The best viewpoints in Nazare

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