# Going up to the Sítio on the 1889 funicular or up the hillside

Funicular · 3 min · 318 m · From the beach to the viewpoint

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/portugal/central-portugal/nazare/things-to-do/nazare-funicular · Revisado: 2026-11-11

Dónde: Nazaré

It is run by the municipal services and is the locals' transport, not an attraction. At the top, the Sítio square awaits, with the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré and a viewpoint over the whole bay.

## What it is and why it is worth it

The Nazaré lift, as they call it there, is a funicular of two cars that go up and down at the same time, balancing each other, joined by a cable that runs beneath the track. It climbs a very steep slope, with a gradient of 42%, over a run of 318 metres, and before reaching the top it enters a short tunnel beneath the Sítio. From the window you see the beach and the town's rooftops opening out below you.

It has a history. It opened on 28 July 1889 and at first it was driven by a steam engine with a wood-fired boiler installed at the top, with machinery from the German firm Maschinenfabrik Esslingen; among the promoters was the engineer Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard. The council bought it in 1931. After an accident in 1963 it was out of action until 1968, and between 2001 and 2002 it was completely renovated.

## Who it is for

Everyone. It is the easy way up to the Sítio with children, with older people or with anyone who does not want a hard climb. If you have a pushchair, ask at the station how to board. If you like walking, go up on foot by the hillside and come down on the funicular, or the other way round.

## Where to catch it

The lower station is in the Praia, a few streets from the seafront, uphill from the beach. The upper one, in the Sítio, is beside the Suberco viewpoint and a few steps from the square and the sanctuary. From the Sítio, the lighthouse and the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo are a kilometre away, about 13 minutes on foot.

## When to go

It runs all year as public transport. The best time to go up is the last of the afternoon, to watch the sunset over the bay from the viewpoint. In summer and on winter giant-wave days it is much busier. Before you go, check that it is in service: in 2026 it went through inspections and trials.

## What it costs

There is a visitor ticket, bought at the station. From 1 January 2027 residents of Nazaré travel free, and the council has announced that fares for everyone else will rise to compensate. Check the current price at the station.

## If it rains

The funicular is covered and the ride lasts a few minutes, so it is a good plan in bad weather. At the top, the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré can be visited under cover; the viewpoint, in rain and wind, is better in a calm spell.

## Paso a paso

### Bottom · Praia station
The lower station is a few streets from the beach, uphill from the seafront.

### 3 min · The ride
The car climbs in a straight line up the slope, with the beach opening out below, and enters a short tunnel before the upper station.

### Top · The Suberco viewpoint
As you come out, on the left, the viewpoint looks out over the bay, the beach and the town.

### 15 min · Square and sanctuary
The Sítio square, with the sanctuary and the dried-fruit stalls. The path to the lighthouse starts from here.

### 13 min · To the lighthouse, if you like
A kilometre on foot to the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo, above Praia do Norte.

## Qué llevar

- Coins or a card for the ticket

- A warm layer: it is windier at the top

- Comfortable shoes if you are going on to the lighthouse

## Consejos

### Go up by funicular and come down on foot
The way down the hillside has views and is not tiring.

### Check that it is running
It was stopped for inspection and tested again in 2026. The council changes fares in 2027: check the price at the station.

### Go up at sunset
From the Suberco viewpoint you watch the sun set over the bay.

### Carry on to the lighthouse
From the Sítio it is 13 minutes on foot to the fort, the balcony over Praia do Norte.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How long does the journey take?
A few minutes for a 318-metre run.

### How much does it cost?
There is a visitor ticket; from 1 January 2027 residents travel free and the other fares rise. Check the price at the station.

### Can you walk up?
Yes, by the hillside with steps that starts from the north end of the beach, in about twenty minutes.

### What is at the top?
The sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré, the viewpoint over the bay and the path to the lighthouse and the fort.

### Since when has it run?
Since 28 July 1889. At first it ran on steam; it was completely renovated between 2001 and 2002.

### How steep is it?
42%, over a 318-metre run.

### Is the lighthouse far from the top?
A kilometre from the Sítio station, about 13 minutes on foot.