For fans of big waves and surf lovers, Nazare (Portugal) is a well – known resort located an hour’s drive from the capital of the country. The town was founded in the early 16th century.
It is here that waves up to 30 meters high can occur due to the peculiarities of the sea landscape. Only the bravest athletes can tame the roaring and raging elements. Every year the best surfers from all over the world come to Nazare. Otherwise, Nazare is a small fishing town with many cafes and restaurants, souvenir shops.
General information
Tourists call Lisbon the heart of the country, and Nazare-its soul. And this soul is passionate, beautiful and noble. You can fall in love with the town endlessly and also endlessly admire the big waves of Nazare in Portugal.
The city’s population is slightly more than 10 thousand inhabitants. It is located in the region of Leiria, which is known for centuries-old fishing traditions and the legend of the miraculous rescue of the monarch by Our Lady. For many decades, Nazar has attracted pilgrims from all over the world, but the town gives an incredible sense of unity with nature and allows you to enjoy beautiful landscapes.
Local residents honor ancient traditions, prefer to wear old clothes, and on the streets you can often hear folk songs. Even today, women in Nazar still wear seven skirts and sit on the shore mending nets and drying fish in the old-fashioned way. Many tourists have the feeling that time has stopped here, but this did not prevent the city from becoming one of the most visited resorts in the country. All conditions for a comfortable stay are created here.
The town is divided into two parts. Upper-old, here are the main attractions of Nazare in Portugal. In the lower town there is a beach, souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, shops and all the tourist infrastructure.
On a note! Souvenirs are best bought in the lower part of Nazare, as they are cheaper here.
Holiday features
If you love the ocean, then Nazare will be perfect for you regardless of the season of the year. The high season begins in the second half of May and lasts until the beginning of autumn, while the rest of the year is visited by elderly people and surfers.
Summer Resort
If your main goal is a beach holiday, summer is best suited for this. However, it should be borne in mind that the Atlantic coast is quite cool, the water here does not warm up above +18 degrees. In addition, the ocean is often stormy. On weekends, the beach is filled not only with tourists, but also with the local population.
At the height of the high season, the temperature varies from +17 to +30 degrees, but in the sun it feels +40 degrees. There is almost no rain, the vegetation becomes sparse, faded, and fires often occur.
Nazare in autumn
As the temperature drops, the waves gain strength, the weather is quite windy, it rains, but in sunny weather, local residents wear T-shirts.
Useful information! An umbrella in Nazar will not save you from the rain, as strong gusts of wind simply turn it out. It is best to stock up on a waterproof jacket with a hood.
The most comfortable months for recreation are September and the first half of October. At this time, the temperature is kept at +20…+25 degrees, precipitation is low.
Nazare in the spring
Early spring is quite cool here, the temperature does not rise above +10 degrees, and it rains regularly. The weather becomes comfortable for holidays only in May.
Nazare in winter
The average temperature ranges from +8 to +15, this is the perfect time for extreme surfing and just to watch the brave athletes. It is during the cold season that Nazare in Portugal has the biggest waves in the world.
On a note! Coimbra, Portugal’s student capital, is an hour’s drive from Nazare. Find out what’s interesting in this article.
Surfing
This amazing surf paradise was found by Hawaiian athlete Garrett McNamara. He holds the world record-Garrett was able to conquer a huge wave of 24 meters (although some fans of exaggeration say that the height was 34 meters). Since then, surfers from many countries have come to Nazare to test their courage and bravery.
Interesting fact! The secret of the constant big waves in Nazar-opposite the town on the ocean floor there is a canyon, the flow of water, getting into it, pushes a huge amount of water to the surface in the form of high waves.
If you just want to watch the athletes, go up to the cape, where you can enjoy a beautiful view and breathe plenty of air filled with iodine.
While exploring the Portuguese Golden Ring, Nazare is a popular place to stop for food, as it serves delicious Portuguese fish and seafood dishes.
What else you need to do in Nazar:
- take the ancient tram to Sitiu;
- eat at one of the restaurants;
- enjoy the surfers;
- watch the sunset on the Atlantic Ocean and drink port-the famous drink of Portugal.
What to see and where to go
Nazare Beach
The beach is a strip of sand 150 meters wide and about 1.7 km long, which is located between the harbor and the rock. On the cliff are the 17th-century Sao Miguel Arcanjo fort, a lighthouse and an observation deck where tourists come to see the city from a bird’s-eye view.
The beach has a well-developed infrastructure, soft, clean sand and many cafes and taverns. There is no natural shade on the beach, but in summer there are awnings that protect from the heat. In the cold season, there are almost no tourists on Nazare beach and you can enjoy the beauty of nature almost alone.
On a note! Not far from the beach, there is a fishing market where locals bring their catch.
Sitiu District
This is the historic district of the city, where all the sights are collected, from here you can enjoy a panoramic view of Nazare.
What to visit in Sitiu:
- Church of Our Lady;
- Archangel michael fort;
- lighthouse;
- the chapel where the Black Madonna was previously kept.
The area is located on a hill, where they sell delicious nuts and dried fruits. In souvenir shops there are many beautiful handmade products, shells from the depths of the ocean. The place is atmospheric, in the evenings people come here to relax and sit in a cozy cafe. The square has a toilet, clean and tidy.
If you want to tickle your nerves a little, take a walk along the path that runs right over the cliff. While the bells are ringing, take a walk to the lighthouse and listen to the sound of the ocean waves. You can always use the funicular, it is open until 23-00.
Mirador do Subercu Observation Deck
The observation deck is located at an altitude of 110 meters and offers views of the city of Nazare, the beach and the ocean with its large waves.
A beautiful legend is connected with this place, according to which the appearance of the Madonna to the inhabitants of Nazare took place here. The saint saved from death the knight Fuas Rupigno, who lost his way in the fog and without the help of the Virgin Mary would have fallen off the cliff.
The observation deck is a popular tourist destination, so it is quite crowded here. From here, the beach looks like a large anthill with scurrying people and colorful awnings. Just behind the beach you can see the port with boats of local fishermen.
Two parts of the city – upper and lower-are connected by a path, which is better to walk with a flashlight in the dark, because it is not illuminated. If you don’t want to go on foot, take the funicular, which operates from 6-00 to 23-00. The lower part of Nazare is a maze of streets that intertwine in a bizarre way.
Most of them are designed for hiking only. In a south-easterly direction, Mount San Brasch rises. You can also consider a new microdistrict under construction.
Archangel Michael Fort
The fort is a surf museum and is used as a lighthouse, which was installed here in 1903. This is a traditional fortress structure that protected the settlement from enemy attacks.
The museum exhibit is dedicated to Garrett McNamara and the huge wave he conquered. The surfer managed to ride the entire length of the wave and stay on his feet.
It was after this event that Nazare became famous and became a surfing center and a favorite place for nature lovers. The museum exhibits include photos of a surfer, colorful posters with views of Nazare, and detailed descriptions of the area.
The lighthouse is equipped with several viewing platforms, they are installed at different heights. One of them is reached by a shaky, not fixed staircase, so it is quite difficult to get there, it will take a certain amount of courage. Not only tourists, but also local fishermen gather at the sites.
The lighthouse offers a picturesque view of the new district of Nazare and the city beach. A staircase leads from the lighthouse to the ocean, you can go straight down to the water and feel the salt spray on your face.
Church of the Virgin Mary
Located in Sitiu Square. This is a very beautiful, sophisticated building. It is associated with the legend of the Madonna, namely a small sculpture of the Black Madonna. It is believed that the sculpture made a trip around the world and got to the village of Nazareth, in honor of this legend, the city is named. The black Madonna was brought to Portugal by a monk, and since then the sculpture of the saint has been kept in the town. Every year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and believers from all over the world come to touch it.
The building of the landmark was reconstructed three times, the last reconstruction was carried out in the 17th century. An oddly shaped staircase leads to the entrance. Bells are installed under exquisite domes of beautiful shape. Inside, the temple looks very luxurious and solemn. The rooms are decorated with arches, columns and gilding. The church has an organ, and in front of the musical instrument there is an altar with a sanctuary. In comparison with Catholic buildings in Europe, the local Church of Our Lady looks elegant and festive.
To the right of the main entrance is the Museum of Religious Arts, which is completely free to visit. The exhibits include ancient church vestments, sculptures and paintings on Biblical themes, and everyday objects of priests.
There is a souvenir shop near the exit.
How to get there
Nazare is located in the Leiria region, approximately one hour by car from the Portuguese capital. If you are traveling from Porto, the journey will take two hours. You need to go along the A8 highway. This is a toll highway.
By bus
For tourists who travel without personal transport, the best way to get to Nazare is by bus. In Lisbon, flights depart from the Sete Rios bus station, you can get here by the city metro – Linhea Azul line, the necessary station is Jardim Zoologico. In the resort town of Nazare, public transport arrives at the bus station located near the center.
All buses are new and comfortable, equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi. The frequency of departure of flights is approximately once an hour. Please note that the number of flights decreases on weekends and public holidays.
You will be interested! On the way from Lisbon to Nazare, you can stop in the small village of Obidos. Why it is called the “city of weddings” and what it is notable for, read on this page.
By train
There is also a train service from Lisbon, but it will take longer to get there, as there is no train station in Nazare. Trains arrive at the village of Valado de Frades, 6 km from the resort. Travel time-from 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours 53 minutes, depending on the type of train. The ticket costs 11.4-13.25 euros. You can find out the current schedule and purchase a travel document on the official website of the Portuguese railway — www.cp.pt. The final destination of the trip can be reached by taxi or bus (carrier Rodoviária do Tejo).
Nazare (Porugalia) is a unique town, attractive and amazing at any time of the year. You can come here in winter, when there are big waves in Nazar, or in summer to soak up the beach. The resort offers relaxation for every taste – you can enjoy the soft sand on the beach, go shopping or taste local dishes, keep fit on the gym equipment, go in for extreme sports or visit the sights.
