A sleepy Portuguese town has become unmissable for surfers as its home to some of the biggest and most dangerous waves in the world.
Just 90 minutes drive north of the bustling city of Lisbon lies Nazaré, an historic fishing village where fishmongers can still be spotted wearing their traditional garb, seven skirts.
Although there are multiple reasons tourists should visit this gorgeous beach town with its miles of white sand beaches, the one that stands out is its Olympic sized surf.
In fact, it’s likely home to the tallest wave ever surfed.
The staggering mass of water measured 28.57m (94ft) and was ridden by Germany’s Sebastian Steudtner in 2024.
It’s yet to be approved by the World Surf League but the current world-record height is 26.21m (86ft) – and was also set by Steudtner there in 2020.
Nazaré’s surf season runs between from October through to March and the weather remains pretty mild during that time, with a top temperature of 22C.
Nazaré has plenty more to offer than just surfing though. Local traditions are preserved for visitors to get a taste of the old days.
Fish is still put out to dry in the sun, colorful fishing boats remain on the beach, and some older locals hold on to the traditional dress – berets for men, and shawls and seven skirts or petticoats for women.
The origin of this garb isn’t known but it’s thought that women would layer themselves in the seven skirts to keep warm as they waited for their husbands to return from fishing.
Aside from its postcard perfect beaches and viewing points like the clifftop of Miradouro do Suberco, Nazaré also has gorgeous churches and monuments to visit.
One of these is Nossa Senhora da Nazaré Sanctuary – a pilgrimage point and monastery built in 1377 for pilgrims to see a revered image of the Virgin, said to have been carved in Nazareth, in present-day Israel.
There’s also São Miguel Arcanjo Fort – A 16th-century fortress that guided ships into the port. Now it offers incredible panoramic views over the sea, and is where spectators sit to catch a glimpse of the massive waves rolling into the shore.
