Nazaré
A Portuguese resort town on the Silver Coast, known for giant Atlantic waves at Praia do Norte and the surfing competitions held there.
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Nazaré is a resort town and municipality in the Oeste region of Portugal, in Leiria District, on the Silver Coast. People come for the huge waves at Praia do Norte. The town has three neighborhoods. Praia runs along the beach and is today the town center. Sítio is an old village on a cliff top, and Pederneira is an old village on a hilltop. The Nazaré Funicular links Praia with Sítio, saving the climb.
The waves are large because the underwater Nazaré Canyon focuses incoming swell, which the local current then enlarges. The official record for the tallest wave ever surfed, 26.2 metres, was ridden here by Sebastian Steudtner in October 2020. The Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo lighthouse is a popular viewpoint for surfing competitions. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré is a baroque church with interior tilework and a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary. The climate is Mediterranean but moderated by the Atlantic: summers are warm and dry with foggy mornings, and winters bring unsettled Atlantic weather.
Nazaré in five
- Ride the Ascensor up to the SítioThe funicular links the beach with the clifftop Sítio daily from 07:15 to 20:00 every 15 minutes, then every 30 minutes to midnight, so you can sleep beside the sea and still reach the viewpoints.Where to stay in Nazaré
- Plan big waves around a window, not a dateThe WSL's 2025/26 Nazaré event had a window from 1 November to 31 March and was decided on one swell day. Big days follow Atlantic storms, so keep dates flexible and check the forecast.Big waves guide
- Expect a taxi or bus for the last 6 km by trainOeste line trains stop at Valado dos Frades, 6 km from Nazaré, so add local transport for the last stretch. By car, take the A8 exit for Nazaré (Valado/Alcobaça).Lisbon to Nazaré
- Wear grippy shoes on the headland in swellSpray, wet stone and crowds make the cliff walks near the lighthouse fort slippery on big days. Stay behind barriers, keep children close and never go down to the water to get a better view.
- Add Alcobaça and Batalha on a dry dayBoth monasteries are a short drive inland and run their own tickets and hours, which makes them a good swap when the sea is flat or the fog stays low.Estremadura and Ribatejo
Need to know
- Airport
- Lisbon (LIS) is the usual gateway, roughly 1.5 hours by road
- Getting there
- Oeste line train to Valado dos Frades (6 km away) or car via the A8
- Getting around
- Walk the beach and old quarter; the Ascensor climbs to the Sítio
- Best base
- Beachfront for ease, the Sítio for views, Pederneira for quiet
- Time needed
- A day trip, or one winter night to watch the surf
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Big wave seasonJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Big wave season
- FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Swell and rainFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Swell and rain
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Cool, swellsMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, swells
- AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Mild, showersAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 103 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Mild, quietMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Warm, easyJuneClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easy
- JulyClear4 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Beach, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach, busy
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Peak, crowdedAugustClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak, crowded
- SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh24°Low16°Warm, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, calm
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Mild, swells startOctoberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, swells start
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Swell seasonNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Swell season
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low10°Big swells, coldDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 102 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Big swells, cold
Average daily high and low in Nazaré, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Nazaré
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Nazaré
08:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today21°10°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue20°9°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed18°7°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 18°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu18°7°7%Thursday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Fri17°9°68%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 17°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 68%.
- Sat20°17°76%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Sun20°17°95%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 95%.
Updated 08:18 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- JulNOS AliveLisbon, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Penicheby car along the coastA surf peninsula with a fortress museum and the boats to the Berlengas.Read the guide
- Alcobaça and Batalhaby car or tourTwo monasteries with their own tickets, good for a dry or foggy day.Read the guide
- Coimbraa long day by carA university city that works as a stop on the way north.Read the guide
Before you go to Nazaré
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Rules for Nazaré, checked
- Nazaré Ascensor: daily 07:15 to 20:00 every 15 minutes, then every 30 minutes until midnight (municipal services).Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Oeste line trains stop at Valado dos Frades, 6 km from Nazaré; by road take the A8 exit for Nazaré (Valado/Alcobaça), also 6 km from town.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- WSL Nazaré Big Wave Challenge 2025/26: window 1 November 2025 to 31 March 2026, decided on one swell day (13 December 2025).Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Nazaré FAQ
Is Nazaré worth visiting?
Yes for a day or a night if you like fishing-town beaches, seafood and clifftop views, and more so in winter if big surf is the goal. It is a poor choice for a long, quiet beach week in August, when the sand is packed.
When are the big waves in Nazaré?
They come on a handful of days a year during the Atlantic storm season, mostly between autumn and early spring, with no fixed dates. The WSL's 2025/26 event window ran 1 November to 31 March. Watch the forecast and keep a spare day.
Can you visit Nazaré as a day trip from Lisbon?
Yes, by car in about 1.5 hours each way, or by coach. The train stops 6 km away at Valado dos Frades, so it needs a connection. Leave early on swell days because the headland fills with cars.
Is there a train to Nazaré?
Not into the town. The Oeste line stops at Valado dos Frades, 6 km away, and you need a taxi or local bus for the rest. Drivers use the A8 and its Nazaré (Valado/Alcobaça) exit.
Where should you stay in Nazaré?
The beachfront for sand and restaurants, the Sítio for views and swell watching, and Pederneira for a calmer base. Valado dos Frades suits rail arrivals on a budget, but you will need transport to the beach.