Praia do Norte, or North Beach, is a beautiful and untouched golden beach that offers an excellent place to watch dramatic waves in peace and quiet. Spend a day here and you will quickly see why it is known all over the world for its wild waters. Its fame has made it a must-visit destination for many serious surfers. But it is also a lovely spot for those who would just like a break from the hubbub of busy Nazaré Beach, directly to the south.
For many years, North Beach was overshadowed by the more famous beach next to it, which still draws huge crowds of visitors each year due to its family-friendly conditions and great facilities. But in 2011, pro surfer Garrett McNamara brought North Beach to the world’s attention by surfing a record-breaking 100-foot (30-meter) wave here. Visit now and you are unlikely to see a spectacle as impressive as that, but monster waves do crash against the rocks here quite regularly. Look for expert surfers in the water, demonstrating their skills.
Bring a camera when you visit North Beach, as the relative isolation here means it is a wonderful setting for photos. Take pictures of the stunning natural beauty of the Portuguese coastline, far away from the crowds. Make sure you see the beautiful lighthouse that looks out across the ocean from the southern tip of the beach.
When you have had enough of the isolation of North Beach, head back into the pretty and historic center of Nazaré, where the streets are alive with women in traditional layered skirts and craftspeople selling their wares.
Stay in one of the cluster of hotels located along Nazaré Beach and drive to North Beach in under 10 minutes. Or, drive from Lisbon in around 1.5 hours and make your visit to North Beach a daytrip instead. This spectacular area of coast provides the perfect contrast to the busy city streets of the capital.
