Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

2 nights in the Nazare, Bathalha, Alcobaca area

2 nights in the Nazare, Bathalha, Alcobaca area

Old Mar 17th, 2023, 08:02 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2 nights in the Nazare, Bathalha, Alcobaca area

I posted earlier with a full itinerary question but I'm hoping I can get a specific answer on this question. After 5 nights in Porto, we are driving to Coimbra, where we'll spend the better part of that day and one night. I know that we could base in Coimbra, our original plan, but to avoid backtracking (we're heading south to Evora next), which town would you recommend to be based in to see the central coast sites? Nazare is tempting since it's on the coast but it gets mixed reviews as a place to stay.
blwmckay is offline  
Old Mar 18th, 2023, 09:09 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 17,307
Received 22 Likes on 4 Posts
We visited Nazare and had lunch by the beach. Very touristy, and we were glad we weren’t staying there. There was an area above downtown , on. cliff, which we did not visit. We loved visiting the cathedral in Alcobaça but do not remember the town. Visited Bathalha too. Either would have been better than Nazare, the only place we didn’t like in Portugal.
HappyTrvlr is online now  
Old Mar 18th, 2023, 11:11 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do not have a suggestion where to stay, but we really liked our visit to Alcobaca - elegant and simple beauty.
virginiafish is offline  
Old Mar 22nd, 2023, 07:02 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We have stayed in Nazaré a number of times but - bar one time - have always rented. Hotels are fairly basic - the only one that we stayed in was Hotel Praia, which has a good location, and is fine but not amazing in any way. It's clean, and comfortable enough, but fairly soulless - we stayed in winter time so it was a bit chilly in the evenings. We didn't use the rooftop pool. I like Nazaré a lot - most of the tourists are Portuguese, so the town is not "slick" in any way and there is little there in the way of frills. The beach is beautiful but the waves are high and it can be dangerous for swimming. My favourite part is Sitio, which is the older part of the town at the top of the Elevador (the funicular railway) - the views are magnificent and it's a wonderful place just to sit and watch the sunset. Sitio is also the home of Praia do Norte of surfing fame. If you like seafood Nazaré and Sitio have some amazing restaurants which book out quickly at weekends - O Tasquinho or Casa OSanto in Nazare and Casa Pires in Sitio were our favourites.

I think it would be a good stop for an overnight stay, but it's not a typical tourist town and it doesn't appeal to everyone.
ter2000 is offline  
Old Mar 22nd, 2023, 07:15 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,567
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If the point of the stop is to visit Batalha and Alcobaça, I would stay inland. But we stayed in Nazaré, in the old part of the town. Driving to visit the other towns was a little confusing.

https://flic.kr/p/2gxtMqM
Alcobaça has a large covered market so there must be some tourist accommodations in this fairly large town.

https://flic.kr/p/2gxasrr
Michael is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
PaoloCast2
Europe
3
Oct 10th, 2017 09:45 AM
wrenwood
Europe
27
Dec 1st, 2014 06:10 PM
jrjcolllins
Europe
4
Jan 5th, 2004 10:35 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -