Ericeira Day Trip from Lisbon: Surf, Seafood and Mafra Palace

Ericeira is a whitewashed fishing village on the cliffs north of Lisbon, painted in blue and white, with surf breaks, seafood restaurants and a relaxed, bohemian vibe. It’s Europe’s first World Surfing Reserve, but you don’t need to surf to love it. Combine it with the huge Mafra Palace for a perfect day trip from Lisbon.

Quick answer: take a Carris Metropolitana express bus from Campo Grande (about 45 minutes to 1h10) or drive (about 45 minutes). Wander the old town, swim at Praia dos Pescadores, watch the surfers at Ribeira d’Ilhas, and eat seafood. Stop at Mafra Palace (€15) on the way to see its famous library.

Why go

Ericeira feels like a real town, not a resort. Fishing families still live in the old centre, the streets are clean and quiet, and the sea views come at every corner. In 2011 a 4km stretch of coast here, with seven top surf spots, became a World Surfing Reserve, the first in Europe. That brings a young, outdoorsy crowd and good cafés. Add one of Portugal’s grandest palaces just inland, and you get a day with beach, food and history in one trip.

Getting there

• Bus: Carris Metropolitana express buses (the old Mafrense routes) leave from Campo Grande in Lisbon for the Ericeira bus terminal. The quickest is line 2801, via the A21, at about 45 minutes; it runs mostly on weekdays, with a few weekend trips. Line 2803 goes via Mafra (about 35 minutes to Mafra, an hour to Ericeira) and line 2740 takes the A8 (about 1h10). Both run daily, less often at weekends. A single ticket from the driver costs about €4.50, and a monthly navegante pass covers the trip. Check current times, especially for the last bus back.
• Car: about 45 minutes on the A8 and A21 (tolled). Parking can be tight in summer, so use the car parks on the edge of the old town.
• Beach bus: in July and August, a summer bus (line 2123) runs about every hour between Foz do Lizandro and Ribeira d’Ilhas.
• Tour: day tours often combine Ericeira with Mafra or Sintra. See Ericeira and Mafra tours.

Things to do in Ericeira

Wander the old town

Blue-and-white houses, little squares, the Rua do Norte and cliff-top viewpoints over the fishing harbour. Look for the Jagoz (Ericeira locals) sitting in the sun outside the cafés. The main square, Largo da República, is a good place to start, and the whole centre is small enough to walk in an hour.

Praia dos Pescadores

The sheltered harbour beach right below the town, with colourful fishing boats. The best place for a swim. Next to it, Praia do Sul is a longer town beach, and São Sebastião to the north has more space. The water is cold all year, often under 20°C even in summer.

Watch (or try) the surf

Ericeira has some of Europe’s best waves. Watch the experts at Ribeira d’Ilhas, the competition break just north of town, or book a beginner lesson at Foz do Lizandro, a sandy beach to the south. Experienced surfers head for Coxos, a powerful reef break that is not for beginners. Surf schools hire boards and wetsuits all year. See surfing in Portugal and surf camps in Portugal.

Eat seafood

Ericeira is famous for its fish and shellfish. Try clams à Bulhão Pato (with garlic, olive oil and coriander), grilled fish, a rich seafood rice, and, if you’re brave, ouriços (sea urchins). Fish is often sold by weight, so check the price before you order. (Don’t confuse sea-urchin ouriços with the almond ouriço cakes from the local bakeries!) See our Portuguese seafood guide.

Sunset

The clifftops face west over the Atlantic. Grab a drink and watch the sun go down.

Mafra Palace

Just 15 minutes inland, the National Palace of Mafra is one of the biggest buildings in Portugal: a palace, basilica and convent with over 1,000 rooms, begun in 1717 under King João V and paid for with Brazilian gold. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019. The highlight is the magnificent rococo library, with about 36,000 books, which reopened in January 2026 after restoration. A colony of bats lives inside and eats the insects that would damage the books! Full-price entry is €15, though tickets were half price while parts were shut for works. The basilica, closed for restoration since January 2025, was due to reopen in mid-2026, so check first. The palace is usually closed on Tuesdays. Allow at least 90 minutes. See our Mafra Palace guide.

A one-day plan

• Morning: bus or drive to Mafra and see the palace at opening.
• Midday: carry on to Ericeira (about 15 minutes by car, or 20 minutes on the next 2803 bus) for a seafood lunch.
• Afternoon: walk the old town, swim at Praia dos Pescadores, then watch the surfers at Ribeira d’Ilhas.
• Evening: sunset on the clifftops before heading back to Lisbon.

On a Tuesday, when Mafra is closed, spend the whole day on the coast instead.

When to go

June to September is best for swimming and warm evenings, but the town gets busy at weekends. For surfing, autumn and winter bring the biggest swells; summer is better for beginners. Spring and autumn are good for walking and quieter visits. The sea can be rough at any time, so swim only at lifeguarded beaches in the bathing season. Ericeira’s biggest festival honours Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem, the fishermen’s patron saint, over several days in August, with a candlelit procession down to the sea.

Staying in Ericeira

Ericeira is a lovely base for a few days of surf and seafood, and an easy alternative to Lisbon. See places to stay in Ericeira.

FAQ

Can you visit Ericeira from Lisbon without a car?

Yes. Carris Metropolitana express buses run from Campo Grande every day and take about 45 minutes to 1h10, depending on the line. Check the last bus back before you stay for sunset.

Is Ericeira good for beginner surfers?

Yes, especially in summer, when the waves are smaller. Beginners usually learn with a surf school at Foz do Lizandro, while Ribeira d’Ilhas and Coxos are best left to experienced surfers.

Can you see Ericeira and Mafra Palace in one day?

Yes. They are only about 15 minutes apart, and bus 2803 stops in Mafra on the way from Lisbon. Avoid Tuesdays, when the palace is usually closed.

Can you swim in Ericeira?

Yes, at the town beaches such as Praia dos Pescadores and Praia do Sul, which have lifeguards in the bathing season. The water is cold all year, so always check the flags.

More day trips

See the best day trips from Lisbon, Sintra in one day and the best beaches near Lisbon.

From our sister blog: 11 day trips from Lisbon, including secret spots on Sunset Travellers.

See also: where to stay in Ericeira and Mafra Palace.

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