Is Nazare a day trip from Lisbon?

Nazaré is a coastal resort north of Lisbon and an increasingly popular destination among surfers and tourists. It makes the perfect day trip from Lisbon for independent travellers.



Yes, Nazaré is a very popular and manageable day trip from Lisbon, located approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital. By car, the journey takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes via the A8 motorway, making it one of the easiest excursions for those who want to see Portugal's rugged Atlantic coast. For those using public transport, the "Rede Expressos" bus takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, departing frequently from the Sete Rios station. A day trip provides ample time to visit the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo, famous for overlooking the "North Canyon" where the world's largest waves occur, explore the "Sítio" clifftop district via the historic funicular, and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on the beach. While you likely won't see the famous 100-foot waves unless you visit during the "Big Wave" window between October and March, the town's traditional charm—where women still wear "seven-layered skirts"—and its stunning coastal views make it a worthwhile and easy getaway from the city for any traveler in 2026.

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Given the dimension of the town of Nazaré, it is easy to visit the main attractions of Nazaré in just one day. However, if you would like to spend some time enjoying the sun and Nazaré's beaches, then I suggest adding a day to the itinerary and spending two days in Nazaré instead.

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The best months for good weather in Nazaré are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November. On average, the warmest months are July, August and September.

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Nazaré is a coastal resort north of Lisbon and an increasingly popular destination among surfers and tourists. It makes the perfect day trip from Lisbon for independent travellers. We highly recommend a few stops along the way to visit the beautiful coastal towns of Peniche, Foz do Arelho and São Martinho do Porto.

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Top Attractions in Nazaré
  • 1Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazare.
  • 2Sítio da Nazaré
  • 3Pederneira Viewpoint, Nazaré
  • 4Chapel of the Miracle's Memory.
  • 5Parque da Pedralva, Nazaré
  • 6Nazaré Lighthouse.


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If you want to see all of Nazare in one day, it is best to use private transportation. People who are in good shape can attempt walking the O Sitio and the Nazare Beach portions by taking advantage of the Ascensor da Nazare, which links the two areas. (The Ascensor is described in an upcoming section on this page.)

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Is Nazare a dangerous city? Are there any areas I should avoid? Nazare for the most part is very safe. We do recommend that you not drive to Nazare Beach, as there have been reports of car burglaries, with many victims being tourists.

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For experienced surfers, the best time of year for surfing in Portugal is late winter to early spring, especially between September and April. During these months, swells are definitely more powerful, producing heavy waves measuring around 2– 4.5 meters (6 – 15 feet) that are better left to advanced surfers.

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Many consider the Linha do Douro, the train line that follows the valley, one of the most beautiful train rides in Europe. Under 125 miles (200km) long, the line terminates at Pocinho, just shy of the Spanish border.

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You will be entering Portugal via air at Lisbon`s Humberto Delgado Airport (called Portela Airport by locals, IATA code LIS). Lisbon`s airport is 73 miles south of Nazare. Some of you will be self-driving to Nazare.

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