Do you want to discover Portugal and its coastlines not far from Lisbon? So I have for you a very friendly and warm city to present to you: Ericeira.
In total, I stayed there for 3 days to fully enjoy the city and its surroundings. But I recommend 2 days to allow you to do almost everything.
It's 3 days where I had a good rest, and where I took the opportunity to start remote work and “slow travel”. Moreover, it is not uncommon to find digital nomads in the area.
Indeed, Ericeira has a population of just under 10,000 inhabitants, located on the coast and very little touristy.
Only 1 hour by bus from the capital, take a path off the beaten path, and come with me to this fishing town, but above all known for its magnificent beaches and surf spots!
‍
Ericeira: what is her story?
Ericeira is a bit like the city where you don't expect anything when you look at the images on Google Maps: beaches, and nothing else. You might think there's nothing to do or an interesting story, but you're on the wrong track.
You should know that the name Ericeira, from its Latin name “Ouriceira” seems to refer to the sea urchin, which was present in abundance on its coasts.
Its history began in the 12th century with the construction of its first fishing port. So the city was mostly inhabited by fishermen.
It was only from the 18th and 19th centuries that Ericeira became a strategic point for Portugal. It was the link between the capital and the northern regions of the country, in order to import and export goods such as cereals, wines, ceramics and of course fish.
In 1910, Ericeira entered the history of Portugal: following the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic, the last king of the country Manuel II exiled himself to England from the city's port.
Today, Ericeira is best known for its main surf spots. And as a result, big waves are very frequent in the region. In 2011, the city became the the first World Surfing Reserve in Europe.
.avif)
‍
How do I get to Ericeira?
Getting to Ericeira is not complicated, especially by public transport.
From Campo Grande station in Lisbon, take bus 2803 or 2740. The travel time is approximately 1 hour. There is a bus every 1 hour and 30 minutes.
For my part, I took the 2740 bus, then I got off at the station En 247 (X) En 116 (Rotunda). To know the departure times of the buses, I invite you to download the application Transit App on your phone.
From Sintra Take bus 1633. The travel time is approximately 1 hour. There is a bus every 2 hours.
‍
What is the best time to visit Ericeira?
I went to Ericeira at the beginning of March and the climate was relatively mild, but a bit humid because we are next to the sea.
The weather was therefore pleasant to be able to stroll around. On the other hand, if you are going to swim in the water the best time is in summer.
In general:
- I recommend visiting Ericeira Outside of summer vacation because there will be a lot fewer people.
- The best time is still The months of June and September, because the climate is warmer and you can enjoy the water.
- For surfers, it would rather be between October and March, because the waves are much bigger.
‍
Things to do in Ericeira: my must-see places
If you too are like me and you want Get started with slow travel, so Ericeira is surely one of the places where you have to stay at least 2 nights to fully enjoy what it has to offer us.
Downtown Ericeira
How much I love walking around downtown Ericeira! Even after 3 days in the same place combining visiting and working remotely, I did not get tired of it.
Its buildings with the typical architecture of the Portuguese coasts make this place a very beautiful place to stroll through the small streets.
With Its white houses with blue shutters, dotted with small neighborhood restaurants and its famous “pastelaria” bakeries, you will feel really privileged to have passed by the area.
The Sala das Visitas belvedere
Take the opportunity to follow the coast to the south to reach the beaches Praia da Baleia and Praia do Sul. From the heights of the coast is The Sala das Visitas belvedere.
It is a wonderful viewpoint to admire the horizon of the Atlantic Sea as well as the coast of Ericeira. An unmissable place when you pass here.
The Forte do Zambujal
For once, this one is a bonus if you really want to get off the beaten path.
On a whim, I decided to leave on foot to this historic monument: the Forte do Zambujal. It offers a spectacular view, ideal for a picnic after a good stroll of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
Built in 1809—1810 by British and Portuguese troops under the command of the Duke of Wellington, the fort was part of the Second line of defense designed to protect Lisbon from Napoleonic armies.
‍
Exploring the beaches in Ericeira
In my opinion, you have 4 great beaches near the city of Ericeira. All are reachable on foot, but you can easily take the bus to get around more quickly.
‍
To start, you have the Praia dos Pescadores, located in the heart of the city center. It is a small beach accessible to all and protected by its fishing port. The waves are not huge and suitable for a novice surfer.
‍
Then you have the Praia da Baleia And the Praia do Sul. These two beaches are located to the south of the city. This time, the waves are much more intense, but still accessible for experienced swimmers. Be careful though because the last time I went there, the waves were quite powerful!
‍
A little further north, you will find the Praia de SĂŁo SebastiĂŁo. It is a magnificent beach that extends over 500m with waves that are more or less intense, depending on the weather. In fact, in my opinion, it is a very good place to surf, both beginners and the most experienced!
‍
Finally, the best known beach for all surfers is of course the Ribeira d'Ilhas Beach. You will have to walk a few minutes north to hope to reach the place. It is THE surf spot par excellence, as you will find a few surf schools and a shop to rent a board and wetsuit.
Take surfing lessons in Ericeira
To be honest with you, I didn't surf there. But from the feedback I had when talking to the host where I stayed, there is a very good surf school to allow you to get started: Ericeira World Surf.
Book your surf lesson at Ericeira World Surf Recognized on Get Your Guide
The price per person is 55€ for a period of 2 hours. If you have the opportunity to pass by here, then try the adventure!
‍
My best places to eat in Ericeira
There are a total of 3 restaurants that I really liked and that I recommend you visit.
O Gafanhoto Restaurant : a friendly local restaurant with mainly only local regulars who come to eat there.
‍
O Caniço : the best local restaurant in the area that I really liked for the variety of fish they offer. For my part, I had grilled sea bass and grilled octopus. Try it and you will see that it is very good!
‍
Pedra Dura : a fairly chic restaurant that offers several types of dishes at a low price, located in the heart of downtown.
‍
And if you are coming to the city, then you should definitely try their local pastry!
O PĂŁozinho das Marias : Have breakfast and let yourself be tempted by their delicious pasteis de nata.
‍
Casa da Fernanda : Try their famous “ouriços”, a pastry that is only found in this city!
‍
My best places to stay in Ericeira
Here, I am going to give you some of the accommodations that I looked for myself and that I was hesitant about as they are highly rated on Booking.com. In particular, I chose those that are affordable in terms of quality/price/location ratio. The aim is for you to be able to save the rest for other activities!
Casa dos Cucos : it's where I stayed during my stay. It is a small guesthouse located in the heart of the city center and very friendly for a fairly affordable price. Cleanliness level, it's very clean. In terms of accommodation, it is mainly only rooms with single beds. And in terms of budget, it varies from season to season, but count around €90 per night.
GiG Capsule Hostel : A small hostel in the heart of the city center, with the advantage of having a small restaurant area and a cozy atmosphere. It was one of the choices that I found interesting when looking for accommodation. As a result, the price is less than Casa dos Cucos. We are around €40 per night for a dorm room.
70's Hostel : It's a hostel dedicated to surfing! 70's hostel is located a few minutes from the city center. The decor is made to make you feel in a friendly environment, with the desire to go surfing. With a price of €30 per night in a shared room, you'll get plenty for your wallet!
‍
Where to go after Ericeira?
If you have not already done so, I advise you to go to Sintra by bus at the end of your trip. It is certainly the most famous place for tourists, but how interesting to visit, there are so many things to do.
I have devoted a complete and detailed article on the city of Sintra if you are interested.
If not, you can go back to Lisbon if you haven't done everything yet! It will also be easier for you to retrace your steps and then decide what you want to do next.
I also devoted a complete article on Lisbon with a lot of nice places to discover!
‍
Conclusion
So Ericeira is not only a seaside resort, but above all a pleasant city to live in where time passes slowly.
We dive into a place that deserves to stay for a few days to discover this coastal city from all angles.
You stroll around, you lose the time for a coffee break accompanied by your pastel de nata, you eat lunch at your own pace, then you go to the beach to relax or surf: this is a bit like the lifestyle in Ericeira.
This is also why the city is known for digital nomads who want to travel slowly. The cost of living as well as the warm atmosphere that emanates from it make the experience truly unique.
If I had to summarize Ericeira in one sentence: one of the jewels of Portugal that deserves to be placed among the cities to visit at least once in a trip!
‍
‍
