Depart Fátima at 10:00 and drive west to the walled town of Óbidos, arriving mid-morning to wander its cobbled streets. Stroll the town walls for panoramic views, visit the 13th-century Castelo de Óbidos and stop at a local Ginjinha shop to taste the cherry liqueur served in a chocolate cup. Enjoy a light lunch or pastries at a café on Rua Direita before heading toward the coast.
Continue along scenic roads toward Nazaré and arrive in the afternoon to explore the lively Sítio neighborhood atop the cliffs — take the funicular for sweeping Atlantic views and visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré. Walk the long beachfront promenade at Praia da Nazaré, watch surfers (or giant-wave viewing areas at Praia do Norte if seas are dramatic), and grab fresh grilled fish at a beachfront restaurant for a leisurely late-afternoon meal.
As the day winds down, climb back up to Sítio for sunset at the Miradouro do Suberco, where the cliffs and lighthouse silhouette make for memorable views. Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a relaxed dinner in Nazaré — seek a traditional seafood casa or a cozy tavern in the old town — then enjoy any local festivities or fireworks before settling into your overnight stop.
After a relaxed start following last night’s celebrations in Nazaré, drive inland to Alcobaça and arrive mid-morning to tour the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Santa Maria: admire the soaring Cistercian nave, the tombs of Pedro and Inês, and the cloisters while a docent or audio guide fills in the tragic love story. Pause at a nearby pastelaria for coffee and pão-de-ló or queijada before strolling through Alcobaça’s compact town center and its artisan shops.
Continue a short drive to Batalha to visit the Monastery of Batalha — explore the exuberant Gothic-Manueline portal, the unfinished chapels (Capelas Imperfeitas) and the luminous Chapter House, then linger in the museum courtyard to appreciate the sculptural details. For a scenic late-afternoon detour, climb to the Miradouro de São Miguel or walk through Batalha’s quaint streets to a local café for a calm break with regional pastries and a glass of vinho verde.
Head toward Leiria in the early evening to stroll up to Leiria Castle for sunset views over the town and the Lis valley, then descend into the historic center for dinner — choose a tavern serving marinated grilled fish or a hearty açorda to warm up on a cool January night. If energy permits, finish with a digestive at a bar on Praça Rodrigues Lobo before returning to your overnight stop, setting the pace for the final coastal day tomorrow.
Optionally detour north from Nazaré to Peniche or Ericeira for a brisk coastal stretch: in Peniche stroll the harbor and visit the Forte de Peniche for ocean views, or choose Ericeira to wander the charming fishing-town lanes and watch surfers at Praia dos Coxos before heading south. Aim to leave mid-morning and follow the scenic N8/S8 down the coast toward the Lisbon region, enjoying cliffside panoramas and occasional roadside cafés for coffee and a pastel de nata.
Cross the Tagus or skirt the southern shore to reach Costa da Caparica and take a long seaside walk on the extensive sandy beaches, pausing at a beach bar for grilled sardines or clams while watching kites and surfers. From there drive east toward Setúbal and the Arrábida foothills, stopping at the Miradouro do Cabo Espichel or the Serra da Arrábida viewpoint for sweeping views of the turquoise bays and the Sado estuary; consider a short coastal trail or a quick visit to Portinho da Arrábida for photos.
Plan to arrive in Almada by 20:00; before finishing, stop at the Cristo Rei viewpoint for a twilight panorama of Lisbon’s illuminated skyline and the 25 de Abril Bridge, then descend to Almada’s riverside for a final riverside coffee or light dinner. Conclude the trip with a relaxed stroll along the waterfront, reflecting on the coastal highlights from Óbidos and Nazaré through the monasteries to Arrábida as you end the journey in Almada.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Drive Fátima → Óbidos (by car) | Fuel ~€8-15 (depends on car, fuel price) + tolls €0 (no major tolls on this route) |
| Óbidos town center & Rua Direita | Free (shopping/food extra) — café/pastries €3-8 per person |
| Óbidos town walls (walk) | Small fee if sections have controlled access €0-€3 |
| Castelo de Óbidos (Porta da Vila/Castle museum) | Admission ~€3-6 per person |
| Ginjinha in Óbidos (served in chocolate cup) | €2-4 per shot (chocolate cup extra ~€1-2 if charged) |
| Light lunch / café on Rua Direita | €8-15 per person |
| Drive Óbidos → Nazaré (scenic coastal roads) | Fuel ~€5-10 |
| Nazaré funicular (to Sítio) | Roundtrip ticket ~€3-4 per person |
| Sanctuary of Our Lady of Nazaré (Santuário) | Free (donations optional) |
| Praia da Nazaré promenade & beachfront | Free (food extra) |
| Praia do Norte (giant-wave viewpoint) | Free |
| Beachfront grilled fish meal in Nazaré | €15-35 per person (depends on restaurant and fish selection) |
| Miradouro do Suberco (sunset) | Free |
| New Year’s Eve dinner in Nazaré (seafood casa/tavern) | €25-60 per person (holiday pricing may be higher) |
| Drive Nazaré → Alcobaça | Fuel ~€2-5 |
| Monastery of Santa Maria (Alcobaça) — guided/audio visit | Admission ~€6-9 per person; audio guide ~€2-3 (if available) |
| Pastelaria / coffee & pão-de-ló in Alcobaça | €3-6 per person |
| Stroll Alcobaça town center / artisan shops | Free (shopping extra) |
| Drive Alcobaça → Batalha | Fuel ~€2-5 |
| Monastery of Batalha (Mosteiro da Batalha) | Admission ~€6-10 per person (museum included) |
| Capelas Imperfeitas (Unfinished Chapels) & Chapter House | Included in monastery admission |
| Miradouro de São Miguel (Batalha viewpoint) / town café break | Free viewpoint; café €2-6 |
| Drive Batalha → Leiria | Fuel ~€2-4 |
| Leiria Castle (castle visit and viewpoints) | Admission ~€3-5 per person |
| Dinner in Leiria historic center (tavern/restaurant) | €12-30 per person |
| Drive Nazaré/Leiria area → Peniche (optional detour) | Fuel ~€4-8 |
| Forte de Peniche (harbour fort/museum) | Admission ~€2-5 per person |
| Ericeira stroll & Praia dos Coxos (optional) | Free (food extra) |
| Drive to Costa da Caparica (from Lisbon side or south bank) | Fuel ~€5-12 + possible tolls if crossing bridges |
| Costa da Caparica beaches / beach bar | Free beach access; beach snack/drink €5-15 per person; beach umbrellas/chairs if rented €5-15 |
| Miradouro do Cabo Espichel (or Serra da Arrábida viewpoint) | Free; small parking fee possible €0-€3 |
| Portinho da Arrábida short visit / photos | Free; parking €1-5 |
| Drive to Almada / Cristo Rei viewpoint | Fuel ~€5-12 + possible bridge tolls (25 de Abril bridge has no toll for crossing from north to south by car, tolls may apply elsewhere) |
| Cristo Rei viewpoint (sanctuary) | Pedestrian/vehicle donation or small ticket €3-6 (varies) |
| Almada riverside stroll / riverside coffee or light dinner | €6-20 per person |
| Car parking across trip (daily average) | €2-8 per day in towns (total estimate for trip €6-24) |
| Accommodation (per night, mid-range) | Nazaré/Leiria/Almada mid-range hotels ~€60-120 per room per night (seasonal/NYE higher in Nazaré) |
| Estimated Total (per person) | €260-780 per person (3 days, excluding car rental) or €420-1,200+ per person (if renting a car) — breakdown notes: - Meals: €90-200 total (3 days) - Admissions & local transport: €40-80 - Fuel & parking: €30-80 (depending on route and car efficiency) - Accommodation: €120-360 (2 nights mid-range; NYE may be pricier) - Optional car rental: €60-200+ for 3 days (economy to SUV) + insurance (Estimates in EUR; ranges reflect choices: budget cafés vs restaurants, free activities vs paid entrances, and optional detours/NYE premium pricing.) |