Best for the classic Portuguese summer beach experience
Where to stay: If you’re on a budget, Hotel Ribamar fronts the beach and has a charming, retro vibe.
The centerpiece of Nazaré is its 1.5km-long beach, a destination for tens of thousands during the summer. If it’s summer, at the beach’s middle point near colorful (now-grounded) fishing boats, a handful of aged vendors sun-dry various fish and seafood on racks positioned on the beach, selling them from stalls along the boardwalk. You’ll also find a virtual village of barracas, traditional wood-and-cotton sun bathing tents. Add to these ice cream stalls and souvenir shops, and you’ve got the dictionary-definition Portuguese summer beach experience.
Activities: Climb (or take the funicular) to Sítio, the top of the massive cliff that looms over Nazaré. The lighthouse here is the look-out point for those unbelievable big wave surfing videos you’ve seen online.
Where to eat: Taberna d’Adélia, an upscale-feeling restaurant located in the center of Nazaré, is the place to sample those fish you saw drying on the beach.
Planning tip: Visit between October and March to witness Nazaré’s infamous waves.
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