For the ears of advanced surfers, Nazaré sounds like a heavenly song: what is there, they are ready to offer prayers to this tiny village, located an hour from Lisbon. Why is a simple secret. It is here, in this ancient village, which was founded in 1514, that giant waves are recorded that only the most courageous can comprehend. 30 meters of raging and roaring moisture, which breaks from the bowels of the Atlantic to the rugged sea coast of Nazare – this is the element that only the strongest surfers in the world want to compete with. And, I must say, they often succeed. All the rest just stand with their mouths open, and quietly whisper to themselves “and where it takes you, wretched one.” Check topschoolsintheusa.com to learn more about Portugal.
In all other respects, Nazare is a typical Portuguese village. Extremely cozy, colorful, with a luxurious long beach framed by mastodon rocks, ancient sights and charming fish restaurants.
How to get there
Nazare is located in the district of Leiria, about an hour from the capital of Portugal and two hours from beautiful Porto. It is easy to get here by car along the A8 highway. All “carless” can be recommended to take an express bus that arrives at the Nazaré bus station, which is in the very center of the city. The third option is the train. From Lisbon they leave several times a day, you need to get off in the town of Valado de Frades, which is located 6 km from the village. Next – by taxi or local buses Rodoviária do Tejo.
In addition, Nazare is often chosen as a snack point during sightseeing trips along the so-called “Golden Ring” of Portugal (the same one that includes Sintra, Alcobaça, Batalha and other cities). And the reasons for this choice are simple – the place is colorful, and local fish restaurants are rated by guests as “amazing”, and the ocean views from them – God forbid.
4 things to do in Nazaré
- Take the old funicular up to Cityu.
- Visit one of the local fish restaurants.
- Gaze at the crazy surfers that cut the Atlantic Ocean with boards (the best views are in winter and off-season).
- Arrange a romantic evening on the beach with a bottle of port wine and a turner-style sunset.
Transport
The “heels” of the city are licked by the Atlantic Ocean, but the “heart” of Nazare is located quite high – on the steep hill of Cityu, where you can climb on foot, but better (and more interesting) – by funicular. This is the most convenient means of transportation in the city, which was opened as early as 1889. Since then, it has broken down several times (not without casualties, alas), stood idle for five years, then it was electrified and re-launched to the delight of tourists and locals. The length of the funicular is 318 m, the journey takes about 3 minutes, the fare is about 2.5 EUR.
The “heels” of the city are licked by the Atlantic Ocean, but the “heart” of Nazare is located quite high – on the steep hill of Cityu.
Attractions and attractions Nazare
As mentioned above, the “heart” of Nazaré lies on Cape Sítio, which is easily recognizable from postcards that are sold throughout Portugal. This is another “calling card” of the country of port wine. In a word, the views that open from here do about the same with your breath as with a crow a piece of cheese.
A sheer cliff 318 m high, in addition to panoramas, is famous for the chapel of Ermida da Memoria (Ermida da Memória), which was built in honor of the miracle created by the Blessed Virgin – the rescue of the fidalgo horse Don Fuash Roupinho. Believe the legend or not – you be the judge, but the locals will be happy to show on the observation deck of Miradouro do Suberco the mark that the horse allegedly left with his horseshoe on a foggy morning in 1182, almost knocking himself and the king down during the hunt to the abyss.
In addition, the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Nazare of the 17th century and the Museum of Joaquim Manso (Museu Dr. Joaquim Manso) attract attention here. Another important attraction of Nazare, which is located at the far end of the cape, has been around for five centuries – this is the fort of Sau Miguel Arcanjo built in 1577. The fortress was built by order of King Sebastian to protect against possible attacks by pirates. Later, the fort became famous for the brave gang of Portuguese peasants who, with pitchforks at the ready, drove out the army of the short French emperor during the occupation of Portugal by Napoleon’s army.
Finally, if you have time, you should look into the local Ethnographic and Archaeological Museum (the best stand is with the history of the national costume), the Museum of Religious Arts (in the right wing of the main temple of the city) and the fisherman’s house-museum (boats, interiors of fishermen’s dwellings, tackle and catch).
Local residents will be happy to show on the observation deck of Miradouro do Suberco the mark that the horse of Don Fuas Roupinho allegedly left with his horseshoe on a foggy morning in 1182, almost knocking himself and the king down while hunting into the abyss.
Surfing
Nazaré gained his worldwide fame thanks to surfing, and, to be more precise, to the surfer from the Hawaiian Islands, Harry McNamaru. It was he who set the world record on the waves of Nazaré, catching a wave almost 34 m high. As soon as the New York Times published a photo of this act, Nazaré woke up famous. Since then, every winter (it is during the winter months that the highest waves rise) hairy surfers from all over the world are drawn here to set their own record of courage and skill.
By the way, the reasons for the appearance of such high waves, which, fortunately, do not reach the coast, are quite simple. Exactly opposite Nazare, something like a canyon, a long and narrow gorge, cuts in the ocean. And the undercurrents, reaching it, push those very giant waves to the surface.
The best views of surfers are from Cape Cityu. And even if you are not a big fan of sailing with a board, be sure to climb the cape to look at this riot of nature and breathe in the most iodized Atlantic air.
