The Forte de São Miguel Arcanjo sits on the headland between the main town beach and Praia do Norte, and it is the best vantage point in Nazaré for watching big waves. Built in the 16th century to protect the coast from pirate raids, the fort has been repurposed as a lighthouse and a surfing information point — in winter, photographers and spectators pack the ramparts during large swells to get the overhead shot of surfers dwarfed by walls of water.
The views from the fort in both directions are among the finest on the Silver Coast. On a clear day you can see far north and south along the coast. The walk out along the promontory from the upper town (Sítio) takes about 15 minutes and passes the Ermida da Memória chapel on the way.