NAZARÉ and NEARBY - Portugal - page 233

barnacles. Two euros will get you 100 grams (that's the size of their tiny wooden box).
From here the road dead-ends a 10-minute walk away at the Farol lighthouse, where you
can enjoy panoramic views of the north beach (praia norte) .
The bandstand marking the center of the square is a reminder that this is the main ven-
ue for the town's busy festival schedule. In the summer, smoke rises from the many out-
door grills, and the savory fragrance entices you to sit down for a plate of sardines.
Sítio Museum (Museu Etnográfico e Arqueológico) —Dedicated to Dr. Joaquim
Manso, this museum is the only place in Nazaré where you can see artifacts of the colorful
traditional fishing culture—boats, gear, costumes, historic photos, and so on.
CostandHours: €1, June-Aug Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, Sept-May Tue-Sun 10:00-13:00
& 14:30-18:00, closed Mon year-round, one block inland from Sítio's main square, Rua
Dom Fuas Roupinho, tel. [phone], http://mdjm-nazare.blogspot.com .
Activities at Sítio —Sítio stages Portuguese-style bullfights on Saturday nights in sum-
mer (July-mid-Aug, tickets from €10 at kiosk in Praça Sousa Oliveira). Sítio's NorParque
is a family-friendly water park with a pool, slides, and Jacuzzi (€12 for adults, €9 for
kids ages 6-11, cheaper after 14:00, June-mid-Sept 11:00-19:00, closed mid-Sept-May,
opening may be delayed until July depending on weather, confirm hours at TI, watch for
free shuttle bus parked on the main drag, tel. [phone]).
Restaurante Arimar, on the left along the way to the lighthouse, is a good place to take
inthesunset with drinks or dinner (avoid windy days). Restaurante O Luis, also in Sítio,
is worth finding (see “Eating in Nazaré,” later).
Sleeping in Nazaré
You should have no problem finding a room, except in August, when the crowds, tem-
peratures, and prices are all at their highest. I've never arrived in Nazaré without a wel-
coming committee of eager hustlers inviting me to sleep in their quartos (rooms in private
homes). They line the street coming into town, hit up tourists on the beachfront prom-
enade, and meet each bus as it pulls into the station (you may enjoy dropping by for the
commotion as the grannies fight over the tourists).
Prices vary wildly with the season. I've listed rough prices for the medium-high season
(approximately April-mid-July and Sept-Dec). Expect to pay about 50 percent more from
mid-July through mid-August. Outside of this highest season, you'll save serious money
if you arrive with no reservations and try your hand at bargaining, even at hotels. Most
hotels don't have single and triple rooms as such—instead, they generally offer single
travelers a double room at about €10 off, and they make a triple by cramming in an extra
bed for €10-20 more.