Nazare

Nazare now a famous surfer destination

City Overview

Over the 20th century, Nazare progressively evolved from a fishing village to a point of interest among Portuguese and international tourists, advertising itself as a picturesque seaside village.

The town used to be known for the traditional costumes worn by the fishermen. Women traditionally wear a headscarf and flannel skirt, embroidered in seven different colours. The costumes are still worn occasionally.

Located on the Atlantic coast, it has long sandy beaches (considered by some to be among the best in Portugal), attracting many tourists in the summer.

Nazare is a popular surfing destination because of the high breaking waves that form due to the presence of the underwater Nazare Canyon. The canyon increases and converges the incoming ocean swell which, in conjunction with the local water current, dramatically enlarges wave heights.

According to the Legend of Nazare, the town derives its name from a small wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, brought from Nazareth, Holy Land, to a monastery near the city of Mérida, Spain, by a monk in the 4th century. The statue was brought to its current location in 711 by another monk, Romano, accompanied by Roderic, the last Visigoth king of today's Portugal.

Sightseeing

The town of Nazare consists of three neighbourhoods: Praia (along the beach), Sitio (an old village, on top of a cliff) and Pederneira (another old village, on a hilltop). Praia and Sitio are linked by the Nazare Funicular, a funicular railway.

One of the musts to do in Nazare is to ride a funicular to Sitio, perched atop the hill. It is not only a great way to take in the stunning vistas of the sea and town, but it is also a chance to discover Nazare’s old town. On top of the hill, in Sitio, you can find the centuries-old Cathedral, housing the statue of the Virgin Mary of Nazareth, after whom the town was named.

The Town Market, Mercado Municipal Nazare is worth a visit.

Beaches

The town’s southern beach is by far less popular with surfers but still offers some great high-speed waves coming in from the underwater canyon. Note it is still for good surfers only.

Cafes & Restaurants

If you are looking for local cuisine, head to the old town with its quaint restaurants and cafes. Nazare is one of the best places to try out Portuguese fare. For this, go a couple of blocks from the seaside esplanade to find more traditional restaurants. The seafood in Nazare is among the best you will taste in Portugal.

Other places to eat local food include eateries in the old town like Sitiado.

Main Events

It is worth visiting Nazare during the ten-day-long Festival of Our Lady of Nazare, starting early in  September. Then you can see bullfights, fairs, fireworks and folk dancing, all making the festival really worth attending.

Nazare is also home to a unique yearly Carnival at the beginning of February, and Christmas celebrations. The Carnival and Christmas celebrations are renowned.

Other

Currency - Euro (EUR)

Language - Portuguese\Mirandese

Visas - Not needed for travellers from the US, Canada and Europe

Best Time To Visit - March – October

Timezone - Western European Standard Time (GMT)

Homosexual Activity - Legal