A Perfect Day in Nazare
Wondering what to do in Nazare, Portugal, in just one day?
Of course, it would be great if you had more time, more than a day, more than 24 hours, to see all that there is to see and experience in Nazare.
But sometimes, we just have to be thankful for what we’ve got, so why not make the most it with our 24-hours in Nazare guide.
True story: from time to time, we use affiliate links in our posts to promote the things we love about Nazare.
But this is not a sponsored blog post. The information included below has not been paid for.
Our mission is to provide our readers with sound advice based on public reviews, personal experience, and of course, positive word of mouth.
Sincerely, Tourism Nazare
WHAT TO DO IN NAZARE
COFFEE & PASTRY
Breakfast is the least elaborate meal of the day for Portuguese people.
You’ll find many locals standing at the countertop of their neighborhood cafe drinking an espresso, or some version of that, with a crumbling pastry in their hand wrapped in tissue.
Why not follow suit? Head over to Pastelaria Arcadia and begin the day on a sweet note.
Try the ‘only found in Nazare’ dessert Tamar and wash it down with your caffeinated beverage of choice.
Cost for a coffee and pastry $2 per person.
PEOPLE WATCH AT THE MERCADO MUNICIPAL
Walk along the Rua Sub Villa and head to the lively Mercado Municipal.
The farmers market is open seven days a week from 8 AM till 1 PM, including holidays, and only closes on Mondays between October and April.
Friday and Saturday’s are the busiest market days, and vendors will varying greatly during the weekdays.
Butchers take to their shop in the permanent storefronts around the edges while the stalls on the main floor are occupied by fruit & produce vendors, bakeries, and other grocery items.
Don’t miss the Fish Market at the top level.
Look out for barnacles (percebes) picked from the cliffs at the Praia do Norte and traditional Nazare dried fish marinated with garlic in olive oil and ready for the taking, pic-a-pau style.
WALK IT OFF ON THE PROMENADE
The art of drying fish and preserving the catch for times of scarcity is a Nazare tradition passed down generation by generation for over 300-years.
The four-step drying process is straightforward and will take 2 to 4 days to complete depending on the weather.
Just next to the drying stalls is the open air boat exhibit.
Dating back to the 19th century, these boats and many others like them would carry local fishermen into the Portuguese coastline to trawl.
Many would never see home again.
DID YOU KNOW… Five of the boats on display are facing inland? But at the request of some locals, two will permanently face the ocean. Discover which ones on your next visit to Nazare.
TAKE A RIDE UP THE FUNICULAR
Until the construction of the Nazare Portugal Funicular (ascensor), the fastest way from Nazare Beach to the neighborhood of O Sitio was to climb 134 steps up the staircase know as the Ladeira do Sitio.
But since July 28th, 1889, residents had another option, and that is the funicular.
Initially powered by steam, the now electrical elevator (as it’s also known by) glides up 1043 feet (318 meters) on a 42% incline every 15-minutes between 7 AM until midnight.
During the summer months, coinciding with the peak travel season, the funicular operates until 2 AM.
Cost per person $1.50 per direction or $2.90 for a return ticket. Other ride ticket options and passes available.
A LESSON IN LEGENDS AT THE CHAPEL OF MEMORY
“There once was a knight who was hunting…” is how the story of Dom Fuas Rouphino begins about his near-death experience over the cliffs of Nazare Beach while chasing the devil in disguise of a deer.
In honor of his salvation by the sight of The Virgin Mary appearing, the Memory Hermitage of Nazare or Chapel of Memory, in short, began construction in 1182.
But if the tale of Dom Fuas wasn’t enough, the chapel also tells the legend of a statue brought here to the region by a Visigoth king in 714 AD.
All one must do is to descend on the staircase to the right to find out more.
Free admission. Hours of operation 9:00 AM till dusk.
AN ODE TO WAVES NAZARE LIGHTHOUSE
No day is complete without spending some time in the famous Praia do Norte.
Home to Guinness World records for the largest wave surfed (unlimited) male and female, the previously neglected Lighthouse (Farol) is now a renovated historical site with a Surf Board Museum dedicated to the surfers who have braved the giant waves of the North Beach.
Once you have your fill of surf and history, walk down the adjacent dirt path towards the shoreline to Forno de Orca cave.
Admission to the Lighthouse $1 per person. Opens at 10 AM and closes one hour before sunset.
DID YOU KNOW… that just beyond the Lighthouse, in the waters off Nazare Beach lies a sunken WWII German Submarine? Learn about this and more on your visit to the Nazare Lighthouse.
A SECOND LUNCH
To lanchar (to have something for tea) or not to lanchar – that is the question?
This small meal of the day occurs a couple of hours after your lunch and is meant to tide you over till your dinner, which for most Portuguese doesn’t take place till late evening.
Head to Taberna Ti Ezelino for an idyllic sunset view and saltwater clams (berbigao) with a breadbasket.
The bread basket is technically optional, but let’s pretend it’s not.
Cost for Berbigao appetizer and a small imperial beer, approximately $9.
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