Nearby or less then 1 Day Trips

Near Nazare there are multiple Unesco World Heritage sites. Here are a few can be done in a day or less:

• Alcobaça Monastery - A lovely town with a historic monastery. Lots of sidewalk cafes and great restaurants. Make sure to see the Jardim do Amor as well.

• Batalha Monastery - The unfinished monastery is one of the most beautiful Unesco site to see. We recommend this and also the nearby Aljubarrota interpretação center on the same day to get a full understanding of Portugese history.

• Castelo de Óbidos - a charming, medieval walled town, renowned for its picturesque cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses with colorful trims, and a well-preserved castle. Many restaurants and shops in the well preserved town.

• Ourém - The Castle of Ourem in Portugal is a well-preserved medieval fortress, perched atop a hill, offering panoramic views and a window into history.

• Grutas de Mira de Aire - Lovely caves in the mountains with tours. You can also hike in the area and visit other sites nearby. Dinasour tracks and more can be found nearby. Click here for more information about Serras de Aire e Candeeiros

• Castelo de Tomar - Knights of the Templar castle, well preserved - Highly recommended for a day trip - an hour away. Make sure to see the town and Jewish Synagogue which has a a museum next door and gives you an understanding of Sephardic Jews history in Portugal.

Other Quick Local Trips

We have found that these are some great areas to hike nearby.

• Monte de São Bartolomeu - Chapel at top and a beautiful view of Nazaré

• Praia do Salgado - Lots of hiking Paths and Paragliding to be seen here. There are also Dinosaur footprints that can be found in the area.

• Praia do Norte - Hiking along the coastline. Start at parking lot in Praia do Norte beach. You will see a hiking path pole with marks along the way. Refer to Maps.me for specific information

• River Beaches - Using Google Maps, and entering Fluvial will show you a listing of River parks which are popular on summer weekends. They are shallow rivers and families gather to picnic and enjoy the water. One nearby is Alpedriz River beach. Hiking paths and lovely picnic area. It is about 20 minutes away from Nazare. Make sure to read reviews as some river beaches might be in disrepair, but can vouch for Alpedriz as we have been there. To find other nearby river beaches review the Leiria district

• Hiking walking trails - Easy walking trails near Porto Dos Mos called Ecopista. Old mining area where cart rails were made into walking paths. Point GPS to Parque de merendas da Ecopista to be able to park at start of trail (google maps has a bad habit of taking you down bad roads in Portugal).

Other Interesting Places to visit nearby

North of Nazare

• Patias - On Sundays there is a large market that is fun to visit for fresh local vegetables and food options include outdoor grill restaurants. Nearby is a lovely walking area around a fresh water lagoon ( some people do swim in lagoon) called Patias Lagoon with picnic tables.

• Castelo de Leiria - 30 minutes away - a lovely town with a well preserved castle. Many cultural activities throughout the year.

• São Pedro de Moel - lovely town with great walking/Biking paths along stunning cliffs. Additional hiking can be found. The expansive beach hosts a couple of fun beach bars. There is also a hiking area/nature park in the area Parque de merendas with picnic areas.

  South of Nazare

• São Martinho do Porto - swimmable beach , hiking and a sand dune to slide down. Additional beautiful views from the Capela de Santa.

• Peniche -Great for cliff trails which offer breath-taking views of the rugged coastline. Views of Berlengas Nature Reserve can be seen from the trails. You can find a number of tour boats in the town of Peniche that will take you out to Berlengas.

• Caldas da Rainha - Frutas market and Dom Carlos Park are highlights in this area.

• Foz do Arelho- beautiful and tranquil beaches, perfect for kite surfing, paddleboarding and sunbathing next to the Atlantic ocean known as the Óbidos Lagoon. Many restaurants and ample parking make this a popular spot during the summer.

• Bacalhôa Buddha Eden - Beautiful gardens near Caldas Estimated time to walk through is about 2 hours. Entry fee

  A little farther but can be visited as a Day Trip

• Aveiro - Known as the Venice of Portugal, you will find colorful traditional boats called 'moliceiros' and unique Art deco buildings. In the nearby Costa Nova beach area are beautiful striped houses on the beach front streets. Originally fisherman's houses, these buildings were traditionally painted with bright, striped patterns to make them easily visible from the sea.

Interesting Areas to visit

There are many great cities to visit in Portugal, but for some other the beaten track experiences we have a few that we highly recommend. These are over 3 hours away so we suggest an overnight stay nearby one of these towns to really enjoy these areas.

Guimaraes - Very Historical town with Braganza Castle ruins and Dukes of Bragança Palace ( in very good condition). Stay the night in nearby Braga and enjoy a different culture in Northern Portugal.

Monsanto 
Monsanto, is renowned for its unique and captivating architecture, where homes and structures are embedded within and between large boulders, reflecting a harmonious blend of natural landscape and human adaptation. It is famous for its ancient castle, "Castelo de Monsanto," that stands atop a hill offering spectacular views of the village and the surrounding countryside. The village is also known for the annual Festival of the Crosses, where residents recreate historical scenes using paper flowers and ancient rites, maintaining their deeply rooted cultural traditions.

Penha Garcia Penha Garcia is a captivating attraction that showcases the awe-inspiring power of nature with its stunning geological formations, cliffs, and caves. Its medieval castle adds a touch of history and invites visitors to step back in time. With a tranquil atmosphere and picturesque surroundings, Penha Garcia offers a memorable and immersive experience for those seeking natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Tomar Castle

Alcobaça Monastery