Nazaré is a small seaside town located on Portugal’s Costa de Prata or Silver Coast. Once a sleepy fishing village, it is now a popular holiday destination and surfing spot.
Skirted by the Atlantic Ocean, the beaches in Nazaré form a narrow, crescent-shaped stretch of sand. Praia da Nazaré offers turquoise waters for swimming, a scenic promenade and plenty of beachside bars and restaurants. As you take in views of the looming Sítio headland, also keep an eye out for colourful fishing boats, nets laden with fish and locals dressed in the traditional garb of seven skirts. North of the cliff, Praia do Norte boasts massive breaking waves that hold multiple Guinness World Records for the largest waves ever surfed. These towering swells are formed by the underwater Nazaré Canyon and attract throngs of surfers in winter.
For breathtaking vistas of Nazaré, head to the Miradouro do Suberco viewpoint, located at the top of a cliff. You can reach the observation terrace by car, on foot or via a panoramic funicular. Then there’s the coastal 16th-century São Miguel Arcanjo Fort, where you’ll find the Farol da Nazaré lighthouse and a museum dedicated to the town’s surfing heritage.