Nazare is a city and beach guide. Holidays in Nazare in summer and winter, what to see in the city, how to get to Nazare from Lisbon.
Nazaré is one of the most picturesque fishing and tourist towns in Portugal. The name Nazare is explained by the statue of the Virgin Mary brought here from Nazare in the 4th century, which was lost and found only centuries later. Another famous story tells that the Virgin Mary appeared to a local nobleman in 1182 when he was about to fall off a cliff on his horse and was miraculously stopped by her – just in time.
Nazare is located in the center of the country, less than 90 minutes north of Lisbon. It hasn’t lost its seaside town atmosphere: fish are still laid out to dry in the sun, and colorful fishing boats dry on the beach. And the elderly locals wear traditional clothes – berets for men and shawls and seven skirts for women. We saw these costumes during the carnival in Nazare and were very impressed by this respect for tradition.
Thanks to the development of tourism in Portugal and wave-riding enthusiasts, this place has become world famous. It is here in Nazare that you can see the biggest waves in the world in winter. Young surfers from all over the world have given the city a cosmopolitan atmosphere, and people of all ages and backgrounds will enjoy spending a day or an entire vacation here.
The main reasons to go to Nazare
- See the famous surfing beach with the biggest waves in the world
- Relax in the most picturesque of Portugal’s traditional fishing towns
- Try dishes made from freshly caught fish
- A beautiful beach for summer vacation
When is the best time to go to Nazare
Nazare is mostly a summer destination, but the colossal winter waves attract visitors throughout the year.
There are two high seasons in Nazare: summer and winter. But if tourists come to Nazare in the summer, they come to relax, sunbathe, and swim on the beach where there are no waves. In summer, it can be very hot – up to _30 degrees, and quite cool – +25 degrees. It all depends on the ocean and the fogs that come from the other side to the coast.
In winter, surfers come here – from December to February, Nazare has the biggest waves and hosts a festival and competitions. In addition to surfers, tourists also come to see the mines. In winter, the temperature is very comfortable – sometimes it rises to +22 degrees. But the wind doesn’t allow you to relax – you have to dress in several layers to get undressed in time and quickly put on something like a fleece when a sharp wind blows.
Spring and fall are more relaxed times in Nazare. There are practically no tourists, and housing prices are the lowest. But the weather is good – it never gets colder than +15 degrees. But there are fogs that come from the ocean and bring moisture and dampness.
What to see and do in Nazare
Nazare beaches – Praia do Nazare and Praia do Norte
Nazare’s main beach, Praia do Nazare, has become a refuge for fishermen who once settled on this shore. This is a long beach that has become one of the most famous attractions in Portugal thanks to the fishing boats and nets that covered most of the sand. Today, it is a colorful place where elderly locals and lively young people walk and surfers from all over the world hang out.
Now world-famous thanks to viral photos of surfers riding its record-breaking waves, the beach is actually a pretty wild and peaceful place throughout the year. In summer, it is an alternative to Praia da Nazaré for sunbathers (swimming here is difficult and dangerous), and in autumn it is a Mecca for surfers and sports enthusiasts.
The shrine of Nossa Senhora da Nazare
The main cathedral of Nazare – Nossa Senhora da Nazare was built as a place of pilgrimage in 1377. Believers come here to see the image of the Virgin Mary, which is said to have been carved in Nazare.
Its interior dates from the 16th century, when a gold-covered altar and walls covered with Dutch tile panels were added.
Mirador do Suberko
For a bird’s eye view of the ocean and the panorama of Nazare, head to this cliff-top observation deck. This view is the perfect backdrop for selfies and romantic dates in Nazare.
Fort and lighthouse of São Miguel Arcange
A 16th-century fort that defended the coast and guided ships, with a lighthouse on the roof. The fort stands on a cliff that separates Praia do Norte and Praia do Nazare. The top of this cliff offers a stunning view of the coast. And in winter, you can feel the big waves here – they hit the rock, shaking it. I actually saw and felt it while standing near the lighthouse.
Inside the fort there is a small museum (entrance fee is 1 euro) dedicated to the record-breaking surfers who were able to conquer waves over 30 meters high. There are photos of these fearless people, the remains of surfboards of those who died in Nazare on the waves. From the fort, it is very convenient to watch professionals riding record-breaking waves. Every winter, world surfing competitions are held here, and only the best are allowed to attend.
Why are there such huge waves in Nazar? The thing is that it is in the city’s vicinity that the seabed is cut by a huge canyon 5,000 meters deep and 230 kilometers long. This means that oceanic (large) waves do not change as they approach the shore. They reach the continent, crashing down on the coastal cliffs with all their power. The waves in Nazare are up to 30 meters high.
Nazare Quay – an exhibition of boats and dried fish
The Nazare embankment is a place to relax and take a walk before the sun goes down in the evening. Everyone comes here – tourists and locals alike – to breathe, walk and sit in street cafes overlooking the ocean.
As you approach the central part along the Praia da Nazare promenade, you begin to smell a pungent odor. It comes from drying fish in the sun, a centuries-old tradition that can be seen even now instead of museum exhibits in the open air. The open-air museum on Praia da Nazare Beach features vivid examples of traditional fishing boats that used to bring the city’s daily catch.
There is also a very interesting pavement with a characteristic Portuguese wave pattern. Some of the boats are accompanied by displays explaining their history (in Portuguese and English), as well as old photographs of them at sea.
At the end of the embankment is the Nazare Marina, where boats and yachts are stored under the protection of large breakwaters and concrete structures. If you’re out for a walk, you should come to this place, it’s nice and romantic, and there’s even a small lighthouse.
Nazare funicular
Departing every 15 minutes, this cable car climbs the cliff from the center of Nazare to Cape Sitio, which is located at its top. Along the way, passengers are treated to breathtaking views of the city and the sea. is sent every 15 minutes and the road opens up panoramic view. It rises to 318 meters and is used by tourists and locals alike.
A one-way ticket costs 1.5 euros, and a return ticket costs 2.9 euros. You can also buy a 6-trip ticket for 5 euros, a 7-day ticket for 9.5 euros, and a 14-day ticket for 15 euros. The Nazare funicular operates daily from 7:15 am to midnight with departures every 15 minutes.
Safe beaches in Nazare – are they there?
Is there a beach in Nazare without waves? The answer is yes, it is a small beach in São Martinho do Porto. But it is not located in Nazare itself. The beaches in Nazare may have surfing waves, but the beach located a few minutes from town has no waves as it is a sheltered shell-shaped bay. In fact, it has some of the calmest waters in Portugal, as it is a protected bay. Of course, it is known as a children’s beach, but people of all ages love to swim here and admire the beautiful scenery.
There are several villas and residential buildings opposite it, and cafes and restaurants with outdoor tables are located near the road. During the official bathing season, traditional striped beach tents are rented out on the sand.
Getting to São Martinho do Porto
São Martinho do Porto is less than a 20-minute drive from the center of Nazare. The bus companies Rodoviária do Oeste and Rodoviária do Lis connect these two places. About a dozen buses depart from the Nazare bus station at irregular intervals throughout the day, stopping about a block from the waterfront.
Getting to Nazare
Most people visit Nazare from Lisbon traveling by car or bus. There is no train connection, so tourists relying on public transportation can only use the express bus from the Lisbon station Oriente on Flixbus which runs 1-2 times a day in high season. Those who rent a car often include Nazare on their itinerary through central Portugal or make a stopover between the capital and the country’s second city, Porto. That’s exactly what we did when we traveled from Lisbon to Porto.
Bus Lisbon – Nazare
If you’re not driving, take the express bus from Lisbon’s Sete Rios terminal. Since he makes several stops along the way, he reaches Nazare in 1 hour and 50 minutes. The bus departs every hour in the morning and approximately every 2 hours in the afternoon on weekdays, and a little less frequently on weekends.
The bus station in Nazare is located just a short walk from the beach in the city center.
The buses are modern, comfortable and clean, with luggage compartments. Tickets cannot be bought from the driver; they must be purchased at the ticket office or online on the Rede Expressos website. This company provides most intercity bus transportation in Portugal, including the bus to Nazare. The Sete Rios terminal in Lisbon can be reached by metro on the blue line.
Traveling to Nazare by car
The A8 highway connects Lisbon to Nazare, and in just 1 hour and 30 minutes, you can be on the beach or riding the waves in Nazare. The road is good, all you have to do is head north from the capital, and eventually, there are signs pointing to Nazare.
It’s a toll road, so have some change ready, and if you rent a car, ask the manager if the rental price includes an additional Viaverde device that allows you to drive under the gate without a barrier. Money for toll highway sections with this device is charged automatically.
I rented a car through Rentalcars choosing the cheapest and most convenient car option. On the spot, I asked the managers of the rental company whether the car had Viaverde, and when and how I would be charged for the paid sections. Everything turned out to be very simple: the money is withdrawn one day after driving on the toll highway from the deposit amount, and the rest is returned to your card.
When you arrive in Nazare, you need to find a parking lot in advance, because it is not always easy to find in the city center. But wherever you park, you’re never too far from the beach and anything. Everything is very close here.
Where to stay in Nazare
When choosing to house in Nazare, you should take into account the landscape of this city. Nazare is divided into two parts: The old town, Citio, located on a hill, and the new one, which stretches along the waterfront and Praia do Nazare beach. Both parts have a great tourist infrastructure – restaurants, shops, and cafes. The difference is that the hill offers an amazing view, and it’s easier to get to the beach from the lower part. But if you settle in the Old Town, you have to count on using the funicular – I wrote the prices above.
There is an additional small part – these are hotels near the safe beach of São Martinho do Porto. They are suitable for those who come to Nazare for a beach vacation with children. Swim and sunbathe all day, and in the evening go to the city by bus or car.
Hotels in the upper – Old Town of Sitio Nazare
- Casa Ganga≫– with beautiful views of Praia do Nazare, is located near the cable car.
- White Swell by Sítio≫ – is a beautiful apartment in the Old Town.
- Zulla House≫ – apartment hotel with private pool and parking
- Sitius 5B≫ – new apartment with sea views and a roof terrace in the historic center of Sitio da Nazare
Hotels in modern Nazare along the waterfront
- Casa da praia≫ – is an apartment 5 minutes from the beach with a nice balcony and ocean views.
- Duarte Houses≫ – T1 house overlooking the ocean.
- Apartamentos Gaivota Holidays≫ – apartments near the Nazare waterfront.
- Big Wave House≫ – apartments near the northern beach of Praia do Norte.
Hotels near the beach of São Martinho do Porto
Useful articles and links:
- Sintra – a great guide to the city and beaches
- Beaches near Lisbon – where to relax, walk and play sports
- Top 20 places for visit in Lisbon
Bus schedule and bus tickets are available at InfoBus.ua
Find train tickets in Europe conveniently on Trainline
Green Card, Car Insurance and Travel Medical Insurance – online on the portal HotlineFinance
Booking of hotels and apartments – Booking.com
