Nazaré: A Photographer's Day Trip to the Big Waves

Nazaré is one of those places you've probably seen without knowing its name. That famous lighthouse perched on the cliff, with giant waves on the back.

I went there recently with my Fujifilm X-E5.

Getting there

Nazaré is easy to reach. FlixBus runs direct routes from Lisbon, Peniche, and Porto. Many travelers come just for the day, it's doable, but I think you'd miss the best part.

Stay at least one night. The sunset from the lighthouse is spectacular, and rushing back to catch a bus means missing it. The village has plenty of affordable guesthouses and hostels. Nothing fancy, but enough for a good night's sleep.

The walk up

To reach the lighthouse and the famous Praia do Norte viewpoint, you need to climb to the promontory above the village.

On foot, it takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Follow the stairs, the path is well-marked and not as steep as it looks. It's a nice walk, especially in the late afternoon light.

If you prefer not to walk, there's a funicular, the Ascensor da Nazaré. It connects the beach-level village to the clifftop in a few minutes. It runs daily, costs a couple of euros, and drops you close to the lighthouse. A good option if you're short on time or carrying heavy gear.

What you'll see

Once you're up, the views open immediately.

To your left as you arrive, you'll see the wide bay, the beach curving below, and the village stretching along the shore.

Keep walking toward the lighthouse, the Farol da Nazaré. From there, you overlook Praia do Norte, where the big wave surfing happens. On the right day, you might see surfers being towed into massive swells by jet skis. Even without giant waves, the view is dramatic.

You can enter the lighthouse for 2 euros. It's worth it. The elevated perspective helps, especially if there's action in the water below.

Shooting the sunset

This is the reason to stay.

As the sun drops, leave the lighthouse and move to the sides of the promontory. The light turns golden, then orange. Visitors gather along the railings, watching the sea.

It's perfect for silhouettes with the lighthouse and the waves in the background. Take your time. Shoot until the light fades. Then walk back down to the village slowly, through the quiet streets, maybe stopping for dinner somewhere with a view.

Want more Portuguese coast? Peniche is nearby and worth a couple of days. Read about it here.