What to see in Ericeira ?

Ericeira is one of the world's few surfing reserves in Europe, a status that sticks to it without having disfigured the place. The village keeps its whitewashed and blue-trimmed streets, its nets drying in the sun, and a neighbourhood life that still revolves around the port fishermen. Praia do Norte and the Ribeira d'Ilhas break structure the local geography and draw an international community that settles in for the long haul rather than just passing through.

Spring and autumn offer the best conditions: active swell, reasonable crowds, sharp light. Two to three days are enough to feel the rhythm of the place, longer if you surf. From Lisbon, the Mafrense bus from Praça de Espanha remains the most direct option. Avoid August on the coast itself: beaches near the road become saturated and restaurant prices climb for no good reason.