Portugal City Travel Guide: Ericeira
Ericeira - Seaside Fun & Activities
Ericeira (pronounced eri-sej-re) is a small Atlantic resort in Estremadura with a population of around 10,000 people.
The town is part of the municipality of Mafra and can be reached in about 80 minutes by bus from Lisbon.
An historic port town, its beaches are now best known as a surfer's paradise. Indeed Ericeira World Surfing Reserve is the first such in Europe and the second so designated in the world (in 2011) after Malibu in California.
There are presently 11 World Surfing Reserves (WSR) around in the world including beaches in California, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Australia.
History
The town received it charter in the 13th century and from its port vessels left for such faraway destinations as Brazil and Scotland. Sardine fishing was also once a major industry.
Ericeira has long been visited by the great and good of Portuguese society who came during the 18th century to bathe in the iodine-rich waters of the Atlantic. Visitors included the Bishop of Coimbra and various members of the Portuguese royal family and aristocracy.
It was from Praia dos Pescadores that King Manuel II of Portugal went into exile after the 1910 Revolution ended the monarchy in Portugal.
Nowadays the town is mainly frequented by weekending Lisboetas and foreign surfers.
Attractions
Praça da República is the centre of the town flanked by several bars and cafes. The streets are mainly car free making for pleasant strolls. There's a daily produce market and Porto da Pesca is still a working fishing port.
Churches in Ericeira include the small, whitewashed Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem (Capela de Santo António), the 15th century Capela de Santa Marta and the Igreja de São Pedro. The small Ermida de São Sebastião stands above the Praia de São Sebastião. It is believed to date back to the 13th century but was completely rebuilt in the 18th century. The inside is lined with azulejos tiles. The chapel hosts a festival in January in honor of St. Sebastian and St. Vincent. It begins with Mass in the chapel and continues with drinking, eating, and dancing in the square outside.
Beaches
It is the town's beaches, however, that continue to draw most visitors.
Close to the town itself is Praia do Sul. To the north are Praia do Norte, Praia de São Sebastião and Matadouro. Further north still is Praia de Ribeira d'Ilhas, the main surfing beach with the biggest waves and a frequent venue for surfing competitions.
All have excellent surf with surfing establishments offering lessons at all levels of ability.
South of town is Foz de Lizandro on the picturesque River Lizandro. This is one of the calmest beaches in Ericeira and ideal for beginners.
Ericeira Tourist Office
Posto de Turismo da Ericeira e Centro de Interpretação da Reserva Mundial de Surf
Praça da República, 17
2655-347 Ericeira
Tel. 261 863 122.
Getting to Ericeira
Train Travel in Portugal
There is no station in Ericeira itself. The nearest railway stations are Sintra Station in Sintra and Torres Vedras. There are buses to Ericeira from Sintra (45 minutes).
It is easiest to arrive here, however, by bus from Lisbon (see below).
Car Travel in Portugal
From Lisbon take the A8 highway north and then the A21 to Ericeira. Journey time should be 40-50 minutes depending on traffic from Lisbon Airport.
Bus Travel in Portugal
On the bus, it takes 1 hour, 20 minutes from Lisbon to Ericeira. Take the Lisbon metro to Campo Grande Station, then a Mafrense bus to Ericeira which runs through Mafra. Frequent buses run from 6.27 am to 11.45 pm daily.
The bus stops at Loures, Lousa, Venda do Pinheiro, Malveira, Calapinheira, Mafra, Sobreiro, Zambujal (not all buses) and Ericeira.
See here for a timetable in PDF: www.mafrense.pt
Portugal Hotel & Hostel Accommodation
Ericeira offers a range of accommodation to suit all budgets from cut-price surfers' lodges to high-end hotels.
The summer months of July and August are the peak season so you will need to book early to guarantee a room at this time.
Some recommendations are the Reserva FLH Hotels Ericeira, the Chill in Ericeira Surf House and the guest house Hospedaria Bernardo.
See a complete listing of places to stay in Ericeira.
Featured Hotel in Ericeira
Reserva FLH Hotels Ericeira
Buffet breakfast & free WiFi.
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Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, Tramcars, and Yellow Boat River Tour
Eating
There is a wide choice of places to eat in Ericeira. Established eateries that have been around for some time include Pao d'alho on Rua Doutor Eduardo Burnay for pizza, Tik Tak at Rua 5 de Outubro 7, and steak at Prim also on Rua 5 de Outubro at number 20.
Other places that come recommended are Tik Tapas, Mar das Latas Wine & Food with vegetarian options and Mar d'Areia and Mar a Vista for quality seafood.
Drinking
Bars and cafes abound in town. Jukebox Bar on Rua Doutor Miguel Bombarda has good reviews. Ourico Discoteca seems a place to avoid.
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Ericeira Activities
Over recent years Ericeira has become a hub for various wellness and spiritual retreats. Try a 4-day yoga course or an 8-day yoga course by the shores of the calming ocean.
See a listing of all yoga retreats available in Ericeira.
Highlights include 2 daily yoga classes (75-90 minutes each), meditation and pranayama, a 1-hour relaxing massage, plus daily local transfers to town and beaches, vegetarian dinners, daily healthy breakfasts and accommodation.
The average high June temperatures for Portugal is between 22 degrees Centigrade and 26 degrees Centigrade.
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Nearby
Other places to visit in the Estremadura region of Portugal include Alcobaça, Batalha, Caldas da Rainha, Fátima, Foz do Arelho, Golegã, Leiria, Mafra, Nazaré, Óbidos, Ourém, Peniche, Santarém, Tomar, Torres Vedras and Vila Franca de Xira.