Local Area Guidebook
Surfing
If you're surfing in Ericeira, then you've probably parked here and walked by the restaurant on the way to catch your waves.
Its located directly underneath that intensely high and amazing viewpoint right as you pass Ribamar and enter Ericeira.
The waves here are great but you do need to wear the surf booties because there's a lot of reef. Once you've made it out, the waves are easy to catch and less populated than other wave breaks. Summer can be quite crowded with groups from the Surfing schools, but they tend to stick close to the shore.
The bathrooms are clean and easy to access plus they have Sagres and Super Bock on deck for that perfect after surf drink. There are board rentals in the rear for those who didn't bring their board to Portugal, and 3-4 Surf Schools for those wanting to give Surfing a try.
The food is great and it's a major surf meet-up spot where tourists and locals gather to take in the Surf-culture that embodies Ericeira.
Here's a handy link to a 7-day Surf Forecast at Ribeira d'Ilhas: https://magicseaweed.com/Ribeira-dIlhas-Surf-Report/4343/
Here's another handy link to a beach-cam located at the beach: https://beachcam.meo.pt/livecams/ribeira-dilhas/
87 locals recommend
Ribeira d'Ilhas beach
If you're surfing in Ericeira, then you've probably parked here and walked by the restaurant on the way to catch your waves.
Its located directly underneath that intensely high and amazing viewpoint right as you pass Ribamar and enter Ericeira.
The waves here are great but you do need to wear the surf booties because there's a lot of reef. Once you've made it out, the waves are easy to catch and less populated than other wave breaks. Summer can be quite crowded with groups from the Surfing schools, but they tend to stick close to the shore.
The bathrooms are clean and easy to access plus they have Sagres and Super Bock on deck for that perfect after surf drink. There are board rentals in the rear for those who didn't bring their board to Portugal, and 3-4 Surf Schools for those wanting to give Surfing a try.
The food is great and it's a major surf meet-up spot where tourists and locals gather to take in the Surf-culture that embodies Ericeira.
Here's a handy link to a 7-day Surf Forecast at Ribeira d'Ilhas: https://magicseaweed.com/Ribeira-dIlhas-Surf-Report/4343/
Here's another handy link to a beach-cam located at the beach: https://beachcam.meo.pt/livecams/ribeira-dilhas/
Beach located next to the chapel of St. Sebastian, surrounded a beautiful cliff. The story of this beach is also associated with the occupation, in prehistoric times, of communities during the Mesolithic period, whose traces are covered by natural soil erosion. It is also a very popular beach for surfers.
Praia de Sao Sebastiao
Beach located next to the chapel of St. Sebastian, surrounded a beautiful cliff. The story of this beach is also associated with the occupation, in prehistoric times, of communities during the Mesolithic period, whose traces are covered by natural soil erosion. It is also a very popular beach for surfers.
Foz do Lizandro is a well known surfing beach that not only caters to beginners and intermediates, but also to advanced surfers. On a good day you can get powerful tubes here, but most of the time this break is a forgiving beach break that is perfectly suitable for beginners and intermediates. There are multiple peaks with both lefts and rights, so it’s the kind of wave where you’ll surely find something that pleases you. It is very consistent surf spot.
The beach hosts a boardwalk with many restaurants and is a great place to spend the day on the beach with the family as well.
68 locals recommend
Foz do Lizandro
Foz do Lizandro is a well known surfing beach that not only caters to beginners and intermediates, but also to advanced surfers. On a good day you can get powerful tubes here, but most of the time this break is a forgiving beach break that is perfectly suitable for beginners and intermediates. There are multiple peaks with both lefts and rights, so it’s the kind of wave where you’ll surely find something that pleases you. It is very consistent surf spot.
The beach hosts a boardwalk with many restaurants and is a great place to spend the day on the beach with the family as well.
The beautiful beach of Praia do Sul is located just south of Ericeira. It only works properly for Surfing when the swells are bigger. The break can be divided into two different waves. The first is a right point/reef break that is only suitable for experienced surfers. The second is a mixed (sand and reef) break that is also suitable for less experienced surfers with smaller swells.
18 locals recommend
South Beach
The beautiful beach of Praia do Sul is located just south of Ericeira. It only works properly for Surfing when the swells are bigger. The break can be divided into two different waves. The first is a right point/reef break that is only suitable for experienced surfers. The second is a mixed (sand and reef) break that is also suitable for less experienced surfers with smaller swells.
Praia do Norte, also called Praia do Algodio, is located just north of Ericeira city center. It is a point/reef break that can produce long rights with good sections. It only works properly with bigger swells.
11 locals recommend
Praia do Norte
4 Largo das FontainhasPraia do Norte, also called Praia do Algodio, is located just north of Ericeira city center. It is a point/reef break that can produce long rights with good sections. It only works properly with bigger swells.
Matadouro is located just north of Praia do Norte (and Ericeira) in front of the skate park. It consists of multiple peaks. The main break is a right hander on the north side of the bay. More to the south, you are also able to find some lefts.
10 locals recommend
Matadouro Beach
N247Matadouro is located just north of Praia do Norte (and Ericeira) in front of the skate park. It consists of multiple peaks. The main break is a right hander on the north side of the bay. More to the south, you are also able to find some lefts.
Pedra Branca is located at the end of the dirt road in front of the campsite, just north of Matadouro. In the same bay you find two more breaks: Backdoor and Reef. Pedra Branca is a nice fast left, breaking over a flat reef. This wave is characterised by an area of rapid starts, followed by a barrel to the inside. Not recommended at low tide.
Pedra Branca - World Surfing Reserve Ericeira
Rua Oceano AtlânticoPedra Branca is located at the end of the dirt road in front of the campsite, just north of Matadouro. In the same bay you find two more breaks: Backdoor and Reef. Pedra Branca is a nice fast left, breaking over a flat reef. This wave is characterised by an area of rapid starts, followed by a barrel to the inside. Not recommended at low tide.
Coxos is one of the best waves in Portugal and Europe. This powerful right point/reef break is famous for its amazing barrels and only accessible for experienced surfers. It works best with mid to low tide, but be aware of the sea urchins and the tricky entry/exit. It can handle very big waves.
Coxos - World Surfing Reserve Ericeira
Coxos is one of the best waves in Portugal and Europe. This powerful right point/reef break is famous for its amazing barrels and only accessible for experienced surfers. It works best with mid to low tide, but be aware of the sea urchins and the tricky entry/exit. It can handle very big waves.
Cave, also called Sete Bafos, is famous for its hollow spitting barrels. It’s the heaviest wave in Ericeira and very dangerous because it breaks in front of a rock. This right reef break is only accessible for experienced surfers/professionals!
Cave - World Surfing Reserve Ericeira
Cave, also called Sete Bafos, is famous for its hollow spitting barrels. It’s the heaviest wave in Ericeira and very dangerous because it breaks in front of a rock. This right reef break is only accessible for experienced surfers/professionals!
Sightseeing
The Mafra National Palace is one of the most impressive buildings in the area, and a must-see for those that love History.
Built by order of King João V, it consists of a Royal Palace, a basilica, a convent and a game reserve. Highlights include 2 carillons with 98 bells – the largest of its time. The Basilica’s 6 organs are pieces of unique heritage worldwide. The Royal Palace also boasts a large library thought to be one of the most beautiful in the world.
250 locals recommend
Mafra National Palace
Terreiro Dom João VThe Mafra National Palace is one of the most impressive buildings in the area, and a must-see for those that love History.
Built by order of King João V, it consists of a Royal Palace, a basilica, a convent and a game reserve. Highlights include 2 carillons with 98 bells – the largest of its time. The Basilica’s 6 organs are pieces of unique heritage worldwide. The Royal Palace also boasts a large library thought to be one of the most beautiful in the world.
This is a great park for nature lovers as there it provides a chance to see a lot of the local flora and fauna in pristine condition. On a good day you'll see deer and wild boar roaming the grounds, and can make a day of it if you bring food and drinks for a family picnic.
Founded in 1747, the Tapada Nacional de Mafra park was created with the goal of providing an adequate involvement of the Palace of Mafra, posing a recreational hunting space of the King and his court and also provide firewood and other products to the convent. With an area of 1187 hectares, Covered with a flora and fauna of high richness and provides a series of public activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, train ride, night visits, traditional games and activities for youngsters.
177 locals recommend
Tapada Nacional de Mafra
This is a great park for nature lovers as there it provides a chance to see a lot of the local flora and fauna in pristine condition. On a good day you'll see deer and wild boar roaming the grounds, and can make a day of it if you bring food and drinks for a family picnic.
Founded in 1747, the Tapada Nacional de Mafra park was created with the goal of providing an adequate involvement of the Palace of Mafra, posing a recreational hunting space of the King and his court and also provide firewood and other products to the convent. With an area of 1187 hectares, Covered with a flora and fauna of high richness and provides a series of public activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, train ride, night visits, traditional games and activities for youngsters.
Aldeia da Mata Pequena is a rare surviving example of the traditional architecture of the region, and is composed of ten recovered ancient homes, now autonomous and well equipped.
Integrated in a protected landscape area; this village preserves its original identity, providing a journey to other times with every convenience and comfort conditions, far from the confusion and commotion of the city.
Aldeia Da Mata Pequena
Rua de São Francisco de AssisAldeia da Mata Pequena is a rare surviving example of the traditional architecture of the region, and is composed of ten recovered ancient homes, now autonomous and well equipped.
Integrated in a protected landscape area; this village preserves its original identity, providing a journey to other times with every convenience and comfort conditions, far from the confusion and commotion of the city.
The only tapada (hunting grounds) open to the public, with 1187 hectares of woods, it has several species of animals. The Garden of Cerco surrounds the building (with an area of 8 ha) and functions as a transition element between the monument and the Tapada of Mafra. A special note goes to the central tank, the "nora" and the small lakes.
23 locals recommend
Jardim do Cerco
Largo General Humberto DelgadoThe only tapada (hunting grounds) open to the public, with 1187 hectares of woods, it has several species of animals. The Garden of Cerco surrounds the building (with an area of 8 ha) and functions as a transition element between the monument and the Tapada of Mafra. A special note goes to the central tank, the "nora" and the small lakes.
Food scene
One of our favorite restaurants in Ericeira; it hosts a vast array of Portuguese-gastronomy-based dishes with a twist, and we highly recommend paying Toca do Caboz a visit while you are here.
Toca do Caboz
60A R. da Fonte do CaboOne of our favorite restaurants in Ericeira; it hosts a vast array of Portuguese-gastronomy-based dishes with a twist, and we highly recommend paying Toca do Caboz a visit while you are here.
A great local 'watering-hole'; where you can have a few drinks and eat typical 'tasca' food; including bifanas, pregos and other delicacies. Highly recommended for a few hours on a night out at the town of Ericeira.
Lebre
A great local 'watering-hole'; where you can have a few drinks and eat typical 'tasca' food; including bifanas, pregos and other delicacies. Highly recommended for a few hours on a night out at the town of Ericeira.
Skateboarding
Boardriders is a very welcoming place, and more than just a surf and skate shop or a place to eat, it is a place to spend some time watching the skaters in the pools, to listen to good music, soak in the vibes, or just enjoying the fabulous sea view.
8 locals recommend
Skate Park Boardriders Quiksilver Ericeira
Nº36A Largo São SebastiãoBoardriders is a very welcoming place, and more than just a surf and skate shop or a place to eat, it is a place to spend some time watching the skaters in the pools, to listen to good music, soak in the vibes, or just enjoying the fabulous sea view.
Beaches
A beach surrounded by huge, quite beautiful cliffs. From those high cliffs, one can sometimes view the falcão da rainha, a rare kind of hawk that has its nests there. The beach is attended by youngsters and by families. It has a small bar/restaurant with an excellent terrace
13 locals recommend
Praia da Calada
A beach surrounded by huge, quite beautiful cliffs. From those high cliffs, one can sometimes view the falcão da rainha, a rare kind of hawk that has its nests there. The beach is attended by youngsters and by families. It has a small bar/restaurant with an excellent terrace
This coarse sand beach is located between very beautiful cliffs. Here you will find the São Lourenço Fort, dating from the 16th century. There is a small stage for performances, a first-aid post and a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the beach.
31 locals recommend
Beach São Lourenço
This coarse sand beach is located between very beautiful cliffs. Here you will find the São Lourenço Fort, dating from the 16th century. There is a small stage for performances, a first-aid post and a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the beach.
A rather rocky beach on a cliff, fit for diving and underwater fishing. Located in a friendly location with excellent restaurants that specialise in fish and shellfish.
6 locals recommend
Praia dos Coxos
19 Rua dos CoxosA rather rocky beach on a cliff, fit for diving and underwater fishing. Located in a friendly location with excellent restaurants that specialise in fish and shellfish.