The sea temperature at Nazaré today is 16.4 °C (62 °F) – icy water, most people reach for a wetsuit. The usual October average is 17.6 °C. The forecast for the next 3 days is 16.2 to 16.3 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 19 °C to 16.4 °C. Swimmable in September, when the sea averages 18 °C or more. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.7°C / 56.7°F | 14.7°C / 58.5°F | 15.5°C / 59.9°F |
| February | 13.7°C / 56.7°F | 14.3°C / 57.8°F | 15.2°C / 59.4°F |
| March | 13.7°C / 56.7°F | 14.3°C / 57.8°F | 14.7°C / 58.5°F |
| April | 14.5°C / 58.0°F | 15.4°C / 59.7°F | 16.0°C / 60.7°F |
| May | 15.9°C / 60.7°F | 16.2°C / 61.1°F | 16.6°C / 61.8°F |
| June | 16.2°C / 61.2°F | 17.2°C / 63.0°F | 18.2°C / 64.7°F |
| July | 16.8°C / 62.2°F | 17.4°C / 63.3°F | 17.8°C / 64.1°F |
| August | 17.0°C / 62.5°F | 17.7°C / 63.8°F | 18.4°C / 65.0°F |
| September | 16.1°C / 61.0°F | 18.0°C / 64.5°F | 19.1°C / 66.5°F |
| October | 16.7°C / 62.0°F | 17.6°C / 63.7°F | 19.5°C / 67.0°F |
| November | 15.6°C / 60.1°F | 16.9°C / 62.5°F | 17.7°C / 63.9°F |
| December | 14.3°C / 57.7°F | 15.4°C / 59.8°F | 16.2°C / 61.1°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9.4°C / 48.9°F | 11.3°C / 52.4°F | 14.2°C / 57.6°F |
| February | 10.2°C / 50.3°F | 12.5°C / 54.4°F | 15.8°C / 60.5°F |
| March | 10.9°C / 51.6°F | 13.2°C / 55.8°F | 16.4°C / 61.6°F |
| April | 12.6°C / 54.6°F | 15.4°C / 59.6°F | 18.9°C / 66.0°F |
| May | 14.2°C / 57.5°F | 17.0°C / 62.6°F | 20.6°C / 69.0°F |
| June | 16.4°C / 61.5°F | 19.0°C / 66.2°F | 22.6°C / 72.7°F |
| July | 17.5°C / 63.5°F | 20.5°C / 69.0°F | 24.8°C / 76.6°F |
| August | 17.6°C / 63.6°F | 20.5°C / 69.0°F | 25.0°C / 77.0°F |
| September | 17.0°C / 62.5°F | 19.7°C / 67.4°F | 23.4°C / 74.1°F |
| October | 16.4°C / 61.6°F | 18.5°C / 65.4°F | 21.8°C / 71.2°F |
| November | 12.8°C / 55.1°F | 14.5°C / 58.1°F | 17.1°C / 62.8°F |
| December | 10.7°C / 51.3°F | 12.4°C / 54.3°F | 15.0°C / 58.9°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Nazaré holidays
Nazaré is a fishing town on Portugal's Silver Coast, about 120 km north of Lisbon, known far beyond Portugal for the giant winter waves at Praia do Norte. The lower town spreads along a wide sandy bay, and the old quarter of Sítio stands on a cliff above it.
Beaches
The town beach, Praia da Nazaré, is a broad crescent of sand below the promenade, sheltered by the headland and patrolled by lifeguards in summer, with fish still dried on racks at its edge. Praia do Norte, north of the headland, faces the open Atlantic and is dangerous for swimming, with powerful waves and currents. For calm water that suits children, São Martinho do Porto, a nearly enclosed shell-shaped bay, is about 15 minutes south of Nazaré. The sea temperature on this page is measured off Praia do Norte, north of the headland.
Things to do
A funicular climbs from the lower town of Nazaré to Sítio, where the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré faces a large square and viewpoints over the bay. From there a road leads down to the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo and its lighthouse, the best place to watch big-wave surfers when the swell arrives; an exhibition inside the fort shows boards used on the giant waves. The Nazaré Canyon, a deep underwater valley offshore, focuses the Atlantic swell at Praia do Norte. Alcobaça Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a short drive inland, and Óbidos and Batalha make easy day trips.
Weather and best time to visit
Nazaré has a mild Atlantic climate. Summers are warm rather than hot, with a fresh north wind on many afternoons and morning mist at times. Beach season peaks in July and August. The big waves at Praia do Norte usually come between October and March, when winter storms send large swells across the Atlantic.
Hotels and where to stay
The lower town of Nazaré puts the beach, the promenade and the seafood restaurants on the doorstep, while Sítio is quieter, with the best views. Rooms and apartments are also rented in the streets behind the beach.
Signature hotels: Hotel Miramar Sul (Pederneira)
Airport and getting there
Lisbon Airport (LIS) is the usual gateway, about 1 hour 30 minutes from Nazaré by car on the A8 motorway, and express buses link Lisbon with Nazaré in about two hours. From Porto Airport (OPO), allow roughly two and a half hours by car. The nearest railway station, Valado, is a few kilometres inland, on a slow regional line.