Ericeira

Europe’s Surf Sanctuary by the Sea

Ericeira is a coastal town on Portugal’s western coast known for its surf beaches and laid-back vibe. The city has whitewashed buildings, colorful streets and a historic fishing port where boats bob in calm waters. Local markets sell fresh seafood, while cafes serve pastries with sea views. Walking paths run along cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. In summer, windsurfers fill the air as families gather at small parks. The town balances quiet moments by the water with easy access to nearby cities and nature trails.

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Town in Portugal

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.2

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	8

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, surf schools, and shops. Most locals in tourism are used to international visitors, so communication is easy, especially in the center and during surf season.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Ericeira Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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Outstanding for surfing and coastal scenery. Surf world-class waves, walk cliffside paths, enjoy seafood restaurants and relax in seaside cafés.

Place score

7.9

Best at:

Surfing

Sea

Walkable

Cosy towns

Beaches

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Portugal – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Portugal has widespread acceptance of cashless payments, particularly in urban areas and larger businesses. Cards are commonly used, and mobile payment options are increasingly available. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary but not mandatory in Portugal. In restaurants, leaving a 5-10% tip is common, especially if the service is exceptional. Taxi drivers usually expect a small tip of around 5-10%, and hotel staff appreciate tips for their services.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally accepted in most public spaces, such as parks and beaches. However, certain municipalities may enforce restrictions in specific areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited indoors in public places like restaurants and bars. Designated smoking areas are available in many public spaces.

Portuguese Republic Day (October)	National holiday with public celebrations and some closures, particularly in Lisbon.
Christmas (December)	Holiday celebrations and increased tourism, expect crowded areas and higher accommodation prices.
Carnival (February)	Festive celebrations with parades and events, especially in Lisbon and Madeira. Expect lively crowds.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Uber
Other:	Portugal boasts rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and historic landmarks. Public transport is reliable, and the country is known for its mild climate, especially in the southern regions.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Ericeira, Portugal

🌤️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

☀️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

☀️

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

🌤️

Nov

🌤️

Dec

High season:	June - Oct.
Shoulder season:	Jan. - May, Nov. - Dec.
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Surf season September to April brings the biggest swells, summer waves are smaller and gentler

Ericeira is a World Surfing Reserve; Ribeira d'Ilhas beach hosts competitions, often in autumn or winter

Don't miss

🏄‍♂️ Surf legendary waves at Praia Ribeira d’Ilhas beach
🚶‍♀️ Stroll historic old town’s cobbled streets and white houses
🌅 Watch sunsets from Miradouro de Ribeira d’Ilhas viewpoint
⚓ Relax at Praia dos Pescadores amid vibrant fishing boats
🌊 Visit the World Surf Reserve and learn surfing basics

You've been here?

Why travel to Ericeira?

Ericeira is a magnet for surfers, boasting Europe’s only World Surfing Reserve and a coastline packed with legendary breaks like Ribeira d’Ilhas and Coxos. But you don’t need to surf to fall in love with this place – the beaches are gorgeous, the sunsets are epic and the old town is full of cozy cafés, seafood restaurants and boutique shops. The town’s relaxed vibe, creative spirit and proximity to Lisbon and Sintra make it ideal for both day trips and longer stays. Be aware that the Atlantic can be wild and chilly, especially outside summer and some beaches are best for strong swimmers or surfers. The town gets busy in peak season and parking can be tricky. Still, Ericeira’s blend of surf culture, Portuguese tradition and stunning scenery is hard to beat.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Rua das Furnas
2 Alto de Ribeira d'Ilhas
3 Largo do Jogo da Bola
4 Praia dos Pescadores
5 Capela de Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem
6 Ermida de São Sebastião
7 Igreja de Santa Marta

🎡Places for activities

1 Praia Ribeira d' Ilhas

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Praia da Foz do Lizandro
2 Praia do Sul
3 Saint Julian's Beach
4 Praia dos Pescadores
5 Praia de Alibabá

🎈Events

WSL World Surf League Tour
Quiksilver Pro Portugal
Local seafood festivals
Summer music concerts
Traditional village fairs

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

World Surfing Reserve; check daily surf forecasts and beach conditions.
Visit Capela da Boa Viagem chapel overlooking central Praia dos Pescadores beach.
Hike coastal path to Ribeira d'Ilhas viewpoint for world-class surf watching.
Side trip to nearby Mafra National Palace – UNESCO Baroque masterpiece built with Brazilian gold.

How to travel to Ericeira

Ericeira is about 45 minutes by car or bus from Lisbon. The most convenient way is by bus from Lisbon’s Campo Grande station, with frequent departures. The nearest train station is in Mafra, about 15 km away. Lisbon Airport is the closest for international arrivals.

Access summary

From Lisbon Airport (LIS): Metro to Campo Grande, then bus, about 1.5 hours.
From Lisbon city: Direct Carris Metropolitana bus from Campo Grande, roughly 60–75 minutes.
From Sintra: Regional bus from Portela de Sintra station to Ericeira, around 50–60 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Ericeira

Accommodation ranges from surf hostels and boutique hotels to family-friendly guesthouses and apartments. Many places are within walking distance of the beaches and old town. Book early for summer, as the best spots fill up fast. For a quieter experience, consider staying just outside the center.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Immerso Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels

Quinta Raposeiros-CountryHouse

10.0

Ocean House Ericeira – Ribeira d’Ilhas Surf Beach

9.6

Villa Ana Margarida Hotel

10.0

Villa Ana Margarida Beach

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Ericeira

The town center is compact and walkable, with most beaches and sights within a short stroll. For beaches further out or countryside trails, rent a bike or use local taxis. Parking is limited in high season, so arrive early or use public transport if possible. Regional buses connect Ericeira to Lisbon, Mafra and Sintra.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-39 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 39% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£51	£105	£252
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£23	£53	£113
🍝 Food per day	£20	£44	£117
🚕 Transportation per day	£8	£9	£22

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£19
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£10
🍟 Fast food combo	£7.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7
☕ Cappuccino	£1.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£2

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.90
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£12
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.50

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£6.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£60
🤧 Cold medication	£4.60
💇 Basic haircut	£10

Safety information overview

General safety

Ericeira is very safe, with low crime rates. Usual precautions apply, especially on busy beaches in summer. The Atlantic can be rough — swim only in designated areas and heed local warnings about currents.

Health & Medical

Good medical care and pharmacies are available in town. Tap water is safe to drink. Sunburn, dehydration and the cold Atlantic are the main risks — use sunscreen and stay hydrated, especially when surfing or hiking.

Accessibility

The old town has some steep, cobbled streets that may be challenging for those with mobility issues. Most main beaches and public areas are accessible, but check with your accommodation if you have specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water is safe, clean and widely available. Bring a reusable bottle to refill as you explore. Bottled water is also easy to find in shops and cafés.

Packing recommendations for Ericeira

📷

Camera

👟

Comfortable walking shoes

🌞

Sun cream

🚰

Reusable water bottle

👛

Cash in small denominations

Universal travel adaptor

💳

Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Nearby recommended places

Lisbon

Sintra

Cascais

Óbidos

Nazaré

Peniche

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Summary:	Cool, wet and windy, big surf
Temperature:	10 – 14 °C
Water temp.:	16 °C
Rain:	44 mm (Steady, gentle rain)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Cool and rainy, big surf, occasional sunny days
Temperature:	10 – 15 °C
Water temp.:	15 °C
Rain:	33 mm (On-and-off light rain)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Mild and changeable, good surf
Temperature:	11 – 16 °C
Water temp.:	15 °C
Rain:	37 mm (Frequent light drizzle)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Mild and showery, sunnier days returning
Temperature:	12 – 18 °C
Water temp.:	16 °C
Rain:	49 mm (Some rainy days)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists

Summary:	Mild and sunny, cool ocean
Temperature:	14 – 20 °C
Water temp.:	17 °C
Rain:	30 mm (On-and-off light rain)
Crowdedness:	Few tourists