Day Trips from Nazare
Wondering what else there is to see and discover around Nazare, Portugal?
Here are five half-day trips that are easy and hassle-free to get to and, of course, are not worthing missing out.
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Nazare Beach may not be your first choice as a home base when visiting the Center of Portugal, what with neighboring towns like Obidos and budget-friendly Alcobaca nearby.
But if whisking off after breakfast to visit a medieval castle only to return in time for sunset drinks before your dinner reservation to devour a freshly grilled seafood dinner is your idea of a perfect day – then perhaps Nazare is the town for you after all.
Here is our guide to five wonderful half-day trips, all less than an hour’s drive away from Nazare to discover.
See each spot on their own or combine our recommendations to create full-day experiences.
ALCOBACA
Distance: 10 miles (16 km)
Driving Time: 15 mins
Toll cost: N/A
Recommended time spent exploring: 3 hours including driving time, visit to the Monastery and a quick treat at Alcoa Bakery.
ABOUT ALCOBACA
A 15 minutes drive away from Nazare is the city of Alcobaca that was made noteworthy by Portugal’s first King, Afonso Henriques when in 1153 he decided to build a church to honour his defeat of the Moorish occupation in Santarem.
This church, after 76 years of construction would evolve into the Monastery of Alcobaca and act as the final resting place of Portugal’s very own, twisted, Romeo and Juillet tale of Pedro and Ines.
SEE: MONASTERY OF ALCOBACA
Hours of operation:
Summer schedule: April to September from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Winter schedule: October to March from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed: January 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st, August 20th and December 25th
Cost of attraction: $6 per adult. For more information visit here.
EAT: ALCOA BAKERY
One of Portugal’s top-rated and award-winning bakeries, Alcoa is a must eat at for Portuguese pastry lovers.
BATALHA
Distance: 20 miles (33 km)
Driving Time: 30 mins, 25 mins from Alcobaca if combining both visits
Toll cost: N/A
Recommended time spent exploring: 2 hours including driving time
ABOUT BATALHA
Less than a half hours drive from Alcobaca, the Monastery of Batalha is yet another example of a king’s promise to commemorate a victory.
But this time it was the promise of King John I of Portugal and the battle of Aljubarrota.
The Monastery, formerly known as the Monastery of Saint Mary of the Victory (Mosteiro de Santa Maria da Vitoria), spanned the reign of seven kings and took over a century to build.
Highlight: Monastery of Batalha and The Unfinished Chapels
SEE: MONASTERY OF BATALHA AND THE UNFINISHED CHAPELS
Hours of operation:
Summer schedule: April 1st to October 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Winter schedule: October 16th to March 31st from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Closed: January 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st, and December 25th
Cost of attraction: $6 per adult and FREE till noon on the first Sunday of every month. For more information click here.
OBIDOS
Distance: 25 miles (41 km) for paid toll route or 23 miles (37 km) for the national road
Driving Time: approximately 35 mins
Toll cost: $2.50 each way
Recommended time spent exploring: 4.5 hours including drive time, walk on castle walls and rest stop
MONEY SAVING TIP: Turn on the “Avoid tolls” option on your GPS to save you almost $5 in toll fees. The time difference between the free route and the paid option is only 5 mins and perhaps not worth the added expense.
ABOUT OBIDOS
How does one describe Obidos and do it justice?
Factually, Obidos is the town built inside medieval castle walls.
But to elaborate on this, imagine a village, 800 years old with original cobblestone roads, buildings dating back to the 13th century, barely a storey high, all painted white and trimmed in vibrant primary colours with terracotta roofs.
Now imagine this town all encircled by a castle fortification who’s foundation dates back to the Moorish times during the 8-11th centuries and you will begin to get an idea of how awe-inspiring it is.
DO: WALK THE CASTLE WALLS OF OBIDOS
Cost of attraction: FREE
DRINK: GINJA
Ginjinha d’Obidos arguably the best Ginja in Portugal and a fierce competitor of that of ‘A Ginjinha Espinheira‘ found in Lisbon.
Check out Bar Ibn Errik Rex in Obidos for a nip.
LOCAL TIP: Does your visit coincide with any of these special events like the Chocolate Festival April/May, Medieval Market July/August, and the Christmas Markets? Why not plan ahead and experience one of these not to miss festivals.
Find your Pestana Hotels here.
LEIRIA
Distance: 33 KMs (20 Miles)
Driving Time: 41 mins
Toll cost: N/A
Recommended time spent exploring: 4 hours including driving time, castle visit, and lunch
ABOUT LEIRIA
Leiria, voted as the fourth best city in Portugal to live in, was first inhabited by a Celtiberian tribe, and then later by the Romans of which most of modern-day Leiria is built upon.
During the middle ages, under the reign of King Dinis I, Leiria grew in stature and was home to a royal residence that has since been lost.
What remains today is the Castle of Leiria which overlooks the modern town and the river Lis.
VISIT: CASTLE OF LEIRIA (CASTELO DE LEIRIA)
Hours of operation:
Summer schedule: April to September from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Winter schedule: October to March from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Closed January 1st, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day
Cost of attraction: $2.50 per adult. For more information visit here.
EAT: CHICO LOBO GASTRO PUB
Continue your love affair with the Castle of Leiria and head to the Praça Rodrigues Lobo for lunch at Chico Lobo Gastro Pub.
Besides great food, you will also be rewarded with an incredible view of the castle in a typical Portuguese town square.
MIRE DE AIRE CAVES
Distance: 45 KMs (28 Miles)
Driving Time: 45 mins
Toll cost: N/A
Recommended time spent exploring: 4 hours including drive time, cave tour and rest stop.
ABOUT MIRE DE AIRE CAVES
Voted as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Portugal, the Caves of Mire de Aire we found by chance in 1947 and date back to the Middle Jurassic age 150 million years ago.
Of the 7 miles (11 km) that the cave network extends, less than half a mile or 600 meters can be visited by the public.
Group tours depart regularly and begin with a video demonstration prior to the exploration of the caves.
VISIT: ONE OF THE 7 NATURAL WONDERS OF PORTUGAL
Mire de Aire Caves hours of operation:
Summer schedule:
June and September from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and
July and August from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Winter schedule:
October to March from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and
April to May from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
January 1st 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Open every day.
Cost of attraction: $7 per adult and $4.50 per child age 5 to 11. For more information click here
LOCAL TIP: Add a stop to the unique Porto de Mos Castle on your way back to Nazare.
What are we missing? Let us know in the comments below.
