Visiting Nazaré: what to see on a day trip
Nazaré is one of the most picturesque seaside villages in Portugal. It’s best known for its giant waves but it offers visitors a lot more.
It is located near other destinations like Fatima, Obidos, and the Batalha Monastery so many people and tours bundle these sights into a great day trip from Lisbon.
There is a lot more to Nazaré than big waves. The view from Miradouro do Suberco is spectacular.
When to go to Nazaré
Summer
Like all beach communities, summertime is the busiest time to visit Nazaré. Since the water temperature peaks at a very chilly 64 degrees Fahrenheit people (other than surfers) don’t spend much time in the water but the beaches are beautiful.
Spring and Fall
Spring and Fall are great times to visit Nazaré. The temperature is warm and comfortable and the hotel prices are reasonable.
Winter
While most beach towns are deserted in the winter Nazaré’s big waves attract surfers from around the world (more on the big waves below).
We visited Nazaré between Christmas and New Year’s Day and the weather was wonderful, a light jacket was all that was needed. Most of the restaurants were open but not too crowded. If you visit during winter but not during a holiday week it will be even quieter.
The colorful roofs of Nazaré.
How to get to Nazaré
Bus
Long-distance bus service is popular since the rail service in Portugal is not as extensive as in other European countries. Bus service between Lisbon and Nazaré is offered by Rede Expressos for 12 Euro.
The ride takes about 2 hours.
Driving
The drive between Lisbon and Nazaré takes about 90 minutes, mostly along Highway 8 (keep in mind this is a toll road). Driving gives you more flexibility to explore. You could make a quick stop in Peniche, another quaint fishing village, along the way.
Day trips
Nazaré is a very popular spot for organized day trips from Lisbon. Since we didn’t have a car we opted to take this tour: From Lisbon: Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré & Óbidos Full-Day Tour
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We thoroughly enjoyed the day trip. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, plus having someone drive was a treat.
What to do in Nazaré
See the big waves
Since we were visiting in December I was excited at the possibility of seeing the big waves.
Each year, from October to March, winter storms combine with a giant canyon off the Nazaré coast. The giant waves average 50 to 65 feet.
In November of 2017, Rodrigo Koxa surfed a 101-foot wave, earning him the Guinness World Record for the largest wave ever surfed.
I was disappointed when our tour guide informed us that despite visiting Nazaré at the right time of year, the conditions were not right for the large waves. It certainly was a letdown but the weather was fantastic for everything else other than big waves.
The most popular spot to view the big waves is Farol da Nazaré (Nazaré Lighthouse) and the cliffs around the lighthouse.
In peak season, parking will be extremely difficult so I’d recommend taking the funicular from the lower town.
Visit the Sítio district
Snacks and shirts for sale in the Sítio district.
The Sítio district is the highest point in Nazaré and the views are spectacular, it’s one of our lasting memories of Portugal.
The parking is extremely limited so taking the funicular is the best bet. It leaves every 15 minutes and costs €4.00 roundtrip.
Not only is it a practical form of transportation but you get a great view during your 1042 foot trip up the cliff.
From Miradouro do Suberco there are great views of the coastline below. Just saying it’s beautiful doesn’t do it justice.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazareth is nearby and worth a quick stop. It was built in 1377 to display a carved image of the Virgin Mary.
A short walk away is São Miguel Arcanjo Fort. The 16th-century fortress and lighthouse once guided ships but now serve as a vantage point to watch surfers ride giant waves in the winter.
Miradouro do Suberco - a perfect spot for selfies.
Sun-Dried Fish Museum
The long tradition of drying fish along the beach is kept alive at the Sun-Dried Fish Museum right on Praia da Nazare (Nazaré’s main beach). It’s so unique that it’s worth a quick stop.
Praia da Nazaré
Nazaré’s main beach is long, wide, flat, and sandy. With the cliffs to the north, it reminded me of the beaches in Los Angeles, just prettier (sorry, LA).
Since we come from New Jersey we take our boardwalks seriously and the Praia da Nazaré walkway with the signature Portuguese stonework is striking.
Lining the beachfront are the typical seafood restaurants and shops you might expect.
The narrow back streets of Nazaré.
Eating in Nazaré
We visited Nazaré at lunchtime so we were hungry for a good meal. I’m usually a bit skeptical of restaurants right on the tourist beach so we decided to take a walk through the pretty, narrow streets of Nazaré.
The dining room at Taberna d'Adelia.
With a little help from Google Maps, we found Taberna d'Adelia. Little did we know that we were about to have one of our favorite meals in Portugal.
We shared two different dishes, seafood stew and assorted seafood with rice. It was very obvious why this was a Michelin-reviewed restaurant.
Luckily we visited when they had just opened for the day, by the time we left there was a long line.
We’ll be thinking about that meal for a long time.
What to see near Nazaré
Monastery of Batalha
A short 30-minute drive away is the Monastery of Batalha. The monastery was established during the reign of King João and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fatima
The Sanctuary of Fátima is a major Christian pilgrimage site attracting visitors from around the world. It marks the sight where, in 1916 and 1917, three local children reported being visited by the Virgin Mary.
Today the sight is massive and an interesting stop regardless of your religious affiliation.
Óbidos
Óbidos started as a Roman settlement, today it attracts visitors who want to see the town within castle walls.
It’s also the birthplace of Ginjinha, the Portuguese liqueur. We had Ginjinha in Óbidos and it was our favorite in all of Portugal.
Óbidos turns into a Christmas Village during the holidays. We visited between Christmas and New Year's Day and can confirm that they do Christmas right.
This post was researched and written by John of the Empty Nest Explorers. You can learn more about the Empty Nest Explorers here
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