Technically, it is possible to take a taxi from Lisbon to Nazare, but few do this because of how expensive it can be. Although the distance between the two places is about 78 miles, you should expect to pay upwards of $70 one way, and this price can spike during peak seasons and the holidays. So consider this when considering a taxi as your transportation to Nazare.
How do I get from Lisbon to Nazar├й?
Unfortunately, few ways exist to get from Lisbon to Nazare. You must choose between taking the bus or a private car service like Daytrip. The bus can be more affordable depending on the season you travel but a private car is far more convenient and comfortable.
Why are the waves so big in Nazar├й?
Nazar├й gets such monster waves for two reasons. First, since Nazar├й faces the open ocean, the big North Atlantic swells can build up uninterrupted. Second, the underwater Nazar├й Canyon funnels and amplifies the waves into the mountains of water that spawned the Nazar├й Big Wave Challenge.
Is there a train to Nazar├й?
Unfortunately, there is no train to Nazare from Lisbon despite the distance between them being less than 100 miles. If you want to travel between these two places, you must take a local bus with one of the two bus lines offering trips or book with a private car service like Daytrip.
Can you swim in Nazar├й?
Absolutely! While the big waves get the headlines, the main beach, Praia da Nazar├й is sheltered and perfect for swimming. However, water temperatures peak at 66┬░ F to 72┬░ F, so you probably wonтАЩt stay in the water too long!
Is Nazar├й Portugal worth visiting?
Nazare, Portugal, is worth visiting for those who enjoy surfing culture and want to witness some of the biggest waves in the world. However, this town boasts far more than simply its spectacular beaches. It's also home to gorgeous chapels, quirky museums, delicious local cuisine (especially the seafood), and numerous cultural sights.
Lisbon should be on every traveler's radar with its stunning architecture, rich history, cultural significance, warm hospitality, and delicious food. This popular city in Portugal sees millions of visitors yearly, but do you know where else it is worth visiting? Nazare, which isn't far. A direct drive with DaytripтАЩs private car service from Lisbon to Nazare is only 77.7 miles (125 km). This means Nazare is only an hour and a half away and well worth a visit.
Even though Nazare doesn't have any major monuments or uber-famous tourist sights like Lisbon, it's a beautiful city with its jaw-dropping scenery, tasty seafood, world-class surfing, pristine beaches, and local traditions. For those who love scenic cliff views and the outdoors and fancy themselves experienced surfers or sunbathers, it is a destination you won't want to miss.
But before you get to Nazare, you might want to stop and sightsee. If you travel with Daytrip, you'll have ample opportunities to stop and tour some of the best places along the way, such as Sintra, Alcobaca, Obidos, Peniche, Estoril, Praca do Comercio, and Arco da Rua Augusta. So what are you waiting for? Book with us today, and we'll help make your Portuguese travel dreams a reality!
About Nazare
If Nazare sounds familiar, it could be because this town's name is the Portuguese version of the biblical city of Nazareth. It gained its biblical name thanks to a tiny wooden statue of the Virgin Mary that was brought from Nazareth to Nazare in 711. Nazare can be found in PortugalтАЩs Oeste region, which is home to more than 15,000 year-round residents.
Before Nazare was a popular surfing destination, it was a sleepy fishing hamlet, so you'll see a significant fishing presence in various parts of Nazare. It's only in recent years (2011, to be exact) that it made its way onto surfers' and subsequently traveler's radars when imagery from the monstrous waves at Praia do Norte made the news.
Nowadays, visitors flock to the town's two major beaches, Praia do Norte and Praia da Nazar├й, to try to catch a glimpse of the ocean's magnificence. Both of these beaches are divided by rocky peninsulas, with a neighborhoodтАФSitioтАФsituated on top of a hilltop overlooking the ocean and Sao Miguel Arcanjo Fort, where one can gaze upon the waves as they crash down on shores and surfers alike.
What makes Nazare's beaches different from the rest of the world and a must-visit attraction is the Nazare Canyon. You will want to visit this place if you are interested in surfing, the ocean, or just have a natural curiosity. The Nazare Canyon is a submarine geomorphic phenomenon that allows the region to experience the perfect giant waves. This canyon is the largest of its kind in Europe and stretches about 170 kilometers along the coast with a shocking depth of about 5,000 meters.
Although the waves and the beaches might be Nazare's major attractions, this city offers more than meets the eye. From hole-in-the-wall bars and restaurants to impressive churches, boat tours, museums, and ancient markets, there is something for everyone to explore.
From Lisbon to Nazare: travel tips
Those looking for an exciting day trip should consider driving from Lisbon to Nazare. This Portuguese town and the route to it is known for its phenomenal beaches, awe-inspiring waves, friendly people, and fun activities.
Those looking for an exciting day trip should consider driving from Lisbon to Nazare. This Portuguese town and the route to it is known for its phenomenal beaches, awe-inspiring waves, friendly people, and fun activities.
However, to ensure you enjoy the best of Nazare and the sights along the way, consider a few important travel tips.
Wear comfortable walking shoes
Did you know that Portugal is one of the most walkable European countries? Exploring on foot at sightseeing stops in places like Porto and Evora will let you see the best attractions along the way.
If you're planning a trip from Lisbon to Nazare and want to explore on foot, you need to wear comfortable walking shoes so you won't need to worry about the often hilly and cobblestone-covered streets or slippery stone mosaic pavements.
Consider off-season travel to miss the crowds
Sometimes, traveling between November and March in the off-season is preferable, especially if you want to drive from Lisbon to Nazare.
The off-season is beneficial for numerous reasons. For example, prices are lower, and since Portugal doesn't see extreme winters, the temperatures are pleasant year-round.
However, one thing to remember is that if you visit during the off-season, you likely won't get to see any of the waves or surfers the coast leading up to Nazare is known for.
Find your way to the beach
There is no denying that the Portuguese coast is a feast for the eyes and one of the number one reasons visitors plan trips to places like Nazare and surrounding cities. So, if you are driving with a car service like Daytrip, why not capitalize on your sightseeing opportunities by stopping at a few of the best beaches in the region during the later part of your trip?
Daytrip can help you live out your beach-hopping dreams. We'll take you from one beach to the next, where you can enjoy a quick stroll along sandy shores, a brisk dip in the ocean, or a quick bite to eat while you take a few pictures.
How to get from Lisbon to Nazare
Nazare is a popular destination, but it's not the easiest place to get to, especially if you're traveling from Lisbon to Nazare. There are primarily only two travel options тАУ by car or bus as no flights, ferries, or trains travel this route. Let's take a look below to learn more about how to travel from Lisbon to Nazare by bus or car:
From Lisbon to Nazare by bus
A bus trip from Lisbon to Nazare might be the best choice if you travel on a budget. Two bus lines offer trips between these two places. Your first choice is the Rede Expressos bus line. This bus line offers trips every three hours every day of the week. Tickets cost $10 to $14 one way, and the trip takes roughly one hour and 45 minutes.
Your second choice is Rodovi├бria do Oeste. This bus line's tickets are more expensive at about $15 per trip, and the trip length is about one hour and 50 minutes, so it is slightly longer than Rede Expressos. However, unlike Rede Expressos, this bus line only offers trips from Lisbon to Nazare five times weekly, once a day.
In addition, although the bus trip is short, it's important to note that it might not be the most comfortable journey, with cramped seating, no WiFi, and small luggage compartments. You won't get to stop and sightsee, which is a major con, especially if you have a few travel items you want to tick off your bucket list.
From Lisbon to Nazare by private car
When traveling from Lisbon to Nazare, most people choose to drive using a private car service like Daytrip. Car services eliminate most of the transportation stress individuals face when journeying from one place to the next, especially when the service offers door-to-door pickups like Daytrip.
With Daytrip, you're guaranteed a convenient, comfortable, accommodating, and stress-free trip. We will pick you up from your accommodation in Lisbon and drop you off in Nazare with little to no fuss. You won't even need to worry about your luggage as our professional English-speaking drivers have that covered.
In addition, you can trust that our drivers will get you to Nazrae in an hour or less unless you have a few stops picked out that you would like to visit along the way. We're also affordable, with trip prices starting at as little as 45 euros per seat.
So why not save yourself time, energy, money, and hassle by choosing Daytrip? Let us handle the driving and navigation while you sit back and relax or converse with your driver to learn a few travel tips!
Things to do when you get to Nazare
Nazare might not have world-famous attractions, but this doesn't mean there is a shortage of things to see and do when you visit. So have a look below to learn the best attractions and activities to participate in if you're planning a trip from Lisbon to Nazare soon.
Big Wave Museum
The Big Wave Museum is within the S├гo Miguel Arcanjo Fort. This museum might not be the most fancy to look at, but its rugged beauty and immense surfing history make it a treasure trove for ocean enthusiasts.
The museum's biggest attraction is its Surfer Wall, which houses numerous surfboards of famous people, including Sebastian Steudtner and Garrett McNamara, who have risked it all to surf the monstrous Nazare waves. What's more, the museum also houses a small information room where visitors can learn how and why Nazare has some of the largest waves in the world.
Ermida da Mem├│ria
Ermida da Mem├│ria, or the Chapel of Our Lady Nazareth, is a small and often easily overlooked chapel in Nazare's Sitio neighborhood. It might not attract as many visitors as other churches in the town, but it's one you won't want to miss.
With its ornate decor, beautiful ceilings, and intriguing history, the Ermida da Mem├│ria is a tour worth taking, especially considering it's rumored to be the hiding place for the Black Madonna. The church itself is free to tour, and it's in close vicinity to the Church of Nossa Senhora da Nazar├й and the Miraduoro do Suberco, so it's worthwhile to plan a trip there to see these other attractions as well
Praia Da Nazar├й
If you're going to visit Nazare, you shouldn't miss out on sunbathing or frolicking in the waves at the Praia Da Nazare beach. This beach sits in front of the Praia neighborhood and is one of the more popular beaches, so expect crowds during peak season.
However, we promise it's worth it, considering it's near the dried fish market and the spectacular open-air boat museum. At the dried fish market or Seca Do Peixe, you'll see how the local fisherman traditionally dry fish and even purchase anything that strikes your fancy alongside other market items.
When is the best time to visit Nazare?
If you're a surfer or someone interested in seeing some of the biggest waves in the world, you'll want to know when the best time to visit Nazare is тАУ especially if you're driving from Lisbon to Navrae. Typically, the best time to travel to Nazare is during the winter.
Yes, you read that right. Although the peak season is during the summer, the winter is when you'll see the biggest waves, surfing events, and even a pro surfer or two hitting the waves. So pack your bags and head out anytime between October to March, and you'll get to see the mighty force of the ocean.
If youтАЩre not interested in surfing and lazy days by the sea are more your thing, June and September are the best time to visit Nazare. YouтАЩll avoid the bulk of the summer crowds and still get to enjoy warm, sunny weather.
With a massive library, beautiful basilica, and luxurious apartments, it's easy to forget that this sumptuous Baroque complex was at its heart, a convent. ┬аThe Promised Palace┬а
Lines of Torres Vedras
The most famous fortifications of the Napoleonic Wars, the Lines of Torres Vedras are a must-see for anyone interested in Portuguese history.┬аThe Lines that Saved Lisbon┬а
Bacalhoa Buddha Eden
This quirky park offers an eclectic mix of statues and sculptures, making it heaven for fans of the unusual.┬аA Sculptural Paradise┬а
Obidos
Traditionally owned by the Queen of Portugal, every house in this hilltop town had to meet the royal aesthetic.┬аThe Town of Queens┬а
Caldas da Rainha
Founded at the end of the 15th Century by Queen Leonor, the townтАЩs royal history and sulphurous hot springs make for a relaxing combination.┬аCaldas da Rainha┬а
Alcobaca
This medieval city is inextricably linked to its UNESCO-protected Monastery.┬аMonk Made┬а
тАЬWe were so lucky to find Jo├гo to take us from Lisbon to Nazar├й! He was full of suggestions, very informative and lots of fun. We also felt he really looked after us! We were four women traveling together, with little Portuguese, and he interceded on our behalf in a few difficult situations. We couldnтАЩt recommend Jo├гo more highly - he is our hero!!!тАЭ
тАЬPaulo S. was very friendly and professional. He was on-time and the car was very clean. He also provided great information about our destination. We will definitely be using DayTrip again.тАЭ
