Nazaré - Miramar Hotels

Nazaré

THE GIANT UNDISCOVERED WAVE

Nazaré, Portugal

Located on Portugal’s Silver Coast, Nazaré is a benchmark in the world of surfing. This fishing village, which has long lived off the sea, hides ancient traditions and legends. Come and discover them!

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Sights in Nazaré

Built on a rock and a place of pilgrimage since the 12th century, there are several points of interest to visit.

Inaugurated in 1889, the Nazaré Funicular, with a gradient of 42%, was built by the engineer Raul Mesnier du Ponsard, a student of Eiffel, to help pilgrims reach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré. Today, the funicular is a must for all visitors to Nazaré and an easy way to get from the village to the Sítio da Nazaré.

Built in 1377 by order of King Ferdinand I, the Church of Senhora da Nazaré was the oldest and most important Portuguese Marian sanctuary until the twentieth century. The imposing baroque building, with two bell towers and the Royal Stone gallery of King Manuel I, underwent major renovations at the end of the 17th century. Since 1978, the church and its tiles have been recognised as a Property of Public Interest.

Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views that offer a unique perspective of the region’s natural beauty, with the ocean stretching to the horizon.

Also known as the Morro da Nazaré Fort and open to the public since 2014, this fort dominates Nazaré beach and offers stunning views over the village. This is a benchmark for lovers of the giant waves of Praia do Norte, which put the village in the world headlines with the famous “Nazare Canyon”.

Indulge in local cuisine at restaurants with stunning ocean views and explore traditional shops selling local handicrafts and produce.

A fishing village of medieval origin, it was one of the most important ports of the Coutos de Alcobaça. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it was an active naval dockyard, from where ships and caravels set off on the voyages of discovery. Here you can visit the Mother Church of Nossa Senhora das Areias, built in the sixteenth century, and also the Church of the Misericórdia, built in the seventeenth century in the Manueline style.

This is a dolomitic hill that merges into a landscape of dunes and pine forest. With its altitude of 156 metres, it is a point of reference for sailors. Archaeological finds confirm pre-Roman occupation. The interest of the local flora earned it the status of Classified Site in 1979.

The tradition of drying fish in the sun is still alive in Nazaré. Dried fish is no longer a means of preserving food for days of scarcity, but a delicacy much sought after by tourists. The place where the fish is dried, known locally as “estendal”, or “paneiros”, is also a trademark of Nazaré and one of the living symbols of Nazaré’s maritime culture.

Inaugurated in 1976, the Dr. Joaquim Manso Ethnographic and Archaeological Museum houses a diverse collection of ethnography, archaeology, painting and photography. It is a documentary and artistic environment that highlights the rich maritime ethnography of Nazaré, displaying traditional vessels and costumes, as well as exploring archaeology, village history and the worship of the Virgin Mary.

The giant waves of Nazaré

"THE NAZARÉ CANYON"

It was the sea that catapulted Nazaré onto the world stage when, in 2011, the surfer McNamara broke the world record for the largest wave surfed, at almost 24 metres, in Praia do Norte, putting the famous Nazaré Canyon on a par with the giant Mavericks in California or Jaws in Hawaii. The current record holder is surfer Sebastian Steudtner, who took on a 26.21 metre Nazaré Canyon wave.

TUDOR NAZARÉ – BIG WAVE CHALLENGE

Every year, between December and February, the Nazaré Canyon in Praia do Norte awakens to another giant wave season, when dozens of top surfers attempt to break the world record for the biggest wave ever surfed at the TUDOR NAZARÉ – BIG WAVE CHALLENGE, one of the biggest giant wave events in the world, attracting thousands of visitors to Nazaré.

A Costa de Prata

Praia da Vieira

With its extensive dunes and golden sands, surrounded by Leiria’s vast pine forest, it offers a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere, ideal for long walks by the sea, and invites all visitors to enjoy its natural beauty. An ideal setting to enjoy the sun and sea.

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A Costa de Prata

Praia de São Pedro de Moel

Also surrounded by the Leiria Pine Forest, the golden sands and the gentle sound of the waves provide a peaceful haven for beach and nature lovers. Ideal for relaxing and enjoying the unique beauty of this corner of the Leiria coast.

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A Costa de Prata

Praia da Polvoeira

Surrounded by impressive cliffs and wide expanses of sand, this beach offers a tranquil environment and breathtaking views, ideal for moments of relaxation by the sea, in contact with nature and away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.

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A Costa de Prata

Praia da Foz do Arelho

Located next to the Lagoa de Óbidos, this is a beach renowned for its exceptional therapeutic qualities. With an extensive sandy beach, the calm waters of the lagoon are ideal for children. The sea area with its surfing spot is a favourite for surfers too. Next to the pier, you can buy a variety of shellfish that the lagoon has to offer, from cockles to clams. This beach also has great terraces and restaurants serving fish and seafood.

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A Costa de Prata

São Martinho do Porto

The bay of São Martinho do Porto, also known as “the shell” because of its shape, is an ideal quiet retreat for families with children. With a stunning natural landscape and a promenade that runs the length of the beach with calm waters and golden sands, the beach restaurants delight visitors and make this beautiful bay a charming destination to relax and explore the Portuguese west coast.

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LEGENDS AND TRADITIONS OF NAZARÉ

The Legend of the Miracle of Nazaré

It is in the Sítio da Nazaré that we find one of the oldest legends of the village. Fuas Roupinho, a warrior from the time of the Christian Reconquest, is out hunting when he sees a figure that he thinks is a deer and so chases it on horseback. Just as he is about to grab the figure, he sees the edge of a cliff leading down to the sea rapidly approaching. As a devotee of Our Lady of Nazaré, the knight prays to the saint for help and salvation. The horse rears up right at the edge of the cliff and both are saved. Thus, Fuas Roupinho, in gratitude to Our Lady, has a chapel built there where, according to legend, the imprint of the horse's hind legs can still be seen carved into the rock.

The Seven Skirts

The costume of the seven skirts is part of the tradition of the village of Nazaré and its strong links with the sea and fishing. The seven skirts can have different meanings (the seven virtues, the seven days of the week and the seven colours of the rainbow), but the prevailing meaning is that the "Nazarenas" (the women of Nazaré) used the skirts to count the waves of the sea while they sat on the sand waiting for the return of the fishing boats bringing their husbands and children ashore, as well as their sustenance.
The costume also includes an embroidered apron, a blouse with lace sleeves, a black cloak, a black hat, lacquer slippers and several gold pieces such as queen earrings and laces.
When visiting Nazaré, you can meet these women of the seven skirts, who are the keepers of the ancient traditions and customs of this region.

Xávega Art

This type of traditional fishing is what most characterises Nazaré. The nets are cast from a typical boat in the morning and pulled in from the land in the afternoon. The fish caught is sold at a makeshift auction on the beach, which is a recreation of the old one. Despite its decline due to advances in fishing technology, this tradition is still kept alive in Nazaré. The costume also includes an embroidered apron, a blouse with lace sleeves, a black cloak, a black hat, lacquer slippers and several gold pieces such as queen earrings and laces.
When visiting Nazaré, you can meet these women of the seven skirts, who are the keepers of the ancient traditions and customs of this region.