Pedro DominguesEriceira is not just a destination; it’s an experience. It’s a picturesque, welcoming, historic and at the same time modern town, with Europe’s first classification as a world surfing reserve. It has seven world-class waves in a space of just four kilometers (the parishes of Santo Isidoro and Encarnação), making it a true sanctuary, refuge and meeting point for surfers from all over the world.
But Ericeira isn’t just about surfboards and waves. There, “where the sea is bluer” (slogan), there are also coves with calm waters, ideal for families with children, or simply for those who enjoy a good dip in salt water, without any of the dangers normally associated with it.
Ericeira was already popular as a vacation destination in the 19th century, long before surfing began to be practiced in Portugal, and I think you’ll understand why. The sunsets will impress anyone!
Want to know more about the best beaches in Ericeira? Read on!
MORE ARTICLES FROM CENTRAL PORTUGAL: - Things to do in Espinho - Things to do in Ovar - Things to do in Aveiro - Aveiro to Costa Nova - Best beaches in Aveiro - Things to do in Mira beach - Things to do in Coimbra - Schist Villages in Portugal - Things to do in Figueira da Foz - Visit Monsanto in Portugal - Historical Village of Piódão - Historical Villages of Portugal - Things to do in Leiria - Visit Batalha Monastery and surroundings - Visit Alcobaça Monastery and surroundings - Things to do in Fátima - Visit Mira de Aire Caves - Things to do in Nazaré - Things to do in Peniche - Best beaches in Peniche - Visit Berlenga Island - Visit Ursa Beach - Best Beaches in Sintra - Best Beaches in Cascais and Estoril - Best Oeiras beaches - Best Costa da Caparica beaches - Best beaches in Setúbal - Best Beaches in Sesimbra - Visit Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach - Best beaches in Tróia, Comporta and Melides
When to visit Ericeira?
Ericeira can be visited at any time of year, without exception. However, only surfers will fully enjoy the beaches in all seasons. If you’re not a surfer, opt for the summer instead, when the weather is ideal for basking in the sun or taking a dip in the cold Atlantic waters. Even the region’s main festivities take place in the summer, for example the Festivities of Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem (for 10 days).
How do I get to Ericeira?
You don’t necessarily need a car to get to Ericeira, as there is public transport from the center of Lisbon (Campo Grande), namely the Carris Metropolitana buses.
However, you’ll have more flexibility if you travel by car, for example to get to Ericeira’s various beaches, and even to other equally essential attractions to visit in the municipality of Mafra, such as the grand National Palace. If you don’t have your own car, consider using Discover Cars for your car searches and reservations.
Ericeira as a World Surfing Reserve
For detailed information about Ericeira’s waves as a World Surfing Reserve, I recommend you check out the official website of the Reserve. There you’ll find a map and a booklet full of interesting facts on the subject.
As far as Ericeira’s history is concerned, there is no doubt that it has always been linked to the sea, more precisely to fishing to support the various families in the region, and also to trade with Brazil. In the 19th century, for example, it was one of the busiest and most important maritime and fishing ports in Portugal, second only to Lisbon, Porto and Figueira da Foz.
Accommodation tips to visit Ericeira
If you haven’t booked your stay to visit Ericeira yet, consider doing so now by following my suggestions below, or by clicking on the blue button to do your own search for available accommodation for the dates of your trip! This is always a popular tourist area, so you should book in advance to get the best prices. Whenever possible, opt for accommodation that allows free cancellation, just in case.
On airbnb, the Feitor House accommodation is well located in the parish of Santo Isidoro, just 2km from the famous Ribeira d’Ilhas beach. 😉
On booking, consider the following options:
| Accommodation | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Casa das Conchas | 8.6 | São Sebastião Beach |
| Praia FLH Hotels Ericeira | 9.2 | Ericeira Center |
| WOT Ericeira | 8.4 | Ericeira Center |
| Casa das Aguarelas | 8.6 | Ericeira Center |
| Villa Ana Margarida Hotel | 8.9 | Ericeira Center |
| Selina Boavista Ericeira | 8.0 | Ericeira Center |
| Ocean House | 9.5 | Ribeira d’Ilhas |
| You and the sea | 9.3 | Ericeira South Beach |
| Vila Galé Ericeira | 8.1 | Ericeira Center |
| Surfer’s Den Ericeira | 8.8 | Ericeira Center |
| GiG Capsule Hostel | 9.2 | Ericeira Center |
Best beaches in Ericeira
Moving on to the main topic of this article, here are the best beaches in Ericeira, from south to north. At the end of the article you’ll find a map with all the beaches I’m going to list. 😉
Throughout the text I’ll leave images with information about the waves to surf on each of the beaches, taken from the map I found on the World Surfing Reserve website. 😉
1. São Julião Beach
São Julião beach is divided between the municipalities of Sintra and Mafra, with the River Falcão marking the border. The sand is large and the waves are consistent and of moderate difficulty. It is a guarded beach and a popular spot for fishermen.
As far as the surroundings are concerned, the viewpoint that can be reached from the Ericeira side, at the top of the cliffs, stands out. Don’t forget to visit the beautiful chapel of São Julião, lined with tiles on the inside.
2. Foz do Lizandro Beach
Foz do Lizandro beach is the largest in Ericeira. The river Lizandro stands out, of course, as do the many restaurants and bars with terraces by the sea. There is plenty of support infrastructure, including sun loungers for hire. The beach is supervised during the bathing season!
3. Baleia Beach (South Beach of Ericeira)
Baleia Beach is also known as Ericeira’s South Beach. It is close to the town center and is sheltered to the north by Ponta de Santa Marta, which allows it to have a less rough sea. Enjoy! 😉 It’s also guarded!
4. Fisherman’s Beach
Fisherman’s Beach is the most central beach in Ericeira, and also the one with the calmest waters (no waves), more suitable for families with children. It was on this beach that the Portuguese Royal Family embarked for exile, after the Implantation of the Republic on October 5, 1910, did you know that?
Highlights include the fishing port in contact with the beach, which is always full of boats, and, of course, the main attractions of Ericeira’s beautiful historic center, which you should explore on foot. For example:
- The Fort of Nossa Senhora da Natividade.
- The park and church of Santa Marta.
- The rock formations of Pico do Futuro and the Furnas da Ericeira.
- Republic Square and the World Surfing Reserve Interpretation Center.
- The Ericeira Municipal Market.
- The Misericórdia Church.
- The Pillory Square.
- And the Church of São Pedro.
I left several suggestions at the beginning of this article, but here they are again. To sleep in the center of Ericeira, consider the following accommodations: Praia FLH Hotels Ericeira, WOT Ericeira, Casa das Aguarelas, Villa Ana Margarida Hotel, Vila Gale Ericeira, GiG Capsule Hostel.
This is a guarded beach! 😉
5. Algodio Beach (North Beach of Ericeira)
Ericeira’s North Beach is just above Ericeira’s pier, which protects Fisherman’s Beach from the strongest waves in the sea. This beach isn’t as protected, unfortunately, but it was here that I found the bluest sea in the whole region, as you can see from the photos below. It is guarded during the bathing season!
6. São Sebastião Beach
São Sebastião Beach takes its name from the hexagonal hermitage at the top of the cliffs, lined with tiles on the inside. The sand is long but narrow, being completely covered by the water at high tide. It wasn’t one of my favorites, I confess, and it’s not guarded!
7. Matadouro Beach
Matadouro Beach was also far from being one of my favorites, as I found it to have a lot of rocks along the shore. However, it is said to be the ideal beach in Ericeira for surf lessons and for those who are just starting out in the sport. It is also close to the region’s main campsite.
When you visit the best beaches in Ericeira, why not take part in a surf class? There are options for all levels, from beginner to advanced.
This is not a guarded beach!
8. Empa Beach / Pedra Branca / Reef
The next beach is Empa, the first in the area classified as a World Surfing Reserve. The waves on the following beaches, up to São Lourenço, are all dangerous, only for the most experienced surfers. Some people go to Empa beach for the pools of water that form between the rocks at low tide. It’s not a guarded beach!
9. Ribeira d’Ilhas Beach
Finally, Ribeira d’Ilhas Beach, which stands out from the rest for being a regular venue for various national and international surfing competitions. The scenery is breathtaking and you must stop at the viewpoints of the Milreu Fort and the surfer statue, both at the top of the cliff. 😉 There’s no shortage of infrastructure, as it’s one of Ericeira’s most visited beaches and there’s always someone out surfing. It’s guarded!
10. Banco do Cavalinho Beach
Banco do Cavalinho Beach is another challenging (and dangerous) wave spot for experienced surfers. Nearby you can catch Crazy Left, Cave and Coxos waves, three of the top waves in the World Surfing Reserve. Coxos is considered to be Ericeira’s best wave, the queen wave!
This is not one of Ericeira’s official beaches, so it’s not guarded!
11. Coxos Beach
Moving on to Coxos Beach, I’d like to point out right away that the Coxos wave isn’t surfed next to the beach, but to the south of it, which is why I mentioned it in the previous point. In fact, I found Coxos Beach to be just as I like it in terms of waves, not too strong, but not too calm either, which allowed for excellent bathing without too much danger. It is watched.
12. São Lourenço Beach
The same can be said of São Lourenço, near the mouth of the Safarujo River. The bay is large and spacious, attracting not only surfers. It’s undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve visited in Ericeira, and it’s guarded during the bathing season.
13. Calada Beach
The penultimate beach on this list is Calada beach, also located in a sheltered bay to the north of Ericeira. It has plenty of infrastructure and is surrounded by high, steep cliffs, which give it its beauty. It is guarded.
14. Porto Barril Beach
Lastly, there’s Porto Barril Beach, on the border with the municipality of Torres Vedras. Right after that you’ll find Assenta beach, with a small fishing port by the sea.
Map with the best beaches in Ericeira
Tours and activities to visit Ericeira
If you want to visit the essentials of Ericeira, but you’re limited on time to explore everything in detail, the ideal option would be to go on guided tours to the region’s main tourist attractions, for example, from Lisbon. 😉 Check out the tips below and do your own research by clicking on the blue buttons. I recommended a surf lesson throughout the text, why don’t you take one? 😉
Suggestions for Tours and Activities in Ericeira: 1 - From Lisbon or Cascais: Mafra, Ericeira, and Queluz Day Tour 2 - From Lisbon: Coastal Villages and Mafra Palace Guided Tour 3 - Ericeira Gastronomic Private Tour with lunch 4 - Ericeira And Mafra Amazing West Coast Tour 5 - All Level SURF CLASSES in Ericeira
Don’t forget Travel Insurance
Also, consider getting travel insurance when visiting Portugal, especially if you plan on engaging in hiking and more adventurous water sports. Opt for prevention against any potential mishaps!
More Articles from Central Portugal
MORE ARTICLES FROM CENTRAL PORTUGAL: - Things to do in Espinho - Things to do in Ovar - Things to do in Aveiro - Aveiro to Costa Nova - Best beaches in Aveiro - Things to do in Mira beach - Things to do in Coimbra - Schist Villages in Portugal - Things to do in Figueira da Foz - Visit Monsanto in Portugal - Historical Village of Piódão - Historical Villages of Portugal - Things to do in Leiria - Visit Batalha Monastery and surroundings - Visit Alcobaça Monastery and surroundings - Things to do in Fátima - Visit Mira de Aire Caves - Things to do in Nazaré - Things to do in Peniche - Best beaches in Peniche - Visit Berlenga Island - Visit Ursa Beach - Best Beaches in Sintra - Best Beaches in Cascais and Estoril - Best Oeiras beaches - Best Costa da Caparica beaches - Best beaches in Setúbal - Best Beaches in Sesimbra - Visit Ribeiro do Cavalo Beach - Best beaches in Tróia, Comporta and Melides
