Workation in Peniche, Portugal – Europe's Wave Capital
Visit the hippie town favored by the global surf elite, and watch the sun set dramatically over Berlenga island from your private hot tub.
Introducing Peniche, a former fishing village, nestled in between two bays on Portugal's Silver Coast. Home to Supertubos, a wave favored by international world-class surfers, this place has become the epitome of the surfer lifestyle. Pros and beginners come for the waves and stay for the laidback vibes, conveniently just an hour's drive up north from Lisbon.
The Surfer's Lodge, or "the lodge" to the locals, is a Scandinavian-style boutique hotel with a rooftop pool, hot tub, yoga room, surf school, and restaurant. All this is coupled with a curated selection of rooms, each with surf-style touches and vintage surf photos to give you the beach life 24/7.
Choose between a suite with a free-standing bathtub or one with a side room for extra space – either way, you'll have your own private balcony. All of the rooms come with beautiful textiles and direct access to the famous rooftop terrace that has seen its fair share of music nights, outdoor cinema events, and textile markets.
While the architecture might not rival more famous beach resorts, the lifestyle on display most certainly can. Start the day with a sunrise walk on the northern beaches, checking for waves or enjoying a perfectly lit moment of dramatic solitude.
After the sunrise wave check, head back for the opulent breakfast at the Surfers Lodge Peniche restaurant – a favorite hang of pro surfers and families. The famous Pasteis de Nata, a custard tart, is a must while enjoying the cozy couches.
If you need some privacy to get your head stuck into work, find solace on your private balcony, in the downstairs meeting room, or at one of the restaurant's tables. All come with a perfect zoom background and plenty of peace and quiet.
For lunch, there's three beach bars and restaurants surrounding Baleal island. An Origin favorite is:
Tabernha do Ganhao, featuring the best braised octopus you'll ever eat. It's caught daily each morning, at low tide by local fishermen, and delivered fresh to your table.
Both Peniche and nearby Baleal island boast an unbelievable amount of great food experiences. Along with the octopus at Tabernha do Ganhao that should be on everybody's bucket list, there's also:
Tasca da Joel, for when you want to swap sandy beachwear for a clean shirt, closed shoes, and incredible Portuguese food.
Sushi Fish Baleal, for kimchi tuna tartar and sashimi to rival any city favorite.
Kirana Café, for when you want a health-boosting smoothie, salad, or vegan cake, served with a yoga picnic on the beach. They also happen to offer the best coffee in town.
Funky Donkey Pizza, located in the neighboring village, Ferrel, is conveniently right opposite a churros truck for desert – both highly recommended after a long surf day.
Aside from big wave surfing, there's also skateboarding along the promenade of Santa Cruz, fishing with the old Penichians, horse-riding on the beach, or a golf or boat trip to romantic Berlenga island – meaning the options in this small village can keep you busy for months.
Want to know how surfboards are made, or maybe custom build one for yourself? Join Nico from Wavegliders, Billy from Foil Surfboards, or José from Yoni Surfboards on a day's work shaping magic carpets.
Join longboard dancer, and founder of Portugal Longboarding, Valeriya, for a dance on a skateboard. Whether you're 5 or 50, this will definitely boost your balance and your smile.
Hop on a boat at the old Peniche harbor, and take the 30-minute journey to this fairytale of an island that's perfect for a snorkeling adventure.
Katharina Kiéck
Having dreamt of becoming a race car driver, Katharina studied to be an anthropologist, worked as a futurist, and tried brand strategy at Twitter before founding her own media production company. When she's not traveling or surfing herself, she's organizing network and surf experiences for people working in tech. Constantly on the move, her Achilles heel is cinnamon buns.