Skip to content
Ericeira Review
Straende

Straende in Ericeira

Die Straende rund um Ericeira unterscheiden sich stark. Manche sind besser fuer Surf, andere fuer einen einfachen Spaziergang, Essen in der Naehe oder einen.

Lokale Listings ansehenBeach crowd reportsSurf in Ericeira
Ribeira d’Ilhas beach and surf reserve north of Ericeira.
9beaches comparedNorth to southBeach-by-beach guideGoogle Maps links
Beach guide

Choose by use, not by name

Compare each beach by swimming, surf, access, facilities, parking, nearby food and the checks that matter before you go.

Browse nearby placesOpen selected beach
Coastal route ready

Open a north-to-south route with these beaches so distance, parking and stops are easy to judge before you leave.

Open route
Ribeira d’Ilhas beach and surf reserve north of Ericeira.
Stop 1
Surf reserve
Beach

Ribeira d'Ilhas

The best-known surf beach north of Ericeira, about 3.5 km from town and one of the anchor points of the World Surfing Reserve.

Surf watchingSurf and bodyboard contextNorth-coast beach planning
Best use
Surf reserve
Access
Around 3.5 km north of Ericeira
Food
Changing rooms, toilets, first-aid post, restaurant-bar, showers and surf-school spaces
Caution
The wave can be crowded and competitive.
Access and facilities
  • Around 3.5 km north of Ericeira
  • Car park, walkways and beach-support area
  • Changing rooms, toilets, first-aid post, restaurant-bar, showers and surf-school spaces
  • Blue Flag, Praia Acessível, Praia Saudável and Praia de Ouro awards
Conditions
Swimming
Possible beach time in season, but most people should read it first as a surf-led beach.
Surf
Long right-hand pointbreak on rock and reef; official surf-reserve profile describes it as highly consistent and working through all tides.
Watch out
The wave can be crowded and competitive. Reef bottom means beginner decisions should go through a qualified school.
Sea now
Local crowd report
Crowd: No recent reports
Report crowd +5 pts

Tap what you see right now. No message needed.

Location
Praia de Ribeira d'Ilhas, Ericeira, Portugal
Open map
Surf schools in EriceiraRibamar
Praia da Empa rocks, pools and surf coast north of Ericeira.
Stop 2
Rock pools
Beach

Praia da Empa

A rocky surf-led pocket north of Matadouro, useful for understanding the run of reefs and beaches before Ribeira d'Ilhas.

Surf watchingCoastal walksExperienced local-condition checks
Best use
Rock pools
Access
Small beach on the north-coast run before Ribeira d’Ilhas
Food
Check seasonal beach support
Caution
The municipality describes it as non-bathing and not watched.
Access and facilities
  • Small beach on the north-coast run before Ribeira d’Ilhas
  • Ericeira Camping sits just across the N247
  • Mobile toilets during bathing season
Conditions
Swimming
A low-tide, rocky-beach check rather than a reliable swim plan.
Surf
Pedra Branca and Reef sit here as part of the World Surfing Reserve wave set, attracting surfers and bodyboarders.
Watch out
The municipality describes it as non-bathing and not watched. Rocks, tide and reef exposure are central.
Sea now
Local crowd report
Crowd: No recent reports
Report crowd +5 pts

Tap what you see right now. No message needed.

Location
Praia da Empa, 2655 Ericeira, Portugal
Open map
Surf in EriceiraSurf schools in Ericeira
Praia do Matadouro on the rocky north Ericeira coast.
Stop 3
Lesson zone
Beach

Praia do Matadouro

A rocky north-side beach below the coastal road, used often by surf schools and better for low-tide exploring than lounging.

Surf lessons with local guidanceRock pools at low tideWatching the north-coast surf scene
Best use
Lesson zone
Access
North-side coastal-road access
Food
Check seasonal beach support
Caution
Municipal profile describes it as non-bathing and not watched.
Access and facilities
  • North-side coastal-road access
  • Ericeira Camping is a short distance away
  • Mobile toilets during bathing season
Conditions
Swimming
Not a bathing-first beach. Use it for watching, lessons or low-tide exploring rather than casual swimming.
Surf
Limited sand but a lot of water space, which is why surf schools often use it when conditions fit.
Watch out
Municipal profile describes it as non-bathing and not watched. Rocks and tide are part of the decision.
Sea now
Local crowd report
Crowd: No recent reports
Report crowd +5 pts

Tap what you see right now. No message needed.

Location
Praia do Matadouro, N247, 2655-467 Ericeira, Portugal
Open map
Surf schools in EriceiraSanto Isidoro beaches
Praia de São Sebastião on the north side of Ericeira.
Stop 4
Tide-sensitive
Beach

Praia de São Sebastião

A compact north-of-centre beach between Algodio and Matadouro, close to the São Sebastião chapel and the coastal road.

Quick north-side beach checksRocky low-tide exploringWalking from the centre
Best use
Tide-sensitive
Access
Reached by a Portuguese-cobblestone stairway
Food
Park-side bar, maintenance area and recreation area nearby
Caution
The municipality describes it as non-bathing and not supervised; high tide can cover much of...
Access and facilities
  • Reached by a Portuguese-cobblestone stairway
  • Adjacent São Sebastião Urban Park helps with parking and a quick stop
  • Park-side bar, maintenance area and recreation area nearby
Conditions
Swimming
Better treated as a scenic, tide-aware stop than a default swim beach.
Surf
Waves attract surfers and bodyboarders when the conditions work.
Watch out
The municipality describes it as non-bathing and not supervised; high tide can cover much of the narrow sand.
Sea now
Local crowd report
Crowd: No recent reports
Report crowd +5 pts

Tap what you see right now. No message needed.

Location
Praia de São Sebastião, 2655 Ericeira, Portugal
Open map
Cafes in EriceiraSurf in Ericeira
Praia do Norte and Algodio on the central Ericeira coast.
Stop 5
Central north
Beach

Praia do Norte / Algodio

A busy town-centre beach just north of the harbour, also known as Algodio, with easy access from the old streets.

Central beach timeFamilies in seasonQuick swims close to town
Best use
Central north
Access
Direct access from the north side of the old centre
Food
Modern beach support with changing rooms, toilets and sea-facing bar
Caution
Parking pressure is the main planning constraint in good weather.
Access and facilities
  • Direct access from the north side of the old centre
  • Limited nearby parking; São Sebastião Urban Park is a practical fallback
  • Modern beach support with changing rooms, toilets and sea-facing bar
  • Blue Flag and Praia Acessível status
Conditions
Swimming
Useful for central beach time when lifeguards and flags line up with the day.
Surf
You will often see boards here; conditions are more exposed than the harbour beach.
Watch out
Parking pressure is the main planning constraint in good weather.
Sea now
Local crowd report
Crowd: No recent reports
Report crowd +5 pts

Tap what you see right now. No message needed.

Location
Praia do Norte, 2655-363 Ericeira, Portugal
Open map
Cafes in EriceiraHotels in Ericeira
Praia dos Pescadores below Ericeira old town.
Stop 6
Historic centre
Beach

Praia dos Pescadores

The central fishing beach below the old village, with harbour views, fishing boats and restaurants above the promenade.

Town-centre accessHarbour viewsShort visits between food and village walks
Best use
Historic centre
Access
Directly below the old village and harbour
Food
Small mobile beach support in bathing season
Caution
It is popular because it is central.
Access and facilities
  • Directly below the old village and harbour
  • Best reached on foot from the centre
  • Small mobile beach support in bathing season
  • Fixed toilets integrated with the fishing-port area
Conditions
Swimming
A sheltered central beach for short, low-logistics visits when conditions and supervision allow.
Surf
Not the first choice for normal surf planning; use it more as a harbour and village beach.
Watch out
It is popular because it is central. Expect limited space and check harbour activity.
Sea now
Local crowd report
Crowd: No recent reports
Report crowd +5 pts

Tap what you see right now. No message needed.

Location
Praia dos Pescadores, Ericeira, Portugal
Open map
Cafes in EriceiraRestaurants in Ericeira
Praia do Sul beach on the southern side of Ericeira.
Stop 7
Town swim
Beach

Praia do Sul / Praia da Baleia

A sheltered town beach at the southern edge of Ericeira, with a promenade, restaurants and the Atlantic saltwater pool nearby.

Swimming days when flags allowWalking from the centreRestaurants with sea views
Best use
Town swim
Access
Walkable from the southern edge of the village
Food
Beach bars, public changing rooms and showers
Caution
Sheltered does not mean automatically safe.
Access and facilities
  • Walkable from the southern edge of the village
  • Useful when you want beach time without driving
  • Seasonal lifeguards and SOS Praia
  • Beach bars, public changing rooms and showers
Conditions
Swimming
One of the more sheltered bathing choices on this Atlantic coast, especially compared with the exposed reef beaches north of town.
Surf
Can still have waves for surfers and bodyboarders; it is not only a swimming beach.
Watch out
Sheltered does not mean automatically safe. Use flags, lifeguards and local sea state before entering.
Sea now
Local crowd report
Crowd: No recent reports
Report crowd +5 pts

Tap what you see right now. No message needed.

Location
Praia do Sul, 2655-304 Ericeira, Portugal
Open map
Restaurants in EriceiraHotels in Ericeira
Foz do Lizandro beach and Atlantic surf near Ericeira.
Stop 8
Most versatile
Beach

Foz do Lizandro

A broad river-mouth beach south of Ericeira, where the Lizandro meets the Atlantic and the boardwalk keeps food, parking and surf schools close by.

Roomy beach daysSurf lessons when conditions suitFood and drinks close to the sand
Best use
Most versatile
Access
Large car park linked by raised boardwalk
Food
Beach bars and restaurants with terraces
Caution
River-mouth currents and Atlantic surf still matter.
Access and facilities
  • Large car park linked by raised boardwalk
  • Praia Acessível beach with ramp access and assisted-bathing support in season
  • Beach bars and restaurants with terraces
  • Changing rooms, toilets, first-aid post, showers and seasonal rental shade
Conditions
Swimming
Good for a longer sand day when lifeguards and flags allow; the river-mouth side can feel calmer than the exposed ocean edge.
Surf
Popular for lessons and softer surf windows, but the correct school spot changes with tide, wind and swell.
Watch out
River-mouth currents and Atlantic surf still matter. Treat the lagoon and sea side as different decisions.
Sea now
Local crowd report
Crowd: No recent reports
Report crowd +5 pts

Tap what you see right now. No message needed.

Location
Praia da Foz do Lizandro, 2655 Ericeira, Portugal
Open map
Surf schools in EriceiraRestaurants in Ericeira
Praia de São Julião and its open Atlantic beach south of Ericeira.
Stop 9
Open coast
Beach

Praia de São Julião

A long cliff-backed beach south of Ericeira, with a wide open feel and strong Atlantic waves that draw surfers and bodyboarders.

Long sand walksOpen coastlineSurf and bodyboard when conditions suit
Best use
Open coast
Access
Wide cliff-backed sand south of Ericeira
Food
Seasonal lifeguards and beach bars
Caution
Wind and swell exposure are the planning risk.
Access and facilities
  • Wide cliff-backed sand south of Ericeira
  • Straddles Mafra and Sintra municipalities
  • Seasonal lifeguards and beach bars
  • Blue Flag status
Conditions
Swimming
Good for an open-sand day only when exposure, flags and supervision make sense.
Surf
Exposed to Atlantic swell, so surfers and bodyboarders use it especially when calmer summer days need more wave energy.
Watch out
Wind and swell exposure are the planning risk. Do not treat it like the sheltered town beaches.
Sea now
Local crowd report
Crowd: No recent reports
Report crowd +5 pts

Tap what you see right now. No message needed.

Location
Praia de São Julião, Ericeira, Portugal
Open map
Ericeira guideBrowse all places
Haeufige Fragen

Fragen zu Straende in Ericeira

Which Ericeira beach is best for beginner surfers?

Foz do Lizandro and São Julião are usually the easiest starting points because they are broader sand-bottom beaches, but beginners should still use a qualified surf school and choose the beach by the day's swell, wind and tide.

Is Ribeira d'Ilhas good for beginners?

Ribeira d'Ilhas is Ericeira's headline surf beach, but it is not automatically the easiest choice. It can work with instruction and suitable conditions, while total beginners often do better at sandier beaches selected by a local school.

Which Ericeira beach is best for swimming with children?

For easier family beach time, look first at Praia dos Pescadores, Praia do Sul / Baleia or other central beaches in calm conditions. Always follow lifeguard flags, because the Atlantic can change quickly even when the beach looks relaxed.

Can I visit Ericeira beaches without a car?

Yes. Praia dos Pescadores, Praia do Norte / Algodio, Praia do Sul / Baleia and São Sebastião are the easiest town beaches on foot. Foz do Lizandro, São Julião and Ribeira d'Ilhas are more convenient with a car, taxi, transfer or surf-school pickup.