Practical guide
Practical Guide to Peniche: everything you need to settle in
A guide for anyone new to Peniche — teachers, students, digital nomads, or anyone starting a new chapter in the city. Health, paperwork, shopping, transport and the essentials to feel at home.
Healthcare
Peniche has its own health centre; for more complex emergencies, the region's referral hospital is in Caldas da Rainha.
Peniche Health Centre
Primary care and patient registration. For up-to-date addresses and hours, check the ULS Oeste Norte website or call the SNS 24 line (808 24 24 24).
Pharmacies
Several pharmacies around the city centre. Each posts the on-duty (24h) pharmacy at its door, or check farmaciasdeservico.net.
Referral hospital
For hospital emergencies, the nearest hospital is in Caldas da Rainha, about a 30-minute drive away.
Paperwork & public services
For your tax number (NIF), fiscal address, social security or mail.
Peniche City Council (Câmara Municipal)
The starting point for local administrative matters, and in many cases a one-stop-shop style service.
CTT (Post Office)
For mail, parcels and registered letters. There's a CTT branch in the city centre.
Tax & Social Security offices
For your NIF, fiscal address and Social Security number. Many of these can already be handled online via the Finanças and Segurança Social Direta portals.
Banking & money
Opening a bank account is usually one of the first steps when moving to a new city.
Banks with a branch in Peniche
The main Portuguese banks (Millennium BCP, CGD, Santander, Novobanco, among others) have a branch in the city centre.
ATMs (Multibanco)
Cash machines around the centre and near supermarkets for everyday withdrawals and payments.
Everyday shopping
Everything you need is a short walk from the city centre.
Peniche Municipal Market
Fresh fruit, vegetables and fish — Peniche is a fishing town, well worth making the most of it.
Supermarkets
Continente and Pingo Doce both have a store in Peniche for your regular household shopping.
Local shops
Bakeries, grocers and cafés around the historic centre — a great way to get to know the city on foot.
Getting around
Peniche is a small, flat town — very easy to get around on foot or by bike.
Peniche Bus Terminal
Rede Expressos and Rodoviária do Oeste connect Peniche to Lisbon, Caldas da Rainha and other towns in the region.
Nearest train station
There's no rail line in Peniche — the nearest station is in Caldas da Rainha.
On foot and by bike
The city centre is compact and flat, ideal for getting around on foot or by bicycle day to day.
Leisure & social life
Peniche is internationally known for surfing — but there's much more to discover.
Beaches & surf
Gambôa Beach, Porto de Areia Sul and Supertubos, among others — some of the best waves in Europe.
Peniche Fortress
National Museum of Resistance and Freedom, with a history tied to the political prison of the Estado Novo regime.
Cafés & street life
The historic centre has cafés and terraces where you'll quickly get to meet new faces.
Still have questions about the city?
If you're looking for a place to stay in Peniche while you settle in, get in touch — we know the city well and can help point you in the right direction.