The 19 Best Things to Do in Nazaré
👉 Jump to: Best Things | Outdoor Activities | Culinary | Family-Friendly
Don’t get caught up in the quaint size of this seaside town in Portugal – there are way more things to do in Nazaré than you might think.
This tiny destination has expansive beaches, scenic surroundings, and some of the freshest fish money can buy. You could spend an entire week soaking up the laid-back, beachy energy here in the summer, which is exactly what I did. Then in the winter, it transforms into an expert surfer’s paradise with the biggest waves in the world.
Despite its tight quarters, there are still plenty of amazing places to stay in Nazaré and seemingly endless top-notch restaurants lining the streets. Nazaré was one of my favorite places in Portugal after more than two months exploring the country.
Whether you have a day in town or a week there, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know to fill your schedule in Nazaré.
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19 Things to Do in Nazaré
Praia do Norte
This beach’s huge waves broke a world record and put Nazaré on the map as one of the world’s premier surfing destinations.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Sunrise to Sunset daily | Entrance: Free
Praia do Norte or North Beach isn’t famed for its beauty or tranquility. No – it’s become known across the globe for its intense, adrenaline-pumping surfing conditions. The largest wave ever surfed in the world was actually conquered here [Source].
Throughout the winter season, huge waves crash upon the shores of North Beach. An underwater gorge called the Nazaré Canyon helps form these famously massive waves. The best time to visit Portugal to see them with your own eyes is October to March.
Even if you’re not a surfer, Praia do Norte should be on your Nazaré bucket list. In the summer, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in the region.
Just be aware that even in the off-season, the waves can get pretty ferocious. It’s also a bit of a difficult trek to get down to the beach itself. So, it might not be the best choice for families with young children or people with mobility difficulties.
Farol da Nazaré (Nazaré Lighthouse)
Walk along the edge of Nazaré at this bright red lighthouse perched on a 1,000-foot-high cliff.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (938)-013-587 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: Free
One of Nazaré’s best-known attractions is Farol da Nazaré, the little red lighthouse. With the endless ocean as its backdrop, it sits atop jagged cliffs that are over 1,000 feet high.
Needless to say, scenic is an understatement. If you visit during the big wave season, it’s an especially striking location.
Since the Nazaré Lighthouse is right next to São Miguel Arcanjo Fort, plan to visit both of these popular Nazaré activities in one afternoon. Both of these attractions overlook Praia do Norte, too.
São Miguel Arcanjo Fort
Explore a fort with over 400 years of history and a surfboard exhibit inside.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (938)-013-587 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8:30 pm daily | Entrance: 1€
Located by the Nazaré Lighthouse, São Miguel Arcanjo Fort is another one of Nazaré’s historic attractions. But this particular site is different from any other I’ve visited before because it actually has a whole surfboard exhibit. Likely due to its close proximity to Praia do Norte.
During the big wave season, the São Miguel Arcanjo Fort is an amazing vantage point to watch surfers do their thing.
Church of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré
Take in the regional religious history at a hilltop church known for its tilework and Virgin Mary statue.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 9 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: Free
Portugal is filled with a wide variety of historical sites and that’s true of Nazaré too. Take the Church of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré, for instance. The building dates back to the 17th century and has some of the city’s most impressive architecture.
Located in the Sitio area, the Igreja de Nossa Senhora is close to other points of interest around Nazaré. Including Miradouro do Suberco and Baloiço da Ladeira. If you’re looking to visit Nazaré on a day trip, it’s easy to hit all these places in just an afternoon.
Miradouro do Suberco
After a steep stair climb to this viewpoint, you’ll be rewarded with visibility over the picturesque streets and beach of Nazaré.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Open 24/7 daily | Entrance: Free
As I climbed up the last stair to reach the summit of Miradouro do Suberco, all my labored breathing and being drenched in sweat suddenly became worth it. This viewpoint is easily the most beautiful one in town and possibly even all of Portugal.
To reach it, you’ll need to walk up quite a few steep and slick steps. But it’s 100% worth the excursion to get this unique perspective on Nazaré. This is such a memorable sight that it even made my list of the top things to do in Portugal.
Praia da Nazaré
Soak up the Portuguese sunshine and lounge on the town’s main attraction – its pristine mile-long beach.
📍Google Maps | Phone: (262)-561-194 | Website | Hours: Sunrise – Sunset daily | Entrance: Free
Praia da Nazaré is the town’s central feature and is hard to miss since it runs along the main strip of shops and restaurants. You can’t really avoid hanging out on this soft sand beach when you visit Nazaré.
Even though it’s a very popular destination, Praia da Nazaré is a fairly large beach with plenty of room for the influx of visitors. I saw one of the most epic sunsets of my life here. Afterward, grab a fish dinner at Restaurante Maria Do Mar right next to the ocean.
The great thing about the town being so compact is that it’s very possible to visit Praia da Nazaré (and most of the other things coming up) on a day trip from Lisbon.
It can be tricky to plan on your own as a tourist with foreign bus schedules and timing. But it’s a breeze when you join a tour, like this Nazaré Small-Group Day Trip from Lisbon that also brings you to Óbidos and Fátima.
Outdoor Activities
O Sitio de Nazaré
Grab snacks from a vendor and sit at a seat overlooking the city at this high point of Nazaré.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Open 24/7 | Entrance: Free
The picturesque neighborhood of O Sitio de Nazaré is located on rocky cliffs high above the main city center of Nazaré.
O Sitio de Nazaré is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat in between visiting nearby places like Praia do Norte and Miradouro do Suberco. There is a bunch of public outdoor seating to appreciate the view and munch down.
Alternatively, you can sit down and have a meal at one of the traditional restaurants nearby like O Luís or Sitiado.
Barcos Salva Vidas
Get a glimpse of traditional fishing boats at a free, open-air exhibit on the beach.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Open 24/7 | Entrance: Free
Who doesn’t love a free, outdoor attraction that provides a bit of history right on the beach? Well, let me introduce you to Barcos Salva Vidas.
This exhibit showcases a bunch of boldly-colored traditional boats on the shores of Nazaré Beach. They’re the perfect place for a picture to capture the town’s essence.
The boat attraction is always open and doesn’t cost a dime. Making this a great filler activity on a beach day if you’re traveling in Europe on a budget.
Miradouro da Pederneira
Get an expansive perspective over the narrow streets of Nazaré and the Atlantic Ocean at this viewpoint.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Sunrise to Sunset daily | Entrance: Free
Now, let’s take a step away from admiring Nazaré’s diverse beaches for a second to see the town from above. All you have to do to get this bird’s eye perspective is head up to Miradouro da Pederneira.
From this stunning lookout, you’ll be able to see downtown Nazaré and the ocean beyond it. It gives you a completely different perspective than some of the other viewpoints around town and it’s often dubbed as the best one.
Monte de São Bartolomeu
Do a leisurely 0.6-mile hike up to the top of this mountain to see the surrounding landscapes from above.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Open 24/7 | Entrance: Free
If you’re sick of all the beach days and need to get a little dose of mountain vibes, set off on a hike up Monte de São Bartolomeu. This is an easy hike that might even be considered a stroll. Though it could be taxing for young kids or people with mobility struggles.
Even though it only takes around 45 minutes to complete the trek, it offers some absolutely incredible views from the top. You can see all the way to the town and the ocean. Still, it feels very far from the busy streets of Nazaré.
Nazaré Surf School
Take a hands-on lesson to learn how to surf, stand-up paddleboard, or kitesurf from the experts.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (916)-386-907 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 7 pm daily | Entrance: Varies depending on lesson type and duration
As you’ve probably gathered by now, surfing is a huge thing in this beach town. During the low-wave season of summer, Nazaré can be one of the best places to visit in Portugal to learn the sport.
There are a few places that offer surfing lessons to newbies, but I’d recommend going with Nazaré Surf School. They have individual lessons and group classes for surfing. The instructors are very friendly and will help you get up on a board even if you’ve never tried it before.
There are also bodyboarding and stand-up paddleboarding lessons if surfing isn’t intriguing for you. If you already have some experience, you can just rent a surfboard or a whole surf kit from here as well.
Culinary
Mercado Municipal da Nazaré
Wander the fresh fruits, veggies, and fish at this local market to get a sense of the day-to-day life.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (262)-550-010 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 1 pm Tue-Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: Free
One of my favorite things to do when I’m backpacking in Europe is checking out the local markets. Even if I don’t buy anything, it’s an interesting peek into the area’s lifestyle.
At Mercado Municipal da Nazaré, you’ll find all the traditional fare from vegetables and pastries to meat and fish. It’s busy, but it’s not as intense as the big markets in Lisbon or Porto.
Keep in mind that Nazaré Market is only open through the afternoon until 1 pm. So, you’ll want to visit bright and early in the morning.
Bontà
Treat yourself to a mouthwatering, home-cooked Italian meal just a few blocks from the beach.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: +351 927 467 219
Reserving a table to get Italian food in a Portuguese town by the ocean might be a little unorthodox. But I knew I needed to try Bontà as soon as I stumbled upon this little home-cooked eatery and now I will never stop raving about my meal here.
This is a blackboard-style restaurant run by a very kind Italian couple. The husband handles the front of the house while his wife cooks up all the authentic dishes. The menu shifts constantly based on what’s in season and what they feel like cooking.
You will always get a slightly new experience, like showing up for dinner at a relative’s house. One who also happens to be a professional chef. I got the pistachio lasagna and it rivaled many of the places I ate in Italy.
O Casalinho
Indulge in the fresh and delicious Barca de Marisco Grelhado platter at this local restaurant in Praça Sousa Oliveira.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (262)-551-328 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 10 pm Mon-Sat, 12 pm – 9 pm Sun
I would return to Nazaré again just to eat the freshly caught fish from the top-quality restaurants around town like O Casalinho.
Located right next to Nazaré beach, O Casalinho is a traditional seafood restaurant located in Praça Sousa Oliveira. They have some of the most delicious fish dishes I’ve ever tried in my life. Probably because local fishermen caught it that day.
Make sure you order the Barca de Marisco Grelhado platter to get a taste of everything the restaurant has to offer.
🛎️ Need a Hotel? O Casalinho is located right near Nazaré Beach and a bunch of other restaurants. If you want to stay in this area too, then I’d recommend checking out Hotel Mar Bravo. You’ll wake up with views of the beach right out your window.
Family-Friendly
Baloiço da Ladeira
Swing right over the town of Nazaré and capture an aesthetic photo or video.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Open 24/7 | Entrance: Free
Baloiço da Ladeira is the ideal setting to capture a photo or video with viral potential. And yes – it’s just as exquisite as it looks through images in real life. Just be aware that you might have to wait in a brief line to grab your chance at a photo.
👉 Read Next: Best Things to Do in Lisbon, Portugal
Nazaré Funicular (Ascensor da Nazaré)
Ride this affordable cable car up to some of Nazaré’s best views and eateries.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (262)-550-010 | Website | Hours: 12 am – 2 am & 7 am – 2 am Mon, 7 am – 2 am Tue-Fri, 7 am – 12 am Sat, Open 24 hours Sunday | Entrance: €4
The Nazaré Funicular is both a form of public transportation and a nifty attraction. It runs every 15 minutes and conveniently takes you right to the upper neighborhood overlooking the rest of town and the beach. Along the ride, you’ll see increasingly more beautiful views of the surroundings.
Hopping on the Nazaré Funicular won’t break the bank either. It only costs €4 round-trip and there are options to get a weekly pass. At the top, there are a few restaurants you could try. I’d go for lunch at Modern Tavern Zé d’Avo, only a two-minute walk away from the funicular station.
Ermida da Memória
An adorable little chapel covered in stunning blue painted tiles on the inside.
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (262)-550-100 | Website | Entrance: Free
From the outside, Ermida da Memoria doesn’t look like much is going on. On the inside, however, you’ll find a gorgeous small chapel that’s completely adorned in the traditional blue tiles that Portugal is known for.
While you probably won’t spend the entire day here, it’s a nice in-between activity to grab a quick picture and see some distinctive Portuguese architecture.
Outdoor Sun Dried Fish Museum
Get a peek at the ancient tradition of fish drying along Praia da Nazaré.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Entrance: Free
The Sun Dried Fish Museum, located right on Praia da Nazaré, sounds a little strange. I admittedly did a double-take when I saw it without knowing what was happening. But it’s very interesting to look at an ancient method of food preservation in the region.
Like most things around Nazaré, this outdoor attraction doesn’t require a ticket. It’s easy to visit it on a stroll by. Plus, it’s right near the traditional boat exhibit and Praça Sousa Oliveira.
👉 Always Forget to Pack Something? Just use my handy Portugal packing checklist of things to bring!
São Martinho do Porto Beach
A cozy, less intense beach near Nazaré with smaller waves that’s ideal for families.
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Sunset to Sunrise daily | Entrance: Free
Nazaré beaches with monster waves crashing onto the shores might not be the best fit for families with children. However, only 15 minutes outside of Nazaré’s city center there is a much quieter, secluded beach with calm swells, São Martinho do Porto Beach.
It mainly attracts sailors looking for easygoing waters and families on vacation who need a safe, shallow place for their kids to play at the beach. There are lots of tasty dining establishments nearby too, like Baía Toscana and Taberna Marginal.
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Has this charming Portuguese town earned a spot on your trip to Portugal? If you’re not quite convinced yet, it might be better to just visit Nazaré for the day instead of staying overnight.
Learn all about how you can easily visit this coastal paradise and other destinations around the country by reading my guide to the best day trips from Lisbon next.
We will be visiting in July. Are there still surfers and big waves worth watching during this “non-peak” wave season?
Hey Carrie!
As you mentioned, July is well outside of Nazare’s peak big wave season, typically from November to February. While it’s still possible to spot surfers in the waters around July, you’re very unlikely to see those massive waves the town is famous for during the winter. The good news is unless you’re a pro surfer, I’d actually argue that the month you’re visiting is better overall.
It’s really hard to enjoy Nazare’s beautiful beaches as a regular beach goer who just wants a swim and some sunbathing during the winter because the waves are so big that it’s dangerous to get near the water unless you really know what you’re doing. Plus, the weather is warm with little rain in July, but understandably very storm-prone during the big wave season.
All that being said, while you might not be catching the world’s biggest waves in July, the beaches will still be very much worth checking out!
Have fun in Nazare!
I find swimming here in Nazare in July and August to be great! The beaches are packed. Yes, you need to be mondul of ehat the flag colours are – I only go in when it is green- but the water is rather refreshing on a hot day. We have only had temperatures of 21 degrees and are still finding it really comfortable.
Great ideas! We are not sure we want to rent a car and will be starting our trip in Lisbon, what other forms of transportation are there? Thanks
The trains in Portugal are pretty decent for getting around between cities. You can also check out Flixbus.
There is no train to Nazare, bus or car only.
Driving outside the larger cities isn’t a problem, at least with a smaller car, but public transportation is the way to go in Lisbon and Porto; buses, trams, and subways are relatively inexpensive there and have extensive systems.