What to see in Nazare
Best Things to Do in Nazaré, Portugal
If you’re planning a trip to Nazaré, these are several of the best ways to spend your time.
Praia da Nazare
It is a crescent-shaped beach with golden sand and quiet water. But the fishing community settled on this beach for this reason! You can see the fishing boats covering much of the sand and old photographs. It is an open-air museum! The boats are accompanied by plaques explaining the history behind them.
Read here: Tips for clothes on the beach in Portugal.
Praia do Norte
It is a world-famous beach because Garrett McNamara (He was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, U.S.) set a world record in Nazaré. He rode a giant 78-foot wave. This event was recorded as the biggest waves ever surfed on the Guinness Book of Records in 2011! Here you can see the largest such canyon in Europe! But that is not every day! The best time for surfing is during the winter, from October to March.
Take a surf lesson in Nazare, and please get in touch with us to book this service for you.
Farol da Nazare (Lighthouse)
It is the best viewpoint to see the big wave. But, it is a museum, and you have to pay for a cheap ticket, 2 € per person. Inside there is an exposition explaining why the waves are giant here. The correct name for this place is Forte do São Miguel Arcanjo because the lighthouse is inside the fortification. It was created in the 16th century. If you like surfing, you must visit this fortification! The museum has surfboards and jet skis used by surfers in Nazare. Everything was donated for this unique exposition.
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Sitio & Ermida da Memória
The legend says that our lady saved the life of Fuas Roupinho in 1182. He was riding with his horse. When he saw a heart, he would like to kill this animal. He ran in the west direction, and then he remembered the abyss. He prayed for our lady. She answered his prayers, and the horse stopped. Then, Fuas Roupinho saw a small image of our lady. This image is now in the church.
Close to the Ermida da Memória, you have the Miradouro do Suberco. It is a viewpoint of the entire town of Nazaré.
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Funicular
It is a modern funicular, and the last renewal was in 2002. It is a short trip from Praia da Nazare to Sitio, which sits on the top of a hill.
Find here: Best Family Vacation in Portugal.
Nossa Senhora da Nazare Sanctuary
It has been a pilgrimage site since 1377. Yet, this sanctuary was created in the 17th century. It is baroque style. Inside, you can see the painting with the image of Fuas Roupinho riding his horse. Dutch tile panels report scenes from the Old Testament.
Please read our post: Budget Travel Portugal.
Sun-Dried Fish Museum
In front of the sand, there is an older fish market, which is used as a museum. Inside, you learn more about the process of drying the fish. The fish is salted and dried on nets in the sun. This ancient tradition preserves the excess fish. Then it is sold at the markets and consumed days after being caught.
Seven Skirts
The wives of local fishers dress in traditional skirts. There are seven petticoats per woman. The reason could be one for each day or the seven colors of the rainbow. But the other reason is realistic. The woman takes off one skirt and protects her legs or shoulders while waiting for her husband on the beach.
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How to get from Lisbon to Nazare
It is 77 miles (125 km) north of the Portuguese capital. It’s about 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Lisbon by car.
Book Now Private Tour Fatima and Nazare from Lisbon.