Sports
SURFING
ERICEIRA IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S LEADING DESTINATIONS FOR THE PRACTICE OF WATERSPORTS.
Seven of Ericeira's beaches form part of Europe's only World Surfing Reserve. This official recognition was given on the basis of the quality and consistency of the waves, the cultural importance of surfing for the local culture, the area's environmental wealth and sensitivity and also the strong mobilisation of the community around this sport. With the types of waves being so diversified, there is scope for every type of surfer along the 8km of beach, from beginners to experts.
Golf
GOLF LOVERS WILL FIND VARIOUS EXCITING OPTIONS IN THE AREA AND BEYOND.
The closest course, a 30-minute drive away, is Dolce Real Campo (18 holes – par 72). A little further away, but worth the trip, about 50 minutes by car, in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, there are four excellent options: Oitavos Dunes (an ecologically certified course; ranked 55 in the world and number 1 in Portugal by Golf Magazine, 18 holes – par 71); Onyria Quinta da Marinha Golf (18 holes - par 71) with its sea view, Beloura Pestana Golf (18 holes – par 72) and Penha Longa (18 holes – par 72). In the Óbidos region, a little over an hour's drive away, are several more options: the Praia d'el Rey (18 holes – par 73), known for its beautiful clifftop setting, the Guardian Bom Sucesso Golf (18 holes – par 73) and the Royal Obidos Golf (18 holes – 18 holes).
CYCLING
ROUTES THROUGH THE MUNICIPALITY OF MAFRA
The Mafra Tapada (Hunting Park) is the perfect setting for mountain biking, with trails dedicated to this sport, but there are many other mountain biking trails in the region to discover on two wheels.
WALKS
LOVERS OF WALKING WILL FIND BEAUTIFUL TRAILS TO FOLLOW IN THESE PARTS.
The best known are the Vale da Senhora do Arquiteto, Penedo do Lexim and, of course, given the beauty of Ericeira's coast, the trails by the sea.
GEOCACHING
PRACTICED OUTDOORS, GEOCACHING IS A KIND OF TREASURE HUNT IN THE REAL WORLD, USING GPS COORDINATES.
Practitioners (geocachers) go to the location indicated and look for a small box (geocache or cache). Each cache has been hidden in a place of some kind of interest, be it a historical site, a landscape worthy of being photographed, a well-known spot in a town, or a waterfall tucked away in the middle of nowhere. In Ericeira there are several such trails, to discover hidden treasures, some less obvious than others.