Top 5 Things to Do in Nazaré with Kids (Portugal)

We spent three days in Nazaré in July 2022, the middle stop of a 10-day trip around Portugal by bus and train, with our boys aged 9 and 6. We slept in a bungalow at a campsite, swam at the town beach and walked up to O Sítio. Here are the five things we’d tell any family to do in Nazaré with kids, plus what’s changed in prices since we went.

About Nazaré Portugal

Nazaré is one of the most touristic and family friendly holidays destinations of the Silver Coast in Portugal. Being located between Porto and Lisbon it became the point of leisure for locals and travelers with kids. Previously it was a small town who was known for its delicious food and giant uber dangerous and noisy waves. One day it became world-famous because a famous surfer, Garrett McNamara, showed to the World how to enjoy those waves as never before. Since that moment Nazaré became world-famous for surfers and spectators from all over the world.

Planning Your Visit to Nazaré

📍 Nazaré is known for its dramatic cliffs, giant waves, and laid-back beach vibe—perfect for a slow-paced day with the kids.

🛗 Don’t miss a ride on the iconic funicular, which connects the beachfront (Praia) to the scenic viewpoint at Sítio.

🌐 For updated event listings, weather tips, and seasonal info, visit the official tourism site: Visit Nazaré

When is better to visit Nazaré?

In summer time the ocean in Nazaré is super quiet, it is when you can enjoy the huge beaches and the crystalline water. Here the giant waves hit the coast only in winter time from October to February. This is when the town gets filled with surfers and their families who come to get a huge dose of adrenaline. During the summer time, a good family travel tip we would recommend is to grab an inflatable surf board and make your kids holidays memorable.

In general we had a 10-day trip in Portugal where Nazaré was our stop in between other cities we visited. Despite our long stay in the country, 2 nights (3 days) we stayed in Nazaré and fell in love with this fascinating seaside town. We visited it in July, when it is considered peak for family travelers. Despite all, I haven’t felt that it was overwhelmed by tourists as in Spain. For this reason I would even say that it was a quiet and relaxing place where we enjoyed our stay a lot. Nazaré is the optimum place for short and long leisure stay or transient between Porto and Lisbon.

Planning a family holiday in Portugal? Don’t miss our Portugal Family Travel Itinerary packed with kid-friendly stops, tips and must-see places.

How to get to Nazaré?

By bus

This is the easiest option without a car. Rede Expressos and FlixBus both stop in the centre, about 50 metres from the beach. We came from Aveiro with Rede Expressos and arrived at 6pm, in time to check in at the campsite before reception closed at 9pm.

By train

Nazaré has no station of its own. The nearest is Valado, about 10 km away, on the Oeste line. A taxi between Valado and Nazaré cost us €10 for two adults and two kids in 2022. Trains on this line are slow and infrequent, so check the CP timetable before you plan around them.

By car

This is the most comfortable option. Parking in the centre is tight in summer, so a campsite or hotel with parking makes life easier.

Leaving Nazaré

Our next stop was Óbidos, the walled medieval town about 40 minutes south, and then Lisbon.

Where to stay in Nazaré?

Where we stayed: Camping Orbitur Valado

We rented a bungalow with a kitchen and bathroom at Camping Orbitur Valado, about 2 km from the beach. It’s a terraced, shady campsite with a pool, a playground, a tennis court, ping-pong, evening kids’ activities and a laundry (we did a wash halfway through the trip). We never cooked: the campsite restaurant was very good, and the Delta coffee was the best of our trip. Of all our stays in Portugal, this is the one the boys enjoyed most, and they still ask when we’re going back.

Good to know: the campsite restaurant and shop open in peak season (roughly May–September), and the bungalows are basic, so it’s camping comfort, not a hotel.

Hotels in Nazaré for families

• Hotel Mar Bravo: on the seafront at Praia da Nazaré. Best if you want to walk straight onto the beach.
• Miramar Hotel & Spa: a quieter base with a pool, a short way from the beach and town.
• Hotel Magic: a small boutique hotel in the town centre, a couple of streets back from the beach.
• Apartments: worth it for three nights or more, when a kitchen and washing machine make life easier.

Beach or campsite? With younger kids, a campsite with a pool gives them freedom and gives you evenings off. With teens, or without a car, a seafront hotel saves the daily 2 km.

Top 5 places to visit in Nazaré, Portugal

When we arrived by bus, it left us only 50m from Nazaré Beach – Praia de Nazaré. It was already evening and we had to go to the camping area to register. It was a longer way to get to camping then to the beach. In then first place we called the reception to ask the latest hour to check in and we were happy to hear that it was 9PM. We ended up spending the whole evening at the Nazaré Beach and when the sunset started we went to the camping. 

After enjoying the warm time by the beach we walked on a nice seaside promenade. We saw wooden boats, dried fish, ice cream places and little shops selling souvenirs by the beach. Coupled with previously said is when realized that Nazaré is a perfect place where traditional and modern life co-exist in the most beautiful way.

Nazaré beach itself is scenic and dried fish on strange wooden constructions create this place really unique.

To Nazaré Beach we came back the next day too and enjoyed our time there. Kids were bathing in the water too, I skipped this part as the water for me was too cold.

· O Sitio

After enjoying the swimming pool of the camping and kids activities we went to the upper part of town Nazaré, O Sitio. This part of the town is located high above the sea and can be reached by funicular or by stairs. We went walking by the road as the camping was at the same height as the upper part.

Make sure to walk further along the cliff – you will catch some fabulous views to the coast.

Here we saw lots of souvenir shops and local street food. You can also visit the chapel of “Ermida da Memoria”, the church of The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré.

Getting up: we walked up the road on day 2 and took the funicular stairs down on day 3. The funicular (Ascensor da Nazaré) runs every 15 minutes from about 7:15am to midnight, and costs €2.50 one way or €4 return (2026). The ride is only a few minutes, and the views are worth it.

· Giant Waves of Nazaré

This is what made Nazaré famous. Just off Praia do Norte, the Nazaré Canyon, an underwater canyon about 5 km deep, funnels winter Atlantic swells into the biggest surfable waves on the planet.

• When: roughly October to March, with the biggest swells usually between November and February. In summer, when we went, there are no giant waves. Praia do Norte is still rough and not for swimming, but the town beach is calm.
• The records: Garrett McNamara put Nazaré on the map in 2011 with a Guinness-certified 23.77 m wave. The current men’s record is 26.21 m, surfed here by Sebastian Steudtner in October 2020. Maya Gabeira holds the women’s record, also set at Nazaré.
• Where to watch: from the terraces around the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo and the lighthouse, above Praia do Norte. On a big day, go early. The cliff road fills up with thousands of spectators.
• With kids: stay behind the barriers. The wind on the headland is strong even in summer, so bring a jacket.

· Farol de Nazaré

The red lighthouse (1903) sits on top of the 16th-century Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo, at the tip of the headland below O Sítio. Inside the fort is a small big-wave exhibition about the Nazaré Canyon, with boards ridden on record days, and from the terraces you look straight down onto Praia do Norte. It opens daily, roughly 10:00–18:00. Entry was €3 when we went in 2022, so check the current price at the door. It takes 30–45 minutes, and kids who like the sea love the surfboards.

· Baloico de Ladeira (swing) overlooking Nazaré.

On our way back, we went to Nazaré beach again. This time we decided to walk the stairs down, where the funicular trail goes too. We stopped at a panoramic swing overlooking the city and Praia da Nazaré. The swing is a perfect place to watch one of Nazaré’s famous sunsets. There was a queue to take pictures there.

On our way back we enjoyed Nazaré beach and the marvelous sunset.

Is Nazaré worth visiting?

For everyone who loves beaches, waves, summer time, Nazaré is totally worth visiting. Almost everyone who comes and visits Nazaré instantly falls in love with its charm and beauty.

How much time you need to visit Nazaré?

As I mentioned earlier we spent 3 days there, I would say that we split this time in 2 enjoying the city and enjoying the camping. If you want to come for less time, then of course, you can enjoy it in 1 or 2 days. And if you plan to have some beach time, you wont regret staying more days there. 

We personally enjoyed this town so much that kids still ask when we come back to visit it again. If you want to have a trip around Portugal, check this place for a stop over.

If you have any questions about Nazaré, leave a comment below and we will try to help you.

More of our Portugal trip

• 2 days in Porto with kids (stop 1)
• Aveiro with kids (stop 2)
• Óbidos with kids (stop 4)
• 4 days in Lisbon with kids (stop 5)
• Our full 10-day Portugal with kids itinerary

Nazaré with Kids – Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nazaré safe for children?

Yes, Nazaré is safe and family-friendly. Avoid giant wave zones in winter and enjoy them from designated viewpoints.

Can kids swim in Nazaré?

The main Praia da Nazaré beach is calmer and suitable for swimming in summer. Praia do Norte has strong waves and is not recommended for swimming.

What are the best family activities in Nazaré?

Families can enjoy the funicular ride, beach time, lighthouse visit, panoramic viewpoints, and seaside promenades.

Is Nazaré suitable for a day trip?

Yes, Nazaré is a great day trip from Lisbon, but staying overnight allows you to enjoy it at a slower pace.

When can you see the big waves in Nazaré?

The giant waves arrive roughly from October to March, with the biggest swells usually between November and February. In summer the sea at Praia do Norte is still rough, but there are no giant waves.

How much is the Nazaré funicular?

The Nazaré funicular costs €2.50 one way or €4 return in 2026. It runs every 15 minutes from about 7:15am to midnight, between the beach and O Sítio.

If you’re based in Lisbon, Nazaré makes a perfect day trip. Check out our guide to Lisbon Day Trips with Kids for more ideas within easy reach.