Culinary tours, local restaurants, wine tastings, and food markets
Nazaré might be famous for its towering waves, but its culinary scene and local wines are just as compelling. This fishing town offers a fresh take on Portuguese cuisine, from seafood feasts to local wine tastings. Let's delve into what makes Nazaré a food lover's paradise.
Head to the restaurants along Avenida da República for the freshest seafood, especially the grilled sardines and caldeirada (fish stew).
For an authentic experience, try Restaurante A Tasquinha. Located a short walk from Praia da Nazaré, this spot is beloved by locals for its seafood rice and traditional açorda. Prices are reasonable, with main dishes ranging from €15-€25. Make sure to book a table, especially on weekends.
While Nazaré itself is more about seafood, nearby Alcobaça offers excellent wine tasting tours, just a 20-minute drive inland.
The Quinta dos Capuchos winery, for example, offers guided tours and tastings of their distinctive wines, including their notable Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Tasting sessions typically last an hour and cost around €10 per person. Consider renting a car or hiring a local tour guide for the day to combine this with a visit to the Alcobaça Monastery.
Mercado Municipal de Nazaré is the go-to spot for fresh produce, local cheeses, and regional specialties.
Located in the town center, this market opens every morning except Sundays. Vendors offer everything from freshly caught fish to artisan bread. Try the stand selling local queijadas (sweet cheese pastries) – the perfect snack to enjoy as you stroll through the market. Arrive early to beat the crowds and get the best selection.
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In Nazaré, traditional dishes include Caldeirada de Peixe, a fish stew costing around €15, and Sopa do Dia, often priced at €5. Restaurants like Casa do Pescador, established in 1965, serve these meals with views of the Atlantic Ocean, just 100 meters from the famous Praia do Norte.
In Nazaré, seafood lovers can dine at Restaurante A Tasquinha, where fresh grilled sardines start at €10. The nearby Mercado Municipal, open since 1935, features local vendors selling octopus and cod. Expect to pay around €15 for a complete meal, with the best catch arriving from the Atlantic Ocean just 300 meters away.
Sítio restaurants in Nazaré provide cliff-top dining with views of the Atlantic Ocean. Prices start at €20 for a seafood dish, while a three-course meal averages €45. The elevation of Sítio is approximately 110 meters above sea level, offering diners a scenic vantage point to enjoy local cuisine.
The Nazaré Lighthouse at Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo, 75 meters above sea level, is ideal for photographing giant waves reaching up to 30 meters during winter surf season (November to February). Entry costs €3, and the nearby Praia do Norte beach stretches 3 km, attracting surfers worldwide.
Nazaré Fish Market, established in 1930, features daily fresh catches from local fishermen. Prices for fresh sardines typically start at €5 per kilogram, while squid can reach €12. The market, located just 300 meters from the beach, opens at 7:00 AM, ensuring seafood lovers access to the day's best selections.
The ideal time to visit Nazaré is from late September to early November, when average temperatures range from 18°C to 22°C. Wave heights can reach up to 30 meters during this period, attracting surfers from around the world. Accommodation prices average €70 per night, with peak crowds occurring in July and August.
Nazaré's cafés serve pastéis de nata for approximately €1.20 each, with popular spots like Pastéis de Belém attracting locals and tourists alike. The town's average temperature in summer reaches around 25°C, ideal for enjoying a coffee while overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
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