Located at 45 minutes from Lisbon airport, Ericeira is a charming and traditional fishing village where the locals are very connected to the sea and surfers from all over the world come for the quality of the waves.
Ericeira best surf village in Portugal
Ericeira, best surf village in Portugal for surf and travel around Lisbon. The characteristics of the sea and the coast, where tall cliffs alternate with small sandy coves, the preservation of Mediterranean natural habitats and the surf culture make Ericeira a travel destination for surfers from around the world.
The region’s magnificent coastline faces the might of the Atlantic Ocean, and the huge waves that roll onto Ericeira’s beaches have led to the town’s transformation into Portugal’s go-to destination for surfing and surf culture.
Found among Ericeira’s cobbled streets and traditional whitewashed houses are trendy restaurants and hostels packed with surfers of all nationalities and ages. Ericeira has readily embraced surf culture, and is welcoming and relaxed, while also being a popular centre for yoga, creatives and artisans of all styles.
This evolution of Ericeira into a world-class surfing destination has been harmonious with the character and heritage of the town. The town still retains its charming town centre, where surf-inspired bars sit next to traditional Portuguese cafes, and locals and visitors can be found strolling the cliff-tops at sunset.
Ericeira beaches have some of the best waves in Portugal, in fact it is internationally recognized being the first and unique World Surfing Reserve in Europe. The part of the coast that is considered by the American organization Save the Waves Coalition is 8km long and includes beaches that are a worldwide reference point for surfers, such as Ribeira D’Ilhas, Coxos and São Lourenço beach on a total of 7 surf spots.
The diversity of waves provides various degrees of difficulty and therefore excellent conditions for practicing surfboard sports, be it at a professional or elementary level. The most challenging waves are at Pedra Branca, Reef, Ribeira D’Ilhas, Cave, Crazy Left, Coxos and São Lourenço.
For who wants to try it for the first time or improve the surfing level with private or group surf lessons, there are some waves more beginner’s friendly such as Foz do Lizandro, Ribeira D’Ilhas and Matadouro beach.
However, those coming to the Ericeira don’t have to be surfers to feel at home. Ericeira welcomes visitors from all over the world to its narrow streets and cozy atmosphere, its beach spirit and the feeling of being on holiday all year round.
The beaches close to the village at Pescadores or further away at Foz do Lizandro, are more sheltered and therefore suitable for families with children.
One of the biggest attractions of this region is its cuisine, full of traditional flavors of the sea. The fresh grilled fish is a must, but seafood is also very popular, particularly lobsters and sea urchins, which are raised in sea farms at Ericeira.
You can also make short excursions nearby and visit the Aldeia Típica de José Franco, a miniature village in clay in the town of Sobreiro, and the National Palace and Convent of Mafra that was the inspiration of Nobel Prizewinner for Literature, José Saramago, in Memorial of the Convent and it’s the biggest royal palace in Portugal. It’s very close by, in the National Tapada of Mafra (Hunting Reserve), built by King D. João V for himself and his Court, after the construction of the convent in the 18th century, and is nowadays a relaxing place in which you can see fallow deer, deer, wild boar and other species of wildlife living in the wild.
Another suggestion linked to the protection of nature is to visit the Iberian Wolf Recovery Centre in Malveira, which is dedicated to an endangered species usually considered dangerous.
Ericeira is also located on the coast between Cascais and Peniche both great surf spots witch are always great options to be explored up and down the Portuguese coast.
Check out the video “Perfect Waves in Ericeira”
Ericeira is the best surf village in Portugal and Europe for an experience of surf, culture and gastronomy. Come live it!
