Convincing everyone why I wanted to reroute a long way to visit Nazaré was almost impossible. So, I wanted to show them. As a matter of fact, I came to know about this place from watching this crazy documentary about riding the biggest waves in the world. Truthfully, I thought there was something mystical about this place and I wanted to encounter it in person and of course, I wanted to watch the big waves at Nazaré.
More about Nazaré
Nazaré is a small beach town known for fishing, the half-moon shaped beach. Most importantly, it is known for hosting the biggest waves of the world.
Nazaré has a very high cliff right at the centre of town which separates the beach into two parts, The Praia da Nazaré and the Praia do Norte. Eventually, this cliff affects the weather of Nazaré directly. For instance, it does not let the clouds hover from one side to the other. As a result, one side of the cliff is sunny and calm like a perfect beach to take a dip. Whereas, on the other side the wind as well as the ocean, is wild and the weather is drastically different.
As a matter of fact, this is the side where the wild and crazy waves appear. However, it is considered dangerous to even take a walk on the beach. At the edge of the cliff is the Nazaré Lighthouse, which is a perfect place to observe big waves of Nazaré.
Getting there
Visiting Nazaré with Public Transport was the hardest thing to figure out because there was almost no information on the Internet. Therefore, after reaching Lisbon, we asked at the information centre and sure enough, there was a single bus going to and fro Lisbon and Nazaré. It took about 2 hours to reach. On the other hand, we had to be extra careful because later on the same day, we had our train to Faro. So, we had approximately 6 hours in hand.
Our Story
We started early on the day of our visit. The bus took us through a scenic route, which included the lesser-visited parts of Portugal. Eventually, we saw huge clouds gathering at the sky right before approaching Nazaré. Later, we found out it was because of the cliff that separates Nazaré into the 2 beaches.
Praia da Nazaré
The bus dropped us on the calmer side of the beach, i.e. Praia da Nazaré, and we walked right into it. As a matter of fact, this beach was a clean, wide, sandy populated with kids and families. To sum up, it was a perfect sunny day by the beach, and everyone was enjoying their umbrellas and fruits.
After a few photographs and admiring the views, we could not wait to visit the other side of the cliff where the biggest waves of the world were seen at one time.
In fact, there is a cable car that takes you right at the top of the cliff. From here, you can visit the Lighthouse and get access to the Praia do Norte. A return trip costs 4 Euros.
Alternatively, you could also hike up to the cliff for better pictures. However, we were short on time, so we walked for about 10 minutes before reaching the Cable Car station and bought tickets.
Tip: If you are rushed for time while taking the Cable Car down, you should arrive at least 20 minutes in advance because there could be a huge queue in peak season.
the lighthouse
The cable car took around 5 minutes to reach the top. Look out for the descending view of the beach below. Finally, after reaching the top, we immediately followed google maps towards the Lighthouse. You could also take a Tuk-Tuk, many of which wait outside the Cable Car Station. But we wanted to enjoy the views, so we decided to walk. It was a 10-minute walk which also showed us a glimpse of the Praia do Norte before reaching the Lighthouse.
There was a 2 Euro entry fee to the Lighthouse. After entering, we spent around 20 minutes inside to take photos and watch the big waves of Nazaré. However, we had our eyes on a narrow pathway made behind the lighthouse on the right.
In fact, this was a very dangerous path from where you can actually get the thrill of being at Nazaré. For instance, I don’t even know how safe the stairs were or how steady the rocks were but it was one of the most adventurous paths I ever took. Naturally, the sea was crazy here and the waves were crashing against the huge rocks. To sum up, it was an unreal experience.
Tip: Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes on your visit because you have to walk a lot. In addition, there are loose gravels of rocks everywhere.
Tip: Carry as little luggage as possible. Do carry water at all times.
Praia do Norte
We took a couple of photos and made our way back. After that, it was time to visit Praia do Norte. Surprisingly, the beach was almost invisible with all the fog and clouds. However, we made our way through a dirt road into a yellow beach with beautiful sandstones.
The beach was completely empty and the waves were loud. Next, we went near the sea to experience the mystical atmosphere that surrounded us. After spending some time at the beach, we headed back to the Cable Car station from where we bought some souvenirs, and back to Lisbon.
What to eat...
There are innumerable inexpensive eateries in the market area on both sides of the Cable Car stations.
Where to stay...
2 nights would be a perfect duration to enjoy Nazaré at its fullest. However, I would suggest not to book your accommodation in advance at Nazaré. As a matter of fact, there are many small hotels right on the beach and you can take your pick. We personally did not stay there but it is a place worth staying and we wished we had a little more time.
Activities and Budget
Must Do
- Visit the lighthouse.
- Ride the Cable Car.
- Enjoy the sun at the Praia da Nazaré.
- Take a picture with the statue of Veado, on the way to the lighthouse. Read the story behind the statue here.
Unique Experience
- Walk on the path by the right side of the Lighthouse to watch the big waves of Nazaré up close and for a thrill of a lifetime. But do this at your own risk.
- Enjoy the silence at the Praia do Norte.
Budget
You could plan a trip from Lisbon to Nazaré for as little as 50 Euros per person.
