Ericeira, Portugal: Best Surf Spots & Travel Tips
Updated: 18 hours ago
If you're looking for a beautiful coastal town in Portugal, especially if you enjoy surfing, Ericeira is definitely worth visiting!
Located just 45 minutes from Lisbon, Ericeira is famous for its surfing beaches, charming streets, and relaxed atmosphere. It's one of Europe's best-known surfing destinations and home to a World Surfing Reserve.
I visited Ericeira to try surfing and had the chance to explore different beaches in the area. In this guide, I'll share my experience, the surf spots I tried, where to stay, and what else you can do in this lovely Portuguese town.
Is Ericeira Worth Visiting?
Surfing in Ericeira
Best Time to Visit Ericeira
Things to Do in Ericeira Besides Surfing
Where to Stay in Ericeira
Is Ericeira Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Although Ericeira is best known for surfing, you don't have to be a surfer to enjoy it. The town itself is beautiful, with narrow cobbled streets, traditional whitewashed houses with blue details, little cafés, and restaurants overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Ericeira has a relaxed atmosphere, making it a lovely place to spend a few days away from the busier streets of Lisbon. And of course, the beaches are a big part of its appeal. Some are popular with surfers, while others are perfect for enjoying the coastal scenery.
Surfing in Ericeira
Ericeira is one of Portugal's most famous surfing destinations, attracting surfers from around the world. The coastline offers different types of waves, from beach breaks suitable for learning in the right conditions to powerful reef breaks reserved for experienced surfers. If you're new to surfing, I'd recommend booking a lesson with a local surf school rather than choosing a beach on your own.
Praia do Matadouro
One of the beaches I visited for surfing was Praia do Matadouro, located just north of Ericeira's town centre. It's a beautiful beach surrounded by rocky coastline and is popular with local surfers. However, Matadouro has rocky areas and reef breaks, so it's not necessarily the easiest place to learn. I would say if you are going there, make sure you have the special shoes to not cut your feet.
Praia da Foz do Lizandro – My Favourite
Of the beaches I tried, Praia da Foz do Lizandro was my favourite! Located just south of Ericeira, it's a wide sandy beach where the Lizandro River meets the Atlantic Ocean. I preferred surfing here, and it's also a great beach to spend time at even if you're not interested in surfing. There are surf schools, cafés, and restaurants nearby, making it convenient for spending several hours by the ocean.
Foz do Lizandro is often used for beginner surf lessons when conditions are suitable, although the waves can still become powerful. If you're visiting Ericeira for your first surfing experience, I'd definitely recommend looking into lessons here.
Other Famous Surf Spots in Ericeira
Besides the beaches I visited, Ericeira has several other well-known surfing spots worth mentioning.
Praia de Ribeira d'Ilhas
Ribeira d'Ilhas is one of Ericeira's most famous surf beaches and has hosted international surfing competitions. It's known for its consistent right-hand waves and is popular with intermediate and experienced surfers, although surf schools may use suitable areas in gentler conditions. Even if you don't surf, it's a beautiful beach to visit and watch the surfers.
Praia de São Lourenço
Located north of Ericeira, Praia de São Lourenço is a lovely beach surrounded by cliffs and natural scenery. It's popular with surfers, but the conditions can be challenging, so it's important to choose a suitable day and follow local advice. The beach is also worth visiting simply for its beautiful coastal views.
Praia dos Coxos
Coxos is one of Portugal's best-known reef breaks, famous for its powerful waves. It's generally suited to experienced surfers rather than beginners. If you're just starting out, I'd recommend choosing a different beach for your lessons, but Coxos is an interesting spot to watch experienced surfers when conditions are good.
Best Time to Visit Ericeira
Ericeira is worth visiting throughout the year, but the best time depends on what you want to do.
Season | What to expect |
Spring | Pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and variable surf conditions |
Summer | Popular for beach holidays and surf lessons, although beaches can be busy |
Autumn | Often excellent Atlantic swells, particularly attractive to experienced surfers |
Winter | Powerful waves, cooler weather, and conditions generally better suited to experienced surfers |
If you're a beginner, summer can be a good time to book surf lessons, but remember that suitable conditions depend on the individual day rather than the season alone. For a relaxed holiday combining beaches, restaurants, and sightseeing, I'd recommend late spring or early autumn.
Things to Do in Ericeira Besides Surfing
Explore Ericeira Old Town
One of my favourite things about Ericeira is the town itself. The historic centre is full of narrow streets, whitewashed buildings, colourful doors, and lovely little cafés. I'd recommend spending some time simply wandering around, exploring the shops, and enjoying the relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Visit Praia dos Pescadores
Praia dos Pescadores, also known as Fishermen's Beach, is located right beside the historic centre. It's a lovely sandy beach surrounded by cliffs and traditional buildings, making it one of Ericeira's most picturesque spots. Even if you're not planning a beach day, it's worth stopping here for the atmosphere. Beach bars on Praia dos Pescadores offer sunbeds and the best strawberry mojitos I have ever tried!
Enjoy the Restaurants and Cafés
Ericeira has plenty of lovely restaurants, cafés, and terraces where you can enjoy the ocean views. As a traditional fishing town, it's particularly known for its seafood restaurants, but you'll also find plenty of other dining options. I'd recommend exploring the smaller streets around the historic centre rather than limiting yourself to the main square.
Watch the Sunset
Ericeira faces the Atlantic Ocean, making it a fantastic place to watch the sunset. There are plenty of beautiful spots along the coastline where you can sit and enjoy the views.
It's a lovely way to finish a day of surfing or exploring the town.
To catch the Ericeira vibe, watch this video from minute 3.29 ⬇️
Where to Stay in Ericeira
If you're visiting Ericeira for a few days, I'd recommend staying in or near the historic centre. You'll have restaurants, cafés, shops, and several beaches within walking distance. It's particularly convenient if you're visiting without a car.
During my visit, I stayed at Ericeira Soul Guesthouse, a lovely accommodation option in the town. It's worth considering if you're looking for somewhere with character and a convenient location for exploring Ericeira. For me, staying close to the town centre is a great choice because you can easily head out for dinner or explore the streets after a day at the beach. Plus, the majority of the surfing schools and rentals are in the old town, where they offer shuttles to the beaches. So in my opinion, for first-time visitors and beginners, the town is the best option.
If you're mainly interested in surfing, you could also consider accommodation closer to your preferred surf beach, although you'll need to think about transport between different locations.
If you decide to stay closer to specific beaches, definitly consider having a car. You can get to Ericeira from Lisbon by bus, but then getting to the specific beaches will be more complicated, depending on which one you are going to.
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FAQ: Visiting Ericeira, Portugal
Is Ericeira good for beginner surfers?
Yes, Ericeira has surf schools offering lessons for beginners. Praia da Foz do Lizandro is one of the beaches often used for lessons when conditions are suitable. However, some of Ericeira's famous surf spots have powerful reef breaks and are not appropriate for beginners.
Is Ericeira worth visiting if you don't surf?
Absolutely! Ericeira is a beautiful coastal town with lovely beaches, charming streets, restaurants, cafés, and incredible ocean views. It's a great destination even if you're not interested in surfing.
How far is Ericeira from Lisbon?
Ericeira is approximately 50 km from Lisbon. Driving usually takes around 40 - 50 minutes, while the bus journey generally takes one to one and a half hours.
Do you need a car in Ericeira?
Not necessarily. If you're staying in the historic centre, you can explore much of the town on foot. However, a car is useful for visiting beaches farther along the coastline.
What is the best beach for surfing in Ericeira?
It depends on your experience and the conditions. Praia da Foz do Lizandro is popular for surf lessons, while Ribeira d'Ilhas and Coxos are famous for more advanced surfing. Personally, Foz do Lizandro was my favourite beach during my visit.
How many days should you spend in Ericeira?
Two or three days are ideal for exploring the town, visiting the beaches, and trying surfing. However, Ericeira is also a great day trip from Lisbon.
