How to Get to Berlenga Island from Lisbon and Peniche

The Berlenga Island lies about 12 km off the coast of Peniche and is the heart of the Berlengas Nature Reserve — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. If you’re in Lisbon and want to discover it, the good news is that it makes an excellent day trip. In this guide we explain, step by step, how to get to the Berlenga from Lisbon.

The route in summary: Lisbon → Peniche → Berlenga

There is no direct connection from Lisbon to the Berlenga. The journey is made in two simple stages:

• Lisbon to Peniche (by car or bus), about 90 km.
• Peniche to the Berlenga, by boat, from the Marina de Peniche.

From Lisbon to Peniche by car

This is the most practical option. Via the A8 motorway, it’s about 90 km and 1 hour to 1h20 of travel. In Peniche, there is parking near the marina area — at 2€ for 5 hours (with restricted access between 15 July and 10 August, at the peak of summer). Arrive early on the busiest days.

From Lisbon to Peniche by bus

If you prefer public transport, there are regular buses (Rede Expressos) between Lisbon (Sete Rios) and Peniche, taking approximately 1h30 to 2 hours. From the Peniche terminal to the Marina (Ribeira Velha), where you board, it’s a few minutes on foot or by taxi.

From Peniche to the Berlenga: the crossing

The boat crossing departs from the Marina de Peniche, at BerlengaTur’s stand 3, and takes about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the state of the sea. We recommend arriving at the stand 40 minutes before the boarding time. BerlengaTur operates regular crossings during the visiting season, with several packs that include cave tours and snorkelling.

And from Porto?

Those coming from the north also have an easy journey: from Porto to Peniche it’s about 200 km (A1 + A8), approximately 2h to 2h15 by car.

Don’t forget the BerlengaPass

Before travelling, it is mandatory to book the BerlengaPass, the Nature Reserve fee, which is not included in the boat ticket. The BerlengaPass costs 3€ per person aged 18–65, 1.50€ for ages 6–18 and over 65, and is free for children under 6 (who must still register). Daily places are limited, so book in advance.

Best time to visit

The visiting season typically runs from April to October. Summer is the busiest period — book the tour and the BerlengaPass in advance. May, June and September offer great weather with fewer crowds.

What to bring

Water, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable footwear and a camera. The island is a protected nature reserve — always respect the ICNF rules.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take from Lisbon to the Berlenga? Allow about 1h–1h30 from Lisbon to Peniche, plus 30–40 minutes by boat to the island.

Is there direct transport from Lisbon to the Berlenga? No. You always reach it via Peniche, from where the boat departs.

Can you go and return on the same day from Lisbon? Yes, it’s perfectly possible to do the Berlenga as a day trip from Lisbon.

Book your crossing to the Berlenga

Now you know how to get there — the most important part remains. BerlengaTur takes you from Peniche to the Berlenga with cave tours and snorkelling. See our packs and prices and book your trip in advance.