December 7, 2025

Best Things to Do in Nazaré, Portugal: How to Plan Your Day.

If you’re heading to Portugal’s coast and want a spot that mixes laid-back beach town vibes with jaw-dropping scenery and Portuguese traditions, you have to add Nazaré to your itinerary.

I spent some time here recently, and honestly, it surprised me in the best way.

Yes, it’s famous for those record-breaking waves, but there’s so much more to see once you start exploring.

You can wander the old town streets, take the funicular up to Sítio for some amazing coastal views, and watch fishermen drying their catch on the beach the traditional way.

Let me walk you through the best things to do in Nazaré and share my tips on how to make the most of your visit, even if it’s a short one.

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In this article:

Best Things to Do in Nazaré, Portugal: How to Plan Your Day.

What is Nazaré

Nazaré is a small seaside town along the coast of Portugal, best known for its “giant waves” and being a prime surfing location for experienced big wave surfers.

Of course, there is a whole lot more to see and do there beyond the waves – keep on reading to find out!

Where is Nazaré

Nazaré is located about 120 km north of Lisbon and about 210 km south of Porto.

A screenshot of Google Maps driving directions from Lisbon and Porto to Nazare Portugal. — *Click here or on the map for driving directions.*

Helpful hint: it is also about 40 km (30 minutes) north of my all-time favorite historic town in Portugal – Óbidos! Just in case you’re planning a day trip…

How to get to Nazaré from Lisbon

By car

The easiest way to get to Nazaré from Lisbon is to drive.

It’s a very easy drive from Lisbon and only takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes.

Check out Expedia Car Rental for the best deals!

By bus

There is a direct bus to Nazaré from Lisbon and the ride takes 1.5 – 2 hours, depending on the number of stops.

You can check the prices and schedules on the official Rede Expressos website or use the convenient Omio site (or app) to check other direct bus options.

With a guided tour

There are many great tours from Lisbon to Nazaré – check the highly rated options below:

How to get to Nazaré from Porto

By car:

Just like from Lisbon, driving is the easiest way to get to Nazaré from Porto.

The drive will take you about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

By bus:

There is a direct bus connection from Porto to Nazaré, and you can check the official Rede Expressos website for schedule and ticket prices, or explore other options offered by Omio.

There are no day tours from Porto to Nazaré, however if you have an option to book a transfer either from Porto to Lisbon or from Lisbon to Porto which includes stops in both Óbidos and Nazaré.

There is no direct train from Lisbon or Porto to Nazaré.

Where to park in Nazaré

There is free parking in Nazaré and if you just put “free parking Nazaré” in your Google Maps, it will give you options.

We parked in a free lot named “Parque Recanto da Feira” just because it was the closest to what we planned to see and the easiest to get to from the road (we were driving from Óbidos).

A screenshot of Google Maps walking directions from the parking lot to the beach in Nazare Portugal. — *Click here or on the map fr walking directions.*

Once there, you can just start walking down towards the water.

Bonus: you’ll pass by the Tourism Office (Posto de Turismo de Nazaré), where you can get a map and some recommendations on how to plan your day.

How to get around Nazaré

Once you park your car, you can just walk anywhere – Nazaré is a very small and walkable place.

Best things to do in Nazaré

I’ll list Nazaré’s attractions below in the order we saw them, so you can get an idea of how to spend your time in the village.

We reached our first stop in just 10 minutes of walking at an easy pace.

1. See the fish drying racks (Seca do Peixe – “the Dried Fish Museum”)

Once we got to the seaside promenade, we turned to the left, towards the traditional Portuguese fish drying racks.

Traditional wooden fish drying racks on the beach in Nazare Portugal.

It’s an amazing, one-of-a-kind spot – all kinds of fish drying in the sun, right on the beach, on the traditional wooden structures.

A couple standing behind the traditional wooden fish drying racks on the beach in Nazare Portugal.

You can walk around and check them all out, even buy some from the street vendors!

Street vendors sitting near the traditional wooden fish drying racks on the beach in Nazare Portugal.

Good to know:

Now, since we are on the subject of fish and traditions, I just want to offer a few words of explanation about the “Fishermen’s District” of Nazaré, called Bairro dos Pescadores.

Before our visit, I’ve read so much about this area and the women from that district wearing the traditional “seven skirts” or “sete saias”.

Well, we searched and walked around and couldn’t seem to find it. So I asked at the tourism office and was told that the district doesn’t really exist in the way that it was known for in the past.

Yes, the narrow streets lined by sunbleached, pastel-colored houses and apartment buildings are still there, and we did walk through them on our way to the promenade, but the area was modernized over time and now resembles your average neighborhood more than a historic spot.

And we didn’t see a single woman wearing the traditional seven-skirt attire.

Does it take away from Nazare’s charm? Absolutely not! I just wanted you to be aware and set your expectations correctly…

2. See the traditional fishing boats

Right next to the fish drying racks, you’ll find the traditional wooden fishing boats – each with a plaque explaining its history.

Colorful historic wooden fishing boats on the beach in Nazare Portugal.

Spend some time looking at them – it’s not often you get to be so close to a piece of local history and traditions.

3. Stroll along Praia da Nazaré

Now you can head towards the funicular, enjoying the views of Praia da Nazaré, a mile-long town beach.

We didn’t have time to tan and swim (yes, you can swim at this beach!), but totally loved the scenery and stopping by the local shops and souvenir stores across the street.

4. Ride the Nazaré Funicular (Ascensor da Nazaré) to Sítio

At the end of the beach, you’ll see the funicular station from which you can get a ride to the top of the cliff and the Sítio neighborhood – the upper part of Nazaré.

An aerial view of a funicular going up in Nazare Portugal.

It’s a historic cable car, designed by one of Eiffel’s students and opened in 1889.

It runs daily every 15 minutes, and when we visited, the round-trip fare cost 4 euros.

After you disembark, you’ll be faced with the most amazing views of the beach and the town below. And a choice – go left or right.

Good to know: currently, the funicular is closed for maintenance, and an alternative transportation by bus is provided by the town.

We went to the right (if you’re looking at the water) as that’s where most of the top sites are; however, we missed one fun spot that is located to the left:

5. Baloiço da Ladeira (Nazaré panoramic swing)

Yes, we missed it, I didn’t even know it existed at the time of our visit, so we didn’t even think to explore that part of town.

A wooden swing in Nazare Portugal. — *Photo courtesy of Unsplash.*

Don’t make our mistake – it’s supposed to be a fun and very scenic spot, located only a 3-minute walk away from the funicular station.

6. Memory Chapel (Ermida da Memória)

If you start walking towards the main town square (looking at the water, it will be to your right), within 2-3 minutes you’ll reach a small white chapel – it’s the Memory Chapel (Ermida da Memória).

A small white chapel in Nazare Portugal.

It’s a historic building dating back to 1182 when a local nobleman was saved from falling off the cliff.

You can read the full legend here.

7. Miradouro do Suberco

A few steps further is the best-known viewpoint of Sítio – Miradouro do Suberco.

A view of a beach and red roofs of the houses from a viewpoint in Nazare Portugal.

It is truly a fantastic viewpoint, however, don’t stress if you miss it – the views are amazing all along the cliff!

8. Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré (Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré)

This is the main church of Nazaré, located in the town square of Sítio.

A white church with a red roof and stairs in the main square of Nazare Portugal.

We walked by but didn’t go inside (we were a little short on time), but it’s said to be beautiful inside.

You can take a look and learn more here.

9. Go through the “Giant Waves Gate”

That gate has a very long Portuguese name, but it’s good to know it in case you have to put it in your GPS: “Portal de entrada das Ondas Gigantes de Nazaré”.

A square green gate with white lettering spelling "welcome to the biggest waves in the world" in Nazare, Portugal.

It’s a big square structure marking the entrance to the cliff towering over Praia do Norte.

10. See “Veado” – the surfing deer statue

Veado is located along the walkway, shortly after you go through the “Giant Waves Gate”.

A tall sculpture of a deer holding a surfboard in Nazare Portugal.

It’s a reference to both the legend tied to the Memory chapel and the 30-meter-tall (101 ft) waves recorded at Praia do Norte, earning them an entry into the Guinness World Record for the highest wave ever surfed.

11. Praia do Norte

That’s the beach you see as you walk through the gate.

A view of a beach and waves in Nazare Portugal.

When we were there in April, ot was past the big waves season, but the views were spectacular regardless!

12. See the Giant Waves of Nazaré

That’s by far the biggest draw for most tourists visiting Nazaré, but that’s a very seasonal occurrence.

Poeple standing on a side of the cliff watching the giant waves in Nazare Portugal. — *Photo courtesy of Unsplash*.

You have the best chances to see them between October and March.

You can learn more about the famous Giant Waves here and on the Nazare waves website.

13. Visit the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo and the Surf Museum

The fort sits at the very edge of the cliff over Praia do Norte, and its terrace provides a great viewing spot for the waves.

A narrow path to a fort at the end of a cliff in Nazare Portugal.

It also houses the museum with exhibits about the history of surfing and the giant wave phenomenon of Nazaré.

We didn’t have any energy or time left to visit (we packed way too much into this one day!), so we just took a good look from a distance and headed back.

14. See the Farol de Nazaré (Nazaré Lighthouse)

This bright red historic lighthouse is part of the São Miguel Arcanjo Fort and can be visited at the same time.

It dates back to 1903 and is still a fully functioning lighthouse.

15. Other fun activities in Nazaré

Nazaré attractions map

Where to eat in Nazaré?

There is a wide variety of places to eat in this small seaside town but seafood is definitely the way to go here.

Check out this list of the most popular seafood restaurants in Nazaré.

Is Nazaré worth visiting?

Definitely! Nazaré is full of charm, with its ocean views, golden beaches, fresh seafood, cliffside viewpoints, and a vibrant seaside atmosphere.

Even if surfing isn’t necessarily your thing, just watching the powerful waves (in season) and exploring the seaside promenade and the historic upper town is worth a visit.

Nazaré is one of those rare places where raw natural power and laid-back coastal charm coexist seamlessly, making this little town “a must” for any Portugal itinerary.

How long do you need in Nazaré?

You can see the highlights in half a day (like we did) but you may feel a little rushed (like we did!).

For a truly laid-back experience, I’d plan to spend a day in this charming town.

If you’re a surfer or would like to add some beach time or a buggy ride, plan on adding one more day to your visit.

Best time to visit Nazaré

Nazaré is beautiful any time of the year; however, different times of the year will highlight different attractions.

To watch the famous giant waves, you should come between October and March (November – February being the prime months).

For some beach time, I’d recommend visiting in the spring and summer (May – September)

We visited in April, and even though we didn’t see the huge waves and didn’t have enough time to enjoy the beach, we loved our time in Nazaré.

Where to Stay in Nazaré

You have a ton of options when it comes to places to stay in Nazaré.

In fact, you’ll see locals advertising their rental apartments with handmade signs and inviting you to stay at their property.

Here is a handy map you can explore: (zoom out for more options)

FAQ:

When are the waves big at Nazaré?

The world-famous giant waves at Nazaré typically happen between October and March, with peak conditions in the winter months. This is when Praia do Norte becomes a hotspot for big-wave surfers and spectators hoping to witness record-breaking swells.

Where’s the best viewpoint to see the giant waves?

The top spot is the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo, the lighthouse overlooking Praia do Norte. It gives you that classic view of the massive waves crashing beneath the cliffs and the surfers tackling them.

Can you swim in Nazaré, Portugal?

You can swim in Nazaré, but only at Praia da Nazaré (the main town beach) It’s the better option for swimming and relaxing, though conditions still vary day to day. Always check the beach safety flags. Praia do Norte is not safe for swimming – this is the big-wave beach and should only be admired from shore.

Can you do a day trip to Nazaré from Lisbon?

Yes! Nazaré makes a great day trip from Lisbon! It’s roughly 1.5–2 hours by car, or about 2 hours by bus, making it easy to visit the lighthouse, viewpoints, beaches, and of course the fish drying racks all in one day.

Do you need a car in Nazaré?

Not necessarily. Nazaré itself is very walkable, and the funicular connects the lower town with the Sitio neighborhood above. A car is handy if you want to explore nearby coastal towns or beaches, but for staying in Nazaré alone, you’ll be fine without one.

Is Nazaré worth visiting if I don’t surf?

Definitely! Nazaré is full of charm — ocean views, fresh seafood, tiled streets, cliffside viewpoints, and a lively seaside atmosphere. Even without surfing, watching the waves and exploring the historic upper town makes it a fantastic stop.

Nearby attractions

Alcobaça Monastery
Batalha Monastery
Fátima Sanctuary
Óbidos
Lisbon
Porto

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