Ericeira

Day Trips

Settle into your accommodation and savor a freshly baked pastel de nata with a strong Portuguese coffee at a local café. Wander through Ericeira’s winding cobblestone streets, admiring the whitewashed houses trimmed in blue. Pause at a viewpoint to gaze over the Atlantic surf rolling in toward the rugged cliffs.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch of grilled sardines and mixed greens at a seaside restaurant near the marina. Visit the Museu Municipal to learn about Ericeira’s fishing heritage and traditional crafts. Wander down to the old fort walls for panoramic vistas of the bay and watch local fishermen mend their nets.

Dine in a family-run tasca, sampling octopus arroz followed by a slice of creamy pudim abade de priscos. Stroll along the waterfront promenade as the sun dips below the horizon. Stop at a wine bar to taste Portuguese vinho verde under the soft glow of street lamps.

Start with a hearty bowl of açorda de marisco at a beachside café before heading to Praia dos Pescadores. Join a beginner’s surf lesson and feel the rush as you catch your first wave on Ericeira’s renowned breaks. The instructor will guide you through safety tips and basic techniques on the golden sand.

Refuel with a picnic of charcuterie, local cheese, and crusty bread under the shade of a tamarisk tree. Spend the afternoon practicing your surf moves or simply snorkeling over rocky reefs teeming with marine life. Relax on the shore with a good book as the Atlantic breeze cools your skin.

Join a beachfront yoga class at sunset to stretch out tired muscles and find inner calm. Head to a trendy seafood grill and indulge in freshly caught bass drizzled with olive oil and garlic. Cap the night with live fado music echoing through Ericeira’s narrow alleys.

Catch an early train to Sintra, winding through lush pine forests toward the fairytale palaces. Explore the colorful Pena Palace rooms, lush gardens, and dramatic terraces perched on a hilltop. Savor a travesseiro pastry at a historic pastry shop in the old town.

Wander the winding paths of Quinta da Regaleira’s mystical gardens, discovering hidden grottoes and ornate Initiation Well. Enjoy a leisurely lunch of bacalhau à Brás in a rustic tavern near the Sintra river. Stroll through the Moorish Castle ruins, taking in sweeping views of the surrounding hills.

Return to Ericeira and freshen up for dinner. Dine at a cliffside restaurant where candlelight flickers over plates of clam stew and seasonal vegetables. End the evening with a moonlit stroll along the harbor, listening to the gentle lapping of waves.

Stop by the local market to pick up fresh produce, olives, and homemade breads for a self-guided picnic. Chat with vendors about regional specialties like sweet pumpkin jam and Serra cheese. Then, join a guided walking tour to uncover hidden chapels and ancient city walls.

Attend a Portuguese cooking class in a family home, learning to prepare caldo verde and bolo de bacalhau. Gather around the table to feast on your own creations alongside freshly baked bread and local wine. Afterwards, visit the nearby Capela da Memória, an 18th-century shrine overlooking the sea.

Join a pottery workshop to craft your own souvenir inspired by traditional blue-and-white patterns. Head to a winery-based bar for a tasting flight of local reds and whites. Conclude the night with live acoustic guitar serenades in a cozy wine cellar.

Hire a scooter or rent a car to explore Ericeira’s string of beaches along the Silver Coast. Begin at Praia de São Julião, admiring the steep cliffs and hidden coves. Stop for a quick espresso at a clifftop kiosk while watching early risers catch waves.

Continue to Praia do Sul for a scenic picnic lunch on the dunes, sampling leftover market treats and chilled rosé. Hike to the secluded Praia do Matadouro, where ancient sea stacks create a dramatic backdrop for a swim. Snap photos of the turquoise waters framed by golden sands.

Return to town to rinse off salt and sand before dinner. Visit a seafood urban garden restaurant where tables spill onto a terrace shaded by grapevines. Dessert features homemade fig tart accompanied by a smooth glass of Moscatel.

Set off early for Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe, feeling the Atlantic spray on your face. Take in the rugged cliffs and the iconic lighthouse perched on the edge. Capture panoramic views before heading back along the coastal trail.

Trek the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park trail, passing through aromatic eucalyptus groves and hidden coves. Pause for lunch with a view at a picnic spot overlooking Adraga Beach, enjoying olives, cheese, and crusty baguette. Explore the dramatic sea caves and rock formations carved by centuries of waves.

Arrive back in Ericeira in time for sunset at Praia da Ribeira d’Ilhas. Socialize with local surfers around a bonfire on the beach, sharing stories and roasting sardines. Cap the night with a breezy seaside cocktail at a beachfront lounge.

Begin your day with a revitalizing sunrise yoga session on the sand at Praia dos Coxos. Feel the gentle rhythm of the waves as you flow through asanas and breathing exercises. Follow up with a smoothie bowl topped with fresh fruit and seeds at a health-focused café.

Indulge in a holistic spa treatment featuring volcanic stone massage and seaweed wrap. Relax in a thermal pool overlooking the ocean, sipping herbal tea infused with local mint. Unwind in a salt inhalation room to cleanse your respiratory system and mind.

Participate in a guided meditation session under the stars on a clifftop platform. Enjoy a nourishing dinner of vegetable tagine and quinoa salad at an organic bistro. Head back to your accommodation with a sense of calm and rejuvenation.

Visit a working fishing harbor to watch boats unload their early morning catch. Chat with fishermen about traditional net mending and ocean lore. Sample freshly caught prawns sautéed in garlic at a harbor-side stall.

Join a local family aboard a small fishing boat for a hands-on experience casting lines and hauling nets. Return to shore for lunch at a beachfront restaurant specializing in cataplana, a fragrant seafood stew. Enjoy a siesta on the terrace overlooking the water.

Dress up for an authentic seafood feast featuring lobster, razor clams, and grilled octopus at a Michelin-recognized restaurant. Pair each course with a carefully selected Portuguese wine. End the night with pastel de nata flambéed tableside for a dramatic finale.

Take a short drive to a nearby quinta for a guided tour of vineyards planted on terraced slopes. Learn about local grape varieties like Arinto and Fernão Pires. Sample aromatic whites and robust reds amid views of rolling hills and shimmering ocean blue.

Return to Ericeira’s central market for a fresh-food tasting tour, nibbling on cured meats, olives, and artisan bread. Meet a cheesemaker and taste fresh goat cheese drizzled with chestnut honey. Assemble a gourmet picnic basket for later enjoyment.

Head to a wine bar hidden in a restored fishermen’s cottage for a flight highlighting micro-region producers. Savor tapas-style dishes like octopus carpaccio and mushroom croquettes. Unwind by a crackling fireplace while discussing your favorite pairings.

Squeeze in a final surf session or beach walk, taking in the salty air and golden light. Treat yourself to a pastel de nata and coffee at your favorite café as you reminisce about the trip. Pick up last-minute souvenirs like hand-painted ceramic tiles or locally roasted coffee.

Enjoy a relaxed lunch of grilled fish and seasonal salads at a cliffside terrace you haven’t yet explored. Spend your last hours wandering back through Ericeira’s charming lanes, photographing hidden doorways and vintage azulejos. Stop at a rooftop viewpoint for one final panoramic shot of the coastline.

Gather with new friends for a farewell dinner at a lively taverna, sharing bottles of vinho verde and plates of sweet potato fries dunked in spicy aioli. Watch the sun dip below the horizon one last time from a beachfront bar, toasting to memories made. Head back under a star-studded sky, carrying Ericeira’s magic with you.