Nazare Attractions

The particularly picturesque little fishing town of Nazaré (Altitude: 0-110m/0-360f) has drawn increasing numbers of visitors in recent years because of its good beaches and the still genuinely colorful life and activity of its fisherfolk. It is now one of the most popular seaside towns on this part of Portugal's Atlantic coast, or the Costa de Prata as it is known.

Nazaré is believed to have been founded by the Phoenicians. It is on what used to be a bay, but which is now silted up, sheltered on the north by Monte Sítio. The harbor has been reconstructed relatively recently, doing away with the need to push the brightly painted local boats, with their high pointed prows, into the water from the beach by hand, and then, on their return, using oxen to haul them up on shore again to be unloaded by the waiting women and the fishermen.