Ericeira combines a strong surfing tradition with a varied coastline and a rich local history. The Ericeira World Surfing Reserve stretches between Empa Beach and São Lourenço Beach. Along the coast, high cliffs alternate with small sandy coves. As well as surfing, visitors can choose to focus on the landscape, culture or culinary discoveries during their stay.

Discover the surf coast and nature

Ericeira has been recognised as a World Surfing Reserve. The variety of waves makes surfing possible at different skill levels; several companies also offer surf lessons. Both surfing and lessons are therefore part of what the town has to offer. The different wave difficulty levels can be a helpful guide when considering how important surfing should be to your trip.

The Centro de Interpretação da Reserva Mundial de Surf da Ericeira offers an immersive visitor experience and showcases the region’s flora and fauna. It is integrated into the Ericeira tourist office. Its focus on nature adds another perspective on the region to the surfing theme, showing that the coast is more than just a place for water sports. Visitors who want to include landscapes and nature alongside the sea in their stay will find a distinct thematic experience here.

Routes for active and cultural days

The Mafra Cycling municipal cycling guide lists the route “Ericeira 3 – Percurso Verde (Fácil)”, classifying it as easy. A different perspective is offered by “Devoções. Património Religioso da Ericeira”: this route is one of five thematic routes in the municipal heritage programme and can be undertaken all year round. The programme brochure’s availability may change, so it is best to check in advance.

The two routes offer different experiences: one is listed as a cycling route in the municipal guide, while the other explores religious heritage as a themed trail. When planning your travel dates, it is also helpful to note the difference between a route that can be visited all year round and a seasonal festival: the festivals in honour of S. Sebastião and S. Vicente take place in late January near the Capela de São Sebastião. Check the specific festival dates in advance if you would like to plan your trip around them.

Churches, architecture and local history

The Capela de São Sebastião dates from the 15th or 16th century. Its hexagonal floor plan and dome, built of brick and lime masonry with articulated segments, give the building a distinctive architectural form. The Igreja Paroquial de São Pedro is also associated with a long history: its origins are believed to date back at least to the first half of the 15th century; the oldest known documentary reference is from 1446. The church is classified as an Imóvel de Interesse Público, meaning a property of public interest worthy of protection.

The history of the Igreja da Misericórdia includes plans dating back to 1678: the church was planned after the Câmara da Ericeira transferred the Capela do Espírito Santo to Francisco Lopes Franco. A later chapter in the town’s history can be seen in a building now used for cultural purposes: in 1924, the building used by the Casa de Cultura Jaime Lobo e Silva was given decorative features in the Art Nouveau style.

The Arquivo-Museu da Misericórdia da Ericeira was founded on 1 June 1937. It preserves nine 17th-century paintings depicting the Passion of Christ. It also holds a significant collection of ethnographic records of the local community’s relationship with the sea. Together, these collections and churches tell different but interconnected stories of the town’s history: religious tradition, community life and Ericeira’s maritime character.

Market and local products

The Mercado Municipal da Ericeira is known for the quality of its fresh fish and seafood. Show cooking events and tastings of local products are also held there regularly. The market also hosts the Festival Internacional do Ouriço do Mar. Everyday connections to local products and a dedicated festival come together here; check the specific festival dates before planning a visit around it.

When choosing accommodation, you can start by deciding which side of Ericeira you would like to shape your stay: surfing and coastal scenery, a route with a cultural focus, local history or food. The verified offerings for the various activities and the historical sites described here provide different starting points, without requiring you to follow a fixed itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Carvoeira, Malveira, Santo Isidoro, Mafra, Gradil, Enxara do Bispo, Igreja Nova.

Go to the main travel overview: Mafra.