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April 28, 2024
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Ericeira is a small Portuguese fishing village located about 40 kilometers from the bustling capital Lisbon. It is known for being the first World Surfing Reserve in Europe and lies in close proximity to many beautiful Cultural Heritage sites like the UNESCO-protected town of Sintra and the palace of Mafra. The beaches in Ericeira are great, whether you like watersports or just lazing away your days with a good book. In this post, you’ll find the 17 best beaches in Ericeira!
Ericeira, Portugal.
Ericeira is located a 40-minute drive from the capital city and is a great town to visit on a day trip from Lisbon. It is characterized by narrow cobblestone streets and beautiful white and blue traditional houses.
While the center of Ericeira has become quite busy in recent years, with a great influx of ex-pats and tourists in the summer months, it is still an enjoyable town. In the mornings you can see fishermen catching fresh fish and it’s still possible to find relatively quiet beaches in the near area.
That said, due to the influx of ex-pats, housing prices have risen drastically for the local Portuguese, making them have to leave their hometown of Ericeira because they cannot afford the rent. As conscious travelers, it’s important to be aware of this.
So, if you visit Ericeira, make sure you consume locally. Go to local restaurants, shop locally, and stay in a locally-owned guesthouse or Airbnb, so the money from your travels benefits the local community.
Beaches in Ericeira: Sao Lourenço beach
That said, this post is about all the great beaches in and around Ericeira. This list will highlight the beaches in the center of Ericeira first and afterward, it will emphasize on the beaches a little further away, which are often quieter and some even without facilities.
In the end, I will add three more gorgeous beaches located in the Sintra-Cascais natural park that you absolutely can’t miss!
Ericeira has four beaches that are located within walking distance of the old town of Ericeira. Aside from these urban beaches, there are plenty more beaches in the surrounding area which are considered to be a part of the World Surfing Reserve.
Some of these beaches or way less crowded than the ones in the city center and are perfect if you like a rather remote and untouched vibe.
Yes, during the summer months the sea is quite calm in Ericeira and it’s possible to enjoy a dip in the ocean. Do be aware that the water temperature in Ericeira is not high and hovers around 19 degrees Celsius during the summer months. This is due to a cold water stream, causing the upwelling of deep and colder ocean water, just in front of the coast of Ericeira.
While Ericeira is a World Surfing Reserve, the waves only get really high from October to April. During the summer months, the swell won’t get too rough and you can enjoy the ocean in a comfortable way. The bottom of the ocean is quite rocky in some places though, so it’s wise to wear reef shoes to protect your feet.
The four urban beaches of Ericeira are easily reachable on foot but do tend to get crowded during the summer months. Since there are many things to do in and around Ericeira, it is convenient to have your own transport to reach further away beaches and more remote locations.
During high season, a beach bus connects the beaches from Foz do Lizandro all the way to Ribeira d’Ilhas. This is a great way to get around but won’t get you to beaches that are still a bit further away like Praia de Sao Lourenço and Praia de Sao Juliao.
Another option is renting an electrical bike for your stay in Ericeira. The terrain around Ericeira is pretty hilly, so I wouldn’t recommend renting a normal bike unless you are in really good shape. E-bikes can be rented through Take Off E-bike.
Ericeira Beaches: Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas
Here are 17 great beaches you can find in and around Ericeira. I will first highlight the four urban beaches around the town of Ericeira and afterward, I will focus on the beaches which require a small drive from the town center. To finish up, I will tell you more about three great beaches in the Cascais-Sintra natural park.
There are four beaches in the center of Ericeira all within easy reach by foot if you are staying in the old town of Ericeira. Do keep in mind that these beaches tend to get crowded in the summer months, so if that’s not your cup of tea, it’s best to aim for the beaches a bit further away.
Ericeira beaches: Praia do Sul
Praia do Sul lies on the southern edge of the old town of Ericeira. Also called Praia da Baleia, it forms the main beach of Ericeira. It is a developed beach and you can find all the facilities you need here, from toilets and showers to a restaurant and a few cafés. Renting an umbrella and sunbeds costs € 20/per day.
The view is dominated by the Vila Gale hotel which seems to be the only resort-like hotel in the area. There is a small rock pool on the northern side of the beach that is perfect for children to play in at low tide. There is a parking lot at the southern end of the beach but it is also relatively easy to find parking space at the northern end of the beach near the old town. If you park there, have a coffee first at Nalu Bowls, before making your way to the beach.
Beaches Ericeira: Praia do Norte
The small stretch of beach of Praia do Norte is right at the northern end of the center of Ericeira and therefore pretty popular with tourists. There are sunbeds and umbrellas for rent at the beach and showers and toilets.
Although close to the center, it’s one of the less scenic beaches of Ericeira but a good one for a late-night stroll and seeing the sunset.
Beaches in Ericeira: Praia dos Pescadores
Praia dos Pescadores is the main beach of Ericeira that is located right in front of the town center. a pier has been built in recent years to create a small harbor for all the fishing boats docked at the bay. Because of that, it has the calmest waters and it is the best beach to swim at.
Praia dos Pescadores is a good beach to have a picnic on a sunny day but remember that you probably won’t be the only one having this idea during the summer months. It has toilets and showers and you can rent sun beds and umbrellas for € 20/day. It’s also a great beach to do SUP.
Beaches in Ericeira: Praia de Sao Sebastiao
Praia de Sao Sebastiao is at the northernmost tip of the center of Ericeira and is the first “wild” beach you’ll come across near the town center. There are no facilities on the beach and it almost completely disappears during high tide.
The beach is accessed by a beautiful white staircase made of Portuguese cobblestones. It’s a great spot to take some pictures. There’s also a bit parking lot at the top of the cliff so it’s easily accessible by car.
→ Also read: Lisbon to Ericeira: An Easy Transport Guide
In my opinion, the best beaches are outside of the center of Ericeira, just a short drive away. They tend to have fewer crowds, are often surrounded by beautiful cliffs, and feel more authentic than the beaches in Ericeira itself. Here we go!
Best beach in Ericeira: Praia de Sao Lourenço
This was by far my favorite beach around Ericeira. It is located near the cute little town of Ribamar, which still feels truly Portuguese, in comparison to Ericeira. It’s only a ten-minute drive from Ericeira but feels more local and is surrounded by a river and beautiful cliffs.
On the beach, you can find everything you need. There are toilets and showers and there is a nice beach bar on the beach where it’s great to have a coffee in the morning. Don’t come to Sao Lourenço if you want a beach with a young crowd and party vibes. Sao Lourenço is rather a place to enjoy nature and tranquility although it’s also often visited by Portuguese families with children.
Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas
Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas is a beach located between the center of Ericeira and Ribamar. It has a large parking lot and a nice beachside bar and restaurant where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and diner in a pleasant atmosphere.
While the main beach is pretty busy, there a two small beaches with lesser crowds at the southern end with beautiful rocks and cliffs. There are a few surf schools near the beach and you will probably see some beginning surfers in the ocean trying to catch a wave.
Beaches near Ericeira: Praia dos Coxos
If remoteness is what you’re after then Coxos beach is probably your best bet in the area around Ericeira. Praia do Coxos has no facilities but a beautiful location completely surrounded by cliffs.
Coxos beach is a soft and sandy beach and is great to spend a few hours but look out if you want to have a swim in the ocean. There are a lot of rocks in the water, so be careful. It’s also a great beach to meditate in the morning since it’s not that popular with tourists and chances are you will have it all to yourself.
Beaches near Ericeira: Praia da Foz do Lizandro
Another great beach near Ericeira is Praia do Foz de Lizandro. The beauty of this beach is the Lizandro River which flows gently into the sea. While the sea is relatively cold at any time of the year, the river is quite warm and not deep so perfect for a dip if you don’t feel like getting into the ocean.
There are some great restaurants here by the beach. My favorite was Barbatana. Its extensive list of vegan breakfast and lunch options makes it one of the best restaurants for vegans in Ericeira. There’s also a surf school where you can rent surfboards and SUP boards. The umbrellas were free to use during my visit. There is a very clean public toilet at the entrance near the parking lot.
Beaches in Ericeira: Praia da Empa
Praia da Empa is one of the more wilder beaches near Ericeira. It is not the best place to swim or do some sunbathing because of the rocky reef located where the sand meets the sea.
There are no facilities here and it can get quite windy which makes it a good place for surfing. The ocean view is also very lovely seen from the parking lot.
Beaches in Ericeira: Praia do Matadouro
Praia do Matadouro is the beach that is most frequented by surfers. It is right across the street from the Quicksilver surf shop and bar. As you can see in the photo it’s not the best place for sunbathing because of its rocky beach. There are also no facilities.
At the top of the cliff, there’s a cute food truck tough with a few chairs and tables that sell coffee and hotdogs, and hamburgers.
Sao Juliao beach is a tat further away from Ericeira than Lizandro Beach. It’s quite a large beach, with beautiful cliffs on the southern side. On Sao Juliao beach you can find everything need, like toilets, showers and two bars which serve drinks and snacks.
From the top of the Northern cliff, there are beautiful hiking trails leading all the way to Lizandro Beach. Check Maps.me to see the trails.
On the way from Coxos beach to Ribeira d’Ilhas, you can find beautiful hiking trails with great views of the ocean and the cliffs. On the road, you pass by some deserted beaches.
According to Google Maps they are called Praia do Banco do Cavalinho, Praia do Penedo Mouro and Praia da Pesqueira. In reality, when walking the trails, it’s hard to figure out which beach goes by which name.
Along the trail, you can find some beautiful photo spots and enjoy the coastal vegetation along the hiking trails, for example, huge aloë vera plants. The beaches are mostly made up of rocks.
I walked all the way from Coxos beach to Ribeira d’Ilhas and for the first part of the trail, there were no people to be seen on the beaches so I assume they are inaccessible due to the surrounding cliffs.
However, there were some people sunbathing and in the water around the last beach near Ribeira d’Ilhas. I haven’t tried it myself but I assume you can get to the beach in the picture below by going over rocky terrain starting at the beach of Ribeira d’Ilhas.
Either way, it’s a beautiful walk and you should definitely do this hike when you are visiting Ericeira! The trail is easy to find and very walkable so you don’t need hiking shoes or equipment. It’s even doable on flip-flops.
If you have your own transport then there are three beautiful beaches you can visit in the Sintra-Cascais natural park which lies in the vicinity of Ericeira. While Magoito Beach is a half an hour drive from Ericeira, Adraga and Ursa beach require a 45-minute drive, and Ursa beach also a short hike.
Yes, you have probably seen a lot of pictures of this beach on Instagram. It’s a very popular spot to take photos because of the jagged rocks which make this beach unique.
The best way to reach Ursa beach is to drive to Cabo Da Roca. From there a trail will take you to Ursa beach in half an hour. Ursa beach tends to be the most beautiful around sunrise or sunset. Bring a flashlight if you would visit at sunset to make your way back safe to Cabo Da Roca in the dark.
Another beautiful beach in Sintra-Cascais natural park is Praia da Adraga. Praia de Adraga also has some beautiful rock formations and there’s a seafood restaurant on the beach that also serves a vegetable soup and a vegan main dish (vegetable stew with rice).
There is a small parking lot near the beach and there’s another secluded beach adjacent to Adraga Beach called Praia do Cavalo.
And last but not least, you can find Magoito beach in the Sintra-Cascais natural park. It is known for its very long stretch of sand along its mighty cliffs. It’s the perfect place if you are longing for a long walk on the beach. If you walk far enough you will reach the remote and wild beach of Praia da Ugada.
There is a restaurant at Praia de Magoito, a large parking lot, and showers and toilets.
If you are planning to visit Ericeira you are probably wondering what the best places to stay are. It highly depends on your wishes of course and if you rather want to be in the hustle and bustle of the town center or somewhere in the outskirts where it’s quieter.
I’ll list a few options here and I will indicate who will enjoy these types of accommodation:
There you go! I hope you enjoyed this post about the best beaches in Ericeira. If you have any remarks, please let me know in the comments below or drop me a message through my contact page!
Also, check out my resources page with my favorite booking platform and travel resources. Need tips for packing? Check out the travel gear I personally use to travel as sustainably as possible!
ENJOY!
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Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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