Nazaré Sítio

Nazaré is two towns: Praia at sea level and Sítio on the cliff a hundred and ten metres above, linked by a funicular of 1889. Sítio has the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré, built around a legend in which a knight chasing a deer in fog was saved from riding off the cliff when the Virgin appeared, with the Memória chapel marking the spot. Beyond it the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo stands on the headland with a lighthouse and a small museum, and this is where people now go: directly offshore lies the Nazaré canyon, a submarine gorge over two hundred kilometres long and five thousand metres deep that focuses Atlantic swell onto Praia do Norte and produces the largest surfable waves ever ridden, with world records set here since 2011. Big-wave season runs from about October to March and the fort fills with spectators.

What you actually see

• The canyon effect - a submarine gorge focusing swell into the world's largest waves.
• The fort viewpoint - the headland lighthouse where spectators watch the big days.
• The funicular - the 1889 line linking the beach town to the cliff.
• The sanctuary - the church and the Memória chapel from the cliff-edge legend.

When to go

October to March for big waves - the largest days come with specific storm swells and cannot be scheduled. June to September for beaches. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Giant waves happen on a handful of days a season and are entirely weather-dependent - most visits see ordinary surf. The fort is crowded when a swell is forecast. Cliff edges and wind. The funicular queues in summer.

Nearby

Praia do Norte is below the fort; São Martinho do Porto is south along the coast.