Nazaré Waves by Motorbike: Lisbon to Nazaré Route

Some day trips seem made for two wheels, and riding from Lisbon to Nazaré by motorbike is one of them. Lisbon is about 100 km away, the coast road has plenty of bends, the sea appears and disappears between pine woods and lagoons, and at the end there is a fishing village leaning against a headland where, in winter, the biggest surfed waves in the world break. If you want to see the Nazaré waves, a car means spending half your time looking for a parking spot; on a motorbike you can park where a car wouldn't dream of fitting. This guide covers the route, the giant wave season, what to see at Sítio, and which bike in our fleet suits each version of the trip best.

In short:

• Lisbon to Nazaré: about 100 km and 1 hour on the A8; along the coast, allow more time and several stops.
• Giant waves at Praia do Norte: the WSL event's standby period runs from 1 November to 31 March 2027.
• A8 motorway: best on a mid-size scooter (Honda ADV 350) or a trail bike; a 125 is better suited to national roads.
• Round trip on the A8 from Lisbon: about 200 km, well within the 400 km per day included in the rental.
• Train: the Linha do Oeste stops at Valado dos Frades, 6 km from the town; by motorbike you reach the door of Sítio.

Why a motorbike beats the train and the bus

According to the Câmara Municipal da Nazaré (Nazaré town council), anyone coming by train on the Linha do Oeste gets off at Valado dos Frades, 6 km from the town, and still needs another form of transport to reach the sea. There are Rede de Expressos coaches, yes, and they work well if you just want to go and come back. But Nazaré is not a place to visit with a bus timetable in your hand. The best moments happen when the sea changes, when the light drops over Sítio, when you decide to stop at a lagoon because the spot is beautiful. On a motorbike, the schedule is yours.

There is also a practical advantage you notice as soon as you arrive. The town fills up on big-swell weekends and on summer days, and the traffic around Sítio and the headland grinds to a halt. A motorbike takes up far less space than a car, and riders rarely get stuck in the queue. There's no need to invent parking rules: read the signs on site, use the spaces marked for motorcycles, and arrive early on days when the sea promises a show.

And then there is the pleasure of the road itself. Unlike the monotonous motorway journey, the coastal route gives you the feeling of travelling, not just getting somewhere. If you're thinking of exploring more of the region, the scenic routes around Lisbon are a good starting point for combining Nazaré with another day on the road.

Two ways to go: fast motorway or slow coast

The A8: the direct option

The Câmara da Nazaré puts Lisbon airport 100 km from the town, about 1 hour by car on the A8. It is the fastest way: exit at Nazaré (Valado/Alcobaça), only 6 km from the town, then the EN 8-5 or the IC9. On a motorbike the pace is similar, except that crosswinds and gusts near the coast are felt more than in a car. A bike with decent fairing or a mid-size scooter with a windscreen is much less tiring than a small scooter at 110 km/h.

For this reason, our recommendation for the A8 is a Honda ADV 350 or a trail bike such as the Honda Transalp 750 or the Yamaha Ténéré 700. The ADV 350 requires an A2 or A licence and a minimum age of 21; the Transalp and the Ténéré require an A licence and also a minimum age of 21. In November 2026, the daily prices are 79.84 € for the ADV 350, 110.35 € for the Transalp and 120.20 € for the Ténéré, with a 2-day minimum rental. The deposit is a pre-authorisation on your card, released on the day you return the bike, and your bank may take 7 to 15 working days to show the release.

The coast: Óbidos, Foz do Arelho and São Martinho do Porto

If you want the journey and not just the destination, leave the A8 earlier and head for Óbidos. The walled town deserves an hour's stop for a coffee and a stroll through the streets, and it is right on the way. From there, head down to Foz do Arelho, on the Lagoa de Óbidos, where the road follows the water and the dunes, and carry on north along the coast, passing São Martinho do Porto before reaching Nazaré. It is a route of secondary roads, with gentle bends, short straights and plenty of possible stops.

This version takes considerably longer than the motorway, so you need a whole day. Set off early, have lunch in Nazaré and return in the afternoon on the A8 if the light is fading. That makes a full loop: coast on the way out, motorway on the way back, and you stay well below the 400 km per day included. Each extra kilometre would cost 0.49 €, but on this route it is hard to get there.

What about a 125?

A scooter for the Lisbon to Nazaré ride such as the Honda PCX 125 can do the trip, but only on national roads, without hurrying and with stops. The PCX costs 45.77 € per day in November 2026, requires an A1, A2 or A licence, or a B licence held for 25 years or more (valid only in Portugal), and a minimum age of 18. It is light, has a low seat and a range of about 320 km. For a relaxed day along the coast, it is fine; for the A8 with a crosswind, it is not the most comfortable choice. If the plan is a motorway round trip, move up a category.

The giant waves of Praia do Norte

They are the reason many people come to Nazaré, and the reason winter here has a life of its own. On 3 November the Câmara Municipal presented the Praia do Norte Safety Plan for 2026/2027 and the format of the Nazaré Big Wave Challenge. The World Surf League event, which has had nine editions at Praia do Norte since 2016, will be the only stop on the WSL big wave circuit this season. The standby period began on 1 November and runs until 31 March 2027, and whether the event takes place depends on sea conditions.

In practice, this means the big wave season runs from October to March, with the most impressive days almost always linked to major storms in the North Atlantic. There are no guarantees: you can go on a winter day and see an ordinary sea, or catch a huge swell without warning. The sea decides. The council keeps a weather, waves and tides page, which is the first place to look the day before. The best advice is simple: follow the forecast, pick a day with a strong swell and go in the morning, before the town fills up.

The safety plan works on five risk levels, identified by the colours blue, green, yellow, orange and red. At the lower levels, surveillance is carried out by observers; as the risk rises, firefighters, an ambulance, a rescue swimmer and, at the highest level, a specialist nurse come in. This tells you something useful as a visitor: the area is organised, but it is for the athletes and the teams. Your role is to stay in the viewing areas, away from the water and the service access routes, and to follow any instructions from the authorities.

Sítio, the Ascensor and Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo

On the town side, the headland where Sítio da Nazaré stands is an integral part of the settlement. The Posto de Turismo (tourist office) describes the Ascensor (funicular) as the town's landmark, with a memorable view over the beach, and the Miradouro do Suberco, at the top, as one of the most beautiful seascapes in the country. In the lower station of the Ascensor there is a ceramic panel by Mário Reis, of about 20 square metres and 2,000 pieces, showing dried fish, seagulls, big waves and the Forte de São Miguel.

The ride up to Sítio by motorbike is short, and the slope has its own charm: on the wall of the Ladeira do Sítio is painted the giant wave of Nazaré, a mural by the Brazilian artist Erick Wilson, part of the Gigantes do Mar project. It is worth stopping for a photo, as long as you don't block the way. From Sítio, continue to the Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo and its red lighthouse, the spot from which many people watch the sea when the waves are big. Bring a windproof jacket even on a sunny day: the air on the headland is cold and damp.

After the show, head down to the town and the beach, wander the narrow streets running perpendicular to the sea and try grilled sardines or caldeirada (fish stew), which is what Nazaré does best. It is an easy walk, so leave the bike parked somewhere safe and go on foot. The streets by the sea are narrow and crowded, and riding there is not worth it.

Which bike to choose, depending on the plan

The choice depends less on Nazaré and more on the kind of trip. For a single day, the ADV 350 is a very good middle ground: it has presence, handles the motorway and is still easy to manoeuvre on arrival. If you're thinking of combining Nazaré with other days on the road, a trail bike gives you room to spare on any surface. Always check the licence and minimum age on each model's page before booking.

How to organise the day

Our shop is in Sobreda (Almada), at Estrada Nacional 10-1, n.º 189, on the Margem Sul (south bank of the Tagus), and it is open from 09:00 to 17:00. If you're coming from Lisbon, you cross the river and pick up the bike there. There are also paid delivery services: at Lisbon airport, pickup costs 50 € and return 60 €, and at your hotel or home, within 10 km, delivery and collection cost 40 € each (November 2026 prices). Booking is online with 30% paid upfront; cancellation more than 7 working days beforehand is refunded at 100%.

The insurance includes third-party liability and roadside assistance, with no more cover than that. Read the conditions before you set off. The bike comes with 400 km per day included, which is more than enough for Nazaré. There is no rental with return in another city, so getting back to the shop is part of the plan.

A simple schedule for the day trip: pick up the bike in the morning, in Sobreda, cross to Lisbon and take the A8 to the Óbidos exit. Make a short stop, follow the coast to Nazaré, park, go up to Sítio, have lunch and return by the motorway. If it is a big wave day, reverse the logic and arrive early to see the sea before the crowds.

Best time to go and what to bring

From October to March, Nazaré is the town of the waves. It is the season when you should plan around the sea, and also the coldest and dampest, when your gear makes a difference. Bring a jacket with armour, gloves, windproof trousers, a thermal layer and, if you can, waterproofs in your luggage. On big-swell weekends, the town fills up fast: leaving early is the best rule.

Outside winter, Nazaré shows another side: a wide beach, late-afternoon strolls, good light for sunset at Sítio. In spring and early autumn, the coast road is especially pleasant by motorbike, with milder temperatures and less traffic. Summer brings more people, so mornings are your best ally.

A note on the return: if you're riding the A8 at the end of the day, work out the light. In November it gets dark early, and a two-hour ride in full darkness is more tiring than it seems. Leave the town with time to spare and, if the weather is unsettled, choose the motorway over the coast on the way back.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ride to Nazaré on a 125 scooter?

Yes, as long as you choose national roads and accept a slower journey. On a Honda PCX 125 the coast is very pleasant. For the A8, a mid-size scooter or a trail bike is more comfortable because of the wind and the speed.

When can you see the giant waves in Nazaré?

From October to March, on days of big North Atlantic swell. The standby period for the WSL event at Praia do Norte runs from 1 November to 31 March 2027, but the sea doesn't follow calendars. Check the council's forecast before you go.

How many kilometres is Lisbon to Nazaré?

About 100 km on the A8, according to the Câmara Municipal da Nazaré, around 1 hour by car. The coastal route takes longer. A round trip on the A8 is around 200 km, well within the 400 km per day included in the rental.

Do I need an A licence to ride to Nazaré?

It depends on the bike. The PCX 125 accepts an A1, A2 or A licence, or a B licence held for 25 years or more (valid only in Portugal). The ADV 350 requires A2 or A, and the Transalp and the Ténéré require an A licence. The minimum age also varies, so check the model's page.

Can I do the trip in a single day?

Yes. Pick up the bike in the morning in Sobreda, take the A8 or mix coast and motorway, spend a couple of hours in Nazaré and return before dark. In December and January the days are short, so leave early.

Can I combine Nazaré with other stops?

Yes. The coast continues north and south of Nazaré, and the same bike works for both days. Just remember that the rental ends with the return at the Sobreda shop, so plan the route as a loop and not a straight line.