15 Best Things to Do in Nazaré: Views, Waves and More

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Nazaré is known for its beach and big waves, but there’s more to it than that.

I visited Nazaré on a day trip and what stood out most wasn’t a specific attraction. It was the overall atmosphere.

Walking through narrow streets with ocean views at the end, heading up to Sítio for the cliffs, and stumbling across small details like street art made the experience feel much more memorable.

In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Nazaré, from the main highlights to a few lesser-known spots I came across. If you’re planning your visit, this will help you make the most of your time.

Table of Contents

1. Relax on Praia da Nazaré

Wide sandy beach stretching toward the ocean under a blue sky with scattered clouds. Cliffs rise along the right side and a yellow lifeguard stand sits near a few distant people walking along the shore.

Praia da Nazaré is a wide sandy beach next to the center, so you’ll naturally end up here at some point during your visit.

Whether you want to go for a swim, sit down for a bit, or just walk along the shoreline, it’s a nice place to slow down and take in the atmosphere.

If you’re visiting in warmer months, don’t forget your swimwear. Even if you’re only here for a day trip, it’s worth making time for a quick beach break.

If you’re visiting in winter, the main beach is still nice for a walk, but this is also when you might want to head over to Praia do Norte instead to see the bigger waves.

2. See the Traditional Fishing Boats

Traditional wooden fishing boat painted black green and white resting on the sand. The word "NAZARE" is painted in red letters on the side with ropes and another boat visible behind it.

Right by the beach, you’ll find the traditional Nazaré fishing boats lined up on the sand.

They’re one of the most recognizable sights in town and an easy photo spot. You’ll likely walk past them without even trying, especially if you’re heading along the beach after arriving.

What I liked about this area is that it still feels connected to Nazaré’s fishing roots. Even though the town is popular with tourists, this part adds a bit of local character to your visit.

It’s a quick stop, but definitely worth taking a moment to look around and snap a few photos.

3. Go Dolphin Watching

This is a nice option if you’re interested in marine life and want to spend some time out on the water.

That said, it’s important to keep expectations realistic. These are wild animals, so there’s no guarantee you’ll actually see dolphins.

I didn’t do this myself, but it can be a fun addition if you have more time and don’t mind the uncertainty.

👉 You can check availability and prices for dolphin watching tours here if you want to add this to your itinerary.

4. Wander Through Nazaré’s Old Town

Narrow cobblestone street lined with white buildings featuring blue trim and small balconies. Laundry hangs from lines and a few people walk toward the ocean visible at the end of the street.

One of the best things to do here is simply walking through the old town without a plan.

This is where Nazaré feels the most picturesque. You’ll find narrow cobbled streets, white buildings, and small alleys that often open up to views of the ocean.

What I liked most is that you don’t need to look for anything specific. Just wander and see where you end up. Some of the nicest moments come from those unexpected glimpses of the sea at the end of a street.

5. Find Unique Street Art in Nazaré

Nazaré isn’t known for street art, which makes the pieces you do find feel more special.

Tamara Alves Street Art

Large mural painted on the side of a white building showing two halves of a woman’s face. One side appears aged and monochrome while the other side is younger and in color with a textured divide between them.

I stumbled upon this piece by accident, and it ended up being one of my favorite finds.

It shows a woman’s face split into a younger and older version, with a tear made of wood chips down the middle. I’m not sure what it represents exactly, but it felt like a take on time passing or different generations.

Fishing History Mural

Curved outdoor wall painted with a monochrome mural of people standing and sitting in small groups. The artwork wraps around a street corner with a hillside of houses and trees rising behind it.

You’ll likely pass this mural at the start of the path up to Sítio.

It reflects Nazaré’s fishing heritage and is easy to miss if you’re focused on the walk. It’s a quick stop, but worth noticing.

6. Walk Up to Sítio da Nazaré (Don’t Rush It)

You can take the funicular up to Sítio, but I’d recommend walking instead.

It’s not as far as it looks, and the walk itself is part of the experience. Even from along the way the views are incredible.

About halfway up, you’ll come across a swing viewpoint. It’s a nice photo spot, but when I was there, it was always busy. If you want a picture, you’ll likely have to wait a bit.

Once you reach the top, the views open up completely, and it’s easily one of the best parts of visiting Nazaré. Taking your time on the way up makes it feel even more worth it.

7. Visit the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré

Large historic church with twin bell towers and a clock above an arched entrance. Wide stone steps lead up to the building under a cloudy sky.

Ornate church interior with high arched ceilings decorated in gold details and blue tile murals. A colorful stained glass window and altar with flowers and chandeliers are visible.

At the top in Sítio, the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Nazaré is the main church you’ll come across. It’s right next to a big square with some benches, the perfect spot to rest for a bit after you walked up the hill to the Sítio neighbourhood.

It’s a quick stop, but worth stepping inside. The church has a traditional feel and adds a bit of historical context to your visit, especially given how important religion is to Nazaré’s identity.

You don’t need a lot of time here, but it’s one of those places that’s easy to include while you’re already exploring the area.

8. Step Inside the Ermida da Memória

Small white chapel with stone corners and a cross on the roof viewed from the entrance. Blue decorative tiles frame the doorway and a narrow stone walkway runs along the side.

Close up of a stone plaque set into a wall covered in blue patterned tiles. The plaque features engraved text in multiple lines surrounded by intricate floral tile designs.

Just a short walk away, you’ll find the Ermida da Memória, which is much smaller but more visually interesting.

It’s tiny but the whole inside is covered with the traditional Portuguese blue tiles.

It’s a quick stop, but definitely worth a look while you’re in Sítio.

9. Walk Along the Cliffs in Sítio

Person wearing sunglasses smiling for a selfie on a grassy cliff with red dirt paths. The ocean and a wide sandy coastline stretch out in the background under a bright sky.

Once you’re up in Sítio, don’t just stop at the main viewpoint. Walk along the cliffs a bit further.

This was one of my favorite parts because it feels less crowded. The views open up along the coastline, and you get a much better sense of how dramatic the landscape is here.

You can take your time, stop whenever you want, and just enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed.

If you continue walking, you’ll naturally make your way toward the lighthouse and fort, so it’s easy to combine this with your next stop.

10. Walk Past the Veado Statue

Sculpture of a human body with the head of a deer standing upright and holding a long vertical object. The statue is set on a pedestal in a grassy area with buildings and a cloudy blue sky behind it.

On your way toward the fort, you’ll likely pass the Escultura “Veado”.

It’s a cool, slightly unexpected stop along the route. The statue stands out against the coastal setting and makes for a nice quick photo if you’re already walking past.

That said, I wouldn’t go out of your way just to see it. It works best as a bonus stop while you’re heading to the cliffs and the fort anyway.

11. Visit the Fort and Lighthouse

Red lighthouse perched on a stone fort overlooking the ocean with waves below. Visitors stand along the edge of the structure and walk across the open courtyard under a bright blue sky.

Stone chamber with a curved brick ceiling displaying a collection of surfboards propped upright along the walls. The boards vary in color and design with small informational plaques placed in front of each one.

At the end of the cliffs, you’ll reach the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo da Nazaré, with the lighthouse located inside the fort.

You can go inside the fort for a small entrance fee (€3). There’s a small museum inside with surfboards and information about the waves and surfers. I didn’t find the museum that interesting. The text next to the surfboards is so small, I couldn’t read it.

But from the rooftop, you can look out over the ocean and down toward Praia do Norte, which is where the famous big waves happen.

For me, this stop is really about the view, not the museum. It’s definitely worth walking all the way out here, but I’d treat it more like a viewpoint than a place to learn a lot.

12. Watch the Big Waves at Praia do Norte (in Winter)

Coastal viewpoint showing waves rolling onto a long sandy beach from a high cliff. A wooden pole covered in stickers stands in the foreground with a sign reading "BIG LOVE".

This is where Nazaré’s famous giant waves happen, and it’s the reason the town is known worldwide among surfers. The best time to see them is during the winter months, when the waves can get huge.

When I visited the waves were quite small. So it really depends on timing and conditions.

If you’re lucky, you might even see surfers taking on the waves, which must be pretty impressive to watch.

13. Explore the Coastline by E-Bike

If you want to see more than just the main town, renting an e-bike is a great option.

It gives you the flexibility to explore the surrounding coastline at your own pace and reach spots that would take much longer on foot. This is especially useful if you want to get away from the busier areas and see a quieter side of Nazaré.

I didn’t do this myself, but it’s a solid option if you have more time or want a more active way to explore.

👉 You can check out this self-guided half-day or full-day e-bike rental to plan your route and see more of the area.

14. Go for Vegan Food in Nazaré

Bagel sandwich filled with greens and vegetables on a green plate beside a textured glass of orange juice with a metal straw. The meal sits on a wooden table inside a cafe with a window and seating in the background.

Finding vegan food in Nazaré takes a bit more effort, but it’s definitely doable.

The town is very seafood-focused, so most of the typical restaurants won’t have many options. That said, there are a couple of places worth knowing about.

I went to Colour Beans, where I had a bagel and a smoothie. The service was great, and it’s in a quieter, more residential area, which I really liked.
There’s also Tian Jie Restaurante & Café, which is a vegetarian spot and gives you another solid option.

You won’t go hungry here, but don’t expect it to be a vegan food highlight like in Lisbon.

15. Take a Day Trip to Batalha

If you have more time in the area, you can also take a short trip to Batalha.

I visited Batalha separately, and the church is really beautiful. It’s one of those places that stands out immediately, even if you’re just passing through.

The main highlight here is the Batalha Monastery, which is known for its impressive architecture. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to go inside, but it’s the main reason most people visit.

Person wearing sunglasses smiling at the camera while standing on a grassy cliff overlooking a wide beach and coastal town. Waves curve along the shoreline and clusters of buildings stretch along the bay in the background.

Is Nazaré Worth Visiting?

Yes, Nazaré is definitely worth visiting if you’re looking for a relaxed coastal destination with great views and a laid-back atmosphere.

It’s not about ticking off a long list of attractions. It’s about walking through the old town, spending time by the ocean, and taking in the views from Sítio.

If you enjoy slower travel, Nazaré is actually a great place to stay for a few nights and just relax by the beach.

But if you’re short on time, it also works really well as a day trip from Lisbon.

👉 If you’re planning your visit, I’d recommend reading my full day trip to Nazaré from Lisbon guide, where I break down exactly how to get there and how to structure your day.

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Collage of four photos showing a coastal town beach a historic church a red lighthouse and a fishing boat on sand. Text overlay reads "15 Best Things to Do Nazaré Portugal" with "VEGANDERLUST.COM" at the bottom. — Nazaré Portugal Travel Guide: Top Things to Do