This part of the Portuguese coast is made up of countless beaches framed by tall, dramatic cliffs,where travelers can be immersed in wild, untouched nature. Ericeira is famous as the only World Surfing Reserve in Europe, thanks to excellent waves and surfing conditions for all levels of surfers. This is also partly due to the strong presence of wind, which helps create the ideal wave conditions, so don’t be surprised by windy beach days in Ericeira and a less tropical climate.

Obviously, surfing (or learning to surf) is a must for many who travel to Portugal’s surfing capital. But Ericeira is a scenic town that’s continually developing, with too many gorgeous beaches to count. This once-quaint rustic fishing town has tons of things to do and see. Here are our top must-dos for a fabulous trip to Ericeira, Portugal.

 

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Praia da Ribeira d’Ilhas is the most popular beach in Ericeira among surfers, and worth seeing for anyone visiting Ericeira in general. This is the beach which offers the best waves on the Silver Coast, which explains why it’s the site of many international surfing competitions, including the QuickSilver Pro Portugal Competition.

Praia da Ribeira d’Ilhas is a gorgeous beach with consistent waves and a wide stretch of sand. The beach maintains a laidback, chill vibe; making it a great place to hang out for surfers and beach dwellers alike. Praia da Ribeira d’Ilhas encapsulates what Ericeira is all about so be sure to pop on down at some point, if only for the vibes.

Praia da Baleia is also great for families, thanks to the natural swimming pool at the northern end of the beach, next to Hotel Vila Gale Ericeira. The sparkling turquoise waters of the natural pool are nice for swimming and is a unique feature out of all the beaches in the area. Basically, there’s something for everyone, including groups and families looking for a fun day on the beach.

Immerso is one of the most unique luxury design hotels to open in Portugal in recent years. The sleek, state-of-the-art property has become a destination of its own, and is putting Ericeira on the map for hotel junkies.

Located in the hills of Ribamar, Immerso is a minimalist architectural marvel overlooking the lush green valleys and electric blue ocean of the Silver Coast. Every part of the property exudes understated luxury and elevated design, which accentuate the surrounding elements of land and sea.

The main town center of Ericeira is charming and historic – a collection of low, white-washed buildings and churches with a touch of Santorini blue and typical Portuguese azulejo tiles. You can easily walk from one end of the old town to the other within a few minutes. The best way to see the town is to walk down the main thoroughfare, Rua Dr. Eduardo Burnay, from the south end heading north, where the road will eventually lead directly to Praia dos Pescadores. This street is also where most of the cafés and shops are concentrated, while most of the bars and restaurants are located in the cluster of streets on the northern end of town. Be sure to venture in and out of small alleyways in between, where you’ll discover alluring little plazas and the occasional impromptu fado concert.

Once you reach Praia dos Pescadores, you can turn around and walk down Largo das Ribas – the promenade along the coast offering gorgeous views of the villages on the cliffs and the sea. Ericeira’s must-see attractions also include the Igreja de São Pedro (the town’s historic and beautiful church,) and Capela da Boa Viagem (the pretty little chapel that sits above Praia dos Pescadores.)

Praia de São Sebastião makes up one of the most beautiful parts of the Silver Coast. The beach features a long stretch of sand that runs along towering cliffs walling off the beach. It’s a popular option for those who want beautiful ocean views while staying away from the crowds. Be sure to plan according to the tides if going to Praia de São Sebastião, because the sand completely disappears during high tide.

ONDA, the restaurant located inside the trendy Aethos Ericeira hotel, is one of the top dining destinations in the area for its gorgeous setting and creative plant-forward menu. Inside ONDA, diners are surrounded by stunning ocean views from all directions. The vibe is relaxed and comfortable without losing its chic, trendy aesthetic.

Head chef, Nuno Matos, opts for simplicity, allowing all his locally-sourced ingredients to express their flavors harmoniously. ONDA’s menu contains top-grade Portuguese goods like Atlantic octopus, turbot, and wild grouper, much of which is caught nearby. The magic, however, lies in the ways that plant-based ingredients are used to add flavor and depth to each dish, like the tangy Atlantic octopus with walnut sauce and grapes or the rich carrot tartar with blood orange.

Many of the must-try menu items are fully plant-based, like the king oyster mushroom with rich umami miso sauce or the delectable beetroot and blood orange salad. ONDA also has an excellent cocktail menu of dreamy signature concoctions that expertly highlight natural ingredients just as well as the food. For a stylish and creative dining experience, pop into ONDA at Aethos Ericeira, where you can dig into both fabulous dishes and views.

If there’s a day when you feel like chilling on a beach that’s far from the crowds and not teeming with surfers, Praia dos Coxos is the perfect spot! Praia dos Coxos is located in the neighboring village of Ribamar, just a 10-minute drive from Ericeira. To get there, you need to turn onto a side road located on a sneaky fork in the main highway. The drive down the beach road itself is very pretty, as you’ll see quaint houses perched on the cliffs of Ribamar and bright blue ocean stretching out.

Praia dos Coxos is enclosed by dramatic cliffs, which lends the beach a sense of calm and privacy. Although the cliffs don’t necessarily keep out the wind, so don’t be surprised if it’s still quite windy when you reach at the bottom to the beach. Still, Praia dos Coxos is friendlier to swimmers, more so than to surfers, thanks to the wide sandy shore. It’s a good beach to spend a chill day in the sand and take a dip in the waves if you feel like it.