When to visit Nazaré without the crowds
Nazaré (Portugal) is calmest in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals.
Best months
May–Jun & Oct–Nov
When everyone heads home
The second week of September.
Tip
The big waves come with swells October to February: check the surf forecast before heading to the lighthouse.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 · calm ✦ | 15 °C (59 °F)9 rainy days | New Year's Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm ✦ | 16 °C (62 °F)7 rainy days | |
| March | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 17 °C (63 °F)10 rainy days | School holidays: Easter holidays, Good Friday, Easter Sunday |
| April | 2/5 · calm | 19 °C (67 °F)10 rainy days | Freedom Day |
| May | 2/5 · calm | 22 °C (71 °F)5 rainy days | Labour Day, Corpus Christi |
| June | 3/5 · moderate | 23 °C (74 °F)4 rainy days | School holidays: Summer holidays, National Day |
| July | 4/5 · busy | 26 °C (78 °F)1 rainy day | School holidays: Summer holidays |
| August | 5/5 · busy | 26 °C (79 °F)0 rainy days | School holidays: Summer holidays, Assumption Day |
| September | 3/5 · moderate | 25 °C (77 °F)3 rainy days | Our Lady of Nazaré festival (September), School holidays: Summer holidays |
| October | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 23 °C (73 °F)9 rainy days | Republic Day |
| November | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 18 °C (64 °F)10 rainy days | Giant wave season (Oct–Feb), All Saints Day |
| December | 1/5 · calm ✦ | 16 °C (60 °F)8 rainy days | School holidays: Christmas holidays, Restoration of Independence, Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day |
✦ = something special to see.
What to see, and when
- Giant waves at Praia do Norte (Oct–Mar), seen from the lighthouse.
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (Eurostat, Oeste & Tagus Valley, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Nazaré without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually January, February and December (crowds 1/5). In February the average high is 16 °C (62 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December.
When is Nazaré most crowded?
The busiest season is July and August. The second week of September.
What is the weather like in Nazaré?
Average highs range from 15 °C (59 °F) in January to 26 °C (79 °F) in August, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025). It rains most in March (about 10 days) and least in August (0).
What is there to see in Nazaré by season?
Giant waves at Praia do Norte (Oct–Mar), seen from the lighthouse.
What festivals are there in Nazaré?
The main ones: Our Lady of Nazaré festival (September) (September); Giant wave season (Oct–Feb) (November).
More places in Portugal
- Lisbon calm in January, February, November and December; busiest in May, June, July, August and September
- Porto calm in January, February, March, November and December; busiest in June, July and August
- Sintra calm in January, February, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Lagos (Algarve) calm in January, February, March, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Faro calm in January, February, March, November and December; busiest in June, July and August
- Funchal (Madeira) calm in January, February, March, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Ponta Delgada (Azores) calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Évora calm in January, February, March, October, November and December; busiest in July, August and September
- Coimbra calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Douro Valley (Peso da Régua) calm in January, February, March, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Aveiro calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August