Nazaré, Peniche and Ericeira are close enough to combine on one Portugal itinerary, yet each works differently as a base. Nazaré is dramatic and famous for big-wave culture, Peniche offers access to beaches around a peninsula, and Ericeira pairs surf with a compact restaurant-filled town near Lisbon.
Nazaré for spectacle and classic seaside atmosphere
Nazaré combines a traditional beach town with the Sítio headland and Praia do Norte. Large waves are weather-dependent, so they should never be treated as a guaranteed attraction on fixed dates.
Peniche for beach flexibility
Because Peniche sits on a peninsula with nearby Baleal, travelers can compare different beach exposures as wind and swell change.
Ericeira for town life and Lisbon access
Ericeira works well if you want surf plus a lively walkable center and an easy extension from Lisbon or Sintra.
A road trip can beat choosing only one
If you have several days and a car, combining two or three towns gives you more flexibility around ocean conditions and different evening atmospheres.