Ericeira is a town where the heritage of a traditional Portuguese fishing village meets the vibrant energy of a world-class surfing destination. While its history is tied to the small fishing harbour and cobbled streets, its modern reputation comes from the powerful Atlantic waves that have earned this coastline designation as Europe's only World Surfing Reserve.

This unique blend has created a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Traditional whitewashed houses and bustling local cafés sit alongside trendy surf shops, yoga studios, and restaurants that draw on the town's abundant fresh seafood.

The fusion attracts a diverse crowd: seasoned surfers, digital nomads, and families, who mix easily with the local community. This is a place that has embraced a global, creative culture while fiercely protecting its authentic Portuguese character.

As a holiday destination, Ericeira offers more than just its coastline. The town boasts a fantastic food scene and a lively but laid-back nightlife. It also serves as an ideal base for exploring the region, with the palaces of Sintra and the grand monastery of Mafra just a short drive away.

The town's charm and spectacular coastal scenery also make it a highly rewarding day trip from Lisbon. This guide provides everything you need to discover Ericeira, whether you are planning a week-long surfing holiday or a single-day visit.

 

 

For a day trip:
• Largo das Ribas: the clifftop street that skirts the edge above the fishing harbour and Praia dos Pescadores beach
• The Ribeira d'Ilhas viewpoint, where you can watch experienced surfers ride the powerful Atlantic swells
• Lunch or a leisurely coffee on Largo do Jogo da Bola, the relaxed hub of Ericeira's surf scene
• Unwinding on Praia do Sul, the town's most popular sandy beach

Ericeira fishing harbour and Praia dos Pescadores beach

For a longer stay:
• Learning to surf on some of Europe's most consistent waves, taught by instructors who grew up on this coastline
• A full day at Praia da Foz do Lizandro, a wide sandy beach that works for surfers and sunbathers alike
• Day trips to the palaces of Sintra or the vast monastery at Mafra
• Coastal hikes along dramatic, crowd-free cliffs to the north or south of town

The Largo das Ribas as it skirts the cliff tops above the Praia dos Pescadores beach

Heading for an evening surf at the Praia da Foz do Lizandro

Ericeira is a fantastic destination for a day trip, especially in summer when Sintra or Cascais become overcrowded. An enjoyable day combines exploring the historic town centre with walking the clifftop trails to either Ribeira d'Ilhas beach to the north or Foz do Lizandro beach to the south.

 

 

Ericeira doesn't have the same attention-grabbing sights as other popular day trip destinations. Its appeal comes from the quaint historic centre and the dramatic natural scenery surrounding the town. A visit here is a calmer version of a day in Cascais and shares a similar feel with the coastal town of Sesimbra.

Travel to Ericeira is straightforward, with direct bus services from Lisbon (80 to 110 minutes) and Sintra (55 minutes): full details are later in this guide.

Many visitors combine a trip to Ericeira with the Palácio Nacional in Mafra. For this option, visit the palace in the morning before heading to Ericeira for lunch. The restaurant selection of Ericeira is far better than in Mafra, making it the ideal place to eat before spending the afternoon exploring the town.

Insight: The sunsets at Ericeira are superb. If you have the energy, it is worth staying until early evening.

The interactive map below shows the sights of Ericeira (green markers), the beaches (yellow markers), and a suggested walking tour of the town. The tour begins at the bus station, which is inconveniently located on the far eastern side of Ericeira. The red line marks the coastal walk to the Ribeira d'Ilhas viewpoint, which you may wish to add to your day. Note: zoom out to see all points.

Sights of Ericeira: 1) Largo do Jogo da Bola 2) Capela da Boa Viagem 3) Fishing harbour (Doca Pesca) 4) Ermida de São Sebastião 5) Igreja de Santa Marta 6) The Furnas da Ericeira 7) Skate Park Boardriders 8) Miradouro Ribeira d'Ilhas viewpoint
Beaches of Ericeira: 9) Praia de Ribeira d'Ilhas 10) Praia de São Sebastião 11) Praia do Norte 12) Praia dos Pescadores 13) Praia do Sul 14) Praia da Foz do Lizandro 15) Praia de São Julião

The ‘Furnas’ where a series of natural saltwater pools in the rocky headland that would store the freshly caught fish until it sold.

The Miradouro Sala das Visitas viewpoint overlooking the Praia do Sul and Vila Galé hotel

Ericeira’s fishing fleet in the Porto de Pesca

Ericeira offers a fantastic alternative to traditional beach holiday destinations. While particularly popular with surfers, the town attracts visitors seeking authentic Portuguese culture away from conventional mass tourism.

Even with the increased popularity of Lisbon and its coastline, Ericeira has been somewhat overlooked, and its character has remained largely unchanged. That said, the town fills up during summer with an equal mix of Portuguese holidaymakers, foreign visitors, and long-stay residents. While the surf culture might suggest a younger crowd, Ericeira genuinely welcomes and appeals to visitors of all ages.

The town suits those who enjoy the outdoors, appreciate rugged coastal scenery, and want to experience Portuguese culture rather than simply observe it. Practical benefits add to the appeal: Lisbon airport is just 43km away, and the surrounding region is packed with worthwhile day trips, including Sintra, Mafra, Praia das Maçãs, and Azenhas do Mar.

Visitors who take the time to discover Ericeira's charms invariably fall in love with the town.

The Rio Lizandro and the unspoilt countryside south of Ericeira

Ericeira is one of those destinations where you can spend as long as you like, and many people have chosen to make it their permanent home.

The main sights of the town can be covered in around three hours, extending to a full day if you include time at the beaches. For a touring holiday through Portugal, plan for at least two nights, giving you a full day to explore properly. If you want to surf (and most visitors do), add a further two or three days.

Suggested itinerary for a one-week stay:
• Day 1: Explore Ericeira town
• Day 2: A beach day at Praia da Foz do Lizandro, whether surfing or relaxing
• Day 3: Day trip to Sintra
• Day 4: Coastal hike to Praia de São Julião
• Day 5: Day trip to Mafra
• Day 6: Day trip to Azenhas do Mar and Praia das Maçãs (a car is needed)
• Day 7: A relaxed beach day on Praia do Sul
*A car is needed for this day

As with most Portuguese destinations, accommodation in Ericeira books up quickly. Reserving well in advance is strongly recommended, particularly for summer visits.

The map below displays hotels and rental rooms throughout the town, with current prices shown for your selected dates.

The majority of visitors to Ericeira come for the surfing, which is among the best in Portugal, if not the whole of Europe.

The 4km coastline around Ericeira has been designated a World Surfing Reserve, one of only eleven worldwide and the only one in Europe. The area offers every type of wave conceivable: from beginner-friendly breaks over sand through to challenging reef breaks over flat rock ridges.

The two most popular surfing beaches are Praia de Ribeira d'Ilhas and Praia da Foz do Lizandro, found at either end of the town. Praia de São Julião, to the south, is another excellent option for experienced surfers.

For a surfing holiday, Ericeira has outstanding facilities, including numerous hostels, inexpensive eateries, and laid-back bars.

Learning to surf
Ericeira is a popular destination for learning to surf, with a range of schools providing quality tuition. Beginner lessons start from around €40 for a half-day session, or you can join week-long surf camps. Some of the established surf schools in Ericeira include:
Ericeira Surf school: ericeirasurfschool.pt/
Surf Riders: www.surfriders.pt/
Extra Surf School: www.extrasurfschool.com/

Board hire costs around €15 for a half day. You will almost certainly need a wetsuit (also around €15) as the water is cold year-round.
Warning: Strong rip tides occur along this coastline. Always seek local advice before choosing where to surf.

Beaches for non-surfers
Ericeira also has excellent beaches for those who prefer to relax rather than surf, including Praia dos Pescadores and Praia do Sul.
Praia da Foz do Lizandro works well for mixed groups. The beach offers good waves for surfing while remaining sheltered from the wind, and there are several beach restaurants and cafés nearby.
Related articles: Ericeira beach guide

Ericeira is a great destination for a family holiday. The town has a calm and welcoming atmosphere and suits children of all ages.

Praia dos Pescadores is sheltered from the region's strong currents and powerful waves by the harbour wall, making it the safest beach for swimming. For older children, there are skate ramps at Boardriders Quiksilver, and many of the surf schools offer lessons suitable for younger visitors.

Just outside Mafra, the Aldeia Típica José Franco is worth a detour. This quirky rural museum features a miniature traditional village crafted entirely from clay by the artist José Franco, complete with working windmills and tiny figures going about daily life.

The clay model buildings at Aldeia Típica José Franco

Have you considered a small group tour to Ericeira?
The standard of tours in Portugal is high, with knowledgeable guides and itineraries designed for independent-minded visitors. An organised tour allows you to fit a lot of sightseeing into a single day while removing the hassle of public transport. Some of the best tours that include Ericeira are:
• Ericeira, Mafra rural beach and wine tour
• Mafra and Ericeira private tour
• Coastal villages and Mafra Palace

Ericeira has no shortage of excellent restaurants catering to all budgets and styles. As a working fishing town, the speciality here is freshly caught fish and seafood.

For traditional Portuguese cooking, A Panela is often cited as the best in town, serving expertly grilled fish and arroz de marisco (seafood rice) in a simple, busy setting. Mar a Vista is a local favourite for shellfish, while serious seafood lovers should make the ten-minute drive north to O Pescador in Ribamar for legendary seafood platters.

For a more modern approach, Mar das Latas works well for sunset, combining a wine bar atmosphere with dishes like beef cheek croquettes and fresh fish. Balagan, perched above Praia do Sul, serves Middle Eastern-inspired brunch with the best views in town.

For non-Portuguese options, Uni Sushi offers high-quality sashimi using the local catch, and Secret Oven has developed a cult following for its sourdough pizzas.

The Esplanada Furnas

The nightlife in Ericeira is relaxed and social, suiting a town where most people have spent the day in the water. It is notably calmer than Lisbon or Cascais, catering to a surf-focused crowd rather than those looking to party until dawn.

The historic centre remains the hub of the evening scene. Tubo, Lebre, and Adega Bar 1987 are the main draws, with crowds often spilling into the narrow streets. For craft beer, 5 e Meio is the local taproom of choice, while Jukebox Taproom offers a stylish, industrial-themed alternative.

For something more active, Barzinho is a local favourite with pool tables, dartboards, and a large outdoor terrace. Those wanting to stay out late should head to Ouriço, the oldest nightclub in Portugal, which has been hosting locals and visitors for over 60 years.
Tip: Sunsets in Ericeira deserve attention. Grab a drink beforehand and find a spot on one of the clifftop benches to watch the light change over the Atlantic.

Sunset watched from the Furnas da Ericeira

Lisbon is connected to Ericeira by regular bus services departing from Campo Grande bus station. A single ticket costs €4.50 and the journey takes between 45 minutes on the express service (Line 2801) and 90 minutes on the standard routes (Lines 2740 or 2803). The latest timetables can be found on the Carris Metropolitana website:
www.carrismetropolitana.pt/
In Ericeira, the bus station is poorly located on the far eastern side of town (GPS: 38.96, -9.40) and is a 1.5km walk to the historic centre. The route is downhill from the bus station but a very demanding uphill walk when returning back to the bus station.

Ericeira has no railway station and few intercity bus services, so for most onward travel it is best to return to Lisbon first. The exception is the 1633 bus service connecting Sintra to Ericeira (45 minutes, €2.60), which makes a day trip to Sintra straightforward.
Related articles: Lisbon to Ericeira

The Carris Metropolitana bus to Ericeira in Campo Grande bus station

Ericeira has four sandy beaches within the town itself, two excellent surfing beaches slightly further out, and a selection of more challenging breaks within the World Surfing Reserve coastline.

Praia dos Pescadores is the central beach of Ericeira, overlooked by the fishing harbour and surrounded by sheer cliffs. The beach is popular with families and sunbathers as it is sheltered from the strong winds that often buffet the coastline.

The Pescadores beach, at the centre of Ericeira

Ribeira d'Ilhas, 2km north of town, is considered the best surfing beach in Ericeira. It provides consistent and powerful waves, and is where most surfers head for a day in the water.

The Ribeira d'Ilhas on the only day in the year when there were poor waves and few surfers!

Praia da Foz do Lizandro lies at the mouth of the Lizandro river, 3km south of Ericeira. It is the largest sandy beach in the region and a great alternative to Ribeira d'Ilhas for surfing.

Lizandro is a huge beach, but a little way out of town

Praia do Sul, a short walk from the town centre, is Ericeira's most popular beach, offering golden sand and clean bathing waters.

Beautiful Praia de Sul, ideal for a relaxing day on the beach

Praia de São Sebastião has a beautiful natural setting and moderate waves. It is close to the town centre, making it popular with a range of visitors.

The pristine beach of São Sebastiao is less than a 5-minute walk from central Ericeira

Praia do Algodio is the smallest beach in Ericeira, and suits those looking for a quiet day on the sand.

The Praia do Algodio

If you plan to spend extended periods in the sea, a wetsuit is essential. The water is regulated by the Atlantic, meaning little seasonal variation: temperatures reach around 21°C at the height of summer and drop to only 18°C in winter.
Related articles: Ericeira beach guide

Discover more of Ericeira and central Portugal with our guides