Nazaré

Nazaré is a lovely village in the Oeste region of Portugal. It became a world famous surf spot and entered the Guinness Book of Records due to its gigantic waves. It is usually crowded in summer.

Understand


Nazaré (nuh-zuh-REH, /nɐ.zɐ.ˈɾɛ/) is named for the biblical city of Nazareth.

By car
Nazaré municipality is on the A8 motorway from Lisbon and Leiria. To reach the town proper, use the connecting roads N8-5 or IC9. N242 also serves the town from Leiria, Marinha Grande, São Martinho do Porto, and Alfeizarão.

Get around
Walk through the village, use the tramway to the top of the hill and enjoy the fabulous view over Praia da Nazaré. If you can, watch the international surfing championships on the lighthouse's slope.

See




Do
It's a holiday village all year around (though some accommodations and restaurants are closed in the winter season). Take pictures of Nazaré beach from O Sítio; ask local ladies (who traditionally wear seven skirts) if you can take a photo with them.
 * Use the beach.
 * See a bullfight in the Praca do Touros (O Sitio).
 * Walk the white streets of the city.
 * Visit the market.

Buy
Buy the traditional Nazaré dolls and make a decorative use with them (or even for private collection). Buy also a replica of the miraculous statue of Our Lady of Nazaré.

Eat
There are lots and lots of small cheap restaurants, where they are grilling fish (sardines, etc.), chickens outside. Normally it pays off to frequent the smaller streets. On the waterfront and major squares you will find it much more expensive. Lots of nice cafés on the Praça Sousa Oliveira. Not cheap but with a good view of the bustling life.



Sleep
Arriving at the bus station one will normally be "hijacked" by a group of women who offer private rooms. It's quite cheap, normally central and the easiest way to get a place to sleep (follow the woman of your choice to see the quarters, but beware – they're very fast).

There are hotels and pensions to be booked in advance but it's more (much more) expensive and you won't be able to experience the charm of living in a private home, where the family has moved out (or into one little room) so they can rent the other rooms out.

Go next

 * Fátima – Place of the worldwide famous Marian apparitions at Sanctuary of Our Lady.
 * Alcobaça – Well known for its monastery and monastic pastry.
 * Batalha – Well known for its monastery.
 * Caldas da Rainha – Charming, unassuming city to experience authentic daily Portuguese life
 * Coimbra – Easily reached with a bus (leave in the morning - return in the afternoon/evening) if you want a day without sunbathing on the beach.
 * Leiria – Home to a restored medieval castle.
 * Óbidos – A visit to this town could be made en route to Lisboa. (Get off at the Obidos train station, deposit your luggage and walk up to the city.) A tour of the town walls gets you some fine views. But it´s a sleepy town and they know what to charge for a meal.
 * Peniche– Beaches and water sports, with access to the Berlengas archipelago.
 * Tomar– Many interesting sights, including Convent of Christ, a.