Where to Stay in Nazaré & Ericeira — The Best Hotels, Guesthouses & Sea Views
View of Praia da Nazaré from the Old Town view point
There’s a stretch of Portugal’s coast where everything slows down — except the waves. Between Nazaré’s cliff-top drama and Ericeira’s surfer charm, the Central Coast is one of those places that still feels wild, real, and deeply local.
We based ourselves in Nazaré, followed the salty wind south, and came back with a list of stays we’d happily move into. Dive (or surf) into our selection of accommodation in this little — but mighty — corner of Portugal!
And before you get that surfboard, buy a good Portugal travel guidebook!
🧳 Field notes: Nazaré vs Ericeira at a glance
We recommend to rent a car — it gives you access to secret beaches, hilltop viewpoints, and rural stays that buses simply skip.
| Nazaré | Ericeira | |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Fishermen, sea mist, big-wave legends | Surfboards, blue tiles, sunset drinks |
| Best for | Ocean drama, seafood feasts, slower pace | Surf lessons, boutiques, coastal walks |
| Distance | 80 km / 1.5 hours by car | 80 km / 1.5 hours by car |
| Getting around | Park once, walk everywhere | Walkable old town, car for nearby beaches |
Where to Stay in Nazaré
View from the bedroom of our awesome Alojamento Local in Nazaré!
1. For the View — Sítio District
High above the sea, this is where the magic happens. Imagine watching the giant waves crash below the lighthouse with a glass of local vinho verde in hand.
Hotel Mar Bravo – Steps from the sand but close enough to walk up to Sítio by funicular. Great balconies and sea views.
Zulla Nazaré’s Surf Village – Relaxed, social, and tucked into the cliffs. A mix of surf vibes and boutique comfort.
The 100 Foot Wave
If you haven’t yet, queue up 100 Foot Wave on HBO. It’s an incredible look at the sheer power of Nazaré’s waves — and the fearless surfers chasing them. Garrett McNamara, who calls Nazaré home part of the year, helped turn this quiet fishing town into the global capital of big-wave surfing. After watching, you’ll never look at the Atlantic the same way again.
On the pic: Eli with legends!
2. For Easy Beach Access — Praia da Nazaré
Right on the waterfront, close to cafés and the evening promenade.
Hotel Praia – Modern, clean, and surprisingly quiet despite being central. Indoor pool for foggy mornings.
Na Crista da Onda Guesthouse – Simple, warm, and with a killer location opposite the beach.
Sónia’s Apart – A wonderful alojamento local were we stayed for a few nights — and we could have stayed forever! Clean, cozy, stylish, and the view… Booked it for a steal in fall!
Penguin Trampoline tip:
In Portugal, many of the best stays aren’t hotels at all — they’re “Alojamento Local” (local accommodation). These are family-run guesthouses, beach cottages, or apartments licensed for short-term stays. They’re usually cheaper, come with more character (and better breakfast stories), and your money stays in the community instead of vanishing into a global chain.
3. For Local Charm
Sleep among tiled houses.
Villamar Style Maison – A beautifully designed guesthouse with a garden, outdoor pool, and private parking (a luxury in Nazaré). It’s technically closer to the quieter south end of town, but still walkable to the beach.
Many guesthouses along Portugal’s coast are surprisingly pet-friendly — ok, maybe not a giant deer (find out more in our Nazare Travel Guide), but pretty much any other pet. We met dogs snoozing in cafés, on beaches, even on surfboards. Just message hosts beforehand — rural stays especially tend to be more relaxed about furry guests.
Where to stay in Ericeira
Sipping on cocktails at Praia da Lizandro in Ericeira
If Nazaré is all cliffs and fishermen, Ericeira is its bohemian younger cousin — surfboards stacked against whitewashed walls, and seafood paired with cold vinho verde instead of port.
1. Boutique & design hotels
You and the Sea – Airy apartments, sea views, an awesome pool, and on-site surf rentals. Ideal if you want comfort with coastal energy.
Immerso Hotel – Luxury without pretension (but, wooow). Hidden among hills but only minutes from Ribeira d’Ilhas surf beach. Perfect for couples.
2. Surf lodges & guesthouses
Laneez Ericeira Surf House – Legendary among surfers; you can watch waves from the terrace. Yoga sessions and community dinners included.
Amar Hostel & Suites – A relaxed surf-style guesthouse with a leafy courtyard, yoga classes, and shared or private rooms. It’s walkable to both the beach and Ericeira’s old town — think surf lodge meets summer camp, in the best way.
3. Central stays in the old town
Casa das Aguarelas – A beautifully restored townhouse near Praia dos Pescadores. Perfect base for cafés, sunset walks, and seafood feasts. And affordable!
Vila Gale Ericeira – A classic with unbeatable Atlantic views. Go for the balcony rooms.
Ericeira fills up fast during surf season (April to October), so book early — or come in November for cheaper rates and warmer locals.
The perfect Nazaré–Ericeira combo
Eli with boats in Nazaré!
Start north, finish south.
Days 1–2: Explore Nazaré’s lighthouse, big-wave viewpoint, and seafood markets. Stay near the funicular to mix cliff and coast views.
Days 3–5: Drive to Ericeira for surf lessons, sunsets at Furnas, and lazy breakfasts overlooking the Atlantic.
Add an extra day if you can to detour through Óbidos or Peniche — both worth the stop.
FAQ: Booking an accommodation in Nazaré & Ericeira
When’s the best time to visit Nazaré and Ericeira?
April to October brings warm weather, lively surf, and late sunsets. If you want fewer crowds and cheaper stays, visit in shoulder season (April–June or September–October). Winter (November–February) is when the monster waves hit Nazaré — great for spectators, not swimmers. Check our Nazaré Travel Guide for more.
Help Penguin Trampoline!
Every accommodation here can be found on our Stay22 maps and via our Booking links — clicking through helps support our site at no extra cost to you. Each small contribution is useful to keep writing awesome (we hope) travel guides for our little penguin readers! And we promise we won’t spend it all on pasteis de nata…
Do I need a car?
Yes, ideally. Car rentals in Portugal are very affordable. Both towns are walkable, but having a car means freedom to explore nearby beaches, cliffs, and small villages that buses never reach. Parking can be tricky in summer, but many Alojamento Local places include private spots.
Can you swim at Nazaré’s beach?
You can dip your toes, but strong currents make it risky for full swims, especially near Praia do Norte. Praia da Nazaré (the main beach) is generally safer, though always check local flags.
What’s Ericeira like for non-surfers?
Absolutely worth it. Beyond the waves, there are beautiful cafés, seafood restaurants, coastal hikes, and sunset viewpoints. Think charm with a bit of ocean swagger.
Is Nazaré pet-friendly?
Surprisingly yes — many guesthouses accept dogs, and locals are relaxed about pets. Just confirm before booking and avoid bringing them near the big-wave cliffs during swells.
How far is Nazaré from Ericeira?
Roughly 80 km, or about an hour and a half by car along scenic coastal roads. It’s a great mini road trip with plenty of photo stops (Óbidos and Peniche are perfect detours). And if you want to go further, explore our Portugal Beach Guide, and our Favorite Portugal Destinations.
If Lisbon is Portugal’s heartbeat, then Nazaré and Ericeira are its salty lungs — breathing in Atlantic air, fish smoke, and sea spray. Staying here feels like catching the country between tradition and tide: old fishermen’s stories on one side, surfboards and smoothie bowls on the other. As far as we are concerned, we absolutely fell in love with Nazaré.
Spend your mornings watching waves crash below the lighthouse, your afternoons lost in cobbled alleys, and your evenings chasing that golden light the coast seems to bottle. Whether you book a cliffside boutique stay or a simple Alojamento Local with grandma-made pastries (siiiim pasteis de nata), one thing’s certain — you’ll leave with sand in your shoes and salt on your skin, wondering why anyone ever rushes past the central coast.
Want to visit Portugal? Read our guides:
🌊 10 Wild & Underrated Beaches in Portugal
🏄 Things to do in Nazaré, Portugal: Big Waves Capital of the World
🗺️ 5 destinations in Portugal off the beaten path
