Nazare

Photo spot: From the sandbar between lagoon and ocean — Atlantic on one side, still lagoon water on the other, sun dropping behind both

Pro tip: Lagoon side is warm, calm and perfect for kids — Atlantic side is wild. Sunset over the lagoon with kitesurfers in the air is the shot

Photo spot: From the base of the cliffs at golden hour — erosion-sculpted golden rock formations and empty sand in both directions

Pro tip: Walk the cliff path heading south — the 11km stretch to Baleal is one of the most dramatic coastal walks in central Portugal

Surf vibes, colorful, chill — father and son duo who explain every ingredient with passion

Specialty: Best açaí bowl in Portugal, homemade sandwiches, fresh juices, banana pie

Pro tip: Go for the full Aloha Brunch — açaí + sandwich + juice combo. Vegan and gluten-free options available

Cozy side-street spot run by a husband and wife team — multilingual owner, zero pretension

Specialty: Avocado with smoked salmon, bacon & eggs, crepes with banana and peanut butter

Pro tip: Brunch menu until 1pm only — arrive before noon. Everything made fresh to order, worth the wait

Tiny hidden gem — two girls, books to read, best espresso in Nazaré by far

Specialty: 100% Arabica specialty coffee, flat white, cappuccino, homemade cakes and toasts

Pro tip: The only specialty coffee in Nazaré — if you need a real coffee, this is your only option

New specialty café in Nazaré — the hidden gem the locals haven't fully discovered yet

Specialty: Specialty coffee, artisan brews — featured on European Coffee Trip as a top pick

Pro tip: One of the very few specialty spots in Nazaré — go before everyone else finds it

Bright and casual, great for mornings — popular with surfers and visitors alike

Specialty: Good coffee, sandwiches, fresh juices and light brunch — consistent quality

Pro tip: Best spot for a working morning in Nazaré — reliable WiFi and friendly staff

Lively, loud, local crowd — the classic nightlife bar of Nazaré since forever

Specialty: Cocktails, shots, ginja — the place where Nazaré's night ends up

Pro tip: Comes alive after midnight — earlier it's relaxed, later it's the whole town in one bar

Open terrace, ocean views, surf culture — the social hub of Nazaré's evenings

Specialty: Cocktails, local wines and craft beers — best sunset spot by the water

Pro tip: Arrive at sunset — the view of the lighthouse from the terrace is the one

• ✓ Eco-design boutique — suites semi-buried with floor-to-ceiling windows, indoor fireplace and garden patio
• ✓ Restaurant uses vegetables from their own greenhouse. Free electric bikes to explore the lagoon
• ✓ Spa, pool and bonfire evenings — Fodor's Choice and one of the most unique stays in Portugal

Pro tip: Request the outdoor fire pit at booking (€20 extra) — guests gather around it every evening before dinner

Warm family atmosphere, ceramic tiles, owner shows you the fresh catch before cooking

Specialty: Grilled daily catch, octopus, percebes — fresh fish as good as it gets in Portugal

Pro tip: Ask to see the fish of the day before ordering — they bring it to your table to choose

Family-run 65+ years, always packed, zero tourist trap — locals eat here daily

Specialty: Grilled sardines, squid, arroz de marisco — catch of the day, cooked perfectly

Pro tip: Arrive at opening — queue forms fast and owner Carlos runs out of tables quickly

Multi-generational family restaurant — Marina has been grilling fish here for 33+ years

Specialty: Fresh catch presented at your table to choose, clams, caldeirada de peixe

Pro tip: Come early — no reservations, fills up fast and Marina remembers regular customers year after year

Retro decor, bay views from O Sítio — the only good restaurant in the upper town

Specialty: Tuna ceviche, black pudding with cumin, sea eel stew — creative petiscos

Pro tip: Reserve ahead — tiny spot with views of the Atlantic and the bay below. Worth the climb

Casual grill house, charcoal smell, locals and surfers mixed — genuine and loud

Specialty: Grilled squid skewers, arroz de tamboril, canastra-style shellfish feijoada

Pro tip: Best value seafood in Nazaré — generous portions at prices the beachfront can't match

Best time: Oct–Mar for giant waves. Any sunset for brutal Atlantic views from the battlements

Pro tip: Inside the fort: a surf museum with boards and footage of the record waves. Worth every cent

Best time: Sunset — the lagoon turns gold and pink as the sun sets over the Atlantic behind the dunes

Pro tip: Atlantic on one side, calm lagoon on the other — two completely different beaches separated by a sandbar

Best time: Sunset — 110m above sea level with 360° views over the Atlantic and the entire bay

Pro tip: Free entry. Arrive 30 min before sunset — the light on the bay is extraordinary and the crowds thin out fast

Best time: Sunset year-round — sun drops into the Atlantic behind the barrels. Oct–Mar for giant surf

Pro tip: Voted one of Portugal's 7 Natural Wonders — the WSL Pro competition waves reach 4m. Worth the drive

Best time: Oct–Mar for giant waves at dawn. Sunset year-round — wild, empty and no crowds

Pro tip: Guinness record waves reach 30m+ here in winter. In summer it's deserted and raw — two completely different beaches

Photo spot: From the cliff top path looking down — red clay cliffs, rock formations and wild Atlantic in one shot

Pro tip: No facilities — bring water and food. Check tide tables before going, the rock formations at the base of the cliffs are only accessible at low tide

Photo spot: From the rocky headland at the north end — village, causeway and Atlantic all in one frame

Pro tip: Park outside the village and walk the causeway in — one of the most photogenic approaches to any beach in Portugal