Ericeira Portugal: a complete travel guide to the surfing capital of Europe

Updated: Nov 19

Ericeira is often referred to as the surfing capital of Europe, with surfers from all over the world heading to its golden-sand and rocky beaches with great conditions. But apart from its surf scene, Ericeira is also becoming increasingly popular among travelers. This is because of its amazing sunsets, beautiful coastline, and relaxing yoga vibes. We’ll dive into our complete travel guide with everything you need to know before going to Ericeira, including where to eat and drink, and the best things to do in and around Ericeira, Portugal.

Where is Ericeira and how to get there?

Ericeira is a small coastal town on the west coast of Portugal. It is located 50 kilometers from the Portuguese capital Lisbon. The most common way to go to Ericeira is by Lisbon. You can fly into Lisbon and then take a direct bus to Ericeira which takes around 75 minutes. Here you can find more information on how to get to Ericeira from Lisbon.

Important things to know before you go to Ericeira Portugal

The best time to visit Ericeira is between May and October. Because it is next to the ocean, the temperatures don't get as high as in other parts of Portugal. This is also the best period to surf when you're a beginner because the ocean is a bit calmer. If you want a bit more adventure, then October to December will be better because the waves are much higher.

In Ericeira, local people speak Portuguese. But because of the chill atmosphere, there are a lot of digital nomads who stay here for a long time. Hence, English is spoken by almost everyone.

As we mentioned above, the atmosphere in Ericeira is very chill, which creates a very safe environment. Surfing and doing yoga are two of the main activities in this coastal town so crime is almost non-existent. You do have to watch out for the ocean conditions because it can sometimes be unpredictable. Never swim or surf alone!

We made the mistake of staying in a place pretty far from the center of Ericeira, and because Ubers and taxis are very difficult to find in this area, we had to walk 30 minutes to town every time. Which in itself isn't that bad because it was a beautiful hike, but it did limit our options. This is why we recommend staying in or around the town center. In this way, you only have to walk a couple of minutes to go eat, drink or go to the beach.

Where to eat and drink in Ericeira

There are many great restaurants and bars in Ericeira but our favorites are:

Adega Bar 1987 for its good evening vibes and cocktails
Amour Soul Space for very cheap happy hour drinks (6-7pm)
Cervejaria 7 Janelas which is mostly known for its beers
Dear Rose Café for its pastries and coffees
Pepe Verde for the best pizza in Ericeira
Purple Ice Açai for its amazing açai bowls
Selina for its "Taco Tuesdays"
Tik Tak for its tapas and good local wine
Tubo Ericeira Bar for its nightlife and meeting other travellers

Where to stay in Ericeira Portugal

Because Ericeira is a destination where a lot of young surfers go, there are quite some cheap hostels and hotels. Some budget options are Arthouse Surf Ericeira where you can choose to also get surf classes for an extra fee and Selina Boavista Ericeira which is a hostel where you can choose to have a private room with your own bathroom or have a shared bedroom. A more luxurious option is Ericeira Prime Villas where you have a whole villa and pool all to yourself.

Best things to do in Ericeira Portugal

Although a lot of people come to Ericeira to relax, there are quite some things to do in the area! And no, it's not all beaches and surfing! We will highlight our favorite things to do in Ericeira Portugal!

If you prefer watching a video over reading, check out our YouTube video below highlighting 7 fun things to do in Ericeira. If you prefer reading, then read on!

If you're looking for more places to go outside of Ericeira, check out or ultimate Portugal Travel Guide!

7. Walk the town

At number 7, we recommend walking through the historic town itself. Even though Ericeira is no longer the traditional fishing village that it once was, it's been able to retain its authentic character. With traditional white houses and cobbled streets, it’s fun to walk around the town and get lost in the narrow alleys.

6. Watch the sunset

Since Ericeira is located on the west coast of Portugal, it has some amazing sunset views over the ocean. One of the best sunset spots is right in the town center above Praia dos Pescadores. From here you can see the whole beach and take in the beautiful orange, red, and pink colors.

5. Friday night at Quiksilver

Another fun thing to do in Ericeira is to visit the Boardriders Quiksilver. It’s located right outside of town and next to it is a skatepark. But even if you’re not interested in skateboarding, it’s a fun place to hang out, especially on Friday nights. With live music, food, and drinks, surfers and travelers come to chill and socialize here.

4. Hike at Tapada de Mafra

Located about 15 kilometers from Ericeira, Tapada de Mafra is a recreational space that was once used by the Portuguese royal family as a hunting ground. Nowadays, it has turned into a lush forest, inhabited by wild animals such as deer and wild boars. It’s a great place for hiking, biking, and simply enjoying nature. Surrounded by a 21kilometers stone wall, this place has an official entrance and is only open during the day. You have to pay 5 euros to get in and there are multiple trails you can follow.

3. Day trip to Mafra Palace & Gardens

A more popular place to visit in Mafra is its National Palace. You can combine this activity after a hike at Tapada de Mafra on the same day or do it as a day trip from Ericeira on its own. Built in the 18th Century on the orders of King Jaõa V, this palace covers an area of nearly 40,000 square meters. There are endless rooms, an imposing Basilica, and a library that you can visit. In fact, the library is thought to be one of the most beautiful in the world. Behind the palace, there is also a small garden with birds, flowers, a fountain, and a picnic area.

Mafra palace ericeira portugal — Mafra national palace

2. Hit the beaches

If there’s something you can’t miss in Ericeira, it’s definitely the beaches. Praia dos Pescadores and Praia do Sul are two sandy beaches close to the center of town. But if you prefer more quiet beaches and you don’t mind driving out of town, there are also tons of other great options, they include:

Praia de São Lourenço
Praia de São Julião
Praia da Calada
Praia da Foz do Lizandro

beaches ericeira portugal — Praia dos Pescadores

1. Surfing

You cannot leave Ericeira without having surfed at least once. Ericeira was recognized as one of the best surf destinations in the world when two of its beaches (Praia da Empa and Praia de São Lourenço) were classified as a World Surfing Reserve. But if you’re new to surfing, we recommend taking a few surf lessons at beaches with smaller waves. We joined a surf class at Praia do Matadouro, which had decent waves for beginners but had a rocky bottom. So be careful if you fall off!

surf ericeira portugal — Praia do Matadouro

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