Overnight visitors can also camp on the island, with stays booked through the Peniche Tourist Office – although spaces are limited.
When the island reopens in March, visitors can board a seasonal ferry from Peniche to the harbour on Berlenga Grande.
Holidaymakers can also book in a guided boat tour of the island too.
Peniche is a 70-minute drive from Lisbon where direct flights operate from the UK.
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Portugal is home to plenty of other little-known islands.
One of those is Ilha da Culatra, which is home to just a few hundred people but has empty beaches and clean waters.
Tourists will land at a small village with bungalows and cafes but don’t expect any roads, so most will be explored by foot.
The white sandy beach is found on the southern part of the island, which is less than a mile by the boardwalk.
It’s a Blue Flag beach with loungers and umbrellas you can rent, as well as a beach bar.
What’s it like to visit Berlenga Grande?
TRAVEL writer and author Edwina Pitcher has revealed her favourite family-friendly adventures in her book, Wild Guide Portugal: Hidden Places, Great Adventures and the Good Life.
Unsurprisingly, the Berlenga Islands are one place Edwina has visited, here’s an extract from her book.
“A short boat ride from the Peniche coast just north of Lisbon, are the enigmatic islands of Berlengas.
“This is an adventure for those who want to see a really wild island.
“Berlenga is a riotous world of pink rock and green grass sloping down to blue sea with hundreds of seagulls wheeling and cawing overhead.
“Venture 2km to a mysterious 16th-century fortress, reached by a zig-zagging bridge over rocks or by a short swim.
“There are a couple of beautiful small beaches and caves with silvery fishes that can be reached by swimming, paddle-boarding or kayaking. Boats leave three times a day from Peniche harbour.”
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