Portugal · Heritage Walks

8-Hour Óbidos and Nazaré Tour with Medieval Streets and Giant Waves

8 Hours Round trip from 2510 Óbidos Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Discover the medieval charm of Óbidos, a town owned by Queens for 600 years
02 Experience the vibrant mix of fishermen and surfers in Nazaré, a famous surfing location
03 Visit the famous Nazaré lighthouse to witness Norte Beach and its giant waves
04 Enjoy local specialties such as fish stew, octopus, or shellfish in Nazaré
05 Stroll through Óbidos' historic cobblestone streets and sample local cherry liquor

Embark on a scenic journey from Lisbon to Óbidos, a charming medieval town of cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and local cherry liquor. Continue to Nazaré to soak in the beauty of its iconic half-moon-shaped beach and lively seafront, where fishing traditions meet surf culture. The day ends on the clifftop at the fortress and lighthouse of St. Michel, where you can learn about the geological forces behind the town's towering waves and see the Surfer Wall exhibition.

Surrounded by a classic crenelated wall, Óbidos' gorgeous historic centre is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets and flower-bedecked, whitewashed houses.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Lisbon, Nazaré, Óbidos

Languages English, Italian, Portuguese

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Óbidos, Nazaré and the St. Michel Lighthouse

We'll start our day driving towards Óbidos. Before we drive back to Lisbon, we'll have a stroll, shop in the local stores, and sample cherry liquor.
Surrounded by a classic crenelated wall, Óbidos' gorgeous historic centre is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets and flower-bedecked, whitewashed houses.
It's now time to drive to Nazaré and enjoy its long, sandy, half-moon-shaped beach, which is also the town's seafront. It is known for its grandeur and for the brightly coloured awnings that decorate the white sandy beach, contrasting with the blue of the water.
After lunch, we'll drive to the clifftop to visit the lighthouse and fortress of St. Michel.
Famous for its dramatic backdrop when surfers hit the high seas, this site also offers a small explanation of the geological reasons behind the ocean's towering waves. Its halls house the Surfer Wall exhibition, a gallery of surfboards from famed international surfers who have conquered Praia do Norte's mighty seas - not all unscathed, as seen in Italian surfer Alessandro Marcianò's split board.

Where this trip takes you

Óbidos' cobblestone streets, Nazaré's half-moon-shaped beach, St. Michel clifftop fortress and lighthouse, Praia do Norte's mighty seas

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from 2510 Óbidos 3 cities · 8 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Private transportation (Opel Insignia Station Wagon 2020)
8-hour tour with my personal assistance and explanations of sights and monuments
All mandatory insurances required by Portuguese law, including Personal Liability Insurance

What's Not Included

Personal expenses
Monument fees, if applicable
Food, drinks, and snacks
Tastings

What to bring

Hat
Water
Sunblock
Comfortable shoes

Know before you go

Nazaré's 100 ft waves are a phenomenon that happens only a couple of times a year. It's important to note that these big waves mostly appear from October to March. If you want to visit the region and ensure that you see these waves, it makes sense to stay for at least a week, if not two, in this location or the surrounding area.
Looking for a day trip out of Lisbon? I've been touring the area for almost 20 years, and these are just some of my favourite sights to visit in the Lisbon area. I love the feeling of travelling to a region where medieval history, seafood, fishing, surfing, and good weather can all fit into the same experience. Come and join me on a day tour north of Lisbon to visit Óbidos, a town owned by Queens for 600 years; to see fishermen and surfers mingling in Nazaré, where waves get as high as 100 feet at special times of the year; try the local fish stew, octopus, or shellfish; and have time to walk towards the now world-famous Nazaré lighthouse to see Norte Beach and learn about the adrenaline of catching giant waves!

We'll have fun, take gorgeous pictures, and learn a lot about Portugal! Let's have a wonderful time together!

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