Nazaré - Portugal

We made it to Nazaré from Óbidos by late afternoon.  Finding the apartment we had booked for our stay in that quaint little town by the ocean proved a little harder than we thought but once settled, it was off to the main street that follows the beach and the discovery of this new part of the world.

The Main Street of Nazaré by the Beach



 

The Main Street of Nazaré

Nazaré; named after the Biblical “Nazareth” in the 4th century is Portugal’s most famous fishing village and one of the most popular seaside resorts in Portugal.  Located on the Atlantic coast, it has long sandy beaches (considered by some to be among the best beaches in Portugal).  Nazaré has also become World-famous for its big wave, tow-in surfing.  In November 2011, surfer Gareth McNamara surfed a record-breaking giant wave of 23.8m at Nazaré.   These waves form due to the presence of the underwater Nazaré canyon.

Fishing Boats on Nazare Beach

Surfers in Nazare - No Big Waves Today

To get a different perspective of the place, take the funicular up to Promontório do Sítio, where breath-taking coastal views from the cliffs await you.  The town used to be known for its traditional costumes worn by the fishermen and their wives who wore a traditional headscarf and embroidered aprons over seven flannel skirts in different colours.  These dresses can still occasionally be seen.

Women Chatting by the Beach

A Restaurant at the Base of the Funicular

According to the Legend of Nazaré, the town derives its name from a small wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, a Black Madonna, brought by a monk in the 4th century from Nazareth in the Holy Land.
 
Nazaré’s narrow, cobbled lanes running up and down onto a wide, cliff-backed beach make it a pleasure to walk and take in the sights, the sounds and the smells of the place.  The town centre offers a wide variety of seafood restaurants, bars, ice cream parlours and souvenir shops.

Repairing the Cobble Stone Street

The Craftsman at Work

After a most relaxing stay in Nazaré where I thoroughly enjoyed the food, the warm hospitality, the walks along the beach and the unique aspect of the town, it was time to head back to Spain for our last destination before returning to France.  Cordoba !!!