It’s hard to believe that of the 10 surf reserves in the world, there is one just an hour from a European capital. But Ericeira isn’t a secret for vacationers, and for good reason. It’s a pretty whitewashed town and bountiful in beautiful beaches. We learned Ericeira isn’t just for surfing (although you should try it here!). Find out how to start your trip with our Ericeira travel guide!
What to Do
The Popular Stuff
- Surfing: There are 7 beaches within the Surf Reserve and each offers excellent waves depending on ocean conditions. If you’re new-ish at all to surfing, I recommend a 2-hr lesson to start off like I did. Book a lesson with a local here :)
- Beach Town Fun: You know, like walking from beach to beach, dancing late into the evening, and enjoying happy hours at sunset. It’s a sunny beach town, so take advantage!
Other Outdoors Adventures
- Bike Tour of Lizandro Cliffs: A sweet option if you want to skip the shore and still keep moving outdoors. Book a ride here.
What to Eat
- Ice Cream: Ericeira has several highly-rated ice cream shops. Our personal favorite? Veneza, located right in the plaza. They’ve got deserts and espresso drinks too!
- Seafood: To no one’s surprise, the seafood in this town was outstanding! Get a fixed price lunch for the freshest, best bang for your buck.
Where to Stay
There are countless hotels and vacation homes to rent out in Ericeira. We stayed at a locally run spot, Villa Ana Margarida. It was close to everything, decorated with a uniquely fun ocean theme, and had great breakfast options.
You can check it out and make reservations here.
Surfers should consider Chill in Ericeira Surf House, which is walking distance to Futuro beach. They offer massages and yoga lessons in addition to surf lessons! See/book here.
What to Pack
Bring stuff for being outside, especially the beach, and for sunny Mediterranean weather:
- Bathing suit
- Wetsuit (you can also rent one; this part of the Atlantic is not warm!)
- Sunblock
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sandals
- Walking shoes (sneakers are fine)
- A couple sets of clothes for warm weather but also some pants and long sleeved shirts for cooler evenings
- Sweater and rain-jacket if going in the winter
What to Buy
There is actually a number of good, unique shops for souvenirs here. If you’re looking for surf clothes/gear/etc, Ericeira’s the place.
Transportation
How To Get To Ericeira
You can easily get to Ericeira by bus. The company Malfrense has 1-2 buses per hour from about 7am to 11 pm daily. From Campo Grande metro station in Lisbon, the ride takes between one hour to one hour and forty-five minutes.
If you’re in Sintra, the same company has frequent buses to Ericeira and the ride takes about an hour. Buses leave from the Portela de Sintra train station. I recommend avoiding this station at night, as it seemed a bit desolate and sketchy.
In both cases you buy the ticket from the bus driver. A ticket costs EUR 6.40. It’s only a 10-15 minute walk from the stop in Ericeira to the beaches.
Finally, Ericeira is only an hour’s drive by car.
Getting Around Ericeira
Ericeira is small enough to walk around, so that was our only way of transportation. If you have a car, know that many streets are bumpy and narrow with lots of curves.
When to Visit Ericeira (Including Weather)
The weather in Ericeira is a lot like Lisbon‘s:
Conclusion
We spent the final days in Portugal here and couldn’t have been happier. Despite its massive popularity with European vacationers, Ericeira keeps a chill vibe. Definitely go for some relaxing and outstanding outdoor fun!