Ericeira is a laid-back beach town located on the west coast of Portugal, less than an hour away from Portugal’s capital Lisbon. The small fishing village Ericeira has turned into a popular surf town and a digital nomad hotspot in recent years. Despite its growing popularity as a tourist destination, Ericeira has managed to keep its local charm and its laid-back atmosphere. Read this guide to Ericeira, Portugal for everything you need to know about the surf Mecca of Europe.
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How to get to Ericeira, Portugal
Ericeira is only a 30 minute drive by car from Lisbon International Airport. The most economic way to get to Ericeira is by public transport. Take the Metro from the airport to the bus terminal Campo Grande and from there you can catch a bus to Ericeira. This will cost you around € 7.
For around € 30 you can get a Uber or a Bolt if you want a more comfortable ride that takes less time.
Getting around in Ericeira, Portugal
As Ericeira is quite small, the beaches and the old town are easily walkable. For any place further away you could take an Uber or a bus. Lisbon is less than an hour from Ericeira and there are daily bus connections to get there. Consider this 4-day itinerary of Lisbon for a visit to Portugal’s capital.
Things to do in Ericeira, Portugal
Most of the travelers in Ericeira visit the beach town to hit the waves and go surfing – after all, Ericeira is the surfing Mecca of Europe. But don’t worry if you’re not into surfing, Ericeira offers more than that. Even if you don’t surf, you’ll love this charming beach town!
Go surfing
The number one thing to do in Ericeira is definitely surfing. In 2011, Ericeira was named a World Surfing Reserve, which aims to protect the coast and the surfing culture.
If you’re a beginner, you can sign up for a surf camp to learn from a professional instructor.
There are numerous surf schools in and around Ericeira, such as Surfriders or Rapture.
Explore the old town
The old town of Ericeira features whitewashed houses, hip boutiques and cute cafés. Take a stroll on the cobblestone streets and discover the picturesque corners of Portugal’s surf capital.
Beach hopping
Ericeira is home to several beaches that you can visit to sunbathe in the warm sand, to dip into the cool Atlantic Ocean or to have a cold drink in a beach bar.
hese are the best beaches of Ericeira:
- Praia de Sao Sebastiao
- Praia dos Pescadores
- Praia do Norte
- Praia da Baleia
- Praia do Sul
The beach bar on Praia dos Pescadores has nice music and you can enjoy a cold drink while sunbathing on a comfy bean bag in the sand.
Watch the sunset at Praia da Foz do Lizandro
Praia da Foz do Lizandro is a calm and beautiful sandy beach that is a 40 minute walk or less than a 10 minute drive from Ericeira. This beach is an amazing sunset spot with several nice bars and restaurants. If you want to have a drink or dinner, check out the restaurant and bar Indigo. It’s located right on the beach and offers the best views of the sunset.
Day trip to Cabo da Roca
Cabo da Roca marks the westernmost point of mainland Europe. If offers offers a picturesque view that’s perfect for creating a photo calendar of your trip. It’s a 50 minute drive from Ericeira and it should not be missed during a stay in Ericeira. Steep cliffs hit by the daunting waves of the Atlantic Ocean and a lighthouse make a picturesque view. Make sure to go on a sunny day as the winds can be quite strong there.
On the way to Cabo da Roca you’ll pass by the village Azóia. Azóia is very small and quiet, but it features several amazing restaurants. I highly recommend stopping there for lunch. I ate at Casa do Mar sem Fim and absolutely loved the food.
Day trip to Mafra
Mafra is home to Portugal’s most important baroque monument and it’s only a 15 minute drive from Ericeira. Admire the beautiful architecture and take a stroll in the town.
Where to stay in Ericeira, Portugal
Ericeira is a pretty small town and any place in the center will be well-located to explore the town and to be close to the beaches. As Ericeira has become a popular travel destination, there’s plenty of places to stay. Check Airbnb, Booking.com or Hostelworld for your accommodation in the center of Ericeira.
If you love the vibe of surf towns as much as I do – no matter if you actually surf or not – also check out these places:
- Kuta, Lombok – The hidden gem next to Bali
- Puerto Escondido – Mexico’s most amazing beach town
December 11, 2021 at 12:25 pm
Looks like a magical beach town! I just spent a week in northern Portugal walking the Portuguese Camino but I didn’t get to check out this area. I’ll definitely check it out on my visit to Portugal.
December 11, 2021 at 9:15 pm
Yeah, absolutely! I love the north of Portugal too. Would love to walk the Camino one day 🙂
December 11, 2021 at 12:25 pm
The town of Ericeira looks so so charming. I love taking a stroll on streets like these.
December 11, 2021 at 9:15 pm
It’s a lovely place to visit!
December 11, 2021 at 1:54 pm
How charming! I love small low key places like this. Even better when they’re easy to get to!
December 11, 2021 at 9:14 pm
I totally agree with you, Ella! Ericeira really is a charming town 🙂
December 11, 2021 at 5:02 pm
I’m absolutely loving the relaxed vibe of Ericeira! I’m not a surfer, but I’d definitely love to wander the town, admire the architecture, and take a million pictures!
December 11, 2021 at 9:12 pm
I can totally relate to you. I’m also not a surfer, but I always love the vibe of surf towns!
December 11, 2021 at 9:33 pm
Ericeira, Portugal looks a cool vacation destination with beautiful beaches and whitewashed houses with street art to explore. I would love to go beach hopping and go surfing around steep cliffs.
December 16, 2021 at 10:17 am
It’s an amazing place 🙂
December 15, 2021 at 10:33 pm
So cool that Ericeira is so close to Lisbon, definitely adding it to my Portugal bucket list!
December 16, 2021 at 10:15 am
It’s definitely worth a visit 🙂