Peniche, Portugal

PENICHE, impressively enclosed by ramparts, is one of Portugal's most active fishing ports. As late as the fifteenth century the town was an island but the area has silted up and is now joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus, with gently sloping beaches on either side. Unsightly development stretches along the coast, but inside the walled town there is a small grid of narrow streets dominated by the fortress, and a busy harbour and marina – Peniche is the embarkation point for the Ilha da Berlenga – while there's an enjoyable regional market held on the last Thursday of the month.