This beautiful coastal town in Central Portugal sits along the Atlantic, in the Leiria District, and is known around the world for something almost unbelievable: giant waves. Not just large waves. Record-breaking waves. Waves that can rise 80, 90, even 100 feet high during the winter season.

It is the kind of place where the ocean does not whisper…It roars.

Nazaré has become famous because of Praia do Norte and the underwater Nazaré Canyon, a massive deep-sea trench that helps funnel and magnify Atlantic swells into some of the largest surfable waves in the world. Since surfer Garrett McNamara brought international attention to Nazaré in 2011 with his record-breaking ride, the town has become a dream destination for big-wave surfers, photographers, and travelers who want to witness nature at full power.

But Nazaré is more than waves.

It is a town of fishermen, families, faith, cliffs, traditions, seafood, and sea air. It is a place where the old Portugal still feels present.

The town is divided between the beachfront village below and the historic clifftop area of Sítio above. You can ride the Nazaré Funicular between the two, climbing from the beach level to panoramic views that seem to open the entire Atlantic in front of you.

For me, the moment I remember most was walking along the cliffs overlooking the beach.

It was beautiful and a bit hair-raising when the breeze picked up. I stayed far from the edge, but even from a safe distance, you can feel the power of the place. The cliffs are dramatic. The water stretches endlessly. The wind reminds you that nature is not something we control.

It is something we respect.

The day I was there was a little overcast. The sky was gray, the water was moody, and the light had that soft silver quality that coastal towns often wear so well. Of course, part of me wished for sunshine. I thought about how gorgeous Nazaré must be when the sun is sparkling on the water and the whole coastline is glowing.

But even overcast days have their own kind of beauty.

Sometimes the cloudy days let you see a place differently. They quiet the colors and sharpen the feeling. Nazaré did not need perfect weather to be impressive. It had presence all on its own.

And honestly, I like leaving a place with a reason to return.

There is something wise about not needing to see everything the first time. Travel has taught me that the best journeys often leave a little unfinished business. A sunny day in Nazaré is something I will save for next time.

After walking the cliffs and taking in the views, I found myself drawn, as I often am, to the food of the coast.

I had what I would call a seafood boil in town, shrimp, cod, mussels, clams, and some sort of seasoned broth that brought it all together. I shared it, but honestly, it could have fed four or more. There is something so grounding about eating food that belongs to the place you are visiting.

I do believe I may be turning into a woman of the coast.

I love fresh seafood, walks near the beach, views from the cliffs, and the way the sun, or even the soft gray light, glistening across the water. There is a rhythm to coastal towns that speaks to me. It slows me down. It reminds me to breathe deeper. It invites me to listen.

Nazaré also holds tightly to its fishing traditions. Along the beachfront, you can still feel the history of families who built their lives around the sea. The colorful boats, the fish-drying traditions, the women in traditional layered skirts, and the deep relationship between the town and the ocean all tell the story of a place shaped by water, courage, and survival.

That is one of the things I loved most about Nazaré.

It is not polished into sameness.

It has character.

It has edge.

It has history.

It has danger and beauty living side by side.

And isn’t that true of life, too?

Sometimes we find ourselves walking along the edge, not recklessly, not carelessly, but awake. Aware. Paying attention. The edge can be frightening, and it can also be where we see most clearly. It reminds us that life is wide, wild, and worth stepping outside our comfort zones.

Nazaré reminded me that there is wisdom in standing near the edge, but not too close.

There is courage in looking out over something bigger than yourself.

There is peace in knowing when to step back.

And there is joy in letting the ocean remind you that you are alive.

Lisa’s Bit of Insight

Nazaré taught me that the edge is not always a place to fear. Sometimes it is a place to pause, breathe, and gain perspective.

The cliffs, the waves, the wind, and the fishing traditions all carry the same message: respect what is powerful, honor what came before you, and leave room for wonder.

Not every day will be sunny.

Not every view will be clear.

But beauty is still there.

Sometimes you just have to stand still long enough to see it.