Nazaré

Nazaré is a municipality in the Leiria district on the western coast of Portugal, known for its towering winter surf and traditional fishing heritage. The town divides into two areas: the lower quarter by the water and the upper district on the clifftop, connected by a funicular railway.

The settlement received its first town charter in 1514, growing from a small fishing village. Centuries later, in the early 2000s, the discovery of the deep underwater canyon transformed it into a global destination for extreme surfing.

Local fishermen still sell their catch in markets near the waterfront, while older women wear traditional skirts with seven layers of brightly colored cloth. The costume dates back to a time when these hues helped families spot their men returning from dangerous trips at sea.

The best time to visit is between October and March, when the waves reach their tallest and professionals gather at the shoreline. Those wanting to see Praia do Norte should walk up to the lighthouse at Fort São Miguel Arcanjo, from where the whole stretch of coast comes into view.

The underwater canyon stretching beyond the shore extends for more than 200 kilometers into the ocean and ranks among the deepest ravines in Europe. Its abrupt rise from the seabed to the beach creates a compression of Atlantic swell found nowhere else on the continent.

Location: Leiria

Location: Oeste Subregion

Location: Estremadura

Shares border with: Alcobaça

Phone: +351262550010

Email: geral@cm-nazare.pt

Website: https://cm-nazare.pt

GPS coordinates: 39.60000,-9.06667

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:02