Nazare (World's Biggest Waves) Half Day Private Tour from Lisbon
Description
Many visitors to Lisbon don’t realize how close they are to the fishing town of Nazare - home to the largest surfable waves in the world. On this 5-hour private tour, head to the town exploring the golden sandy beaches, stopping to discover a 14th-century shrine, climbing a 110-meter-high viewpoint, learning about the region’s fishing heritage, and visiting the spectacular site where big waves occur and the most daring surfers from around the world come for the ultimate thrill. This tour really takes you to visit the specific spot of Nazaré's famous big waves, the Fort on the cliff, the iconic red lighthouse, and the big wave surfing museum (entrance tickets included). - Private tour: Ask your driver-guide as many questions as you like - Includes convenient pickup and drop-off at your hotel - The 110-meter-high viewpoint is a fantastic vantage point for cityscape photos - Visit the specific spot of Nazaré's famous big waves - Travel in a comfortable SUV and go at your own pace
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour departs directly for picturesque Nazaré. Expect a short, comfortable highway trip of around 90 minutes.
At the first stop, you'll visit the promontory, known as Sitio, where a good handful of must-see attractions await you within walking distance. It's best to start at the Suberco viewpoint, 110 meters high, overlooking the town and Nazaré beach. Afterwards, we'll stroll around the site and, among other things, we'll go to the Ermida da Memória to learn about a famous local tale and also to the 14th century Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré, where you'll discover something curious.
We continue on to the second stop, the 16th century Fort and currently Big Wave Surf Museum and Interpretive Center of the Nazaré Canyon. The Fort is built on top of the cliff and overlooks the Nazaré Canyon, where the legendary Giant Waves take place and, depending on the time of year, you may see some brave surfers surfing them. Here you will learn everything about the phenomenon of the big waves of Nazaré.
Before returning to Lisbon, you still have a third stop to make. You will visit Nazaré's golden sandy beach and the town's old streets, the fishermen's quarter, where you'll learn about local traditions, especially those related to the community's main activity, fishing. You'll enjoy meeting the Varinas, the local women dressed in their seven colorful skirts. By the way... Sometimes they're a bit cheeky!
Suddenly it's time to head back to Lisbon, but if you want to have lunch locally (here you can taste some of the best fish and seafood in the world), just talk to us in advance... if we have availability, we will be happy to extend your tour a little longer so that you can enjoy a great lunch at Nazaré.
Back to the Lisbon area. The journey takes between 5 and 7 hours, depending on the optional visits you make and whether you decide to have lunch on site. As a matter of transparency, we would like to inform you that in addition to the added time of 2 hours given to the attractions listed in the itinerary, the remaining 3 to 5 hours announced refer to: 3 hours for the total travel time, and the other 2 hours for the total time of the moments listed as optional. By the way... we'd like you to know that by choosing us you're choosing a free tour for children under 11 and a 100% sustainable car trip, as all GHG emissions generated are fully offset. Remark: The sighting of the world's biggest surfable waves, over 25 meters high (+80 ft), can be enjoyed mainly between November and March. This event, although frequent during this period, is always subject to favorable weather conditions, so giant waves sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
To meet your driver-guide look around for a curious and funny "a" which he/she will hold on his/her shirt, hat or eventually in his/her hand. If you're in a hotel, please wait in the hotel lobby. If you are staying in another type of accommodation, please wait by the main door at street level. As this is a half-day, private tour, the Operator makes the pick-up time flexible. To do this, after booking, check availability directly with the Operator up to 24 hours before the activity starts.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- By choosing this private activity, you're choosing a free tour for children under 11 and a 100% sustainable car trip, as all GHG emissions generated are fully offset.
- The Operator is licensed by the Portuguese Tourism Authority and complies with all legal health, safety and insurance regulations.
- It is mandatory to book 1 seat per child, regardless of age and even if it is mentioned that it is free.
- Not recommended for small children unused to travelling by car (up to 1 H between stops, up to 7 H for the day).
- All the highlights of this tour are easily accessible. However, there may be one or two attractions with more limited accessibility.
- Not allowed to travel with non-folding wheelchairs or strollers.
- All the walks are relatively short and of easy-to-moderate physical demand. Participants do not need to have a high level of physical fitness.
- Expect a 5-7 hours journey, depending on the pace you want to go and the optional visits you make.
- Primarily, but not guaranteed, this tour takes place in a Volvo SUV or a Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan.
- For reasons beyond the control of the Tour Operator, it reserves the right to alter or cancel any service without prior notice due to the impossibility of carrying it out. It further informs that in the event of impossibility of access, by road or on foot, to any site or impossibility of visit to any attraction listed in the itinerary, the customer will not be entitled to any refund.
- By booking this Activity: you acknowledge that photographs and videos may be taken during the Activity; you consent that these may be published by the Tour Operator, either online or offline; and you agree to waive any rights of ownership or earnings at any time over these records. If you do not accept this, simply inform the Tour Guide on arrival at the start of the Activity.
Reviews(20)
Marco is an amazing find. Found him on trip advisor with all 5 star reviews. From start to finish he was perfect. Picked us up at our hotel and immediately enjoyed conversations on the drive to Nazara. We love to understand the local point of view and its history. He is full of interesting stories that only a native can tell. Our first stop was Nazara and its view of the beaches below and the true history of Portugal and how Nazara got its name. A must hear story, that comes to life in our walking tour. As an old surfer from the west coast of California, Nazara was a must to our tour of Portugal. Even though the waves were off season, Marco made us understand the natural force of nature that happens in late December when surfers from all over the world attempt to connect with this vast wall of water. Marco made it all come to life with his first hand stories. He was able to drive us to the fortress and the lighthouse to avoid the steep and strenuous trek to visit the rocky point. The tour was amazing. Finally we visited the local beaches and understood the daily routine of the local fishermen and the drying techniques. Can’t say enough about how lucky we felt to have such a genuine experience. Marco is a true find and as genuine as it gets. Many thanks Don and Joan Sutherland
We had an amazing experience with this company and our tour guide, Marco! Everything from start to finish was effortless. Great clear communication while putting together the itinerary for this private tour. Prompt pick up at our hotel and a full day of fun. Our guide Marco was very professional and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend this company. Thank you, Marco!
We are touched and delighted by your comments. Thank you. We’re so glad to hear that you had an amazing experience and that your guide, Marco, made it even better. It was a pleasure to tailor this tour of Nazaré to your interests and make it even more special. Thank you so much for these wonderful comments and for recommending this tour and our team. It was a pleasure having you on board.
Marco was amazing! He picked me up in a very clean new car with snacks and water - very professional. I was traveling alone and he made me feel very comfortable right from the beginning. He was FULL of knowledge and tailored the tour to my specific interests. The stories he told about Old Nazare, Nazare, and the fort with the waves were so interesting and I learned so much. I felt my time was spent wisely on this tour and I saw and learned things i never would have if I just went on my own. I really wanted to go to the actual spot with the big waves and he got me there - he was able to drive me right down there when everyone else had to walk. I give this tour 5 STARS and my driver/guide Marco 5 STARS!! Highly recommend - great way to get out of the city and have a wonderful day! This tour gets you to the waves!
What a glowing review! Thank you so much. We’re thrilled to hear that you loved the tour, that you enjoyed the services provided, and that Marco, your guide, was amazing and took the tour to the next level. We always strive to go above and beyond for our beloved travelers. It was a pleasure to have you on board. Thank you for your curiosity and your recommendation.
Our tour with Marco was an excellent experience. He was very knowledgeable about the area and its history. He went out of his way to accommodate any request. It was an excellent experience, and I would definitely choose Marco for another tour.
Thank you for such wonderful comments. Delighted to hear that you had an excellent experience and that your guide Marco went above and beyond, making your trip truly memorable. Many thanks for your curiosity and recommendation.
Fantastic trip from Lisbon to Nazare with Marco from Amity Family Experiences. Marco provided great historical perspective during the tour and was knowledgeable about surfing on the coast of Portugal as well. He picked us up in a large SUV that was immaculate and safely transported us through the tour for five hours. Highly recommend his services without reservation!
Thank you for such brilliant comments. Delighted to hear that the tour was memorable and that you recommend the tour and our services without reservation. It was a pleasure to have you on board and tour guide you to Nazaré. It's not every day that we have a former surfing champion on board :-) Thank you for your curiosity and recommendation.
We had booked a private trip to Nazare and the tour exceeded our expectations. The tour guide Marco was really nice and took good care of our family. We liked the fact that he messaged us one day in advance and communicated clearly what was covered and what was not.so there was no confusion He was flexible with the amount of times spent at various points. He was knowledgeable about why there are big waves in thst area as well as with the history of that area. He was also very thoughtful as he had some snacks in the car for our kids. Overall it was a very memorable experience and we would do it again.
Thanks for your amazing review. Delighted to hear that it was a memorable experience and that you would do it again. We loved taking your lovely family to Nazaré. Thank you for the recommendation.
Our trip to Nazare was special, made so by Marco's great historical overview of the area and the special nature of the surfers who set records for successful rides on some of the worlds highest and strongest waves. Prior to our visit to Portugal, many of us in the family wanted to see what we had often read about. Marco gave us that opportunity with a vibrant walk around the town and onto the cliffs to view the site of so many great surfing events. It was a long drive and the one suggestion I would have is to possibly swap out our visit to the dried fish beach for lunch at the medieval Roman city that we passed on the way to Nazare.
Thank you very much for your comments. We are delighted to hear that you had an extraordinary experience and that Marco (the tour guide) made the tour special. It was a pleasure to have you on board for this tour to the stunning Nazaré. Thank you.
2 day trip coordinated for group of 18. We organized with great communication from Marco. Tailored to group of all ages to accommodate adults and kids
Thank you very much for your comments. We are glad that everyone enjoyed the experiences. It was a pleasure to tailor these two days of sightseeing and take your family on tours beyond Lisbon. Thank you.
Great guide (Marco) and nice mix of history and site seeing of the "not to miss" sites in Nazare. You will want more time, so I recommend booking as much time as possible (a full day is definitely needed) since there is more to see than just the big waves and the town is absolutely beautiful, and restaurants smelled amazing. Easy drive from Lisbon. Pickup from hotel was also a must.
Thank you very much for your kind comments and for recommending the tour. I’m very happy to know that everyone enjoyed the experience. It was a pleasure to take your lovely family to Nazaré. Thank you for your interest and for the recommendation.
Marco communicated with me regularly during the planning process of this tour. He picked up our group of six adults at our hotel in Lisbon to head to Nazare. We went first to the historic city center and visited the beautiful cathedral. Marco shared the city’s legends and amazing history throughout our visit. Next we visited several of the famous viewpoints for big waves as he shared his personal experiences of past surfing competitions and giant waves. Marco was a fantastic host and guide. I would definitely book more excursions with him and his company if I am ever in Lisbon again!
Thank you very much for this excellent feedback. It was a pleasure to have you on board and show you around Nazaré. Thank you for your curiosity and recommendation.
