Ericeira is a hip and trendy surfing town located on the west coast of Portugal. Ericeira is known for its surf vibe and amazing beaches all around the city.
The combination of this fun young vibe and amazing surfing has really put Ericeira on the map and it has become one of the best places to visit if you’re looking for a place to enjoy the sun and beaches along the coast.
Portugal has many small surfing towns but what really makes Ericeira stand out is the city and the people.
The streets are clean, the shops are beautifully painted in white and blue colours and you can tell the locals and expats who live in Ericeira take pride in their city.
You add the amazing beaches in Ericeira and you’ve found your new favourite paradise on Portugal’s west coast.
You’re going to experience some amazing sunsets, beautiful coastline, and good surf & yoga vibes while spending time in Ericeira.
We fell in love with this city after we went to the Ericeira Lapoint surf camp, and we decided to come back and spend some time here during our west coast Portugal road trip.
We hope you love it just as much as we do!
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Your guide to visiting Ericeira
Below you can find everything you need to know to visit Ericeira, the surfing, and all the beautiful beaches. It’s also one of the 8 cities along the Silver Coast we absolutely recommend visting!
Where is Ericeira and how do you get there?
Ericeira is only a short 45-minute drive from Lisbon. There are tons of different ways you can get to Ericeira from Lisbon or anywhere else in the country.
We’ve listed them all in this post: The Best Ways to Get From Lisbon to Ericeira.
Most people fly into Lisbon and start their Portugal trip from the capital city of Portugal.
One of the options we recommend is renting a van and making a nice road trip out of it. There’s also an awesome campsite located within walking distance from the centre of Ericeira called Ericeira Camping.
By a guided tour:
One of the options that are worth considering if you’re coming from Lisbon to Ericeira is looking into a guided tour. There are quite a few good options on GetYourGuide!
Going on a guided tour to Ericeira is super convenient and actually doesn’t cost much more than if you were to go on your own.
Once you add renting a car, paying for highway tolls and all that the costs (and time spent) add up.
Some of the guided tours will also take you to nearby popular tourist spots like Sintra National Park and Pena Palace. This way you can see Ericeira and one of the Seven Wonders of Portugal on the same day! 😉
By renting a car:
If you enjoy going at your own pace and the freedom we recommend renting a car at Lisbon airport.
It’s usually the cheapest and most convenient way to rent a car if you’re flying into Lisbon. You can see the prices for car rentals in Lisbon here on DiscoverCars’ website.
DiscoverCars is the company we always book through and we’ve never had any issues when we’ve had to adjust (or even cancel) a booking. We highly recommend them when booking your rental car.
It’s also nice having a car if you want to do some fun day trips from Ericeira to some of the other cities and nature parks nearby!
By van:
Travelling by campervan around Portugal has to be one of our favourite ways to travel!
We were lucky enough to cruise around Portugal by Van from Lisbon for 2 weeks and visit a bunch of cities along Portugals Silver Coast.
It was such an easy way to get around and camp at different campsites around the country.
We only went to a handful of campsites around Portugal but Ericeira Camping Campground is actually our favourite campsite.
It’s close to the center of Ericeira and you can leave your van at the campground and walk to the city. Plus the amenities and campsite are very clean and we simply really enjoyed our stay there!
Also read: The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Portugal
By public transport:
Lastly, public transport! Most of the time public transport in Portugal is the cheapest option. Especially if there’s only 1-2 of you travelling together.
Taking the bus is actually one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get from Lisbon to Ericeira. The bus costs roughly €10 for a one-way ticket and that will take you from the bus station in Lisbon to downtown Ericeira.
The one and only downside is that it takes a little bit longer by bus (roughly 30 minutes).
You can buy your bus tickets from Lisbon to Ericeira on Rome2Rio. If you’re not big on renting a car then the bus is definitely a good alternative.
What to do in Ericeira
Ericeira is beautiful, the beaches are great, and the surfing is amazing and on top of that, there are also a lot of things to do in Ericeira.
The surfing is definitely the highlight but there’s plenty of things to do like trying out some of the amazing local restaurants and biking around the coast for sunset.
A fun fact about Ericeira is that it has the world’s biggest Quicksilver shop and next to it is the awesome Ericeira Quiksilver Skatepark where you can go skate if you want.
Otherwise, you can just enjoy a beer and chill outside enjoying the views. The prices are cheap and the view is amazing.
Ericeira is filled with hidden gems and the more you walk around and explore the city the more you’ll find.
Also read: 20 Fun Things to Do in Ericeira, Portugal
Where to stay in Ericeira
Hostel & Surfcamp 55
This cute little hostel, Hostel & Surfcamp 55, in the center of Ericeira, is an awesome choice if you want to surround yourself with other surfers as most people staying here will be surfing.
There is a surf camp connected to the hostel so you can always join a session if you want!
70’s Hostel Ericeira
70’s Hostel Ericeira is another hostel in Ericeira that is one of the more affordable options if you’re travelling by yourself.
If you want to connect with other travelers and meet people then staying at a 70’s Hostel is a good option.
It’s an easy way to make some friends and meet some cool people. Plus it’s fairly cheap compared to other places in Ericeira.
You and the Sea
This beautiful central apartment is perfect if you’re looking for your own nice place close to everything. You and the Sea is beautifully furnished and perfect for 2 people to stay for a few nights.
The apartment is located next to everything in Ericeira and is within walking distance to the beach!
FLH Hotels Ericeira
FLH Hotel is one of the most beautiful hotels in Ericeira and if you’re looking for the full hotel experience with a yummy breakfast then this is it!
It’s right in the heart of Ericeira and close to the beach and all the restaurants. If you want to treat yourself to a nice stay then this is the place!
Ericeira Camping Campground
We said it before and we’ll say it again, Ericeira Camping is great. We stayed for almost a full week and if you’re road tripping around Portugal consider staying here for some time.
The campsite is super affordable for what you get. There’s electricity, warm showers, 24/7 security and it’s super clean! There’s plenty of great spots to park your campervan and just hang out.
On top of all that you can easily walk to town and explore Ericeira from the campsite. So if you have the time, spend a few nights here!
Lapoint Surfcamp
If you’ve come for the ultimate surf experience in Portugal, then Lapoint Ericeira is where you need to stay.
We spent a week here back in May 2021 and had an amazing time. We learned to surf, spent time at their coworking space, and made friends that we’re still in touch with now!
How to get around
It is super easy to get around Ericeira by foot. The city isn’t that big and you can probably walk from north to south in just under an hour. However, most of what you’ll need is likely going to be in the center of the city.
If you’re going further out or are doing day trips from Ericeira then having a good car might come in handy.
Where to park in Ericeira
If you do end up renting a car in Lisbon or driving your own campervan then you can easily find parking in Ericeira.
One of the best options is to actually park at the Continente grocery store. It’s walking distance to downtown and lots of people actually park their campervans there overnight so you shouldn’t have any problems leaving your car there for a while.
Another option like we mentioned above is if you do have a campervan you can park at Ericeira Camping and walk from there if you’re camping. There’s a nice coastal walk from the campground that brings you to the city.
If you’re looking to explore some of the beaches you can park at this parking lot next to Praia da Foz do Lizandro. It’s not exactly in the heart of Ericeira but it’s next to one of our favourite beaches.
Lastly, there are plenty of viewpoint stops on the main road going through Ericeira so you can easily pull into one of those and leave your car there for a few hours!
Where to eat in Ericeira
Toca do Caboz
A restaurant where you get your money’s worth is Toca do Caboz! The fact they have delicious seafood and big portions for a reasonable price makes it really appealing.
One thing we like about Toca is that they have quite a wide range of options on their menu. Even though they specialize in seafood there’s a good chance there’s something on the menu for everyone.
Don’t say no to the dessert either, very yummy!
Ribas Marisqueira
Ribas is a beautiful family-run restaurant in town. The atmosphere is great and the staff is super friendly and they’ll always treat you to a delicious meal. If you love fresh seafood you will love Ribas Marisqueira!
Mar a Vista
Mar a Vista overlooks Praia dos Pescadores, one of the most beautiful beaches in Ericeira. Rated as one of the top seafood places in the region, Mar a Vista is a delicious seafood restaurant in Ericeira.
Be careful with how much you order though as the portions are a lot bigger than expected. Maybe share a plate and then order seconds after or maybe a yummy dessert!
Pizzeria Pão d’Alho
No restaurant list is complete without an Italian pizzeria. Pão d’Alhos makes delicious Italian pizzas. Even though it’s quite busy most times of day you will still get your food quite quickly.
On top of having great pizza, Pão d’Alho’s also makes yummy salads and pastas so those are worth considering when ordering as well. The food and atmosphere are great and we’re sure you’ll love it!
Sunset Bamboo
Sunset Bamboo is a cool hip cafe right in the heart of Ericeira. It’s a small cafe down one of the side streets and they make delicious coffee and tasty food.
Sunset Bamboo is a place where you’ll find smoothie bowls, yummy burritos, and fresh-pressed juice. So if you’re up for a bit more trendy and Insta-friendly food then check out this spot.
They have some really good local beers on tap too! 😉
Amour Soul Space
This delicious cafe is just down the street from Sunset Bamboo so if you’re looking for healthy, Asian-inspired Insta food you can check Amour out (and see which one you prefer).
Amour Soul Space also makes some delicious coffee.
It’s a very chill vibe and it’s always busy with young people hanging out chatting and even working on their laptops. It’s conveniently located right in the heart of town and you’ll probably end up walking by it at one point in time.
Who knows, maybe the smell of their coffee will attract you from a mile away! 😉
When to visit Ericeira Portugal
When to visit Ericeira is a tricky question. Summer in Ericeira is amazing.
The weather on the west coast of Portugal is great during the summer months. Plus the sun is out longer so you can stay outside enjoying Portuguese wine and food until late in the evening.
If you have the chance to visit Ericeira in the summer you definitely should.
There are also lots of day trips from Ericeira to cities, wineries, and UNESCO cites nearby that are fun to do in the warm summer months!
With all that being said in late Spring (March-April) and early fall (September-October) Ericeira isn’t as nearly busy as it is during the summer months so you get to see Ericeira a bit quieter than usual.
The weather is still great and everything is still open. We’ve visited Ericeira both during May and November and both were great although in November the days were quite short!
If you prefer it when it’s a little bit less quiet and touristy but still warm and has tons of activities to do then consider coming during the shoulder season and enjoy Ericeira!
Tourism/crowds
Over the years Ericeira has definitely picked up with tourism and also expats moving to Ericeira. It’s an amazing coastal city with some of the best surfing beaches and also not far from Lisbon’s International Airport.
You don’t feel the tourism and crowds too much in the city when you visit during the off-season but in the water, it will often feel crowded as there are quite a few surf schools and camps in Ericeira. Especially on days with big waves as the beaches, you can surf at are limited then.
But if you’re somewhat of an experienced surfer then you can easily go to one of the beaches nearby where all the surf schools aren’t at.
So yes Ericeira is touristy and crowded at times but in a good way. The vibe and energy is great in Ericeira and if you’re looking to be surrounded by people and surfers then you’ll love it.
Coworking in Ericeira
One of the reasons Ericeira has really started to grow and expand its expat community is because of how digital nomad-friendly the country has become.
Ericeira is one of the best cities in Portugal for digital nomads so naturally, there are a bunch of good coworking places!
Portugal also has a D7 visa which is quite easy to get so we can only imagine that the community of digital nomads + amount of coworking spaces in Ericeira is going to grow over the years.
Lapoint Ericeira SurfCamp and Cowork
Lapoint is one of the most well-known surf camps in Ericeira and in 2021 they actually expanded their camp for remote workers as well.
You can decide if you want to take part in their week-long surf camps and cowork while doing so or if you just come and stay and use the coworking location without surf lessons.
We spent a week there and absolutely loved it. It was so nice to be able to surf and cowork while having amazing people around us.
Honestly, it was the perfect place to cowork and have free time to surf, do yoga, and just hang out with the other people there.
Also read: Everything You Need to Know About Coworking and Surfing at Lapoint Ericeira
Kelp Coworking Space
If you’re looking for a chill place to cowork in town with down-to-earth friendly people then check out Kelp.
The owners are super friendly, the coworking area is really nice and clean, and just the people that come here are great.
Kelp Coworking Space is easy to get to and close to everything in Ericeira. You’re a short walk from the beach, supermarket, and places like Sunset Bamboo and Amour Soul Space.
Couldn’t ask for a better location to cowork at!
The Salt Studio Cowork Space Ericeira
The Salt Studio is everything you need from a coworking space. It’s bright inside, the chairs are comfy, and it has a good coworking space vibe.
Salt Studio is a great place to get work done but also to connect with other digital nomads.
It’s very centrally located and close to everything which makes it super convenient.
Within a minute you’ll be in the town center next to all the restaurants and cafes you need to try out with the new friends/coworkers you make at The Salt Studio.
Other information about visiting Ericeira
How many days should you spend in Ericeira?
This question depends on a few things… For example, if you’re doing a two week road trip along Portugal’s west coast then we recommend spending at least two nights in Ericeira to see everything and experience this surfing town.
If you’re coming for a day trip from Lisbon then it’s totally fine to explore the beaches and city for the day and head back – especially since it’s less than an hour to get to Ericeira from Lisbon.
However, we do recommend spending more than just a day here if you really want to get a feel for the city.
What we personally recommend is coming for a week-long holiday. Ericeira is a great place to base yourself for a week or longer and experience the coast but also to go on some fun day trips from Ericeira.
You can have days where you sit at the beach and relax or hop on a surfboard and catch some ways. Then you also have some days where you can visit Sintra and the Pena Palace.
Also read: 5 Epic Beaches in Ericeira You Need to Visit
What is the weather like in Ericeira?
You can see the average weather for Ericeira in Celcius here and Fahrenheit here.
Basically from November through March, the weather will be cooler and you’ll want to wear some pants and a sweater for the majority of the day.
There will be the odd warm days but for the most part, it’s pretty cool during those months. However, compared to the rest of Europe, it is really nothing to complain about.
From April until early October it’s a totally different story. Most days will be nice and warm where swimwear is all you’ll need, at least while you’re at the beach!
Walking around you’ll be able to wear a shirt, shorts, and sandals no problem.
However, for surfing, you will ALWAYS need to wear a wetsuit when surfing in Ericeira since the water never gets very hot.
So keep that in mind if you’re coming here to surf.
You may also like…
- The Best Ways to Get From Lisbon to Ericeira
- 9 Epic Day Trips From Ericeira You Can’t Miss
- 20 Fun Things to Do in Ericeira, Portugal
- 5 Epic Beaches in Ericeira You Need to Visit
- Camping Spots in Ericeira You’re Going to Love
Other questions related to Ericeira
Is Ericeira worth visiting?
Ericeira is 100% worth visiting. This lovely surf and beach town is one of the most beautiful coastal towns along the Silver Coast of Portugal.
Ericeira has a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, things to do, and of course awesome surf!
Is Ericeira a good place to live?
If you want to live near the beach, somewhere you can surf, and a place with a good expat community then Ericeira is the perfect place to live in Portugal.
If we had to choose anywhere to live in Portugal mainland it would probably be Ericeira.
You’re also close to Lisbon and Lisbon airport for when you want to travel in and out of Ericeira. You have Sintra National Park nearby and of course the whole Silver Coast.
So, Ericeira is really a phenomenal place to live!
Is Ericeira Portugal Safe?
Portugal in general is very safe and Ericeira itself is an incredibly safe place to live!
The most dangerous thing in Ericeira is probably the ocean and if you’re careful and understand the water even the ocean near Ericeira is quite safe as well.
Can you swim in Ericeira?
Ericeira is a popular surf and beach town. Praia dos Pescadores in Ericeira is probably one of the best beaches for swimming due to its calm waves. In general, you can swim in Ericeira!
Check out this post to see 5 Epic Beaches in Ericeira You Need to Visit.
Final thoughts on visiting Ericeira Portugal
Ericeira is one of our favourite places in Portugal! We may be slightly biased because of the amazing experiences we’ve had there but we love this coastal city and we hope you do too.
If you’re planning on coming just for a day or two make sure to have a flexible schedule because you may keep postponing going to your next destination 😉
Ericeira is special and magical for so many reasons and if you’re an ocean person and love being near the water you’ll absolutely love it here. Add all the good food, people, and weather and this is seriously paradise.
Make the best of your time here and, who knows, maybe we’ll even see you in Ericeira when you go visit because we’ll definitely be back in the future!
Have fun!
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