Ericeira

A fishing town on Portugal's Atlantic coast, known for surf breaks, a cliff-top old town and seafood.

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Ericeira is a fishing town on Portugal's Atlantic coast, north of Lisbon and reached by bus or car. Visitors come for the surf: the town was named a World Surfing Reserve in 2011, and its beach and reef breaks suit first-timers taking a lesson as well as experienced surfers. The old town stands on a cliff above the sea, with whitewashed houses, narrow lanes and harbor restaurants that grill fish and seafood.

The royal palace at Mafra, an 18th-century building, is a short drive inland. Ericeira suits surfers, couples and travelers who want a smaller coastal base than Portugal's big resort towns. Spring and autumn balance surf with comfortable walking weather, while winter brings the largest swells. Two to four days cover the old town, a surf session or lesson and a day at Mafra.

Ericeira in five

Take a bus or drive: there is no trainEriceira is not on the rail network, so most visitors arrive by direct bus from Lisbon or by car. Check the current operator's timetable and the last bus back if you are on a day trip.Getting around Europe
Add Mafra's palace to a morningThe Palácio Nacional de Mafra is open Wednesday to Monday, 9:30 to 17:30, with last entry at 16:30, and closed on Tuesdays. The standard ticket is €15, and the basilica was listed as closed for restoration from January 2025.Museums and monuments tickets
Choose a surf beach by levelEriceira has a range of breaks, from beginner-friendly beach breaks to reef breaks that suit experienced surfers. Book lessons with a school and check the flags and the swell before you paddle out.
Combine Ericeira with Cascais or LisbonThe Lisbon-Cascais coast, Ericeira and Sintra make a short loop by car. If you do not drive, base in Lisbon and use Ericeira as a long day trip by bus.Cascais travel guide

Things to do in Ericeira

See all attractions in Ericeira

Viewpoint · EriceiraMiradouro Ribeira d'Ilhas

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to EriceiraPut the places you like in Ericeira on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Lisbon (LIS), then bus or car
Getting there: Direct bus from Lisbon or car; no train station
Getting around: Walking in town; car or taxi for outlying beaches
Best base: The old town near the harbor
Time needed: 1 day as a trip; 2 to 4 nights for surf

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh15°Low9°Mild, swell
FebruaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Mild, swell
MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Spring, swell
AprilRain13 rainy daysHigh18°Low12°Warm, showers
MayClear9 rainy daysHigh20°Low13°Warm, clear
JuneClear7 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Warm, windy
JulyClear3 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Warm, busy
AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Warm, busy
SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Warm, surf
OctoberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°Mild, surf
NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Rain, swell
DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Mild, swell

Average daily high and low in Ericeira, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Ericeira

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 15°
Humidity: 63%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Ericeira

08:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today22°11°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue23°9°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 23°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed20°7°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 20°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
Thu19°8°8%Thursday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 8%.
Fri19°10°55%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 55%.
Sat19°18°77%Saturday: Rain. High 19°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 77%.
Sun20°17°93%Sunday: Rain. High 20°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 93%.

Updated 06:12 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Ericeira

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

JulSuper Bock Super RockSetúbal, a day trip
JulNOS AliveLisbon, a day trip

Day trips by train

Mafrashort ride or driveA large national palace with a library, a basilica under restoration and wide courtyards.
Cascaisby car or via LisbonA seaside town with a bay, promenade and cliffs.Read the guide
Lisbonby bus or carThe capital's old districts, trams and viewpoints.Read the guide

Before you go to Ericeira

Stays in the old townWalk to the harbor and the lanesCheck availability

Mafra palace ticketsTimed entry avoids the queueBook timed entry

eSIM for EriceiraBus times and surf forecastsRead the guide

Insurance for surf and rentalsCover for lessons and board damageRead the guide

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Rules for Ericeira, checked

Palácio Nacional de Mafra: €15, open Wednesday to Monday 9:30 to 17:30, last entry 16:30, closed Tuesdays; the basilica is closed for restoration (as listed).Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source

Plan around Ericeira

Lisbon travel guide

The capital and its airport

Read the guide Cascais travel guide

A coastal town by train from Lisbon

Read the guide Estremadura and Ribatejo

Monasteries and walled towns to the north

Read the guide Car and rail in Portugal

When to hire a car

Read the guide Sintra travel guide

Palaces and gardens a short drive south

Read the guide All of Portugal

Cities, coast and entry rules

Read the guide

Ericeira FAQ

Is Ericeira worth visiting?

Yes for a quiet fishing town with surf, seafood and a cliff-top old town. It is not for travelers who want nightlife or a wide sandy beach.

How do you get to Ericeira from Lisbon?

By direct bus or by car. There is no train station, so check the bus operator's timetable and the last bus back for a day trip.

Is Ericeira good for beginner surfers?

Yes at the beach breaks, with surf schools in town, but the Atlantic can be strong. Take lessons, stay on the beach breaks and respect the flags and local advice.

Can you visit Mafra palace from Ericeira?

Yes. The Palácio Nacional de Mafra is open Wednesday to Monday and closed on Tuesdays, with a €15 standard ticket and last entry at 16:30. The basilica was listed as closed for restoration from January 2025.

When is the best time to visit Ericeira?

May to September for warm days and calmer beaches; autumn for surf and fewer people. Winter is mild and wet, with strong swell on the beaches.