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Ericeira is a lovely coastal town in Portugal with beautiful cobblestoned streets and white and blue-colored houses. It is known for being the first World Surfing Reserve in Europe and is a popular summer destination for surfers, yogis, and beach lovers. In this post, I will tell you what makes Ericeira a great place to visit in Portugal and the best things to do in Ericeira so you can plan your next trip!
Ericeira, Portugal.
Ericeira is located around 50 kilometers northwest of Lissabon, the capital of Portugal. The coastline around the town of Ericeira is dotted with some incredible beaches, a lot of them perfect for surfing.
The location of Ericeira is excellent because it is in close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean but you can find some other interesting locations nearby like the UNESCO-protected cultural heritage town of Sintra, The Mafra Palace, and the Cascais-Sintra natural park.
It’s a perfect base to stay in Portugal from which you can make several day trips. Among digital nomads, Ericeira is also considered one of the best places to work remotely, making travelers stay for longer periods of time.
Hiking trails around Ericeira, Portugal.
Ericeira is a small fishing village. The old town and center are only 12 square kilometers in size and it has around 10 0000 inhabitants.
Although Ericeira is relatively small, there are plenty of things to do in the area and it is convenient to have a car to explore the nearby beaches and surrounding towns like Santo Isidoro and Ribamar. If you don’t like the hustle and bustle of the center of town, these villages also make for a more relaxed place to stay.
Although Ericeira is a small village that still holds some traditional charm, in recent years, a lot of ex-pats have moved to Ericeira to make it their permanent home. This had caused a serious rise in rental prices for apartments and houses in Ericeira.
This process of gentrification has not been a healthy evolution for the local villages. Because salaries in Portugal are not as high as in other Western countries, locals are forced to leave their hometown because they can’t pay their rent anymore.
It is important to be aware of this when you visit Ericeira. As a conscious traveler, it is important to consume as locally as possible. Go to local small supermarkets, eat at local restaurants and stay in local guesthouses so your money benefits the local community.
Lisbon, Portugal.
Ericeira is located around 50 kilometers northwest of Lisbon. Because of this, Lisbon will probably be your gateway to Ericeira since it is the closest airport.
The airport of Lison is located around 45 kilometers from the center of Ericeira while it is 50 kilometers away if you would travel to Ericeira from the center of Lisbon.
There are multiple ways to get to Ericeira from Lisbon.
Rental car in Ericeira, Portugal.
There are multiple ways to get from Lisbon to Ericeira. You can choose to rent a car, which is the most convenient option to get to Ericeira but, if you are traveling on a budget, there are also daily buses that go to Ericeira.
It will take you around 40 minutes to reach Ericeira from Lisbon by car. Depending on which kind of bus you take it will take between 40 minutes and one and a half hour to reach Ericeira. Remember, if you want to take public transport to Ericeira from Lisbon Airport, you will first have to travel from Lisbon airport to Campo Grande bus station by metro.
You can find a detailed overview of all the transport options from Lisbon to Ericeira in this comprehensive Lisbon to Ericeira transport guide.
Praia do Sul, Ericeira, Portugal.
Wondering what to do in Ericeira? Well, Ericeira is a fantastic place if you like to laze your days away at gorgeous beaches, participate in watersports, and enjoy cultural activities.
If you can, try to visit Ericeira outside the main tourist season to escape the tourist crowds. Ericeira is a small village but many people have heard about its charm and the beaches, especially the ones in the center, are extremely crowded in July and August.
The best time to visit Ericeira is in the shoulder season, between April and June, and in September or October. Ericeira can even be visited during the winter. The temperature is still pleasant and hovers around 15 degrees Celsius. Between December and February, you can also find the best surf breaks.
Here are the best things to do in Ericeira!
The beautiful streets in the center of Ericeira, Portugal.
The center of Ericeira is beautiful, with its narrow cobblestoned streets and white and blue colored houses. It still holds a traditional charm, although tourism construction and infrastructure are on the rise.
One of my favorite streets was the small but cozy Rua da Misericórdia where the fantastic Taberna Lebre is located where you can eat traditional Portuguese sandwiches called “Pregos”.
The best about Ericeira is that there are no big resort hotels in the area so that only adds to its charm. The only large hotel in Ericeira is located at Praia do Sul and is called Vila Galé. Most of the accommodation options in Ericeira are guesthouses, hostels, or small boutique hotels.
Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas, Ericeira, Portugal.
Ericeira is surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches. There are four main beaches near the town center which can easily be reached on foot. However, they tend to get really crowded in the summer months and they are not the prettiest in the area.
Praia do Sul is located on the southernmost side of the village. In the middle, you can find Praia dos Pescadores. At the northern tip lies Praia do Norte. A little further lies Praia de Sao Sebastiao which was my favorite beach near the town center that can easily be reached on foot.
But, to discover the best beaches in and around Ericeira you will need a car or a motorbike or alternatively, you can take the beach bus which operates during the summer months on the route from Foz do Lizandro in the south to Ribeira d’Ilhas in the north.
My favorite beaches in the area are Praia dos Coxos, Praia de Sao Lourenco, Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas and Foz do Lizandro beach.
Praia de Sao Lourenço, Portugal.
My favorite beaches in the area are Praia de Sao Lourenço for its local vibe, Coxos beach for its rugged beauty, Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas for a coffee and Foz do Lizandro for its location where the Lizandro river meets the sea.
Check out my guide about the best Ericeira beaches to discover what beach would fit your needs the best!
Surfing in Ericeira, Portugal.
As Ericeira is the first World Surfing Reserve in Europe it tends to fill up with surfers almost every time of the year. While the winter time mostly attracts advanced surfers because of the bigger swell, during the summer months tourists and visitors can participate in beginner classes.
There are a large array of surf schools in Ericeira, like surf 365 Ericeira, Three Surfers Surf School, Ericeira Surf House, and Extra Surf School just to name a few. When deciding at which surf school you will attend classes make sure they are certified by the Portuguese Surf Federation.
There are also many surf camps in Ericeira often combined with yoga. Check out the best surf camps in Ericeira here. If you are in need of some surf gear you will also be overwhelmed with all the surf shops at every street corner in Ericeira. To find the most sustainable ones check out my post about the best surf shops in Ericeira.
surf schools are popping up in Ericeira everywhere, and it is just the same for yoga schools. There are more than a dozen yoga schools in Ericeira and it’s hard to know which one to pick.
I have heard from an ex-pat living in Ericeira that Ericeira Yoga School in the town center is a good option. Sandhi house is also great and also offers massages. The house of the rising Mojo is out of the city center but offers classes in a beautiful garden dome and organizes weekly activities like Cacao sessions and Kirtan.
However, my preferred location to practice some meditation and yoga in Ericeira was Praia de Sao Lourenço in the early morning.
Streets of Lisbon, Portugal.
Ericeira is located only 50 kilometers from the center of Lisbon so a day trip to the capital of Portugal should definitely be on your slow travel to-do list! If you don’t have your own transport you can take a bus to Lisbon at the Ericeira bus station. There is roughly one bus an hour and they run from 6 in the morning until 9 PM.
After spending the morning visiting some highlights of Lisbon like the Torre de Bélem and Tram 28, take some time out of the afternoon to visit hidden gems. The Market of female thieves in the Alfama district in downtown Lisbon is a great activity or, alternatively, explore the streets of Mouraria in search of illegal Chinese restaurants only recognizable by a Chinese lantern hanging at a door.
In the evening, dine out at one of the many vegan-friendly restaurants in Lisbon.
The area around Ericeira, Portugal.
If you want to escape the touristic center of Ericeira, there are some lovely towns in the proximity of Ericeira where you can experience authentic Portuguese local life. My favorite one by far was Ribamar, which is located just a few kilometers from Ericeira. Since our Airbnb was in Ribamar, we hung out there a lot.
some great places in Ribamar are Barzhino for Aperol Spritz and small bites, Clamar coffee shop for a morning coffee, and Pu-ro for vegan Pastel de Natas. The nearest beach is Praia de Sao Lourenço which is within walking distance from the center of the village. The bar at the beach is also e great place to have a coffee in the morning.
Wine and Kombucha @ Souldough Pizza + The streets of Ribamar.
Another great spot near Ericeira is Carvoeira. This town is in close proximity to Foz do Lizandro beach and Praia de Sao Juliao and one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the area is located there called Souldough Pizza. The cultural center in town is also a fun place to connect with locals.
There is a beautiful trail in Ericeira leading all the way from Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas to Coxos beach. if you love photography, this is the place to be in Ericeira to take beautiful pictures. The trails are flanked by lovely Aloe Vera plants and from the cliffs, you have the most magnificent views over the World Surfing Reserve.
Views from the trails between Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas and Coxos Beach.
When you arrive at Coxos beach you can either choose to make your way to the cozy center of Ribamar to have a drink or a snack at Barzinho or Puro or you can continue your walk towards the beach of Praia de Sao Lourenço which has a charming cafeteria/restaurant with a nice terrace.
Garden of Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra, Portugal.
The gorgeous UNESCO-protected Cultural Landscape of Sintra is definitely worth a visit and is only a 35-minute drive from Ericeira. Sintra was the birthplace of European romantic architecture in the 19th century and up to this day, you can visit the castles, Quintas, and gardens at this World Heritage Site.
The National palace of Pena is the most iconic sight in Sintra but there are plenty more interesting historic landmarks like the Quinta da Regaleira with its magical initiation well.
Do note that Sintra is very touristic and be aware that you will have to share these estates with hundreds of other tourists at any time of the year.
Take a full day out of your travel schedule if you want to visit at least two sites in Sintra. If traveling by car, you can park your car at the car park near the railway station. From there, you can easily travel to all the landmarks by bus 434 and 435.
Not a fan of surfing? No problem. Maybe Stand up paddle is something you enjoy instead. Ericeira is famous for its watersport facilities and SUP is one of the many things on offer.
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, Ericeira SUP, which is a Standup Peddle School, caters to all levels and likes. Activities range from SUP Yoga to a World Surfing Reserve tour and even a wave experience for experts.
Mothersurf, an ethical surf shop in Ericeira, Portugal.
The center of Ericeira is full of cute shops but, as a conscious traveler, try to avoid a shopping spree and only buy what you really need.
There are many surf shops in the center of Ericeira. If you’re wondering which the most ethical one is then visit Mothersurf, an eco-conscious surf shop at the Rua Mendes Leal. At Mothersurf, you can find a carefully curated collection of surf brands that care for the earth as well as a great selection of lifestyle products like soap, bags, and reusable straws.
Other great shops in Ericeira are Harvest Moon Ericeira for its unique jewelry, BE U for organic food and products, and the second-hand clothing shop Revestir.
Mafra Palace, Portugal.
The traditional Portuguese town of Mafra is only a 10-minute drive from Ericeira. The town itself is charming with a relaxed atmosphere and a nice selection of bars and restaurants.
However, the real draw here is the Palacio de Mafra which is one of the largest palaces in Europe. This large complex contains an elegant Basilica, a magnificent Monastery, and a 90 meters long library that contains over 35 000 ancient books.
The entrance fee to visit Mafra Palace is € 6 and you can visit every day of the week. If you don’t have your own transport you can take bus 209 which will take you to Mafra in 20 minutes.
Barbatana, Foz do Lizandro.
Ericeira holds a nice selection of restaurants inside the city center as well as in the wider area. Do note that, if you are a vegan in Ericeira, it’s not easy to find decent options. Portuguese cuisine is very fish and meat-heavy and chances are you won’t find a suitable dish on the menu at a local restaurant.
Moreover, if you like your food well seasoned with a lot of different flavors then Portuguese cuisine might not be your cup of tea. Portugal is known for using a lot of fresh ingredients but it sometimes lacks a bit of tanginess, especially if you take the meat and fish out of the equation.
That said, there are some great restaurants to visit in Ericeira but, to be completely honest, I also visited some very disappointing ones. If you stick to this list I promise you that your tastebuds will be satisfied.
Coffee bars abound in Ericeira but if you have to pick just one, go to Dear Rose café in the Rua de Santo Antonio. This tiny coffee bar serves delicious coffee (plant-based milk available) and has a tasty menu with (vegan) breakfast options like açai bowls and porridge to lunch options like bagels and salads.
It opens only at 10.30 A.M. and that’s quite a late hour to have breakfast if you’re an early bird like me. But it really is the best place in town to stop by for a coffee during the day. My favorite combo was a deca (vegan) latté with a perfectly baked (vegan) cinnamon roll.
Pasteis de Nata
You probably don’t need an introduction to the famous Pastel de Nata. Pasteis de Nata are traditional Portuguese custard tarts and they taste like heaven on earth. In Ericeira, you can find them on almost every street corner.
Café Salvador sells amazing non-vegan ones in the town center and if you are a vegan, take a little trip to Ribamar. Lunch and breakfast bar Pu-ro over there has vegan Pasteis de Nata on their menu.
Praia da Ursa, Portugal.
Ericeira is beautiful and offers some hiking opportunities but if you fancy longer trails through gorgeous natural scenery and quaint picturesque villages then you surely need to visit the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
The best way to experience the natural beauty of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is to drive all the way to Cabo da Roca. From there follow the trail to Praia da Ursa, one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Portugal. From there, continue to Praia da Adraga. At this beach, you can find a great family-run restaurant where you can find fresh seafood dishes and they also serve a vegan soup and vegetable stew.
After a delightful lunch, make your way back to Cabo da Roca. The best way to navigate the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is by using the app Maps.me.
Aside from the things I mentioned above, there are a lot more things to do in and around Ericeira. What you do highly depends on your own wishes so I’ll mention a few more things here to give you an idea of other activities in the area.
Traditional Portuguese house in Ribamar, near Ericeira.
If you are planning to visit Ericeira you are probably wondering where to stay. Should you pick a hotel or an Airbnb or maybe join one of the surf camps which most of the time includes accommodation? It highly depends on your wishes of course and if you rather want to be in the hustle and bustle of the town center or somewhere in the outskirts, like the village of Ribamar or Carvoeira where is more quiet and in which you can experience local Portuguese life.
I’ll list a few options here and I will indicate who will enjoy these types of accommodation:
There is a reliable bus service in the area that connects Ericeira with Lisbon, Mafra, and Sintra. During the summer months, you can also get to most of the beaches in Ericeira and the wider area using the Ericeira beach bus which can take you all the way from Foz do Lizandro to Ribeira d’Ilhas for only € 1. These options are definitely the cheapest ones and the most eco-friendly.
However, if you want to explore the region even further and if you want to be able to get to more remote locations, hiring a car is the best option. If you are not staying in the town center this can even be a necessity to get to restaurants or to go grocery shopping. The best car deals can be found on Skyscanner.
Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas, Ericeira, Portugal.
Because Ericeira is a World Surfing Reserve it attracts visitors year-round. During the summer months the center and beaches of Ericeira tend to fill up and get crowded. Therefore, the best time to visit Ericeira is in the shoulder season, from May to June, and in September and October.
Surfers also like to visit Ericeira during the winter months because the waves are great for experienced surfers at that time of the year. Even then, Ericeira is still a great place to visit with nice temperatures hovering around 15 degrees Celsius.
Swimming in the sea is possible but do be aware that the water temperature in Ericeira is not high and hovers around 19 degrees Celsius during the summer months. This is due to a cold water stream, causing the upwelling of deep and colder ocean water, just in front of the coast of Ericeira.
The average outside temperature in Ericeira during the summer months is 25 degrees Celsius while you can expect them to be around 22 degrees in the shoulder season.
Yes, Ericeira is definitely a place that is worth visiting. While the town itself has become a bit touristic it still retains a certain charm and you can still experience traditional Portuguese life in the villages surrounding Ericeira.
The beaches of Ericeira are gorgeous and you can opt to just laze your days away here or participate in water sports like surfing and SUP.
It is certainly also a nice place to stop if you are doing a road trip through Portugal by a mobile home or converted van. Ericeira Camping is a lovely campground.
As a conscious traveler, try to consume as locally as possible. Go to local restaurants, shop local and stay at a local small hotel or guesthouse.
I hope you enjoyed this Ericeira travel guide. If you know any other great things to do in Ericeira please let me know in the comments below!
ENJOY!
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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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