Portugal Nazare Portugal - Central Portugal XXL Surfing
There are 3 main sections of Nazare
1. Nazare de Norte- surfing
2. Nazare de Sul- shopping, swimming, center, eating
3. Nazare Lighthouse/ fort area- sightseeing, church, shopping
Center= Shopping and walking-Park in Nazaré South to walk and visit the shops. This is a great place to sit at the beach all day and relax. Swimming is limited. If the red flag is flying, you cannot swim. The beach is long and perfect for lots of walking and pictures. The waves are loud and batter the coastline. It can be a challenge swimming unless you are strong and fit. There is a guarded parking lot for a fee on Avendido do Municipio. Free parking is around the corner and is park at your own risk. In the winter, there is a lot more parking available. In the summer, there is a feira (outdoor market) mostly selling clothing in this spot. This is the traditional section of the city. You will want to take plenty of pictures of the woman dressed in layers of skirts and scarves, painted wooden boats, and narrow streets. The women sell dried fish to the locals and the tourist. Women also are on the sides of the streets holding signs to rent rooms to the tourist. The rooms for rent are reasonably priced. The Turismo is on Avenida Vieira Guimaraes. The only paperwork they have is a map of Nazare. The staff was not very helpful. The narrow streets and brightly painted houses are common in Nazare. Picture opts are everywhere in the city.
FORT AREA - On the large mountain
This area is ideal for a relaxing snack or a stroll around the streets. Walk down to the Fort and take some spectacular photos of homes built into the cliffs, XXL waves breaking and pounding the beach, or some boats in the distance. The Santuário N. Sr. da Nazaré church is worth a visit, but hours are limited. A few food trucks sell sandwiches and alcohol. Stores in this section sell handmade goods and traditional Portuguese clothing. The prices in these shops are reasonable. You can purchase nuts and handmade cookies from street vendors. The views are spectacular, but the winds can be chilly. Bring a sweater. We allow for approximately one hour for this area.
PRAIA DO NORTE - NORTH BEACH- XXL WAVES- TOW-IN SURFING AREA
This area is no-frills, with cliffs and parking everywhere. A small farm with crops and livestock. Park and walk downhill to the beach. Swimming is extremely limited. Most people in the water are professional surfers. During peak season (October- March), Guards are on the beach, keeping visitors away from the water's edge. We stop at Continente on the way in to buy lunch (chicken, sandwiches, bread, and cheese). We enjoy eating on the beach and relaxing. This is not a tourist area, and there is no shopping here. Stop on the way out of town to see deer with 8 or 9 points and female deer running in the fenced-in area called The Cercada dos Veados (The Enclosure of the Deer). It is on the left as you leave the beach area. On the left is ample parking for trailers, RVs, and large cars. Bring a picnic lunch, blanket, flip-flops, hat, and sunglasses. We usually stay here for about 3-4 hours. It depends on how much time you have and how much you enjoy the sun.
Nazare T-shirts, men/ women, various sizes in 5 different colors
Book by Garrett McNamara
"Hound of the Sea"
In this thrilling and candid memoir, world record-holding and controversial Big-Wave surfer Garrett McNamara — star and subject of the HBO miniseries 100 Foot Wave — chronicles his emotional quest to ride the most formidable waves on earth.
Garrett McNamara set the world record for the sport, surfing a seventy-eight-foot wave in Nazaré, Portugal, in 2011, a record he set two years later at the same break.
Should I return to Nazaré?
yes
The town is worth the trip
The Rough Guide to Portugal (Travel Guide with Free eBook) Paperback – January 1, 2020
Informational website with updates on the size of waves
Central Portugal
Coimbra
Visit the Museu Nacional de Machado de Castro, not for the religious art, but for the amazing Roman arches underneath, which were built to create a platform for storing grain. Visiting the large University is a must. Stop by the Joanina Library and the lovely Science labs in the oldest University in Portugal (Laboratório Químico). Walk down the old cobblestone streets to the river, stopping along the way for lunch. There's also a café in the Museu Nacional Machado with a beautiful view.
What is Portugal known for?
Portugal is known for its Atlantic coastline, the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto, fado music, port wine, and its historical role in the Age of Discovery. The vast number of castles, Palaces, and royal homes in Portugal is noteworthy. Lots of buildings in Portugal are older than those in America. It offers amazing handmade goods to bring back home for gifts. The food in Portugal is fresh and well seasoned.
Is Portugal expensive to visit?
Portugal is among the more affordable destinations in Western Europe, generally cheaper than Spain and significantly cheaper than France, Germany, or the UK. There are 3 types of tax on products in stores. The highest tax, 23%, applies to non-essential items. Food and essentials are taxed at a low. Eating out and food shopping are affordable for visitors in Portugal. Clothing, canned fish, and shoes are affordable in Portugal. Automobiles, housing, and electronics are expensive in Portugal.
What language do they speak in Portugal?
Portuguese is the official language. English proficiency is high, particularly in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. Most Portuguese citizens under 30 can speak English.
Lots of Portuguese speak Spanish, French, and Italian.
Is Portugal safe to travel to?
Portugal is consistently ranked among the safest countries in the world. According to the Global Peace Index GPI, Portugal is the 7th safest country in the world
Do I need a visa to visit Portugal?
It depends on your nationality. EU/EEA citizens can enter freely. Many non-EU visitors can enter visa-free for short stays up to 90 days under the Schengen rules.
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Setubal
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