Nazare is a beautiful coastal town located close to Lisbon and offers visitors a sandy shoreline and azure waters. It’s a great place to add to your Portugal itinerary if you enjoy towns situated right on the water.
It makes for a great day trip as it isn’t too far away from Lisbon, but if you really want to see everything this coastal town has to offer, then a longer stay comes highly recommended.
How to Get to Nazare From Lisbon
There are a couple of ways to get to Nazare from Lisbon, each of which come with their own perks.
Getting to Nazare by Car
Nazare is roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes from Lisbon if you travel by car. While the road closer to the coastline offers a few minutes off your trip, there is another route inland that will take around 1 hour 40 minutes but offers different views along the way.
Traveling by car offers the quickest route from Lisbon to Nazare, so if time is of the essence during your trip, this is the best way to get there. If you want to get a better idea of which route is best for you, take a look at this Lisbon to Nazare, Portugal map.
Lisbon to Nazare Train and Bus
While there is no single bus or train route that can take you directly from Lisbon to Nazare, there are routes that contain a variety of different transports that will eventually get you to your destination.
A combination of walking, taking the bus, and hopping on the train will take you to Nazare in between 2 and 2.5 hours.
The easiest way to travel from Lisbon to Nazare via public transport would be to take the bus from Santa Apolónia to Estação do Oriente. You’ll then need to make the 3-minute walk from Estação do Oriente to Lisbon (Oriente). From there, you can take the bus to Nazare.
With a Nazare Tour From Lisbon
If you don’t want to stress too much about transportation from Lisbon to Nazare, then why not take a tour from Lisbon. This ranges from day trips from Lisbon to multi-day tours that start in Lisbon and explore the surrounding towns and villages.
Transfers from/to Lisbon Airport to Fátima Nazaré Alcobaça Óbidos Tomar Leiria – this is perfect for those that don’t want to go on a group tour, but rather just take a private transfer from Lisbon to Nazare. Book a transfer from Lisbon to Nazare.
From Lisbon: Fatima, Obidos, Batalha and Nazaré Group Tour – This group tour will give you the opportunity to explore some of the best towns and villages surrounding Lisbon. Book a group tour from Lisbon to Nazare.
Lisbon: Nazaré Waves and Village Private Full-Day Tour – This tour allows you to follow in the footsteps of famous surfers in the beautiful town of Nazare. Book a Nazare waves tour.
From Lisbon: Wonders of Ancient Portugal Private Guided Tour – On this guided tour from Lisbon, you’ll get the chance to explore the ancient wonders located in Nazare among many other local villages. Book your wonders of ancient Portugal private tour.
Best Things to See and Do in Nazare
If you’re looking for some of the best things to do in Nazare, these are some of the activities and sites not worth missing.
Visit the Faro di Nazare & Surf Museum
Faro di Nazare, also known as Nazare lighthouse stands proud atop the rocky cliff face. The fort was built in 1577 but has had many additions, expansions, and renovations over the years. This is a famous tourist destination because of the incredible views it provides of the famous surf location.
If you want to learn more about the ocean and the big wave surfing that takes place in Nazare, then the surf museum, Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo, is worth a visit. There, you can see a wild collection of surfboards and read the stories about some of the most infamous waves surfed in Nazare.
Enjoy the View from Mirador de Suberco
Mirador de Suberco is a viewing platform that provides visitors with sweeping views of the sandy Nazare Beach and vivid coastline. You can also see the red rooftops that are synonymous with Portuguese coastal towns.
Chill at Nazare Beach
Nazare Beach is a wonderful place to chill out for the day, soaking up the sunshine and enjoying views of the powerful waves crashing against the sand. It’s particularly spacious as the beach is long and wide, so it’s never too crowded.
If you’re feeling in need of a little shade, head to the pavilion on the beach for a reprieve from the sun. The beach is also lined with restaurants and bars, so refreshments are never too far away.
Take the Funicular From Nazare Beach
Nazare Funicular is the best and fastest route to get from the beach to Nazare Old Town. The funicular operates every 10 minutes, and it only takes 2 minutes to get from the beach to the town above.
The Old Town offers incredible views from 110 meters above sea level, making both the journey and the destination quite the treat.
Visit the Old Town
After taking Nazare Funicular to the Old Town, you can do a little exploring. While here, you can stroll through the quaint streets and pop into some of the local cafes. This old portion of the town located at the top of a cliff face gives visitors the unique experience of exploring a town on foot while enjoying epic views of the rest of the town below.
Explore Bairro dos Pescadores
Bairro dos Pescadores is a small fisherman’s neighborhood in Nazare. Quaint, narrow streets are lined with whitewashed houses that give you a better idea of how the locals live. It’s a great place to explore and absorb the true nature of Nazare.
Watch the Sunset & Enjoy Seafront Dinner
I recommend heading back to the beach to enjoy the sunset as the sun goes down directly over the ocean. When the sun has finally sunk below the horizon, head to one of the restaurants that line the beach. At any of these, you can enjoy seafood or other traditional Portuguese dishes while enjoying the cool of the evening.
Best Nazare Day Tours
Instead of exploring Nazare by yourself, you can opt for a tour in which a local will show you around, offering valuable insight into the town’s past. Or you can book an experience in Nazare to make sure you make the most of your time in the town.
These are some of the best day tours Nazare has on offer.
Fátima, Nazaré, and Óbidos: Small Group Tour From Lisbon
This 9-hour tour from Lisbon gives you the opportunity to explore Nazare as well as the other ancient towns located in the surrounding area.
Click here to book your small group tour of Fatima, Nazare, and Obidos.
Nazaré: Jet Ski Rental
If you are looking for a reprieve from the heat, then renting a jet ski on Nazare Beach will allow you to ride the waves and enjoy new views of the Nazare coastline from the water.
Click here to book your Nazare jet ski rental.
Nazaré: 4×4 Buggy Tour
You can sit back and relax in the passenger seat of a 4×4 Buggy as you take on trails that provide views of the ocean and the mountain. This is the perfect way to enjoy the nature that surrounds Nazare.
Click here to book your Nazare jet ski rental.
Nazare Jeep Safari
If you want to get your adrenaline pumping during your trip to Nazare, then a jeep safari is the ideal way to explore the town and the surrounding countryside.
Click here to book your Nazare jeep safari.
4 Hour Electric Bike Rental
These electric bikes are equipped with the latest-technology Bosch engine. They can drive for roughly 100 kilometers before needing a charge, ensuring you will make it up even the toughest hills in Nazare, without having to pedal. This is a great way to explore the city without having to exert too much energy.
Click here to book your Nazare electric bike rental.
Is Doing a Nazare Day Trip Worth It?
There are some stunning Nazare, Portugal locations, so doing a day trip to the town from Lisbon is certainly worth your while. A day trip may be a great choice but if you have the time to spend the night in Nazare, that option is even more tempting.
This gives you the opportunity to break up your drive and visit other places like Obidos and the monasteries of Alcobaca & Batalha. It also means your day in Nazare can be a little more relaxing with extra time to spend exploring the town or laying on the sandy beach.
