In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about the surfer paradise - Ericeira.
Undeniably, Portugal reigns supreme as one of Europe's premier surfing destinations, if not the absolute finest! Along its western coastline, you'll find a multitude of excellent surf locales that cater to a variety of skill levels and experiences. A particular gem we discovered is Ericeira, a charming fishing town renowned for its beaches, which provide superb surfing conditions for novices and seasoned professionals alike.
Find out the best surfing spots in Ericeira in the article below!
Hot to get to Ericeira
Ericeira Town
Surfing in Ericeira
Video
How to get to Ericeira?
The closest international airport to Ericeira is in Lisbon. From there with a car, it takes around 1 hour to get to Ericeira. You can also get there by bus. More about timetables and different options from different cities you can find: Bus from Ericeira to Lisbon!
If you are planning to stay in Lisbon for a bit or visit for a day trip, then here is a blog about TOP PLACES TO SEE IN LISBON!
If you're journeying by car, I suggest taking a scenic detour along the coastal route and pausing in Cascais, a picturesque beach town. Subsequently, enjoy a drive through the lush landscapes of Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais. Make sure to make a stop in Sintra, a town renowned for its vibrantly colored castle and numerous other attractions.
Ericeira Town
Ericeira Town itself is lovely, so even if you do not surf you can have a relaxing holiday there and chill by the beach. The beach by the town is Praia Dos Pescadores, which has sunbeds and a lively beach bar serving the best strawberry mojitos I have ever tried!
The town is full of local Portuguese restaurants offering fresh seafood, as well as, all other types of cuisines. There are Italian restaurants, vegan and smoothie places, so there really is something for everyone!
Although most of the surfing spots are outside the town, the majority of the surfing schools and rentals are in the old town, where they offer shuttles to the beaches. I won't highlight any specific one, as their price ranges and how they operate are all quite similar. I can recommend that you simply go with the one that is closest to you.
So regarding accommodations, I definitely recommend staying in the center of the old town. We stayed in Ericeira Soul Guesthouse and I enjoyed my stay there as the location was brilliant. You can find out more about it on my hotel review!
This village dates back to the 12th century and is now one of the hottest vacation spots in Portugal. Even centuries ago, Ericeira was a hub for fishermen and villagers alike. In the early 1940s, Ericeira became one of Portugal's most visited summer retreats! Apparently, many families living in Lisbon found this gorgeous retreat simply breathtaking, so you may find the beach town flooded by local tourism in the summer.
Surfing in Ericeira
The one sport and activity that instantly gains attention in Ericeira is surfing. Surfers from all over the world find the Ericeira waves to be one of the best in Portugal! From an area that regularly catches shallow waves to a shore that’s known for its thrilling ones, Ericeira beaches are the perfect spots for both beginners and professionals.
We tried Praia do Matadouro, which was really good for beginners. It is a consistent reef break, so quite rocky. If you are going there you need special shoes.
Another surf spot we tried and spent most of the time at was Praia da Foz do Lizandro (in the picture on the left). This location was a bit more challenging but still suitable for beginners. It is quite a popular one and a lot of schools take groups there to learn so it can get crowded, but from our experience, the beach is large and wide enough to have enough space for everyone. The beach is all sand beach without the presence of a reef underneath, so it was a more pleasant learning process. Also, between surfing, I could enjoy some lovely chill time on the shore. I preferred this beach because it had several food places around it too, so we could easily spend the whole day there.
Here are some other good surfing spots in Ericeira:
Sao Lourenco - a point break surf spot, long, soothing waves. Also, not too crowded.
Santa Cruz - the only beach in Ericeira that has no shelter. Always catching strong winds that make the longest ripples in the water.
Costa da Caparica - great for beginners. It catches low, soothing waves and has relatively shallow areas for surfing.
No matter if you travel to Ericeira for surfing or for a summer holiday, I promise you will truly enjoy it. If you haven't tried surfing before, Ericeira might just be the perfect place to pick up a new sport!
To catch the Ericeira vibe watch this video from minute 3.29
If you are planning to visit more of Portugal, then another great beach area is the Algarve, the South of Portugal. You will find there not only beautiful beaches but also, so amazing landmarks that symbolize Portugal like the Lagos area with the lighthouse and ocean carved cliffs. To get the vibe of the place you can read my ALGARVE blog or watch this video: