# The giant waves of Praia do Norte from the fort Viewpoint · 2–4 h · October to March · Free Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/central-portugal/nazare/things-to-do/nazare-big-waves · Revisado: 2026-11-11 Dónde: Nazaré There are no giant waves every day, or even every week. They arrive with storms in the North Atlantic, and when they do, the whole of Nazaré goes up to the lighthouse. Planning the trip with the forecast in hand is what separates seeing a wall of water from seeing an ordinary sea. ## Why the waves are so big Off Nazaré there is an enormous underwater canyon: about 227 km long and up to 5 km deep, reaching almost to the shore of Praia do Norte. When a north-westerly swell comes in, the canyon splits it in two; the part that travels along the channel keeps its strength and, when it meets the other near the coast, the two add together. The result can triple the wave size expected in the area. A current towards the beach and the north-easterly wind do the rest. For truly giant waves, several things are needed at once: a period of 14 seconds or more, waves of over 4 metres in the forecast for Nazaré, a north-westerly sea and a light wind from the north or north-east. That is why big days are few. ## Who it is for Anyone: you can watch it free from above, and the sight of surfers towed by jet skis dropping down walls of water is hard to forget. With children it works if you keep them close and away from the edge. What it is not: a safe plan for just any day. If you can only go on one particular date, you will most likely see a strong but ordinary sea. ## Getting there and where to park Nazaré is on the central coast of Portugal, north of Lisbon. From the town beach you go up to the Sítio by funicular and from there it is about 13 minutes on foot, a kilometre, to the lighthouse. On wave days you cannot park near the lighthouse: leave the car outside the Sítio or in the Praia do Norte area and expect to walk more than a kilometre. Arrive early. ## When to go The big-wave season runs from October to March, peaking around December; some years there are also big days in September or April. Reliable forecasts reach a week ahead at most, so the Nazaré Big Waves website recommends stays of two or three weeks to give yourself options. The practical approach, if you live in Spain, is to watch the forecast and slip away when a big day appears. ## What it costs Watching the waves from outside is free. Going into the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo costs €2, from 10:00 to 18:00 every day, with last entry half an hour before closing; on championship days it may close. Add the funicular and, on wave days, whatever parking far away costs you. ## If the sea does not cooperate If you arrive and there are no big waves, the Sítio is still worth the trip up: the Suberco viewpoint, the sanctuary and the lighthouse. Down in the town beach, there is a permanent boat exhibition from May to December. ## Paso a paso ### Before · Check the forecast The Nazaré Big Waves website publishes the forecast and warns of big days. The championship has a yellow alert up to 72 hours before and a green alert when it is to be held within the next 24 hours. ### Go up to the Sítio By funicular or on foot from the beach. From the Sítio square, a path leads down to the lighthouse. ### The fort and the headland The Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo, with the lighthouse on top, is the balcony over Praia do Norte. Arrive early on championship days: in December 2025 thousands of people gathered. ### The Praia do Norte hillside If the headland is full, the hillside above Praia do Norte has more room to move and gives the best view of the waves, always behind the barriers. ## Qué llevar - Warm clothes and a windbreaker: it blows hard - Waterproof jacket or umbrella - A waterproof mat to sit on the hillside - Binoculars or a telephoto lens - Shoes with grip, the ground can be wet - Water and food for several hours ## Consejos ### Follow the forecast a few days ahead If you see a big day in the forecast, book a bed as soon as you can: the town fills up. ### Stay in Nazaré On wave days, the car parks in the Sítio fill very early. ### Do not go down to Praia do Norte In a big sea the water reaches very high up the sand. Watch from above. ### Sign up for alerts The championship website sends email notices when the date is confirmed. ### Bring food The restaurants are more than 500 metres away and fill up; there are few portable toilets. ## Aviso ### Do not go near the water or the edge. In a big sea the waves climb much higher than they appear to over the sand and rocks, and several tourists have drowned after being swept away by them. Always watch from above. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### When are there giant waves in Nazaré? From October to March, with Atlantic storms. Each season has only a few really big days. ### Where can you see them best? From the headland of the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo, beside the lighthouse, and from the cliffs overlooking Praia do Norte. ### Do you have to pay? Not to watch from outside. Going into the fort costs €2. ### How do I know if there will be waves the day I go? Check the forecast at nazarewaves.com and on surf sites. The championship is called only when the sea allows it. ### Why are they so big? Because of the underwater canyon off the beach, about 227 km long and up to 5 km deep, which concentrates and adds up the swell. ### When is the championship? Between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027, on whichever day the sea allows it. It usually lasts a single day and is open to the public. ### Where do I park on wave days? Far from the lighthouse: outside the Sítio or towards Praia do Norte, and the last kilometre on foot.