Nazare is a little town along the central coast of Portugal, known chiefly for its monster winter waves attracting surfers and spectators from all around the world. However, there is more to this beautiful fisherman's village than the crashing surf. It holds a lot of culture, tradition, and natural beauty waiting to be unearthed.
A Perfect Stop Between Lisbon and Porto
It is tough to pick one favourite place in Portugal. Still, Nazare can undoubtedly claim to be one of the best. The city is situated almost halfway between Lisbon and Porto and is, therefore, a perfect destination for a day visit or maybe just a relaxing stopover between these two major cities. Its closeness to other popular monasteries such as Fatima, Alcobaça, and Batalha makes it an ideal base from which to explore the heart of Portugal. And for those who have very little time, the ever-popular tours in Lisbon include visits to Nazare, the monasteries, and the charming village of Óbidos.
Nazare is a fantastic attraction on family holidays with all kinds of fun and engaging things to see and do for grownups and kids alike. Suppose you are travelling through this beautiful part of the country. In that case, it is a must-see fishing village on your itinerary.
Things to Do in Nazaré
Praia de Nazaré
Our first destination in Nazareth is the much-talked-about Praia de Nazaré. First, He had no idea that it would be any sort of tourist attraction; the village boasted of being honest. The streets were full of life as we parked at one of the charming roads that led onto the sea. Apart from the accolades, we'd spend the whole afternoon exploring Praia de Nazaré. The beach is a more than beautiful place; this is where the traditional fishermen's life intertwines with the modern leisure of being close to the sea.
Walking down the seaside prom toward the tiny harbour they call Porto, we could hear and feel the active, calm- atmosphere without having to be part of it. The fishermen haul their nets in during the morning bustle that we have, unfortunately, missed, but now this evening quiet gives me time to bask in the pure beauty of the beach. The kids enjoyed the traditional wooden boats, and immediately, they set the beach as their playground.
Local Living with Dried Fish
We found one traditional site: these are wooden structures built for drying fish. This should show the extent to which it is associated with its fishing tradition. And the vendors, mainly women in traditional black dress, would stop you from selling you dried fish. Then, our inquisitive foodie family would love to try pretty much everything: "Okay, so we tried it." The texture is dehydrated, but it is a pleasant culinary experience, especially for a family member who loves cooking.
Exploring the Fishermen's District - Bairro dos Pescadores
Leaving the beach, we ventured into the heart of its fishermen's district. This area is characterized by narrow, winding streets lined with whitewashed houses, creating an intimate and authentic atmosphere. It's easy to get lost in the labyrinthine alleys, discovering hidden gems like local bakeries, quaint cafes, and charming shops. The fishermen's district presents a picture of daily life in here. Imagine barefoot children playing soccer, hanging, a place where fishermen mend nets and elders tell stories while hanging out on benches. This side of it feels untarnished by time. It contrasts sharply with the more commercial facade of the beach area.
Traditional Nazarene Attire
Something really unique about Nazare was that most of the older adults still wear traditional dresses. In this fishermen's district, women are used to black shirts with multi-coloured skirts, several petticoats, and woollen capes and aprons; on men, checkered pants and woollen traditional caps. They all were a sort of combined heritage, very much enhancing the authenticity of the town and making great pictures possible.
Riding the Nazare Funicular
As we have discovered, well, at the moment, the Nazaré Funicular is not just efficient at getting visitors from the centre of town up to the higher district of O Sitio, but it is also very scenic. All this for less than three euros for the round-trip ticket, and an incredible ride up the cliffs, and with a spectacular view. For the more adventurous, there's always the staircase for a cost-free alternative trip. However, most of the funicular users are still happily sitting their way up.
Finding O Sitio
Being high above Nazare, O Sitio is the place to hold some of the finest views over the town and the whole coastline. As you reach the top, the very first thing that attracts your attention is the viewpoint belvedere, meant for panoramic photos. Further into the exploration, there are viewpoints, cute crafts souvenir shops, and a small local market with an array of specialties.
Also found at O Sitio is the shrine of Ermida da Memoria, which families include in their visits, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazare, and the Dr. Joaquim Manso museum. All of these give your trip an extra layer of cultural and historical richness.
View the Giant Waves of Nazare
No visit to that is complete without seeing the mythical waves of this coastal town. Located along the coastline from the Farol Lighthouse, these mighty waves have contributed to the building of Nazare into a Mecca for big wave surfing. In January 2018, this Portuguese guy called Hugo Vau set a world record by surfing in a 35-meter wave, which was equivalent to 114 feet, and he is proud to say that it was done in there.
Even in the off-peak winter season, however, these waves remain impressive and something to watch. For people seeking the world's best surf, some specialized websites keep wave forecasts and help to determine the best timing for a visit. Watching the surfers take on these giant waves is entertaining, whether you are a hardcore surfer or just a curious observer.
Local Restaurant- Where to It
After a full day of adventures, the way to complete everything is by dining in local restaurants in O Sitio. Found a small but cozy eatery overlooking the bay and would not serve any menu I would expect but instead await the presentation of freshly caught fish to diners. That really means catch-of-the-day meals that can be savoured according to the day and fresh offerings, which are usually relatively low on the price scale.
Seeing a Nazare Sunset
When the day went down, we returned to Praia de Nazare for the sunset. The sky became a vivid, colourful painting with all the hues reflected on the calm waters as it bathed the beautiful town with its magical glow. Watching the sun go down below the horizon from the beach was the perfect way to cap off our its experience. It was sure to remain firmly placed in our heads forever as poignant memories of this enchanting town.
Practical Information for Visiting Nazare
Location: Nazare conveniently lies pretty much halfway between Lisbon and Porto. A 15-minute drive from Alcobaça Monastery, 30 minutes from Batalha, 1.5 hours from Lisbon, and finally, two hours from Porto.
Travel Tip: It is a very accessible day trip from Lisbon and is also one of the destinations for organized tours of several monasteries in the area.
Accommodation: The town hosts a wide variety of accommodations for all budgets. Peak season may be busy, so booking in advance is always a recommended option to secure the best deals.
Best Time to Visit: Off-season it is more placid and gives a real feel for the place than the noisy summer weekends when the town is overrun with tourists.
Nazare Portugal is a place where the new easily meets the old, thus providing the traveller with a unique view into some of the rich seafaring traditions of Portugal, all while giving visitors the benefits of a modern seaside resort. From big, mythic waves and lively fishermen's quarters to scenic viewpoints and appetizing local ingredients, visiting Nazare can charm every traveller. So pack up and go to this secret treasure that is just waiting on the horizon with its timeless charm and endless adventures.