Ultimate Travel Guide to Nazaré: Top Attractions and Things to Do
Made popular in recent years by the “100 Foot Wave” Netflix Documentary, Nazaré is a Portuguese town and municipality located in the Oeste region, in the historical province of Estremadura, and in the Leiria District.
Now mostly known for its incredible surfing (even boasting a new surf museum), this little beach town has much more to offer and Nazaré tourism has grown considerably in recent years.
Whether you visit Nazaré as a day trip from Lisbon, pass through enroute North, or spend several days here, you won’t regret it.
Here you will find:
When Is the Best Time to Visit
I have been to Nazaré in the winter (February) and the summer (July) and had two VERY different experiences, but also had two very different goals.
I took a day trip in February hoping to catch some waves (okay, views of people actually catching waves) and spent four days in the town in early July to enjoy the beach. I stayed here for 3 nights ($210) and loved the location and space.
The “best” time to visit will greatly depend on what you want to get out of your visit.
🏄♂️Big Wave Season (October to March)
For Surfing Enthusiasts and Spectators: If you're interested in witnessing or surfing the massive waves that Nazaré is famous for, the best time to visit is during the big wave season, typically from late October to early March. The waves can reach heights of 30 meters (100 feet) or more, especially around Praia do Norte, attracting some of the world's top surfers.
Weather: Keep in mind that the weather during this period can be cooler and more unpredictable, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 18°C (50°F to 64°F). The town is quieter during this time, offering a more relaxed experience.
☀️Summer (June to September)
For Beach Lovers and Families: If you prefer a more traditional beach holiday with calmer waters, warm weather, and plenty of sunshine, the best time to visit Nazaré is during the summer months. The beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying water sports, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C (68°F to 86°F).
Festivals and Events: Summer is also the time for local festivals, music, and cultural events, making it a lively period to experience the town's vibrant atmosphere.
Crowds: Be prepared for larger crowds, especially in July and August, as Nazaré is a popular destination for both Portuguese and international tourists.
⚖️Shoulder Seasons (April to June, September to October)
For Mild Weather and Fewer Crowds: The shoulder seasons offer a balance between good weather and fewer tourists. The temperatures are pleasant, ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), making it ideal for outdoor activities, exploring the town, and enjoying the scenic views without the summer crowds.
How to Get to Nazaré
Just about 1.5 hours from Lisbon, Nazaré is easily reached by car or bus pretty quickly.
My preferred transportation is the bus.
Why? It is very affordable (tickets as low as 5€ OW), the schedules offer a lot of options, I can avoid parking, the buses have WiFi and a bathroom and are overall pretty comfortable.
🚌From Lisbon, there are two bus providers Rede Expressos and Flixbus.
FlixBus operates out of Lisboa-Oriente terminal, which is further outside the city center (this is a great option if coming from the airport).
Rede Express operates out of Lisboa-Sete Rios, and with a limited schedule out of Oriente terminal. Tickets via Rede Expressos tend to be slightly less expensive than Flixbus, with more bus options from Sete Rios terminal.
I have utilized both services and they have been comparable. Flixbus has a newer overall fleet, and Rede Expressos has numerous new buses. One added advantage of booking with Flixbus is free cancelation (for a credit). All Rede Expressos tickets are non-refundable.
🚗Driving is also a quick and easy way to get from Lisbon to Nazaré. It is about a 90 minute drive depending on where you are starting from and traffic. It is a pretty straight forward drive, but does require taking toll roads, which will cost between €4.85 and €7.05 for a return trip, depending on the route taken. Parking is available, but can be limited.
Nazaré is very much a walking beach town, so a car is not needed while in town.
🚐Other options for visiting to Nazaré is by private driver or tour. These will vary greatly in price and package (and may include other towns or cities like Obidos). Options are available via booking platforms like Viator, Get Your Guide, and Airbnb Experiences.
You can also find local tours and experiences (like surf lessons) on these platforms.
What to Do in Nazaré
What you do in Nazaré will vary based on when you visit. You are unlikely to have much beach time in January, but are not likely to see big wave surfers in June.
Regardless of when you visit, Nazaré has some sites that aren’t to be missed.
Beaches
Nazaré is world-famous for its stunning beaches and record-breaking waves, making it a ideal for surfers and beach lovers alike (I am the latter). Whether you are visiting in the winter to watch the big wave surfers, enjoy some chill beach time, or just take in views of the stunning coastline, the beaches will be a part of any trip to this beach town.
Praia da Nazaré
With calmer waters, an expansive sandy beach, lovely promenade and lined with cafes, restaurants, shops, and bars Nazaré Beach is perfect for amateur surfers (or newbies taking lessons), beachgoers, families and taking in stunning sunrises and sunsets.
While the water is beautiful and inviting, it is not the warm waters of the Caribbean or Mediterranean, reaching around 64°F / 18°C in July and it’s warmest in September at around 67°F / 19°C.
Praia do Norte
Though just on the other side of Praia da Nazare, Praia do Norte is not recommend for casual swimmers or beach goers due to the powerful waves and strong currents. Praia do Norte is renowned for its gigantic waves, some of the largest in the world. It’s a hotspot for big-wave surfers and has been the site of numerous world records, including the largest wave ever surfed (as featured in “100 Foot Wave”).
Here you will find experienced surfers, who you can watch from the beach. The best views of Praia da Norte can be seen from Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo and surrounding area.
Praia do Salgado
While I planned to go to Praia do Salgado on my last trip to Nazaré, I haven’t made it there just yet. This beach is about a 15 minute drive from Praia Nazare, and it is a quieter and more relaxed option. Surrounded by cliffs and dunes, Praia do Salgado is wrapped in stunning natural views.
Nazaré Funicular
Inaugurated in 1889, the Nazaré Funicular connects the two communities of Nazaré -- the one down in the center by the beach, and the one up on a cliff, in Sítio. It departs every 15 minutes, and offers a panoramic view along the way. It travels up 318 meters (1042 feet), and is used by tourists and locals.
🗺️R. do Elevador 9, 2450-200 Nazaré, Portugal (bottom)
🗺️R. do Horizonte 20, 2450-065 Nazaré, Portugal (top)
🕰️Daily 7:15a-midnight, running every 15 minutes
💶OW ticket €2.50, RT €4.0. 6 day tickets are available for €10.00 (payment accepted by cash or card)
The Nazaré Funicular is a great way to save your legs from the climb up to Sítio, where you will find many of the main attractions, such as Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré and Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo, as well as stunning views and many bars, restaurants, and food trucks.
🚾There is a free restroom in the station at the top of the funicular. There are no free public restrooms past here (that I found) so I recommend using it before heading off to explore Sítio.
⭐For a bit of the best of both worlds: I highly recommend taking the funicular up and walking back down to get a different vantage point, and to take a swing on the Ladeira panoramic swing.
At the top of the Funicular, you will reach the neighborhood of Sitio, which is where you will find the majority of the attractions in Nazaré.
Sitio de Nazaré
Rising above the fishing village of Nazarè, this rocky promontory is best known for providing grandstand views of professional surfers riding monster waves that crash onto Norte Beach. A 16th-century fort now houses an oceanic museum and an exhibition of surfboards.
In Sitio, you will find:
Mirador del Suberco
Almost immediately after exiting the funicular, or reaching the top of the stairs, you will be at Mirador del Suberco which offers sweeping views of city and coastline below. Here you will also find vendors, shops, and snack and drink carts.
Be sure to stop here, and pop in to Memória Chapel to take some photos before heading toward Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo.
Memória Chapel
According to the legend, Memory Hermitage was built by the order of the knight Dom Fuas Roupinho in 1182 after Our Lady of Nazaré saved him from falling off the cliff when he was following a deer on a horse.
🗺️R. 25 de Abril 17, 2450-065 Nazaré, Portugal
💶Free
On the edge of the Mirador, you will see the Chapel of Our Lady of Nazaré. This tiny chapel is packed with history and religious significance but is also stunning. The interior tiles had me awestruck and stepping inside truly felt like being hugged by history. Entry is free, and only takes a minute or two to visit, so make sure to pop inside while taking in all the views.
Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo
The Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo is situated in Nazaré, Oeste region of Portugal. It was first constructed in 1577 but has undergone remodeling and expansion on several occasions since then. The fort is a popular tourist site, particularly because of its proximity to a surfing area famous for the height of its waves.
-Wikipedia-
If you are a fan of the “100 Foot Wave” or have seen or read anything about it, Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo will look very familiar. This is where you get the best views of Praia Norte and those huge waves. You can visit the outside and surrounding area of the converted fort for free, but to get to the roof and lighthouse, you will need to pay the entrance to the museum.
⭐The walk from the funicular to the fort is about 15-20 minutes, and on a low but steady incline. The walk can be especially difficult with high wind and rain, as I learned on my day trip in February.
You will also find food trucks and T-shirt vendors between the miradouro and entry to the Fort. There is a 🚾at the T-shirt shop just before the walkway to the fort and will cost 1€ to use.
Surf Museum
🗺️Estr. do Farol 2450, Nazaré, Portugal
💶€2
🕰️Daily 10a-6p
The surf museum was a pleasant surprise on my day trip to Nazare, as I didn’t know it existed (I clearly did a lot of research). It is small, but beautifully curated and packed with information and history of the sport. Entry to the museum also gives access to the roof and lighthouse, as well as a bathroom, and refuge from the pouring rain and wind if you happen to pick a terrible weather day to visit. I did not visit on my trip in July as I had already been inside but have heard it gets quite crowded due to being a small space.
Nossa Senhora da Nazaré Sanctuary
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré is an imposing Marian shrine that memorializes an ancient miracle that occurred under the intercession of the Virgin Mary. It is located on the hilltop called O Sítio, overlooking Nazaré, in Portugal, and was founded in the 14th century.
🗺️Largo de Nossa Sra. da Nazaré, 2450-065 Nazaré, Portugal
🕰️Sun-Fri 2p-7p, Sat 2p-8p
💶free to enter, 1€ to ascend the alter
I planned to go in to The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré as when I reached Sitio, but it wasn’t open yet, so I went on my way back down. I ended up spending a good chunk of time in this stunning and ornate site in part because it was pouring rain, but mostly because it was so stunning. The Azulejo tiles in this sanctuary are some of the most impressive I have seen in Portugal.
It is absolutely worth the 1€ to extend your visit.
Pederneira is a former village in Portugal, and currently part of the larger city of Nazaré, Portugal on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.
If you are up for a bit of a walk, or a short taxi ride, head up to Miradouro da Pederneira to take in stunning views from a different vantage point. While there, stop into the historic Church of Mercy of Pederneira. This area, still relatively untouched by tourists and holding a lot of old Portuguese charm, is well worth a walk around to take in all the architecture and old world feel.
Miradouro da Pederneira
🗺️R. do Mirante 5, 2450-060 Nazaré, Portugal
This view. Well worth the climb to get to (thought also accessible by drive or taxi). I lucked out and the weather cleared up as I got to Miradouro da Pederneira and the views were sweeping and stunning.
As an added bonus, Church of Mercy of Pederneira is located at the miradouro and open for visitors.
Church of Mercy of Pederneira
Its one-nave inside, without major chapel and housing a modern roof, is adorned with different fabrics from the 17th and 18th centuries, standing out the Roses’s Miracle. A polychromed tiles panel dating back to the 17th century, where Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia is depicted, stands above the entrance door.
The golden Baroque carving major altar shows a graceful image of the Lord of Passion, to whom people is quite devoted. This is celebrated three weeks after Carnival. Below this image, there is a box-in-glass altar harbouring an image of the dead Christ.
The miradouro was my destination, but the chapel was certainly a bonus. It is far less ornate than most churches, chapels and cathedrals in Portugal, but that is what I liked most about it. The wood floors and ceiling felt like taking a step back in time and held a beauty of their own.
Where to Eat
There are some amazing Portuguese restaurants and tabernas in Nazare, as well as a surprising international food scene (from Indian to Italian to Thai), and many touristic casual and fine dining restaurants. I stayed very casual and brunch focused on my visits, and opted for grocery store grab-and-go or pizza on the beach for a few meals.
These were some of my favorite places to eat:
Sabor'art Café
🗺️rua Sub-Vila n°20, Nazaré, Portugal
🕰️Sun & Wed 9a-4:30p, Mon & Thurs-Sat 9a-7:30p, Tues - closed
💶€–€€
🥬Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly
🏳️🌈LGBTQ+ Friendly
If I have limited time somewhere, I very rarely go to the came place more than once, but I loved Sabor'art Café so much that I went three times. I actually went the first time on the day trip I took in February, and accidentally went back when I returned in July (not realizing it was the same place when I Googled “brunch in Nazare”). The service is friendly and warm, the menu is expansive and features full vegan and non-vegan menus. The food from both menus is delicious and fresh and all at a great price point.
Brunch M&M
🗺️Edifício Solmar, Av. Manuel Remígio Loja 8, 2450-106 Nazaré, Portugal
🕰️Daily 9a-7p
💶€–€€
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
A short walk down the promenade, and a bit tucked away, Brunch M&M was a slightly-hidden gem. There was a great brunch, and lunch, menu and the space is modern but warm and welcoming. The restaurant is on a side street with some outdoor seating, that we appreciated is quiet and not on a busy street.
Village Brunch & Coffee
🗺️Praça Sousa Oliveira N°25, 2450-159 Nazaré, Portugal
🕰️Daily 10a-2p
💶€-€€
🥬Vegetarian friendly (though they may forget the “no bacon” …)
I almost skipped out on Village because it looked “too touristy”, but it ended up being a great place to grab brunch and sit and read a book for a while when I had some time to kill after checking out of my accommodation. The space is a combination of indoor and outdoor seating and I was pleasantly surprised by how cozy-chic the inside was. My only regret is not going when I had company with me because the shared brunch board looked amazing.
Mr. Pizza
🗺️R. Mouzinho de Albuquerque, 2450-256 Nazaré, Portugal
🕰️Daly noon-11p
💶€
🥬Vegetarian Friendly
Yes, I know you “didn’t come to Portugal to eat pizza”.
As a NY’er, if I am shouting out a pizza spot - that sh*t is good. And this was good! It was the closest I have come to finding NYC style pizza anywhere in the world. Available by the slice, or (massive) pie, Mr Pizza is great for a quick and affordable bite. It is also located in good proximity to the beach if you want to have a pizza party on the beach or while enjoying a sunset.
Added Notes/Tips For Your Visit
🌦️☀️ Weather: The weather in Nazaré can be unpredictable and vary greatly - not just by season but in one day. In the summer, days are warm with cool mornings and evenings and the UV index can be quite high even when it is overcast or not especially sunny. In the cooler months, it can be pouring rain, cloudy and windy one minute then sunny and clear the next.
It is advisable to be prepared with layers, regardless of the season and sunscreen in the summer. A good raincoat with a hood goes a long way on rainy windy days when umbrellas are useless against sideways rain and strong wind.
Nazaré is also known for it’s fog, which can seem to come and go in the blink of an eye. Don’t be discouraged by a foggy morning, as it will likely roll out throughout the day.
🦺Safety: While Nazaré is overall safe, increases in tourism have also come with increases in petty crime including occasional rental car break ins. Be sure to keep the car locked and all luggage and belongings out of view.
💼 Luggage Storage: If you need to store luggage between check in/out and arriving/departing Nazaré, there are two storage options via Bounce Luggage storage. Day and hourly rates are affordable, and the service is quick and easy. This is also a great option if you don’t want to leave luggage in a rental car.
Whether visiting for a day, or a month, enjoy all this beautiful little Portuguese beach town has to offer.
