Nazaré

Travel Guide
Nazare showing a coastal town, a beach and general coastal views
Immerse yourself in Portugal’s history in this picturesque fishing town, where colorful wooden boats bob in the water and the traditions of the past are kept alive.

Get a sense of the history of Portugal’s close-knit fishing communities by spending a few days exploring the scenic town of Nazaré. With winding streets, traditional red-roofed buildings and waters filled with old-fashioned fishing boats, this town offers a nostalgic trip into the past. Wander its charming lanes, relax on its sandy beaches and see how many old customs still survive here. This is also a favorite destination with surfers and is a great place to take to the waves.

Visit the Casa Museu do Pescadorto learn about the town’s fishing history. This captivating little museum, housed within an authentic fishing cottage, is set up like the inside of a traditional fishing cottage from the early 20th century. Spot signs of the area’s earliest settlers, the Phoenicians, throughout the town. Painted symbols such as eyes featured heavily in Phoenician culture over 2,000 years ago.

Spot fisherwomen in traditional dress as you explore Nazaré’s waterfront Praia district. With seven colorful layers of skirts, this eye-catching costume is a delight to see. Encounter other nostalgic sights along the coast, including fish laid out to dry in the sun.

Relax on the golden sands of Nazaré Beach, which is a great place to surf or simply to soak up the sun. See the giant waves crashing against the rocks at North Beach, a rugged spot loved by pro surfers for its wild waters.

Enjoy panoramic views of the town and ocean by taking the funicular railway up the steep hill to the Sitio district. Make the time to visit the Ermida da Memóriawhile you are up here. This tiny, perfect chapel is dramatically situated on the very edge of a cliff.

Reach Nazaré in around 1.5 hours by car from Lisbon. Although it is close enough for a daytrip, you might want to spend much longer in this magical historic town.

Where to stay in Nazaré

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Serra da Pescaria

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Serra da Pescaria and surrounding area, you can visit Nazaré Port and Nazaré Beach.

Serra da Pescaria
Hotel Praia
Hotel Praia
4 out of 5
Avenida Vieira Guimaraes 39, Nazaré
The price is CA $166 per night from Apr. 6 to Apr. 7
CA $166
CA $176 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 6 - Apr 7
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Nazaré. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (349 reviews)
"Our room was small but super clean with a beautiful balcony. The breakfast was really good."

Reviewed on Mar. 26, 2024

Hotel Praia
Hotel Oceano
Hotel Oceano
1 out of 5
Avenida Republica 51, Nazaré
The price is CA $81 per night from Apr. 2 to Apr. 3
CA $81
CA $86 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 2 - Apr 3
Stay at this beach hotel in Nazaré. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (303 reviews)
"Great seafront property with good sea view rooms. Good breakfast and restaurant available for other meals. Friendly helpful staff."

Reviewed on Mar. 24, 2024

Hotel Oceano
Hotel Miramar Sul
Hotel Miramar Sul
4 out of 5
Caminho Real, Nazaré
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $125 per night from Mar. 31 to Apr. 1
CA $125
CA $132 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Nazaré. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Nazaré Port and Nazaré Beach are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (596 reviews)
"The view was incredible and the hotel was excellent. I would definitely stay there again."

Reviewed on Dec. 13, 2023

Hotel Miramar Sul
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Home Sweet Praia
Home Sweet Praia
Rua Gil Vicente, 31, Nazaré, Leiria
Stay at this apartment in Nazaré. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle, and an LED TV. Popular attractions Promontório do Sítio and Church of Nossa Senhora da ...
9/10 Wonderful! (26 reviews)
"Ema communicated well, was friendly and provided good info to our questions. Nearby parking is available but you must reserve the space in advance. Close to the beach. We would definitely book the same flat again on a future visit to Nazare."

Reviewed on Feb. 8, 2024

Home Sweet Praia
Casinha na Praia
Casinha na Praia
Nazaré
Stay at this vacation home in Nazaré. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a balcony. Popular attractions Promontório do Sítio and Church of Nossa Senhora da ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (27 reviews)
Nice place
"The apartment was tiny but great location to beach & restaurants. Paula was great communicating all the instructions to us. It was very hot when we were there in Oct, some fans would of been nice. Hear neighours chatting all night long due to close proximity of all the apartments."

Reviewed on Oct. 26, 2023

Casinha na Praia
Studio on the Beach - Nazaré
Studio on the Beach - Nazaré
Nazaré
Stay at this apartment in Nazaré. Enjoy free WiFi, a balcony, and a TV. Popular attractions Promontório do Sítio and Church of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (7 reviews)
Séjour très bien dans ce petit loft, très bien équipé et très très propre. Très bien situé.
"Je suis très très déçue du service de VRBO, suite à mon changement (12 février 2024) de durée de mon séjour (reste 4 jours du 5 au 9 mars 2024 au lieu de 6 jours tel qu’initialement du 5 au 11 mars 2024). L'hôte a accepté le changement le même jour, mas VRBO n'a pas effectué le changement jusqu'à ..."

Reviewed on Mar. 11, 2024

Studio on the Beach - Nazaré
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Nazaré

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
" "5 - Excellent 22.22222222222222%
4 - Good
12
" "4 - Good 66.66666666666667%
3 - Okay
2
" "3 - Okay 11.11111111111111%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Oct. 28, 2019

Great beach, lovely sunsets, good restaurants.

4/5 - Good

Ian
Sep. 26, 2019

a beach and surfing town

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
Aug. 18, 2019

Was expecting a nice typical Portuguese village but we were a bit disappointed with the amount of tourists present. All commerces are clearly present for attracting tourist activity. Although, it is true we were there in August in high season.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
May 15, 2019

Great waterfront town to spend 2-3 nights

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Apr. 14, 2019

View from the old town Nazare Norte is superb and there’s a market for local specialties.

Cities near Nazaré