Nazaré: Portugal’s Most Underrated Beach Town
Nazaré was non-negotiable for us — a stop between Porto and Lisbon built specifically around it. My husband is a surfer, and Nazaré is basically hallowed ground for big-wave riders, so visiting for his birthday was a must. What we didn't expect was just how much more there is to this town beyond the waves — the food, the cliffs, the atmosphere, all of it ended up being one of the most memorable parts of our honeymoon.
Where Is Nazaré?
Nazaré is a small coastal town on Portugal’s Silver Coast (Costa de Prata), about 75 miles north of Lisbon and 100 miles south of Porto. It’s easily reachable by train, FlixBus, or car from either city — making it a perfect middle stop on a Porto-to-Lisbon itinerary, which is exactly how we did it.
Where to Stay
We stayed at Hotel Mar Bravo, right on the beachfront in the lower town, and it was excellent. The rooms have balconies directly facing the ocean and the sunset views were stunning every evening. For a honeymoon or a romantic trip, this is the one. Book a sea-view room. You won’t regret it.
The Two Sides of Nazaré
The Praia (Lower Town)
The lower town sits right on a wide, sweeping beach — one of the longest in Portugal. The promenade is lined with restaurants, fish vendors, and the occasional local in traditional dress (the women of Nazaré are known for wearing bright, layered skirts and headscarves — a tradition that’s still alive, particularly among the older generation). The beach itself is beautiful, with powerful Atlantic waves that make it one of Europe’s most famous surfing destinations.
The Sítio (Clifftop)
Take the bus or the funicular up to the Sítio — the clifftop neighborhood that sits about 110 meters above the lower town — and you get a completely different perspective on everything. The views over the beach and the Atlantic are jaw-dropping. Up here you’ll find the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré, a beautiful sanctuary built by King Ferdinand I in the 14th century to house a miraculous wooden statue of the Virgin Mary that pilgrims have been coming to venerate for centuries. The town’s whole name and identity is tied to this statue — it’s worth a visit.
Farol de Nazaré: The Surfing Capital of the World
Keep walking from the Sítio out toward the lighthouse at the far end of the cliff, and you reach one of the most exhilarating spots in Portugal. This is Praia do Norte — the beach where, in 2011, big-wave surfer Garrett McNamara rode what was then the largest wave ever surfed (78 feet). The underwater Nazaré Canyon, one of the deepest submarine canyons in the world, funnels Atlantic swells into the bay and creates waves of extraordinary size during winter months. The Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo houses the Surf Museum, which tells this whole story brilliantly and is worth far more time than you’d expect. We stood on that cliff for a long time just watching surfers tackle the break below. There’s a food hut out here too — great wraps and quesadillas if you need fuel.
Where to Eat
Augusta Nazaré
Famed for their brunch platter — a spread of local cheeses, meats, eggs, and bread that’s worth waking up early for. One of the best meals we had in Nazaré.
Taberna d’Adélia
A local institution for traditional Portuguese seafood. Order the seafood stew. It’s exactly what you want after a day by the Atlantic.
Fresh Fish on the Promenade
Don’t overthink it. Walk the promenade, find a simple restaurant with fresh fish on the grill, sit outside, and order whatever the catch of the day is. This is one of Portugal’s best fishing towns — the seafood is as fresh as it gets.
About the Weather
You should know: Nazaré and Portugal’s Atlantic coast are not the Mediterranean. The weather can be overcast, misty, and moody even in late summer and early fall. The Atlantic brings high humidity, and the proximity to Portugal’s mountain ranges means fog and low clouds roll in regularly off the sea. In September and October, you might get brilliant sunshine or you might get dramatic grey skies. Either way, it’s beautiful — just don’t come here solely for a beach holiday and expect guaranteed sun. Come for the atmosphere, the food, the waves, and the drama. The weather is part of the character.
A gloomy morning in Nazaré.
Why Nazaré Belongs on Your Portugal Itinerary
Most tourists fly into Lisbon and head straight to the Algarve or Sintra. Nazaré gets skipped, which means you get a Portugal that still feels like Portugal. Fishermen still dry their catch on the beach. The restaurants are full of locals. The waves are wild and the sunsets from Hotel Mar Bravo’s balcony are the kind of thing you talk about for years. Add it to your itinerary. It fits perfectly between Porto and Lisbon and it will be one of the most unexpected highlights of your trip.
