Best Things to Do in Nazare: Excitingly Activities for Your Trip

Discover the small fishing village turned into a world-famous surfing spot.

Intro

For most people, Nazare is a place where you can admire the highest waves. Famous surfers with a high level come here to conquer that wave. High waves are mainly observed here in the winter.

 

The ocean is calm in the summer. However, the flow of tourists here never weakens, as the cliff offers a wonderful panoramic view of the ocean. So, both in winter and summer, there is always a crowd of tourists here.

 

Many other places in Nazare are hidden from the eyes of tourists coming for one day. Only locals and experienced guides know these spots. 

 

To experience the beauty and understand how diverse and multifaceted this small town is, check out the list that we have compiled for you below. It’s guaranteed that even those who came here before will find something new for themselves.

Witness a Miracle at Ermida da Memoria

The small Chapel of the Miracle’s Memory stands on the cliff’s edge above the cave. According to the legend, during the period of Muslim rule, the image of the Black Virgin, sitting breastfeeding the Baby Jesus, was kept. 

 

The chapel was built in 1182 on the initiative of D. Fuas Roupinho after his miraculous salvation. Visitors would be impressed by a fully tiled pyramidal vault perfectly fitted into simple architecture. The votive tile panels stand out and rest on the ridge. 

 

An additional interior treasure of the chapel is the entrance door, a stone aedicule with a Gothic decoration from the end of the 14th century. Here is an image of Our Lady carved in low relief. 

 

The composition is created by three kneeling figures, which are not so well-kept because of the flow of time.

 

Location: R. 25 de Abril 17, 2450-065 Nazare, Portugal

Touch the Spirituality at Santuario da Nossa Senhora da Nazare

 

This temple was built in 1377 under the order of King Fernando. His primary purpose was to save the sacred image of the Virgin after the increasing influx of pilgrims to the Chapel of Memory.

 

The Sanctuary is an imposing Baroque architectural treasure dating back to the 17th century. It features a gallery-shaped facade that opens at the top of a semicircular staircase. Two beautiful twin towers highlight the central composition with a clock face.

 

A carved golden nave and a high altar with Solomonic columns highlight the solemn atmosphere. Among decorative elements, the brightest accent is the blue and white tile panels. Dutch artist W. Van Kloet created biblical costumes depicted there in the 18th century. 

 

Most visitors are highly impressed by the painting on canvas of the miracle of Our Lady’s appearance to Fuas Roupinho.

 

Location: Largo de Nossa Sra. da Nazare, 2450-065 Nazare, Portugal

Feel the Flow of Time at Fortaleza Sao Miguel Arcanjo

 

In 1577, King Sebastian I ordered the construction of a fort. Nazare Bay needed protection from Algerians, Moroccans, and Dutch pirates who attacked cities on the Atlantic coast.

 

In 1644, the fort was reconstructed and expanded by order of King Joao IV. The entrance is decorated with an image of the Archangel Michael, which gave the fort its name. The fort heroically withstood the fighting in the Napoleonic Wars and served as a bastion during the Miguelist Wars in the 20s and 30s of the 19th century.

 

While on the fort’s territory, do not miss the lighthouse, Farol da Nazare, built on October 29, 1903, to simplify navigation in coastal waters.

 

Location: Estr. do Farol 2450, Nazare, Portugal

Investigate the Natural Formation of Gruta Forno de Orca

The cave is at the base of a peninsula next to the Praia do Norte. It’s one of the brightest representatives of Nazare’s geological history and perfectly fits into the territory’s landscape, making it more picturesque.

 

The cave is natural, shaped with the flow of time into a limestone structure, with evidence of erosional activity. Both adults and small kids would be amazed with the cave, as the atmosphere of the formation is something special. Moreover, you will be able to see typical marine erosion here.

 

The cave’s entry is easy, as it’s located in an area with a calm sea and is away from the water. But in stormy weather and when the sea is at high tide, the cave is not accessible. The best idea is to come here with a guide who knows the weather forecast and can find the best time to get into the cave.

 

Location: Praia do Norte, Nazare, Portugal

Witness the World-Famous Surfing Spot at Praia do Norte

 

The beach stretches north from the majestic Sitio. Dunes and endemic vegetation surround this wild beach.

 

The ocean here is very rough, so you won’t be able to swim. However, the place is ideal for surfing. It is also worth coming here to see with your own eyes how the world’s surfing professionals practice. During the season, the height of the waves can reach 30 meters. Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara conquered one of these in November 2011 at the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards.

 

Natural formations in the Nazare Canyon form the waves. This canyon is the largest in Europe, with a length of 200 km. The depth of the rift reaches 500 meters in some places.

 

Location: Praia do Norte, Nazare, Portugal

Have a Ride on Ascensor da Nazare

The Nazare Funicular was designed by the famous engineer Raul Mesnier, who also created the famous lifts in Lisbon, Porto and Braga.

 

The elevator has been in operation since July 28, 1889, and was initially used by tourists during the bathing season. Today, the funicular is used by both locals and tourists. The lower station of the funicular is located on Rua do Elevador near the Sao Miguel restaurant. You can get here by walking to the end of the Avenida da Republica embankment.

 

The funicular takes passengers to a height of 110 meters and has a total length of 318 meters, of which 50 meters are in a tunnel.

 

Having risen to the upper station, you can fully enjoy the views from the observation deck. Also at the top are the Virgin of Nazare square and the Suberco observation deck, ideal for panoramic photos of Nazare.

 

Location: R. do Elevador 9, 2450-200 Nazare, Portugal

Enjoy Nazare from Unusual Angle from Pederneira Viewpoint

The viewpoint is an extremely charming place in Nazare. Most visitors who come here for one day miss the spot, so it’s rarely crowded and perfect for observation.

 

Pederneira is a small village along the Portuguese coast. From there, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the sea, Nazare Beach, and the village’s houses. Locals come here to enjoy the sunset, fantastic scenery, and tranquility. 

 

There is a spacious parking lot nearby for the comfort of visitors. If you come to Nazare and have some free time, be sure to visit Mirante da Pederneira. You’ll have an unforgettable experience and a great photo shoot.

 

Location: R. do Mirante 5, 2450-060 Nazare, Portugal

Discover the Process of Typical Fish Drying at Seca do Peixe

 

This unusual museum can be a great addition to exploring the cultural and natural attractions of Nazare. Here, you can learn many interesting facts about the history and process of drying fish in the open sun. You can also see the entire process from start to finish in action. Inside the museum, there are interpretive displays. The outside part of the exhibition includes shelves with dried fish.

 

The tradition of drying this way goes back to ancient times, when a reliable way to store fish was needed.

 

The shelves display local species of fish, including mackerel, sardines, and octopus. First, the fish is cleaned, then washed in brine, divided into parts, and placed on shelves to dry for 2-3 days.

 

Anyone can buy fish here and try this authentic product.

 

Location: Av. Manuel Remígio 2450, 2450-106 Nazare, Portugal

Walk through the Beach of the Bay of Nazare and Marina

This beach is in the city, and the Marina is marked with a Blue Flag. The total length of the beach is 1.6 km, so it’s the perfect location for leisurely walks along the bay. The harbor fits 128 berths for yachts in the water near the floating pontoons. 

 

Many visitors come here to see luxurious yachts and take great photoshoots. The depth at the entrance to the harbor is about 6 meters, but the water is crystal clear, and you may see the fish.

 

The Marina is active and has a yacht shipyard with basic services for yacht repair and maintenance. In the north part of the beach, there is Pedra do Guilhim cliff with the seventeenth-century fort Sao Miguel Arcanjo and the Nazare lighthouse. Visitors may go up to the viewpoint, which offers a magnificent view of the city and the beach.

 

Location: Av. Manuel Remígio 2450, 2450-106 Nazare, Portugal

Summarize

Nazare is comfortably located on the coast. It preserves centuries-old traditions of the old Portuguese Town, which you can see in local museums and visit the main attractions. The city center is a relatively typical coastal Portuguese town, but to get a complete impression of it, you should drive around the area and stroll along the coast.

 

Nazare has a specific peaceful atmosphere, which can be enjoyed during peaceful walks or stopping at one of the coastal cafes to try delicious local food. With our special tips, you can make your visit more active.

 

Although most visitors come to Nazare to touch the surfing culture or surf themselves, plenty of attractions suit all tastes. Come to the city at any time of the year. Even if you don’t see high waves, you can visit many exciting places we tried to cover in our guide.