Nazaré

Town · Leiria District, 🇵🇹 Portugal

Population 15,158

Area 125 km²

Time zone Europe/Lisbon

Official website www.cm-nazare.pt

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Featured Lists

Sygic Travel User / CC-BY-SA

Nazare's Absolute Essentials

Nazaré is defined by its dramatic topography, split between the coastal town and the clifftop Sítio district. This collection features the town’s dual character, from the expansive Nazaré Beach to the world-renowned big-wave surfing at Praia do Norte. Key historic sites include the 16th-century Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo and the 12th-century Ermida da Memória. Elevated viewpoints like Miradouro do Suberco provide 110-meter-high perspectives of the Atlantic coastline and the traditional red-roofed town below.

10 places

Sergei Gussev / CC BY 2.0

Best Beaches

This coastline around Nazaré features diverse geological formations, from the massive submarine Nazaré Canyon that produces world-record waves at Praia do Norte to the ochre cliffs of Vale Furado. The central Praia da Nazaré maintains traditional maritime heritage with sun-drying fish racks, while southern spots like Praia do Salgado offer expansive dunes and paragliding launch points. The region includes both developed urban waterfronts and secluded wild beaches accessible via steep cliff paths.

8 places

Top Fishing Spots

Nazaré’s coastline offers diverse angling opportunities, from the rugged cliffs of the Sítio to the sandy stretches near Praia do Salgado. These specific fishing spots, known as pesqueiros, are established locations used by locals for rock fishing and surf casting. Most sites provide elevated vantage points over the Atlantic, with several designated as accessible for easier gear transport. Common catches in these nutrient-rich waters near the Nazaré Canyon include sea bass, sea bream, and sargo.

7 places

Andrey Bugaev / CC-BY-SA

Coastal Heritage Forts and Lighthouses

Explore the historical evolution of Nazaré through its maritime defenses and religious landmarks. This collection features the 16th-century Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo and its 1903 lighthouse, which overlook the famous big wave canyon. The list extends to the historic Pederneira district, showcasing an 18th-century pillory and the Misericórdia church. It also includes the rare 7th-century Visigothic architecture of São Gião and the São Bartolomeu observation tower, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic coastline and the surrounding pine forests.

6 places

Sacred Sites and Churches

This collection highlights the diverse religious heritage of the Nazaré region, spanning from the rare 7th-century Visigothic architecture of Igreja de São Gião to the 16th-century Mannerist features of the Igreja da Misericórdia in Pederneira. The list includes hilltop chapels like Ermida de São Bartolomeu and the tile-adorned Capela de Santo António in São Martinho do Porto, representing centuries of Christian tradition, architectural evolution, and local community faith.

6 places