Nazare
Fishing And Beach Town Famous For The Giant Winter Waves Of Praia Do Norte, Among The Largest Ever Surfed · Nazare, Leiria
Nazare is a fishing town on the Oeste coast of Leiria district, about 120 km north of Lisbon, and since 2011 it has been known around the world for the giant winter waves of Praia do Norte. A deep submarine canyon runs almost to the shore here and focuses the Atlantic swell, so on the right winter days waves reported at 20 m and more break below the lighthouse; Garrett McNamara's ride in 2011 put the place on the map, and later rides were reported as world records. The town has three parts: the Praia, the low town along a long sandy bay where fish still dry on racks; the Sitio, the old clifftop quarter reached by an 1889 funicular, with its sanctuary and the legend of Dom Fuas Roupinho; and the quieter Pederneira on the hill behind. Some older women still wear the traditional seven petticoats. The honest caveats: nobody can book a big-wave day - on most winter days the sea is just rough and grey - and in summer the main beach is packed, the water is cold and the town is a busy resort.
Nazare beach town, with the Sitio clifftop and the Fort of Sao Miguel Arcanjo above Praia do Norte, Nazare, Leiria, Portugal
The beach, the promenade and the Sitio are open all year. The Fort of Sao Miguel Arcanjo with its lighthouse and surf exhibition opens daily roughly from morning to early evening, shorter in winter and closed or limited on the biggest swell days - confirm. The Ascensor da Nazare funicular runs from early morning to late evening, more often in summer - confirm it is running. There is no train station in town: come by coach from Lisbon Sete Rios (about 1.75-2 hours) or by car on the A8. Nothing needs booking except summer rooms and parking patience.