The 10+ Best Things to Do in Ericeira, Portugal

Where is Ericeira?

Ericeira is a small beach town located on the western coast of Portugal, about a 45-minute drive west of the capital city of Lisbon. Entirely bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Ericeira is hit by important waves that made the city famous among surfers from all over the world.

Where to Stay in Ericeira

Still at the planning stage of your trip to Ericeira? Well, finding the right home base to start exploring the city is the first step to great travels, so let me help you with some good recommendations:

✅ Best Hotel – Praia FLH Hotels Ericeira: this is the best value-for-money hotel you can find in Ericeira! Ideally located, rooms are beautifully decorated with all amenities, the staff friendly and the breakfast exceptional.

💰 Best Budget Hotel – Vinnus Guesthouse: located close to Praia do Norte in the city center, this accommodation provides bright rooms, well-decorated with everything you could need, for an affordable price.

✨ Best Luxury Hotel – Aethos Ericeira: this wonderful 5-star hotel is located on the beachfront and promises an unforgettable stay with a swimming pool, a gym, a bar, and even a spa. Kudos to the breakfast for its very wide choice.

All the Best Things to Do in Ericeira

I’ve listed below 11 of the best activities to do when in Ericeira. Whether you’re a fan of surfing or not at all keen on sport, there’s something for everyone.

1. Have fun on the beautiful beaches of Ericeira

Ericeira has about 8 kilometers of coastline and quite a range of beaches. Some are much better than others for swimming, and some are better for water sports like surfing.

Praia dos Pescadores is one of the best beaches in Ericeira for swimming since it’s pretty sheltered from the big waves that hit Ericeira. Praia da Baleia, which is the northern part of Praia do Sul can also be a really nice place to swim in the summer, as long as the seas are calm.

Further south, Foz do Lizandro is a really fun, big beach to enjoy. There is a ton of sand and space to lay out, so it doesn’t get as crowded as Praia dos Pescadores and Praia do Sul. It can be nice to swim at Foz do Lizandro, once again as long as the waves aren’t too big.

Foz do Lizandro is a fun beach to visit and relax for a while. In addition to tons of space and a huge parking lot, this beach also has little shops and a few different restaurants you can eat at if you get hungry.

Keep in mind that the beaches in Ericeira aren’t quite as warm as the beaches in the south. In the summer, the warmest the ocean gets in Ericeira is around 70°F/ 20°C. But, cooling off at the beach during those hot Portuguese summers is still one of the best things to do Ericeira has to offer.

2. Wander the streets of Old Town Ericeira

Another of the best things to do in Ericeira is to explore Old Town Ericeira. There’s something really magical about the narrow, winding cobblestone streets and the whitewashed buildings.

In the town center, there are benches in the middle where you can sit and people-watch, and both sides of the street are lined with bars, coffee shops, and restaurants.

It’s best to start in the town center, which is the Praca da Republica, and go from there. It’s fun to get lost in the streets of the old town and check out all the beautiful tile work, fountains, and old houses.

3. Brunch by the sea

In Portugal, people stay out late and sleep in. Most cafes don’t even open until 9 am at the earliest, and breakfast places don’t even open until 10 am! However, it’s worth the wait, because Ericeira has some delicious brunch spots.

One of the best places for brunch in Ericeira is Green is Good Cafe or GIG. Their menu features a mix of delicious coffee drinks, smoothies, smoothie bowls, and some of the best egg and toast dishes around. The avocado crostini with poached eggs is absolutely amazing.

If you plan to visit Green is Good Cafe, it’s best to go right when they open, or even a little before to be safe. Since everything opens so late, all of the brunch places more or less have a line to eat about 15 minutes after opening. It’s best to go early!

Other delicious brunch places in Ericeira are Brunch Me and Villa Brunch Cafe.

4. Surf the huge waves of Ericeira…

Ericeira is famously known as the surf capital of Europe, so of course one of the top things to do in Ericeira is to go surfing!

For experienced surfers, Ribeira d’Ilhas, Coxos, and Matadouro are great surf breaks to explore. If you’re learning to surf, Ribeira d’Ilhas can still be good, but Foz do Lizandro is a better pick for beginner surfers, or if you’re interested in taking a surf lesson.

The best time for surfing in Ericeira is fall and winter for intermediate/advanced surfers, and spring/summer is perfect for those who want to learn. If you want to make your trip to Ericeira all about surfing, check out these amazing Ericeira surf camps.

5. … Or go to the skate park

Prefer to stay on land? Skating is one of the most fun things to do in Ericeira, and there are skate parks all over town!

One of the coolest skate parks in Ericeira is the Boardriders Quiksilver Skatepark. You can rent a skateboard from the surf shop, and the park has two bowls and tons of features.

If you’re not interested in trying skating but still intrigued, feel free to grab a coffee or a beer in the upper bar and watch all the skaters down below.

6. Walk the coastal roads in Northern Ericeira

Northern Ericeira is pretty different from the southern parts of town. The beaches are a bit more rugged, which means they’re not as great for sunbathing and swimming, but are pretty great for hiking.

There are a few different beautiful walking trails right around Praia Coxos and Sao Sebastiao, where you can walk along the cliffs overlooking the ocean and watch surfers, the waves, and the surrounding beautiful coastline. One of them is the Ericeira – Foz do Lizandro trail, a 7-mile (11-kilometer) easy hike along the coast. 

7. Take a Yoga class

Yoga is extremely popular in Portugal, and taking a yoga class is one of the most fun and active things to do in Ericeira Portugal.

While many hostels and hotels offer their own yoga classes, if yours doesn’t there are several great yoga studios around, and here are 2 of the best:

• Ericeira Yoga Studio: This is the original yoga studio in Ericeira and one of the best around! They offer 40 different yoga classes a week, including Aerial Yoga, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, and even classes for kids and teens if you’re traveling with your family. Classes run from 7 am to 5 pm, and they have a mat you can use too, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own.
• Sandhi House: This one is really special because their yoga studio has amazing views of the ocean. They also offer some of the more affordable yoga classes in town, and a mix of classes including Strong Flow, Restorative Yin Yoga, and Power Vinyasa.

8. Indulge in local seafood dishes

Ericeira is a fishing town after all, and what better way to embrace its Portuguese food and roots than trying all different types of seafood?

To enjoy Ericeira’s seafood, pop into any traditional Marisqueira to try the local dishes. Three of the most popular traditional seafood restaurants in Ericeira are Ribas Marisqueira, Mar à Vista, and Marisqueira Furnas.

Among the most popular seafood dishes to try in Ericeira are grilled fish, grilled octopus, and grilled squid. Seafood rice dishes are also quite popular, where you get a delicious mix of seasoned rice and vegetables topped with a variety of different seafood – often you’ll find prawns, shrimp, and crab shells.

9. Go on a day trip to Sintra

If you’re spending a little longer in Ericeira and have time to spare, taking a day trip to Sintra is by far one of the best things to do in Ericeira. It’s a beautiful town perched atop the hills in the Sintra Mountains featuring amazing landmarks.

At the top of the hill, visitors can explore some of the beautiful Moorish-style castles and palaces. Some of the most famous sights to see in Sintra are the Pena Palace, Castelo dos Mouros, the Park and Palace of Monserrate, and the Quinta da Regaleira.

If you are heading to Sintra, it’s best to leave early, especially if you want to see the Pena Palace, which is not only the most famous attraction in Sintra but pretty much all of Portugal!

Tip: If you choose to go to Sintra, I’d recommend make a detour to Praia da Ursa. It’s one of the most amazing rock formations I’ve ever seen in my life! Check it out here.

10. Visit other nearby towns

There are other lovely villages to discover less than an hour from Ericeira such as Ribamar or Cascais.

Located to the north of Ericeira, Ribamar can be reached on foot or by bike, just 5-6 kilometers from Ericeira. Or 45 minutes by car. The center of Ribamar is small but very pleasant, with several small cafés and typical local restaurants ideal for a break.

It’s a good spot to escape the hustle and bustle, as the beach is less crowded and quieter. You can also stroll along the cliffs to Praia Coxos, which is even more discreet and hidden.

Cascais, very close to Sintra, is a resort town, with a different atmosphere as it’s much larger. The town also offers great beaches, but also wonderful attractions to visit such as the Palácio dos Condes de Castro Guimarães.

11. Enjoy local wine tasting

Finally, wine tasting is one of the most fun things to do around Ericeira. Portugal is famous for its wine regions like the Douro, and Ericeira is located right in one of them!

Vinho Comigo is right in the middle of Ericeira, and they offer several different fun wine-tasting events a month. If you’re looking to make a day of it, there are also a few wine-tasting tours you can go on and explore the nearby vineyards in Mafra.

If you have a car you can drive about 20 minutes to Quinta de Santana for their wine tasting, which involves sampling 5 different wines, paired with regional cheeses, crackers, and marinated olives.

If you’re keen on trying Portuguese wines in a more casual environment, just head to about any restaurant or cafe and enjoy their delicious, affordable Portuguese wines. Be sure to try the Vinho Verde!

How to Get to Ericeira

Most people arrive in Portugal via Lisbon, and it’s actually the fastest route. So, here are the different options available to get to Ericeira from Lisbon: 

🚗 Lisbon to Ericeira by car 

Renting a car from Lisbon is definitely the best solution to get to Ericeira, which is only a 45-minute drive away.

With your own car, you’ll enjoy more freedom and ease to travel Ericeira. As you’ve noticed, there’s a lot to do in the surrounding area, and having your own car on vacation is very practical.

To rent a car, I recommend booking online on DiscoverCars. Although less popular than other competitors, they offer far more choices at better prices. So make sure to plan your trip in advance to compare rates.  

🚌 Lisbon to Ericeira by bus

There’s no train connecting Lisbon and Ericeira, but there are buses. It’s easy and it’s the most budget-friendly option as it only costs €6.5/person (one way). 

Several bus lines run once every hour from Lisbon’s main bus terminal, Terminal Rodoviário do Campo Grande to Ericeira. Depending on the bus line, the trip varies from 45 minutes to 1,5 hours. Check out lines and bus timetables here.

🚕 Lisbon to Ericeira by taxi

Using a taxi is always available, but always the most expensive solution. If you’re in a hurry, it can be an option to consider. 

If you don’t want to ruin yourself though, you should know that Uber and Bolt are operational in Portugal. The price ranges from €30 to €50 depending on your starting point, the hour, luggage, and season so prefer comparing them before choosing.

Getting Around Ericeira

The best way to get around in Ericeira is by walking. It’s not a big town, so you can easily rely entirely on your feet to get around Ericeira. Plus, most of the village is pedestrianized, and the best beaches are just a few kilometers away. 

If you have a car, it’s very easy to drive around and navigate most of the city, except for the more winding streets of Old Town and the pedestrian zones. It’s not possible to park in the Old Town, but there are parking spots outside, along the roads, or in parking lots. They are easy to find and some of them are even free like the São Sebastião shopping center’s parking lot. 

If you’re there during the peak season, the Ericeira Beach Bus runs all day from 9 am to 8 pm between Ribeira d’Ilhas and Foz do Lizandro. One ticket costs €1

FAQ About Visiting Ericeira

Is Ericeira worth visiting?

Ericeira is a pretty, picturesque fishing town that has managed to keep its charm despite its growing popularity. And unlike most think, it’s not just a town for surfers or yoga and meditation retreats. Ericeira is also a very pleasant stopover for vacationers in need of nature and beautiful landscapes in a laid-back atmosphere far from the usual tourist crowds. So yes, Ericeira is definitely worth visiting and you won’t regret your stay there!

How long do you need in Ericeira?

Spending at least 3 days in Ericeira gives you plenty of time to enjoy the beaches, maybe try surfing, explore the Old Town, and even take a day trip up to Sintra!

When is the best time to visit Ericeira?

The best time to visit Ericeira depends on what type of trip you’re looking for. If you’re keen on a beach vacation, summer is by far the best. If you’re more interested in surfing, fall, and winter are best, and winter and spring are the best times to visit if you’re looking to avoid the crowds and pay the lowest prices.

What is the nicest beach in Ericeira?

For swimming, the nicest beaches in Ericeira are Praia dos Pescadores and Praia da Baleia. For surfing, Ribeira d’Ilhas is the best.

What are the best places to eat in Ericeira?

As a seaside town, Ericeira is known for its seafood restaurants called Marisqueira in Portuguese. Ribas Marisqueira, Mar à Vista, and Marisqueira Furnas are among the best places to eat in Ericeira.

If you’re looking for non-traditional Portuguese restaurants, you should try Indigo Ericeira, close to Foz do Lizandro Beach. It’s pretty fancy but does have gorgeous seating areas and is perfect if you’re looking for a cool place for a sunset drink. Kanoa Beach Point is a great alternative if you’re looking for a quick beer, coffee, smoothie, or salad.

What to do in Ericeira when it rains?

Ericeira doesn’t offer lots of indoor activities, so you won’t have tons of options. But here are a few ideas for fun things to do in Ericeira when it rains, so your day isn’t ruined:

• Spa day: There are several spas for all budgets in Ericeira such as Satsanga Spa, You and the Sea Spa, or Quinta dos Machados Spa.
• Escape game: Close to Praia dos Pescadores is Claustrophilia, a cool escape game for both grown-ups and kids.
• Day trip to Lisbon: if you have a car, you can drive 40 minutes and spend a day in Lisbon to enjoy the city’s several indoor activities. If you’re with kids, visiting the Oceanario is a great option to entertain the family.

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That’s a wrap on the best Ericeira things to do! This whitewashed fishing village has so much to offer, from beautiful beaches and world-class surf to mouthwatering seafood dishes and wines. You’re sure to fall in love with Ericeira, and if it’s your first time here, it likely won’t be your last!

🔎 Read next: 

• Best Places to Visit in Portugal 
• Best Cities to Visit in Portugal 
• Best Places to Visit in Algarve 
• Best Things to Do in Lisbon