ERICEIRA TRAVEL GUIDE

ABOUT THE LOCATION

Located just 30 minutes’ drive from Lisbon centre, Ericeira is a quaint fisherman village that oozes Portuguese charm, tradition and surf history. Here you’ll find an exceptional coastline that covers seven world-class waves.

The town centre sits up on a cliff sheltering a port where fishermen beach their boats and unload their fish, octopuses, and lobsters. The town centre is a beautiful place to lose yourself in its narrow cobbled streets, flanked by charming white and blue cottages which are themselves grouped around the parochial church.

THE TOWN

Considered one of the best surfing destinations in Europe, the town has seen significant growth in recent years due to its natural beauty, excellent surf conditions, and proximity to Lisbon. This has led to a surge in real estate investment, with many investors seeing potential in the town's growing popularity and increasing demand for accommodation.

Properties for sale in Ericeira offer a wide range of investment opportunities, from traditional Portuguese houses to modern apartments and villas, and prices are still relatively affordable compared to other popular European coastal destinations. In addition to surfing, Ericeira is also known for its excellent seafood restaurants, lively nightlife, and cultural events. These factors make Ericeira an attractive destination for both holidaymakers and investors, with strong potential for capital appreciation and rental yields.

SURF'S UP

ADVISERS’ OPINION

A world-famous destination for surfing within easy reach of Lisbon, Ericeira offers an incredible quality of life for those who want to embrace the surf-before-work culture.

WHY TO BUY

World-class surfing
Easy access to Lisbon
Beautiful beaches
Good for rentals
Great seafood restaurants

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

30 mins' drive from Lisbon
40 mins from Cascais
Mafra municipality of Lisbon
Regularly hosts surf championships
Ericeira is the Only World Surfing Reserve in Europe

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Ericeira is a World Surfing Reserve, meaning it serves as a model standard for preserving wave breaks and their surrounding areas by recognizing and protecting key environmental, cultural and economic attributes in coastal communities created by the Save The Waves organisation.

Launched in 2003, the Save The Waves Coalition is solely dedicated to protecting surf ecosystems on an international scale believing that the surfing community holds immense knowledge, passion and responsibility for the coastlines and surf breaks they visit. The organisation motivates and empowers this international community for good.

HISTORY

At the end of the 19th Century, many of Lisbon's local aristocracy began to build homes in the parish and the development of the commercial port made Ericeira a fundamental pillar of the region's economy, which held a spotlight on the village becoming a true gem well-known amongst locals. Later on, it turned into a popular summer retreat for many of Lisbon's families in the 1940s and 1950s.

Today, Ericeira is a popular destination for local and visiting tourists, as well as surfers from around the world, due to the mix of its small old European village charm and amazing waves. Since surfing's arrival in the mid-1970s, Ericeira has become the focal point for Portuguese surfing and the number of surfing-related businesses that have sprouted up in the area continues to grow.

THE AREA TODAY

Renowned for the quality and consistency of the waves, Ericeira is an area of exceptional beauty, dominated by rocky cliffs and punctuated by beaches located in small bays. The waters of the Ericeira coastline are some of the richest in biodiversity in the world.

The beach of Ribeira d'Ilhas, located 2 kilometres to the north of the town centre, is set in a valley between high cliffs widely regarded as one of the best beaches in Europe for surfing.

It’s possible to overlook the port beach from the town’s main square and enjoy the view sitting in charming seafood restaurants appreciating delicious fresh local food. Even if the town no longer depends on fishing activity, Ericeira is famously known for its fresh fish and seafood. Several places in the village allow you to eat out at a table on the cliffs while you enjoy the view. Key dining spots include Tasquinha do Joy, Restaurante Esplanada Furnas, Nutwoood Gelateria and Croissant da Villa.