Cliffs, beaches, narrow streets with white houses, the scent of the ocean, and a relaxed atmosphere: 35 km northwest of Lisbon, Ericeira is a perfect excuse to escape from the Portuguese capital.
Here is the complete guide of the things to do and where to stay for your weekend or long stay at Ericeira.
Ericeira is a small and pleasant fishermen’s town that dominates the Atlantic Ocean from the top of its cliff.
It is a very popular tourist spot for families and a nice stop between Lisbon and Porto.
Ericeira is also considered one of the best surfing spots in Europe.
The origin of its name comes from the numerous sea urchins that exist on the coast. The ancient name “eyriços” gave “Ouriceira” and then Ericeira.
It is bordered by numerous beaches and the panorama that you will observe from its small cliffs will not leave you indifferent.
But the fame of Ericeira is due to one element in particular: Surfing!
5 things you shouldn’t miss when in Ericeira
Surf, Surf and Surf
The name Ericeira is very often associated with surfing and it’s not surprising, because the city is surrounded by beaches and has famous surf spots.
Many surf schools are installed here and you could take your first lessons, or come for a complete retreat to learn how to catch the wave for a few days.
Every year, the Ribeira d’Ilhas beach is the venue for the World Surfing Championships and many fans come to the cliffs to watch the best surfers perform.
In 2011, the international organization Save the Waves classified the 8 km of Ericeira’s coastline as a World Surfing Reserve, a remarkable distinction that makes this small town the first Surfing Reserve in Europe and the second in the world.
The waves are of all sizes, which allows novices to practice and pros to have fun!
And if you prefer to watch many surf cafes will welcome you near the beaches.
If you like surfing, Ericeira is a must-see destination!
Note: The best season for surfing in Ericeira is between October and May.
Where to surf?
Among the most famous beaches for surfing, there is Ribeira d’Ilhas, north of Ericeira.
Here are the places you can surf if you are:
Beginners:
If you are a beginner surfer, prefer the beaches located south of Ericeira such as Foz do Lizandro beach extending 600 meters inland, and São Juliao beach.
The southern beach (Praia do Sul) is also perfect for beginners.
At the northern end, there is a natural swimming pool protected by the rocks of the beach, and located at the foot of the cliff.
These beaches are more sheltered from the wind and are also suitable for families and children.
Advanced:
The Ribeira d’Ilhas Beach is a fine sandy beach surrounded by high cliffs, one of the emblematic places of the World Surfing Reserve.
National and international surfing events are held here regularly, including the Quiksilver Pro Portugal, a contest for professional male surfers.
One of the highlights on the coast of Ericeira is the beach dos Coxos, known as Praia do Pesqueiro Alto.
This small beach where many rocky areas are emerged at high tide, is world famous for its long and hollow wave, the
Stroll around the city center
The small town has a population of only 7,000 and has an authentic charm that only small Portuguese villages can offer.
Take a stroll through the town center and wander through the cobblestone streets lined with blue and white houses and stop by one of the town squares to see the smiles of the locals. How relaxing!
This lively city with its relaxed atmosphere, its beautiful beaches, and its cobbled streets has a certain charm.
It is also a favorite place for Lisboners looking for a second home.
The center of Ericeira reminds us of the Greek villages of the Cyclades with their small white houses surrounded by blue and nicely paved streets.
The small white reflecting houses are generally elegant. Reflecting the light, they are very photogenic.
It is said that the blue stripes around the houses and the windows represented a delimitation so that the devil does not enter!
Walk to Praça da República also called Praça do Jogo da Bola, a tree-lined square where you can find cafes and souvenirs shops.
In the summer this place hosts many concerts.
Stop for a drink or taste the delicious local seafood the restaurants are offering.
The promenade overlooking the beach offers a beautiful view of the ocean and in the village, there is a wide choice of restaurants and bars.
You’ll also find a fishing port by Praia dos Pescadores.
The town was previously built around this beach which serves as a harbor.
Ericeira was originally a fisherman’s town and was at one time the 4th most important fishing port in Portugal.
Today, this activity is still present, as evidenced by the boats you will see in the traditional fishing port and the many fish restaurants.
Trekk along the cliffs
Ericeira’s landscape makes it a lovely place to visit while traveling along the coast. Taking a walk along the city’s waterfront is a unique experience.
From Ericeira, follow the white and red markings that go along the coast to the north until the beautiful beach of Ribeira d’Ilhas.
About 6 kilometers round trip. This itinerary then continues to Coxos beach.
You’ll find multiple miradores along the Coast. And you should not miss Ericeira’s sunset.
The ones above the beaches of Foz do Lizandro, Ribeira d’Ilhas, and Coxos are the most popular miradouros accessible.
Enjoy the scenery!
Try Portuguese specialities
Restaurants in Ericeira serve wonderful food. This is the place to go if you’re a self-proclaimed foodie.
Its gastronomy is rich in the flavors of the sea. There is excellent seafood in Ericeira.
The majority of the menu consists of seafood and grilled fish.
As specialties, they serve skate, sardines, and various crustaceans: sea urchins and pedunculated.
Despite the fact that Portugal is a meat-eating country, there are plenty of locations to consume vegetarian and vegan meals.
Don’t hesitate to try the “Ouriços”, an almond-based specialty, a little sweet but delicious.
Sunbathing on the beach
So you’re not a big fan of surf but would like to enjoy the sun. Ericeira has also many beautiful beaches to offer you.
And the most important of them all is Ribeira d’Ilhas and the hills that surround it.
As the swell is usually large and strong, especially during the winter months, just be careful when swimming.
Many bars usually surround the beaches. So you can contemplate the surfers while sunbathing on the beach.
There are many diverse beaches, each with its unique personality
If you would like to avoid the surfers, the beach closest to the village, Praia dos Pescadores, is also very pleasant.
Easy to access and well protected by a dike, swimming is easy.
Go one day to Mafra
It’s pretty quick to get around the city, and if you’re staying here, you might want to explore the surrounding area a bit.
If Lisbon is not far away, there is one stop we would recommend before you go to the capital: Mafra.
Why go there? Simply because you can visit one of the most impressive palaces in Portugal, whose excessiveness is matched only by its beauty.
To get there from Ericeira, it’s easy.
Just take the Mafrense bus from Ericeira to Lisbon and stop in Mafra.
Where to stay in Ericeira
Ericeira has managed to retain its appeal as a tiny fishing village, so there’s not plenty of hotels. Here are our recommendations for Surf lovers & for travelers.
Once you’ve determined your travel dates, go to Booking.com or Airbnb and utilize the filters to pick the finest place to sleep and relax.
Because Ericeira attracts surfers and wants to be surfers from all over the world, there is a wide range of affordable accommodations options, including wonderful hostels and some with incredible ocean views and breakfast and surf camps.
When is the best time to come in Ericeira
Ericeira is best visited between May and October, especially if you enjoy temperatures above 18 degrees and sunny days.
You may come to Ericeira at any time of the year if you only care about surfing and you don’t mind the cold weather.
The large wave season is throughout the winter months. So, be ready!
How to get to Ericeira from Lisbon
The town of Ericeira is about 35 kilometers from Lisbon, which makes it an ideal refuge for the Portuguese in search of calm and authenticity.
To get to Ericeira from Lisbon, you have to take a bus from the bus station of Campo Grande, which is located on the yellow or green metro line.
It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there, with a 6.25 euro one-way ticket, which you can buy when you get on the bus. (The timetable is available here).
The bus stop is less than 500 meters from the beach!
Alternatively, the most convenient solution for those who have rented a car is to join the A8 freeway following the signs for Mafra – Malveira, and then take the A21 which leads you to Ericeira.
