the Berlengas Islands: The Best Guide to Planning a Trip

Looking for the perfect half-day trip or a slower-paced day trip? The Berlengas Islands welcome you with activities and sights throughout the year. No matter when you go, it’s important to plan ahead when visiting this famous destination.

Your first step is to determine how long you’ll be on the island; depending on the time of year, hours of availability and activity options may vary. If you’re visiting during the off-season (not summer), a half-day trip from Lisbon is a way to go, but if you’re ready for adventure in the sun, a full day in summer might be better for you. 

Want to visit the Berlengas Islands?

Spend a day on Berlenga Grande, a scenic island in the Berlengas Nature Reserve, on this Berlenga Island Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon that has over 100 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews.

Keep in mind that although the Berlengas Islands include 3 separate islands and 985 hectares of marine reserve, only one island allows visitors.

The other islands are restricted to scientists associated with nature reserves. The main island, Grande Berlenga, only allows 350 visitors per day, as it’s only 1.5 km in size, so it is best to grab your tickets in advance rather than relying on same-day availability.

Berlengas Islands Fun Facts

• The main island is about 10km off the coast of Peniche, and the second island is 10 km behind it, though due to its height, it looks closer. 
• Berlenga Lighthouse was placed at the highest peak of the mountain so that ships would not run into it while trying to reach Peniche or Nazaré, and people still work in the Lighthouse to this day. 
• Lighthouse workers work in weekly increments, working during the night and living in isolation. 
• Previous residents of the Berlegnas islands include monks, pirates, and fishermen.

Top 3 Berlengas Islands Tours

1. Berlenga Grande Island Private Tour from Lisbon

⭐️Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏰Tour time: 9 hours |  🌊 Check rates and availability

Experience a day of unrivaled adventure on this Berlenga Island from Lisbon Private Tour. This journey combines the serenity of untouched natural landscapes with the thrill of exploration in the Berlengas Archipelago.

Departing from Lisbon, your full-day excursion will take you on a scenic trip to the island where you can chart your own path or choose to upgrade for a guided cave tour, snorkeling, or scuba diving.

Whether you prefer the peaceful quietude of walking the trails or the adrenaline rush of underwater exploration, this tour can be tailored to your preferences.

Round off your day with a relaxing journey back to your Lisbon hotel, but not before stopping off at Óbidos to take some photos in its beautiful walls full of history. This is the perfect Berlenga Island Day Trip from Lisbon where nature and adventure come together for an unforgettable day.

2. Berlenga Island Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon

⭐️Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏰Tour time: 8 hours |  🌊 Check rates and availability

Immerse yourself in the natural splendor of the Berlenga Grande Island on this Berlenga Island Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon. This journey encompasses scenic landscapes, historic landmarks, and unique aquatic experiences that make it a standout among Lisbon’s day trips.

Setting off from Lisbon, this small-group tour takes you to the charming fishing village of Peniche for your island-bound boat trip. Once you set foot on Berlenga Grande, be ready to delve into the island’s rich history as you visit St. John the Baptist Fort and stroll the UNESCO-listed pathways of the Berlengas Nature Reserve.

Next, the choice is yours. Opt to participate in a glass-bottom boat excursion through the island’s fascinating caves, or spend the rest of your day leisurely swimming, snorkeling, or unwinding on the beach. This is the ideal escape for those seeking both adventure and relaxation.

3. Berlengas The Atlantic Frontier: Day Tour from Lisbon

⭐️Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars | ⏰Tour time: 8 hours |  🌊 Check rates and availability

Embark on a full-day exploration of nature and history on this Berlengas The Atlantic Frontier: Day Tour from Lisbon.

Beginning your journey in Peniche, you’ll cruise towards Berlenga Island. Once on the island, you’ll switch to a smaller boat to approach St. John the Baptist Fort. As you marvel at the 17th-century fortifications, listen to captivating stories about the soldiers who valiantly protected it from a Spanish siege.

You’ll then take a leisurely stroll along the nature reserve’s paths, immersing yourself in the stunning vistas of this UNESCO Biosphere Heritage Site. The adventure continues at the island’s port, where you can enjoy lunch (not included) or you can opt for refreshing swim or snorkel (equipment provided).

Post-lunch, satisfy your thirst for adventure with an optional kayak ride around the island, or relax as you tour the island’s fascinating caves in a glass-bottom boat.

Wondering, how far is Berlenga Island from Lisbon? From Lisbon, the islands are approximately 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) away.

If you’re traveling from Porto, the distance is around 260 kilometers (about 161 miles). The journey to the islands by boat from Peniche can take between 20 and 45 minutes, depending on the boat type and sea conditions

📍MAP BERLENGAS ISLANDS

The Ride To Berlengas Islands

Wondering, how to get to Berlengas Portugal? The only way to reach the island, located approximately 10 km off the coast of Peniche, is by boat—either by taking the ferry to Berlengas islands Portugal or taking a tour.

Getting to Berlengas With A Tour

Some websites claim that it is 15 km off the coast, but this may be based on the route they take to the island. Most tourist companies depart from Peniche (like this Berlengas Peniche Catamaran tour), but depending on the time of the year, you might be able to book a ride from Nazaré. You can also book a group trip from Lisbon.

Aim to purchase your tickets at least a week in advance during peak season, as you don’t want to miss out on the chance to visit by checking same-day availability. 

If you decide to take advantage of the wonderful tour options that companies offer, don’t expect to know your schedule of events until you arrive at the main dock of the Berlengas Islands. You will be told what time each event will take place, where to go, and what time your boat will be going back to the mainland.

Make sure to note this order and the times the activities will be occurring. But if you do not remember, they should write this down in a way that, if you forget or have questions, you can ask any guide for assistance.

Getting to Berlengas On Your Own

To visit the Peniche Berlengas Islands on your own, you need to first head to Peniche. Once in Peniche, the next step is to take a boat to Berlenga Grande, the main island of the Berlengas archipelago.

There are various boat services operating between Peniche and the Ilhas Berlengas These services offer different types of boats with varying speeds and capacities, and the crossing usually takes between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on the boat and sea conditions.

The cost of the Berlengas boat trip varies depending on the operator, travel time, and any additional services like cave tours or snorkeling. Basic round-trip fares can range from around 15 to 30 Euros, with additional activities costing extra.

🌟 A quick tip: The speedboat is only a few euros more and totally worth it to save time (30 vs. 60 minutes).

🚤 Going by Yourself: Drive or take public transport to Peniche, which is about 100 km (62 mi) from Lisbon. From Peniche, catch a boat to the Berlengas Islands. The boat trip can take between 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the conditions and boat type.

💻 Booking a Tour: Various companies offer organized tours from Lisbon to the Berlengas Islands. These tours typically include transportation from Lisbon to Peniche and a boat trip to the islands. Some tours might also include guided activities like cave tours, snorkeling, or kayaking.

Faster boats may complete the journey in about 20 minutes under optimal conditions, while slower boats generally take about 45 minutes, offering a smoother ride. It’s important to note that sea conditions, such as wind and waves, can significantly affect the trip’s duration and comfort.

Berlengas Islands Activities

Start off your activity planning by figuring out what packages are included with your transportation. It’s convenient only having to book once rather than spend time on the island trying to reserve a spot somewhere. Keep in mind that while there will be plenty of water activities offered, the island is located off the Atlantic coast. The water will be very cold, so don’t count on having a traditional island beach day. 

Ready for some adventure in the Berlengas Islands? Outside of the pre-planned packages you can find, there’s plenty to explore on your own time.

Go to Forte de São João Baptista

Head on over to the Fort of São João Baptista das Berlengas, simply known as the Fort of the Berlengas, by walking up the hill from the docks. This stroll allows you to view both sides of the island as well as its native flora and fauna. The informational signs along the path provide helpful context to your surrounding environment, and you’ll find yourself referencing the facts throughout the day as you come across new things.

About halfway through the trail, you’ll notice a lighthouse; although you can’t go inside, take a minute to stop and read about its unique history. To protect the island’s ecosystem, stay on the designated path (rangers will remind you as well). 

Go on a walking tour

With this activity, you have the choice to take this adventure on your own or with a tour guide, depending on the company you choose to book your trip with. There are pros and cons to both options. The guides will share the information that is posted on the signs along the trail in more detail, as well as add additional details and stories about the island. It’s important to keep in mind that when booking these tours with travel companies, you might have to have patience with logistics.

Each of the walking tours is divided by what language you prefer the tour to be given in, and this can take some time to divide based on group sizes, the number of people who speak certain languages, and how many tour guides can speak those languages. This can feel disorganized, but it will only take a couple of minutes for them to figure out.

You also will not know the order of events until you arrive on the island. If your walking tour is the first thing on your agenda, you will start your walk at the dock and walk over the hill to the fort. If this is not the first thing on your agenda, then you might start from the opposite direction. If you don’t mind the extra five minutes of logistical planning at the beginning of your trip, consider booking a walking tour to get that personal touch.

Make sure to pack a couple of euros in your bag since you will have to pay a euro or two to enter the fortress. 

🥾 Hiking the Ilha Velha Trial

The Ilha Velha trail on Berlenga Grande features distinctive pink granite rocks. The area, known for its unique wildlife and plants, includes a special pink-flowered plant called Berlengas’ thrift, native only to this region. The trail also has a local lizard species, the Carbonell wall lizard. The vegetation is limited to grasses and shrubs due to strong winds and poor soil.

Visitors should stay on the path to protect the delicate environment and are reminded not to pick any plants.

Catch Some Sun on the Beach

Want to get some sun? Enjoy a short walk down to the beach, where you can put your towel in the sand and jump into the Atlantic ocean (if you’re brave enough for the cold!) Make your way to a cave entrance by the bridge that crosses the docks to the beach—you can get there by swimming or walking.

Explore the ocean with your snorkel, mask, and fins (rentable through various tour companies if you don’t already have them). Find the best spots to snorkel by entering near the fortress and swimming around the cliffs.

Take a Boat Tour

Want to take your adventure further? Many companies offer tour packages with the possibility of adding a boat ride in the Berlengas islands.

These boat rides allow you to experience the world-famous elephant rock during a cave tour. Your tour will either start at the main dock or at the bottom of the steps near the fortress. The entire tour lasts approximately 10-15 minutes. During this time, your tour guide will take you to the other side of the fortress to a gorgeous cave the boat can drive through and back around the elephant rock. It is a pretty fast tour, but the views are incredible, and there would be no other way to experience it. 

You can also opt to go dolphin watching. Although offered all year round, this activity is best for trips between June to September, as this will give you the best chance of seeing them. The tour guide will take you out on a boat tour around the Berlengas islands in order to observe the dolphins in their favorite spots.

Last but not least, you can hire a private boat to either take you around the Berlenga Portugal island and surrounding areas that are not restricted, or you can do a fishing tour with a guide.

Go Scuba Diving

If you are feeling extra adventurous, some companies also offer scuba diving tours. With this activity, you should be given a wetsuit and scuba diving equipment.

The Natural Reserve of the Berlengas Islands is a unique spot due to the transparency of the turquoise waters and the high concentration of different species. It is a marine reserve also nominated as a “Biosphere Reserve” by the European Council, and since 2011, it is protected as “World Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO.

⭐️ Please note that there might be other activities offered in the Berlengas islands is seasonally, so make sure to check out multiple options regarding activity packages depending on when you plan on visiting.

But don’t worry, the island warms up quickly as the day goes on. Other must-haves on the boat include motion sickness pills if you know your stomach won’t appreciate a bumpy ride.

Obviously, other things you should wear include sun protection, as well as swimming essentials like a quick-drying towel and a swimsuit.

Wondering what to pack for Portugal? Read 👉 Portugal Packing List: Everything You Need to Bring.

Food and drinks

There are not a ton of options for buying food and drinks on the island. Some websites say there is a small supermarket on the island, but you shouldn’t rely on it being open. There is also one restaurant near the main dock of the island as well if you do not feel like bringing lunch. But be warned that the restaurant can be closed, especially during the low season.

Bring your own food and drinks. Peniche has a rather large supermarket close to the docks. At the supermarket, you can get items for sandwiches, fruit, chips, and drinks easily for under 15 euros. If you do decide to have a picnic on the island, I would suggest the small cave by the beach. If you walk towards the beach, you’ll notice a small bridge about halfway down the path. If you take a right off the path before you cross the bridge, you’ll notice a small cave that you can sit in and have a picnic out of the sun. 

Should I go to the Berlengas Islands?

Is Berlengas worth it? Overall, if you happen to be in Portugal for 5 or more days, going to the Berlanga Portugal islands is worth the quick day trip. It can feel a little touristy, but it’s worth seeing.

Make sure you take lots of photos and do some research about the activities you are interested in. Finally, If you head over to the Berlengas, make sure to also stop at the medieval town of Óbidos, one of the most picturesque and well-preserved in Portugal. Óbidos is located about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Lisbon in Central Portugal and has a wonderful array of attractions in a very small footprint.