Nazaré Transportation

it's better to go to Nazaré by car. once there, try the elevator to go from the hight part, the Sítio, to the lower part, the beach.
Este meio de transporte foi construído em 1889. Era, inicialmente, movido a vapor por uma máquina colocada no Sítio, assente em rocha viva nas penedias do alto do Promontório, aí abria-se um túnel de 50 metros, percorrendo uma extensão de 318 m.

With a bit less than 15.000 inhabitants, Nazare is still small enough to be explored on foot.

It consist of three districts of which two (Sítio and Pederneira) are located on hilltops.

These can be reached on scenic hikes within about 40 minutes from the beach front (Praia) in teh city centre.

1 more image

There is usually a funicular connection between Nazare and the district of Sitio, which is situated on top of the cliffs at the northern end of Nazare.

Unfortunately, this funicular was closed due to maintenance works during our visit.

Instead of the funicular the route was served by a local bus, which left near the Tourist Information Office.

A single ticket cost 0,90 Euro and could be bought directly from the driver.

3 more images

We arrived in Nazare by bus from Porto and left the city also by bus to Lisbon. Apart from that we took a daytrip from Nazare to Peniche by bus.

Nazare's bus station can be found in the street Av. Viera Guimaraes, right in the heart of the city centre.

From here most bigger cities of Portugal can be reached, e.g. Porto (10x, 3,5 h, 14,20 Euro), Lisbon (10x, 1 h 50 min, 9,50 Euro) and Peniche (3x, 1 h 10 min, 8,50 Euro).

Website: http://www.rede-expressos.pt/

Monday morning June 1, began veeeery early - like 5:00 a.m. as we were to get our tour bus at the SAS Radisson, near Campo Grande Metro Station in Lisbon for 8:30 a.m. and most of us were staying in Cascais. Our large group that was staying at Albergaria Valbom headed for the train station around 6:00 a.m. Most had to buy tickets (1.70 Euro) for the 6:30 train to Lisbon. When we arrived at Cais do Sodre Train station, we then headed for the Metro ( Green Line ) to take us to Campo Grande. We arrived in good time around 8:00 a.m. - even were there before Antonio. After we all availed ourselved of the washrooms in the SAS Radisson, we all piled into the big blue bus and we were on our way.
Our first stop was Batalha Monastery. Then the CrisForm glass-blowing factory in Marinha Grande, where we had a wonderful glass-blowing demonstration and then it was on to Nazare' for lunch at Restaurante Sao Miguel. After lunch it was on to Alcobaca Monastery and finally Obidos.
The bus driver got us back to Lisbon at the SAS Radisson. From there we got to the Metro (Green Line) to Cais do Sodre train station and finally headed back to Cascais. A long day but absolutely wonderful. Thanks so much Antonio and Avelino. It was fantastic.

Some road distances to Nazaré from:
- Lisbon: 138 kms.
- Madrid (Spain): 658 kms.
- Amsterdam (Holland): 2.208 kms.
- Athens (Greece): 4.224 kms.

If you check the site, you will find more road distances together with driving times and the best routes.

2 more images

The funicular is the easiest way to move between the upper and lower sections of town. I must confess that the kid in me always enjoys these modes of transport that are different from what we have at home. This one has been updated, but was built in 1889 by a disciple of Eiffel. Rides are less than one Euro each way and run about every 5 minutes throughout the day in the high season and every 15 minutes other times.

4 more images

Take the Ascensor da Nazaré (or the Elevador as local people call it) up to Sitio. Not only it makes a great ride up, but it is also the best short-cut for Sitio da Nazaré, the village located on the top of the hill.

The Ascensor has been moving people up-and-down for 117 years now. Its first ride was in the year of 1889.
Nowadays the Ascensor is served by two modern wagons and it is a pretty safe transportation, the best to go up (or down) the hill.

I've been told that the train-wagon that goes down assists the other wagon that goes up !! Even though I'm not an "expert engineer" here, I should say that this makes sense to me.
The Ascensor makes a fun ride anyway :-)

Tickets:
» adult: 0.80 euro cents per ride.
» children: 0.35 euro cents per ride.