One of the most picturesque traditions of Portugal is the seven skirts of Nazaré. The Nazarene woman is known for wearing seven skirts—a custom that, despite sparking many theories, remains a mystery as to its origins. What is clear, however, is that the number seven holds profound mystical, spiritual, and biblical significance: there are seven virtues, seven deadly sins, seven days of the week, and even seven colors in the rainbow.
However, as with everything in Nazaré, the explanation for the seven skirts seems to be connected to the sea. After all, the town and the ocean are almost one and the same, with their identities deeply intertwined. The most straightforward explanation is related to the cold felt by the water’s edge, where Nazarene women often found themselves, whether working or bidding farewell to their husbands heading out to fish. To protect themselves from the chilly northern wind, these women would layer multiple skirts (sometimes even more than seven) and use them to cover their arms or even their heads for extra warmth.
But the best explanation has to do with the seven waves. Nazarene tradition has it that when fishing boats wait in the shallows for the sea to run aground, it happens every seven waves. So the women counted them by their skirts, which they folded slightly until the last wave, so as not to get the count wrong. The tradition remained, and today the Nazarene costume is one of the symbols of a very particular Portugal. Few people know about it, making Nazaré and its traditions one of the best kept secrets in the whole of Europe.
NAZARÉ, LAND OF THE SEA
It is impossible to talk about Nazaré without mentioning the sea. The ocean is an integral part of its daily life, its people, its traditions, and its knowledge. Even today, as the town embraces modernity and contemporary life, the sea remains ever-present in its tourism, cultural offerings, and everything that happens in the village.
Fishing continues to be Nazaré’s main economic activity, and as such, fishing nets on the beach, trawlers docked in the harbor, and women selling fish on the streets are all part of the town’s distinctive landscape. Nazaré lives by and for the sea, for better or worse, and the ocean even influences the town’s architecture. The houses face the sea but are sheltered from the wind. They are painted white to protect against the heat, often accented with bold colors—those same colors fishermen once used on their boats.
In the meantime, the sea has brought another major asset to Nazaré: surfing. The town has become a perfect spot for the sport, offering ideal natural conditions, a favorable climate, and the right sea states for surfers of all levels, from amateurs to professionals. Moreover, Nazaré is home to the super waves—the famous giant waves that challenge the most daring surfers. In recent years, multiple world records have been broken here, with surfers riding some of the largest waves in history. Garrett McNamara has already become an ambassador of Nazaré and of Portugal itself.
THE PEARL OF THE WEST
However, the Portuguese West remains a well-kept secret, even among visitors to the country itself. Nazaré is probably one of the greatest gems of this area in central Portugal. Located in the district of Leiria, it's just an hour away from Lisbon, with very good access both by road and by public transport.
Nazaré is a town with extremely pleasant summers, thanks to its mild and moderate climate, but it can also be visited in winter. While the summer holiday season and beach activities come to a close during that time, its cultural and architectural richness, along with its mouthwatering gastronomy, make it a tourist destination worth visiting any time of the year.
WHAT TO SEE IN NAZARÉ
Nazaré has managed to project itself into the future like few other Portuguese towns, all while staying true to its roots and traditions. The town strikes the perfect balance between past and future, charm and modernity. For this reason, it stands out as an ideal destination for a vacation or even a quick weekend getaway.
In addition to the beaches, the surf and the food, which we've already mentioned, Nazaré also has a number of must-sees for anyone visiting the town for the first time. One example is the Batalha Monastery, located just 30 minutes from the town. This is one of the most important religious buildings in Portugal, named after the Battle of Aljubarrota, the famous 14th-century conflict between the Portuguese and the Spanish.
On the Nazaré coast, you can also visit the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo, located in Praia do Norte. This excellent example of military architecture also has a privileged view over the sea and the coast of Nazaré, where there is even a museum dedicated to surfing. In addition to these two Nazaré landmarks, there is a whole route of equally remarkable monuments, such as the Church of Nossa Senhora da Nazaré (where the town's entire Christian religious tradition is concentrated) and, of course, a series of breathtaking viewpoints, including the spectacular Miradouro do Suberco.
