The 13 Most Incredible Ericeira Beaches 2023

Ericeira is right on the coast and is mainly recognised for its fantastic waves as the only World Surf Reserve in Europe. Its fabulous sandy beaches are a great place to spend the day even if you don’t surf! Keep reading to hear about Ericeira beaches and their highlights.

The Most Incredible Ericeira Beaches: The Low Down

Can you swim in Ericeira beaches?

Yes! The water is warmest and calmest in August and the first weeks of September. You do have to be careful where you choose to swim however, since the tides can be quite strong and the sea bottom quite sharp and rocky. Each beach has its particularities, and not all are suitable for children. Read on to find out more.

13 Best Beaches in Ericeira 2022

The surf reserve is blessed with 11 beautiful beaches. Some are sandier than others, and each has its attributes, but all kiss visitors’ hair with sea salt and send them home sighing of contentment. Read on to see what each has to offer.

1. Praia dos Pescadores (Peixe): Best Swimming Beach in Ericeira

This beach is the main urban beach to the village, where a pier has recently been built to protect the small marina full of fishing boats.

Walking down to this beach is an experience since you’ll often see someone fixing a net, painting a boat, or unloading the catch of the day. As a result of the new pier, a calm bay has been created where families flock on sunny days.

It’s a perfect place for swimming and SUP since it is soo well protected by the cliffs and has a large expanse of sand to relax on. During the summer months, you’ll find the very hip Kayak beach shack up near the cliffs, where ice cream, drinks, and snacks are served to holiday goers swinging in hammocks.

Here you’ll find a lifeguard and bathrooms, as well as umbrellas and sun chairs for 20 Euros a day.

2. Praia do Sul (Baleia): Best Beach Ericeira

For years, my Ericeira beach house overlooked this beach and we loved the view! This iconic beach has been preferred by the Portuguese since the 50s.

The Vila Gale Hotel which flanks this beach lends an old-world charm to it which really recreates the ‘European beach’ feel Ericeira has always been known for. The blue and white striped tarps put up on the sandy stretch in summer months just add to this feeling.

The North side of the beach has a natural pool protected by large rocks which is truly enjoyable to wade in when the tide is low. Since it is also well protected by the cliffs, it’s not that windy. Here there is a lifeguard during summer months, bathrooms, a really nice restaurant, and a few cafes to enjoy the sand between your toes.

A spot with loungers under the striped tarps goes for 20 Euros per day. There is a parking lot to the South of the beach, and some surfers do enjoy surfing here first thing in the morning.

3. Praia do Norte (Algodio)

This beach is to the North of the center, and has a large narrow sandy stretch right in front of Ericeira’s Nautical club, a great spot for cheap fish for lunch. Since this beach is so much more open and windy and doesn’t have a bathroom or lifeguard, it isn’t as popular, although it does have a few umbrellas on the South side.

4. Praia de Sao Sebastiao: Best Wild Beach in Ericeira

This is one of my favorite beaches to walk along since it is full of nooks and crannies in the cliff and flat rocks along the sandy shore. This beach really only exists during low tide, but make sure to bring your bucket to fill with driftwood, shells, starfish, and crabs.

Here there is no lifeguard, and no bathrooms, umbrellas, or cafes. There is however a large parking lot at the top of the cliff behind the iconic domed church, and several restaurants in the square across from it.

Up on the cliff, there is a walking trail and a great cafe with a children’s park, which makes this beach a pleasant place to go for a few hours during low tide followed by coffee or ice cream.

5. Praia do Matadouro: Best Beach in Ericeira for Beginners

This beach is located right below the Quicksilver Surf Shop and is the obvious place for surfing. The beach has no sand, which makes it less comfortable for sunbathers, but fun to peek into the shallow pools created in low tide. Kids will love to collect shells, shrimps, and crabs if they can catch them!

During the summer there is a small food truck in the tiny parking lot, but there is lots offered up at the Quicksilver bar across the way, including a larger parking lot and great live music after the beach. There is no bathroom or lifeguard on this beach.

6. Praia de Ribiera d’Ilhas: World-Class Surfing Beach

Out of all Ericeira beaches, Ribeira D’Ilhas is a favorite with families for many reasons. Firstly there’s a large parking lot and a great cafe/bar with a fantastic outdoor covered lounge area on a huge deck.

This means that adults can chill while kids run around on a scooter, run through the sand just below, or even feed the ducks that can often be seen here when the river level is higher.

This is also considered the best beach in Ericeira by surfers since it’s where most international surf competitions are held. There are several surf & yoga retreats as well as surf schools here too which will rent you a board if you’re up for it!

✅ Want a surf class? Click here to book a surf class in Ribeira d’Ilhas.

There are also several nice hiking trails that start here. This beach is a wide sandy stretch cut in two by a large stream which waxes and wanes with the tide. It is fairly sheltered by the surrounding cliffs and has showers, bathrooms, and a lifeguard in the summer months.

✅ Cliff biking is big in Ericeira! Click here to book a World Surf Reserve BTT Tour.

Check out our post on Praia de Ribeira D’Ilhas for more details.

7. Praia de Sao Lourenzo

This sandy beach is lovely to spend a few hours at and is usually not as busy as some of the other beaches since it isn’t as centrally located. There is a great little cafe with a deck, which offers bathrooms and showers for visitors.

There is a lifeguard in the summer months, as well as a smallish parking lot to make access easier.

This beach is very well protected by the cliffs, where you can climb the staircase up to the marvelous Golfinho restaurant for lunch or dinner. This beach also has a river which snakes down to the beach where there are usually a few hungry ducks that kids love to feed.

8. Praia da Foz do Lizandro: Best Beaches Ericeira

This beach is our favorite of all Ericeira beaches since it offers so many different options. Here a shallow river creates a sandy delta which forms a shallow, warmer pool of water for kids to play in during low tide.

Part of why it’s the best beach is because it’s so long and wide that you never feel crowded, and the variety of restaurants along the boardwalk provide bathrooms, showers, and drinking fountains to visitors.

Here you can also rent surfing and SUP equipment, and choose to glide on the river or surf the waves in the sea. Although this beach is not as protected, there are lifeguards here during the summer months and umbrellas for hire.

One of the fun things to do here is to wade across the river and find the crabs, muscles, and starfish that get caught in the pools of water in the large stones there. Going a little further there are some great hiking trails which will take you up to the next beach, Sao Juliao.

For more details check out our post on Praia da Foz do Lizandro.

9. Praia de Sao Juliao: Best Surf Beach in Ericeira

Although we go to this beach often, it’s not usually to swim since there are a lot of surfers and surf camps here and the sea is rougher due to how open it is. We do lots of Geocaching here and enjoy the hiking and beautiful views up on the cliff tops between this beach and Foz do Lizandro.

There is a cute little cafe up off the long sandy stretch and quite extensive parking up on the cliff. On the South side of the beach, there is also a bar which serves snacks and drinks during the summer months. Here you will find a lifeguard and bathroom, as well as umbrellas in high season.

10. Praia dos Coxos

This beach is tiny, and very well protected by the cliffs. It is a great spot for surfing, although not close to the beach, which often means the surf can be fairly strong depending on the day. Although it is a sandy beach, there are a fair amount of rocks in the shallow water, so beware.

Many people come here just to enjoy the view from the parking lot and take pictures of the stunning coastline seen from the top of the cliffs. On a clear day, the view takes your eye all the way to Sintra – definitely worth a stop for this!

There is a small bar set up on the beach in the summer months as well as a lifeguard, but no bathrooms are provided. Parking is very limited here so come early.

11. Praia da Empa: Best Surf Beach in Ericeira

This beach is more like a reef, and although it does have a sandy bit on the North side, it’s not a great place to sunbathe or swim since the access to the water is over mossy rocks. This is one of the more rudimentary of Ericeira’s beaches and you won’t find umbrellas, bathrooms, or even a lifeguard.

The current and the surf are quite strong here and it’s usually quite windy. It’s a very popular surf spot though, and the parking lot is usually packed with surfers.

12. Praia da Calada

If you’re looking for a quieter less crowded organized beach in Ericeira, Praia da Calada is a great option. Only a 20 minutes drive north, it’s protected by tall cliffs so it’s not as windy as other beaches in the area. There’s also a cute little bar open during summer months, and organized loungers with umbrellas.

The surf can be quite strong here, so be warned! It’s also important to note that there’s no cell phone signal, so bring your book! All in all, a great spot for some peace and quiet!

13. Praia de Vigia: Ericeira Beach Hidden Gem

If you’re looking for a secret spot to relax on while in Ericeira, Praia da Vigia is the perfect. With crystal-clear waters, soft sand, and stunning views, it’s easy to see why this beach is often called a hidden gem.

Unlike the more popular beaches in the area, Praia da Vigia is much quieter and often deserted, even in high season, making it the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet.

The access is difficult though, and you’ll need to hike about 15 minutes from the parking, and climb down a steep descent. This is not a place to bring children, but it’s a perfect place to bring your surf board and a pic-nic for the day.

How to get to Ericeira beaches

Depending on where you are staying, walking is always great since you don’t need to worry about finding parking. If staying in the village, all the urban beaches and even Foz do Lizandro are reachable on foot.

Renting a car is a great option if you are planning on visiting some of the beaches which are further out, or if you’ve got lots of equipment.

Remember to arrive early or late in July and August since parking is often limited. Outside these two months, parking generally gets easier and isn’t such an issue.

That being said, during peek tourist season the Beach Bus Ericeira is the best option. It goes from Foz de Lizandro up to Ribeira d’ilhas, but no further. You can find the Ericeira Beach Bus schedule here, or alternatively use the Ericeira Beach Bus app.

Renting a bike is another fab option: you can rent an electric bike, and add on a child seat, or surfboard support.

Also check out our post on how to get to Ericeira from Lisbon.

✅ Want to see Ericeira and its surrounding beaches on a tour? I recommend this West Coast Tour which includes hotel pick-up.

Ericeira Beach Portugal FAQ

Is Ericeira worth visiting?

The answer is most definitely yes! Ericeira is an excellent tourist destination for those who want to experience all that Portugal has to offer. With its stunning scenery, beautiful beaches, and quaint Portuguese charm a stone’s throw from Lisbon, Ericeira is a place where tourists can relax and enjoy all that this amazing country has to offer.

Does Portugal have white sand beaches?

Yes, Portugal has white-sand beaches! The most striking beaches are on the southern coast in the Algarve region. These have calm warm water and long beaches of fine white sand. Further north along the Atlantic, the sand gets coarser and the sea gets rougher and cooler, which means paradise for surfers and body-boarders. Ericeira is one of the best surfing spots in Portugal with beaches of golden yellow sand, clear waters and beautiful cliff formations.

Is Portugal hotter than Spain?

There is no definitive answer as both countries have areas that are hotter and colder than the other. However, in general, Portugal is a bit hotter than Spain. The weather in Ericeira is temperate, so it’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for some sun without too much heat!

Does Spain or Portugal have better beaches?

There is no clear consensus as to which country has better beaches. Both Spain and Portugal have stunning coastlines with plenty of sandy and rocky beaches to explore.
So, it really comes down to personal preference and what you’d like to do while there. Portugal has the advantage of having both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines which means the beaches are more varied than in Spain, allowing for extreme sports like surfing and windsurfing.

The Best Beaches Ericeira: The Wrap-up

Ericeira’s cooler weather makes beachcombing a real pleasure in the summer months: so make sure to check out the beaches which suit you and your family, and become a beach bum, at least for a little while, anyway!