Ericeira is a small coastal town in Portugal, not too far from Lisbon, and one of the best-known surf destinations in the country. It’s the kind of place where you’ll quickly notice that surfing is a big part of everyday life. Surfboards are everywhere, people walk around in wetsuits, and you’ll constantly see surfers heading towards the beach.
But there’s more to Ericeira than just surfing. You can wander around the old town, eat plenty of good food, try some traditional Portuguese sweets, shop for vintage clothes, grab a coffee or a drink, and even visit some interesting places nearby.
That said, the beach and surf really do seem to be at the heart of Ericeira. So, if you’re visiting Ericeira, here are some things I’d recommend to do. I only had 2 nights there, but would love to be back and enjoy (and try) more surfing lifestyle 😉
These are some of the things to do in Ericeira, Portugal
First things first: surfing in Ericeira
Most people come to Ericeira to surf, and you’ll quickly see why. There are surf schools and places to rent boards all around town, people walking through the streets carrying surfboards, and, of course, plenty of people in the water.
Depending on the time of year and the conditions that day, different beaches can be better suited to beginners, intermediate surfers or more experienced surfers. Myself? Very, very beginner. So I took a surf class through the hostel I was staying at. We went to a rocky beach called Praia dos Matadros. Compared to the only other time I had surfed, which was in Taghazout, Morocco, I definitely felt more comfortable at a sandy beach. But I am very much a beginner, so when it comes to actual surf advice, I am probably not the person you should be listening to.
Luckily, I do have friends from Portugal who surf and who also regularly go to Ericeira to surf. When I asked one of them for recommendations, they suggested these beaches:
- In town: Praia do Sul and Praia dos Pescadores
- Outside town: Ribeira d’Ilhas, Foz do Lizandro and São Julião
Their take was that all of these are good options, but the beaches outside town tend to have a rougher sea, while the ones in town feel a little more chill. Their personal favourite for simply relaxing by the beach is Praia do Sul.
So, whether you’re an experienced surfer or, like me, mostly trying to stand up on the board without immediately falling off, Ericeira is a fun place to give it a try. Book some surf lessons in Ericeira, or go our on your own if you’re more experienced.
Wander through the old town
The old town of Ericeira is small, cute and very easy to explore on foot. Think little white houses, narrow streets, tiled buildings, small shops, cafés and views of the ocean popping up between the streets. There isn’t necessarily one specific “thing” you need to see here. Just wander around. This is also one of those things I think you’ll naturally end up doing while visiting Ericeira anyway.
Try Ouriços, the typical pastry of Ericeira
Trying local food and sweets is a must when visiting somewhere new, right? So obviously, we had to try some of the typical sweets in Ericeira. If you like sweet things, go to Casa da Fernanda and try the Ouriços. They’re one of Ericeira’s traditional pastries: small, sweet cakes made mainly with eggs, sugar and almonds. They have a slightly crisp and caramelised outside, with a softer, denser and sweeter inside. The name means “urchins”, fitting for a town so closely connected to the sea.
And yes, I also tried the other pastries. All approved. One practical tip: bring cash. Casa da Fernanda is cash-only, so don’t show up expecting to pay by card. There is an ATM around the corner, but it charged quite a bit in extra fees when I used it.
Tips for food and drinks in Ericeira
While walking around the centre of Ericeira, you’ll quickly notice that there are plenty of options for coffee, brunch, lunch, snacks, dinner and drinks. Here’s a little list of places I tried myself, as well as some recommendations from my friend who knows Ericeira much better than I do.
Restaurants & lunch
- Green is Good — a good option if you’re looking for a healthier brunch or lunch.
- Pizzeria Pepe Verde — for pizza.
- Caminito – sharing plates with friends, Latin-Portugese food.
- Ribas, César and Mar à Vista — seafood recommendations from my friend.
- Mother Cafe Ericeira — coffee, lunch and something sweet.
- Mizu – asian restaurant with lots of options
Bars & drinks
- Adega Bar 1987 — a good spot to grab a drink and hang out.
Other food stops
- Sourdough Bread Ericeira — amazing croissants and other pastries. Do check the opening schedule before going, though, because they’re not always open.
- Nutwood Gelateria — because obviously you need ice cream at some point.
Visit Mafra National Palace
While driving from Sintra to Ericeira, I noticed a huge, beautiful palace-looking building in the distance. It turned out to be the Mafra National Palace. We didn’t have enough time to visit during our trip, so I can’t give you a personal review. But if you have some extra time while travelling to or from Ericeira, I think it could be a really nice change of scenery from all the beach and surf activities.
Join the sunset events at Boardriders
Boardriders Ericeira is a surf shop and spot that also hosts events, including sunset events. There’s a skate park, shop and bar, and they regularly have different things happening there. So if you’re looking for something to do in the evening, it’s worth checking what’s on while you’re in town. The schedule can change, so I’d check their Instagram before heading over.
Keep up to date with things to do in Ericeira through Sailerapp
There are quite a lot of events happening in Ericeira, especially considering how small the town is. Drinks, food, dancing, workshops… you name it.
If you want to see what’s happening while you’re there, check out Sailerapp on Instagram. My friend recommended this account to me, and they repost a bunch of activities and events happening around Ericeira in their stories.
Go vintage shopping in Ericeira
The centre of Ericeira is small, but there are quite a few cute shops to discover. And if you’re into vintage and second-hand shopping, there are definitely a few places worth checking out.
My favourites were Nomada Bazaar 1 and Nomada Bazaar 2. They have lots of cool clothes, as well as jewellery and accessories. Nomada Bazaar 1 is actually located inside a cute café, so it’s easy to combine some vintage shopping with coffee or brunch. Another place we visited was Revestir Store, where we managed to score some cute second-hand clothes.
Having 2 nights in Ericeira was beautiful. A lovely break between visiting Porto and Lisbon, having some beach time, small town energy as well. But, if you can, go longer. I can easily imagine spending a full week here, exploring the beaches of Ericeira, surf lessons, watching the sun set from the beach… Next time. Hopefully <3
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