The coastline from Peniche to Nazaré is a place with perfect surfing conditions: the fresh winds blow in, the swells rise, the green and blue-hued oceans roll forming froth-top waves and super cylindrical curls. The spectacular cliffs soar above and the white sand beaches and coves seem to stretch endlessly.

This is the place to forget all your worries and stress. You can be at one with nature here or you can indulge in all the water sports that the magnificent ocean has to endow. Alternatively, soak up the culture, cuisine and history that the old town and surrounding area also bring to the table.

Peniche is truly a destination for the whole family. What may look on the tourist brochure like a hip, surfer-dude locale does indeed deliver some of the best surfing in the world. Home of the World Surf Championship Tour, this town has a worldwide “cool” ID for wave riders who come here to learn, perfect or compete in this liberating sport.

You do not need to be a surfer or surf groupie to feel the draw and power of these super-impressive waves and their brave conquerors. Neither watching nor competing in the Superturbos is for the faint-hearted.

However, Peniche, as with all well-rounded destinations, also offers a diversity of cultural and historic pleasures. The boldest surfer to the most inquisitive kid will be mesmerized by the ladies, young and old, who sit for hours and painstakingly create intricate lace by hand – the old-fashioned way. Your thoughts get lost, as they do with the pounding waves, by this meticulous, methodical art form.

Back to the great outdoors and a visit to the UNESCO heritage Berlengas Islands. A short ferry ride from the harbour transports you to the natural homes of thousands of beautiful seabirds. Whilst visiting the island, take the opportunity to visit spectacular grottoes explored only by small boats that pass through Furado Grande, a funnel-type rock formation.

Round off your days on the beach, on the many golf courses, sightseeing – whatever it is that you decide to do here – with a trip to the colourful historic town with its pretty fishermen’s cottages for a fantastic feast of local seafood. With plenty of traditional and trendy restaurants, there is no appetite that will go unsatisfied.