Nazaré & Alcobaça Day Trip from Lisbon
The big-wave headland, and a Cistercian abbey inland from it
A one-day drive from Lisbon to Nazaré & Alcobaça — 248 km round trip, about 3h 13m behind the wheel, with stops, timings and where to eat already worked out.
The big-wave headland, and a Cistercian abbey inland from it. It's a day out of Lisbon: 248 km of driving in total, about 3h 13m behind the wheel, and the rest of the day on your feet.
The plan below is paced so the driving doesn't eat the day — leave after breakfast, be back for the evening. Every stop can be swapped for one of three alternatives if it isn't your kind of thing.
Castelo de Óbidos
A perfectly preserved medieval walled town with a castle you can walk the full ramparts of — a classic detour on the way north.
💡 Park outside the walls near Porta da Vila; the cobbled lanes inside are pedestrian-only.
R. Josefa de Óbidos, Óbidos
Ginjinha da Porta 7
Try ginjinha served in a chocolate cup, a local tradition right at the town gate.
R. Direita 7, Óbidos
Restaurante Tasca do Joel
A well-regarded local spot for fresh grilled fish and seafood rice, typical of Nazaré's fishing heritage.
R. do Lapadusso 73, Peniche
North Beach
Famous for the biggest waves ever surfed, with a dramatic lighthouse viewpoint over the canyon that generates them.
💡 Best light and fewer crowds in late afternoon; check the Farol do Forte viewpoint.
North Beach
Ascensor da Nazaré
A historic funicular climbing to the cliffside Sítio quarter with sweeping views over the beach and town.
💡 Runs frequently; skip the queue by walking up if it's busy.
R. do Horizonte 20, Nazaré
Monastery of Alcobaça
A UNESCO-listed Gothic masterpiece and one of Portugal's most important medieval monuments, just off the return route.
💡 Buy tickets online to skip the entrance line, especially midday.
Praça 25 de Abril, Alcobaça
Nothing stops you at the road, so this is on you to settle. Some motorways are electronic-only with no booths. A foreign plate has to be registered (Easytoll) before driving them.
Buy at www.portugaltolls.comPrice checked 2026-07-30 — confirm on the official site.
- Óbidos and Nazaré centers ban most car traffic — use the paid lots just outside the walls/old town
- A25/A8 tolls apply on this loop; keep cash or a Via Verde-compatible card handy
- Alcobaça monastery closes for a midday period on some days — check before detouring
- Praia do Norte can get very windy in the afternoon — bring a jacket even in summer
- São Martinho do Porto+10 km
A sheltered shell-shaped bay with calm turquoise water, a nice contrast to Nazaré's big waves.
- Foz do Arelho+15 km
A lagoon-meets-ocean beach town popular for sunset walks, close to Óbidos.
- Batalha Monastery+20 km
Another UNESCO Gothic monastery near Alcobaça, famous for its unfinished chapels and intricate stonework.
Make this trip your own
Plan your own road trip →This route was drafted with AI. Please double-check roads, opening hours and local conditions before you go.
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Work it out for this route →Questions, answered
- Is Sintra better by train or car?
- By train, for most people. The line from Rossio runs every 20–30 minutes and takes about 40; driving means a congested mountain road, car parks that fill by nine in summer, and a centre where traffic is restricted. Take the car only if you're combining Sintra with Cabo da Roca and the coast road afterwards.
- How do Portuguese motorway tolls work with a hire car?
- Most motorways are electronic-only: cameras read a transponder or your registered plate, and there is no barrier to pay at. Arrange it when you collect the car — otherwise the charges arrive later with an administration fee on top, and some routes have no cash alternative at all.
- Can you do Évora as a day trip from Lisbon?
- Yes — about ninety minutes each way on the A6, which makes for a comfortable day with time for the Roman temple, the cathedral and lunch. It is one of the few Alentejo towns close enough to do properly without staying over.
- Which day trip is best for beaches?
- The Arrábida coast for calm, clear water and dramatic cliffs, or Ericeira and the Ericeira–Guincho stretch for surf and wind. Arrábida's beach access roads are narrow and sometimes closed to cars in peak summer, with a shuttle instead — check before you set off.
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