Nazaré Day Trip from Lisbon: What to See and Do
Updated - April 2026
Nazaré is one of the most picturesque seaside villages in Portugal. It’s best known for its giant waves, but it offers visitors a lot more.
It is located near other destinations like Fatima, Obidos, and the Batalha Monastery, so many people and tours bundle these sights into a great day trip from Lisbon.
Nazaré also has a strong cultural identity. Some older women in town still wear the traditional dress: seven-layered skirts, which locals say were worn while waiting on the beach for fishing boats to return.
There is a lot more to Nazaré than big waves. The view from Miradouro do Suberco is spectacular.
| Distance from Lisbon | About 120 km (75 miles) north |
| Drive time | About 90 minutes via Highway 8 |
| Bus from Lisbon | About 2 hours, Rede Expressos (check current fares) |
| Big wave season | October to March |
| Funicular | €4.00 round trip, every 15 minutes |
| Best for | Couples, surfers, seafood lovers, coastal views |
| Nearby stops | Óbidos, Fátima, Batalha Monastery, Alcobaça |
When to go to Nazaré
Summer
Like all beach communities, summertime is the busiest time to visit Nazaré. Since the water temperature peaks at a very chilly 64 degrees Fahrenheit people (other than surfers) don’t spend much time in the water but the beaches are beautiful.
Spring and Fall
Spring and Fall are great times to visit Nazaré. The temperature is warm and comfortable and the hotel prices are reasonable.
Winter
While most beach towns are deserted in the winter Nazaré’s big waves attract surfers from around the world (more on the big waves below).
We visited Nazaré between Christmas and New Year’s Day and the weather was wonderful, a light jacket was all that was needed. Most of the restaurants were open but not too crowded. If you visit during winter but not during a holiday week it will be even quieter.
The colorful roofs of Nazaré.
How to get to Nazaré
Bus
Long-distance bus service is popular since the rail service in Portugal is not as extensive as in other European countries. Bus service between Lisbon and Nazaré is offered by Rede Expressos for 12 Euro.
The ride takes about 2 hours.
Driving
The drive between Lisbon and Nazaré takes about 90 minutes, mostly along Highway 8 (keep in mind this is a toll road). Driving gives you more flexibility to explore. You could make a quick stop in Peniche, another quaint fishing village, along the way.
Day trips
Nazaré is a very popular spot for organized day trips from Lisbon. Since we didn’t have a car, we opted to take this tour: From Lisbon: Fátima, Batalha, Nazaré & Óbidos Full-Day Tour
We thoroughly enjoyed the day trip. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly, plus having someone drive was a treat.
A quick note: some links here are affiliate links. That means if you book or buy something through them, we earn a small commission. You pay nothing extra, and it helps keep this blog going. We only recommend things we actually believe in.
What to do in Nazaré
See the big waves
The big waves don't break at the main beach. They break at Praia do Norte, the north beach on the other side of the Sítio headland.
If you're visiting in winter and want to watch surfers in action, that's where you need to be. The fort and lighthouse at São Miguel Arcanjo look directly down onto Praia do Norte, which is why the viewpoint up there is such a good spot on a big swell day.
Since we were visiting in December, I was excited about the possibility of seeing the big waves.
Each year, from October to March, winter storms combine with a giant canyon off the Nazaré coast. The giant waves average 50 to 65 feet.
The most famous big wave surfer in Nazaré's history is Brazilian Rodrigo Koxa. In November 2017, he rode an 80-foot wave here, officially confirmed by Guinness World Records as the largest wave ever surfed.
That record has since been topped. German surfer Sebastian Steudtner surfed an 86-foot wave at Nazaré in 2020, which is the current official world record. Every winter, new contenders emerge. The December 2025 season produced several massive rides with early claims of record-breaking heights, though none have been officially verified yet. That is just how Nazaré works. The waves keep getting bigger, and the world keeps watching.
The most popular spot to view the big waves is Farol da Nazaré (Nazaré Lighthouse) and the cliffs around the lighthouse.
In peak season, parking will be extremely difficult, so I’d recommend taking the funicular from the lower town.
Visit the Sítio district
Snacks and shirts for sale in the Sítio district.
The Sítio district is the highest point in Nazaré, and the views are spectacular; it’s one of our lasting memories of Portugal.
The parking is extremely limited, so taking the funicular is the best bet. It leaves every 15 minutes and costs €4.00 roundtrip.
Not only is it a practical form of transportation, but you get a great view during your 1042-foot trip up the cliff.
Debbie and I were genuinely unprepared for how spectacular the view from up here is. You can see the full sweep of the coastline, the long main beach below, and the Atlantic stretching out forever. It's the kind of view you just stand in front of for a while. We didn't want to leave.
A short walk from the funicular takes you to Miradouro do Suberco. This is the viewpoint from which most photos of Nazaré are taken. Plan to spend some time here.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazareth is just steps away. It was built in 1377 and remains an active pilgrimage church. Even if you're not religious, the architecture and the setting are worth a few minutes.
From there, it's a short walk to São Miguel Arcanjo Fort. This 16th-century lighthouse and fortress is where most people come to watch the big waves in winter. On the right day, surfers are riding waves directly below you.
Miradouro do Suberco - a perfect spot for selfies.
Sun-Dried Fish Museum
The long tradition of drying fish along the beach is kept alive at the Sun-Dried Fish Museum right on Praia da Nazare (Nazaré’s main beach). It’s so unique that it’s worth a quick stop.
Praia da Nazaré
Nazaré’s main beach is long, wide, flat, and sandy. With the cliffs to the north, it reminded me of the beaches in Los Angeles, just prettier (sorry, LA).
Since we come from New Jersey we take our boardwalks seriously and the Praia da Nazaré walkway with the signature Portuguese stonework is striking.
Lining the beachfront are the typical seafood restaurants and shops you might expect.
The narrow back streets of Nazaré.
| HOTELS | Booking.com Lots of search options. The customer reviews are very helpful. | Link ↗ |
| ACTIVITIES | Viator A wide variety of tours, food experiences and historical guides. | Link ↗ |
| AIRFARE | FareDrop Alerts for cheap flights customized by your home airport. | Link ↗ |
| PHONE | Airalo Easy to use eSIM for data and calls in every country. | Link ↗ |
| TRAIN TRAVEL | Trainline We book all our trains here. Easy to use and comprehensive listings. | Link ↗ |
Eating in Nazaré
We visited Nazaré at lunchtime so we were hungry for a good meal. I’m usually a bit skeptical of restaurants right on the tourist beach so we decided to take a walk through the pretty, narrow streets of Nazaré.
The dining room at Taberna d'Adelia.
With a little help from Google Maps, we found Taberna d'Adelia. Little did we know that we were about to have one of our favorite meals in Portugal.
We shared two different dishes, seafood stew and assorted seafood with rice. It was very obvious why Taberna d'Adélia is listed in the Michelin Guide.
Luckily, we visited when they had just opened for the day, and by the time we left, there was a long line.
We’ll be thinking about that meal for a long time.
If you are looking for more great things to do in Lisbon, check out our post: Our favorite things to do in Lisbon
What to see near Nazaré
Monastery of Batalha
A short 30-minute drive away is the Monastery of Batalha. The monastery was established during the reign of King João and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fatima
The Sanctuary of Fátima is a major Christian pilgrimage site attracting visitors from around the world. It marks the site where, in 1916 and 1917, three local children reported being visited by the Virgin Mary.
Today, the sight is massive and an interesting stop regardless of your religious affiliation.
Read our post: Visiting Fatima, what you need to know
Óbidos
Óbidos started as a Roman settlement; today it attracts visitors who want to see the town within castle walls.
It’s also the birthplace of Ginjinha, the Portuguese liqueur. We had Ginjinha in Óbidos, and it was our favorite in all of Portugal.
Óbidos turns into a Christmas Village during the holidays. We visited between Christmas and New Year's Day and can confirm that they do Christmas right.
Read our post: Visiting Obidos, Portugal’s Medieval Walled Town
We came to Nazaré hoping to see giant waves and missed them by a few days.
Even so, it turned out to be one of our favorite stops in Portugal. The views from the Sítio district stayed with us. The lunch at Taberna d'Adélia was as good as any meal we had on the entire trip, and the town has a charm that's hard to describe until you're standing in it.
If you're planning a trip to Lisbon, make the drive north. You won't regret it.
Nazaré FAQ
How far is Nazaré from Lisbon?
Nazaré is about 120 km (75 miles) north of Lisbon. By car, it takes around 90 minutes via the A8 highway. By bus it's about 2 hours.
Is Nazaré worth a day trip from Lisbon?
Absolutely. We did it as part of a guided tour, and it was one of the highlights of our Portugal trip. The views from the Sítio district alone are worth the drive. Add a good lunch and a walk along the beach, and you have a full, satisfying day.
When is the best time to see the big waves in Nazaré?
The big wave season runs from October to March, with the best conditions usually between November and February. If seeing giant waves is your main reason for going, plan your trip around a winter swell forecast. Summer brings beautiful weather and a great beach, but the dramatic waves are a winter thing.
Can you do Nazaré without a car?
Yes. Buses run from Lisbon's Sete Rios or Oriente stations via Rede Expressos, and the ride takes about 2 hours. Organized day tours from Lisbon are also a great option. That is how we did it.
What is Nazaré known for besides the waves?
The Sítio district and its coastal views, the traditional fishing culture, the Sun-Dried Fish Museum, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazareth, and some genuinely excellent seafood restaurants.
This post was researched and written by John O'Boyle of The Empty Nest Explorers.
John is a professional photographer whose work has been published by the New York Times, NBC News, and Getty Images. He has been part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team and nominated for New York Emmy Awards. You can learn more about John and the Empty Nest Explorers here.
Some well-reviewed Portugal tours:
Other Portugal travel blog posts:
We had a great time visiting Portugal during Christmas week and for the New Year.
Visiting the big cities of Lisbon and Porto in December and January, with the mild weather and festive atmosphere, creates a special kind of liveliness during the holiday season.
A range of Christmas fairs & markets, festive lights, decorations and holiday celebrations make for a memorable visit.