Nazaré: Village Highlights & Funicular

Begin your tour at Praia da Nazaré, the heart of the village, known for its extensive sandy beach, traditional fishing boats, and the famous fishmongers dressed in seven skirts. Next, head to the fish drying area on the seafront, where you can see fish drying in the sun on wooden structures, a centuries-old tradition that is still part of Nazaré's identity. Then, take the Nazaré Elevator, a historic funicular that connects the beach area to the Sítio, offering a panoramic ascent over the village. Continue to the Suberco viewpoint, the most famous in Nazaré, for the classic view of the beach, the promenade, and the cliffs. Visit the Ermida da Memória, a small chapel built on the site where, according to legend, D. Fuas Roupinho was saved from falling off the cliff thanks to the intervention of Our Lady of Nazaré. The interior is lined with historic tiles. Next, visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré, one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Portugal, dating back to the 12th century. It houses the venerated image of Our Lady of Nazaré. Then, head to the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo, the most famous place to watch the giant waves. Inside, there is a small interpretive center and an exhibition of surfboards used by world-renowned athletes. Finally, visit Praia do Norte, known worldwide for the largest surfable waves on the planet, thanks to the Nazaré Canyon. Between October and March, it is common to find big wave surfers and many spectators.