BEACHES
THE WATER MAY BE COLD, BUT THE LANDSCAPE IS BEAUTIFUL. ERICEIRA HAS SOME OF THE BEST BEACHES IN PORTUGAL FOR SURFING, BUT ALSO FOR RELAXING, SPREADING OUT YOUR TOWEL, SUNBATHING AND HAVING A GOOD SWIM.
There are 12 unforgettable beaches – Calada, São Lourenço, Coxos, Ribeira d'Ilhas, Empa, Matadouro, Norte (or Algodio), Pescadores (or Peixe), São Julião, São Sebastião, Sul (or Baleia) and Foz do Lizandro – each with its own features and personality, which you can discover here before you visit.
PRAIA CALADA
This small, sheltered beach in a bay in the parish of Encarnação stands out for its natural beauty, surrounded as it is by high, and steep cliffs. Despite the rugged terrain, it is easily accessible by road and has plenty of space to park. It has modern beach facilities (in addition to changing rooms, toilets and a first-aid post, there is a pleasant bar with terrace), showers, access walkways, a sports area on the sand, beach umbrellas and sun loungers for rent. Its waves are very popular with surfers and bodyboarders. The beach is watched by lifeguards and an SOS Praia system. Awards: Blue Flag; Accessible Beach; Healthy Beach; Gold Beach. GPS Coordinates: N 39º 1.94532' W 9º 25.09374'
EMPA BEACH
This small beach is frequented mainly during low tide, but offers several charms. Besides the rockpools, two of the waves are concentrated here that form part of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve: the twin sisters called Pedra Branca and Reef attract surfers and bodyboarders all year round. There's no lifeguard but there is an SOS Praia system, plus mobile toilets during the bathing season. Ericeira Camping (holder of a Green Key award) is a stone's throw away from Empa Beach (just across the N247 highway) and stands out for its camping and caravanning facilities. GPS Coordinates: N 38º 58.76706' W 9º 25.33968'
PRAIA DO MATADOURO
Located in the parish of Ericeira, this beach has a limited strand but plenty of space in the water to accommodate the many surf schools that come here to give lessons to allcomers. It has mobile toilets during the bathing season. There is no lifeguard but there is an SOS Praia system. A short distance away is Ericeira Camping (holder of a Green Key award), which stands out for its camping and caravanning facilities. GPS Coordinates: N 38º 58.53864' W 9º 25.2156'
PRAIA DOS PESCADORES (OR DO PEIXE)
This is the municipality's most historic beach, as it was here that on 5 October 1910 Portugal's royal family embarked for exile after the proclamation of the Republic. It is also one of the area's most visited beaches, both because it is so central (just below Ericeira's old town centre) and for its broad expanse of sand, sheltered from the south and southeast winds. It has small mobile beach facilities during the bathing season, as well as permanent toilets at the fishing port end. The beach is watched over by an SOS Praia system. GPS Coordinates: N 38º 57.84414' W 9º 25.11018'
PRAIA DE SÃO JULIÃO
São Julião beach spans the municipalities of Mafra (in its parish of Carvoeira) and Sintra. With an extensive stretch of sand framed by cliffs, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. Because it is very exposed to waves, it is a favourite with surfers and bodyboarders, especially when they rhe looking for some action in the calmer seas of summer. This beach has lifeguards and a bar for visitors. Awards: Gold Beach GPS Coordinates: N 38º 55.91508' W 9º 25.20654'
PRAIA DE SÃO SEBASTIÃO
Down below the chapel that gives it its name, São Sebastião beach is situated at the northern end of town. It is reached via a beautiful staircase with traditional Portuguese paving (long and narrow, and all but flooded by the sea during high tide). Another of the beach's attractions are the waves, which are very popular with surfers and bodyboarders. No lifeguard, but with an SOS Praia system. The adjacent Urban Park has parking, a bar with a terrace and space and equipment for exercise. GPS Coordinates: N38º 58.296' W 9º 25.23042'
PRAIA DOS COXOS
Still in the parish of Santo Isidoro is this small but pretty horseshoe-shaped beach, bathed by extremely clear waters and sheltered from the north wind. Don't let the name fool you: the renowned Coxos waves (which are part of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve) are not to be found here, but in the neighbouring bay to the south. There is a small bar and toilet facilities. Beach watched by lifeguard and SOS Praia system. GPS coordinates: N 39º 0.258' W 9º 25.52826'
PRAIA DA FOZ DO LIZANDRO
Located in the parish of Carvoeira, Foz do Lizandro beach has the largest stretch of sand in Mafra municipality and a natural landscape that is bound up with the River Lizandro, which flows through and gives the beach its name. This beach is not so much a summer resort but a leisure centre, with modern bars and restaurants with terraces. The establishments are arranged along a raised walkway, parallel to the river-/sea-front, that connects to a large parking lot. The beach also has other facilities, including changing rooms, toilets and a first-aid post, a sports area on the beach (and also in the sea, since the waves here are famous well beyond Portugal), showers, beach umbrellas and sun loungers for rent. Beach with lifeguard and SOS Praia system. Awards: Blue Flag; Accessible Beach; Healthy Beach. GPS Coordinates: N 38º 56.53584' W 9º 24.92412'
PRAIA DO NORTE (OR DO ALGODIO)
With direct access to the centre of Ericeira, this beach has at its southern end the breakwater of the fishing port and to its north a natural rocky spur that separates it from the Praia de São Sebastião. Looking down over it are the lovely traditional houses of the northern part of the town of Ericeira. The beach has modern facilities with changing rooms, toilets and a bar with a terrace facing the sea, where you are sure to find surfboards and surfers. The beach is watched by lifeguards and an SOS Praia system. Parking is limited; the São Sebastião Urban Park is recommended as an alternative. Awards: Blue Flag; Accessible Beach. GPS Coordinates: N 38º 58.02708' W 9º 25.1934'
PRAIA DE RIBEIRA D'ILHAS
Ribeira d'Ilhas is the northernmost bathing area in the parish of Ericeira, located about 3.5 km from the centre. Famed as the stage for multiple national and international surfing competitions, this beach is averitable home for the sport in Portugal and its waves are the most popular in the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve. Located in a valley through which flows the river that gives the beach its name, the setting is that of a natural amphitheatre, with high cliffs acting as a belvedere. Ribeira d'Ilhas has plenty of infrastructure for bathers and surfers: a parking lot, beach facilities (with changing rooms, sanitary facilities, a first-aid post, an inviting restaurant-bar with terrace and space for surf schools), showers, access walkways, beach umbrellas and sun loungers for hire. Beach watched by lifeguards and SOS Praia system. Awards: Blue Flag; Accessible Beach; Healthy Beach; Gold Beach. GPS Coordinates: N 38º 59.29314' W 9º 25.15152'
PRAIA DE SÃO LOURENÇO
This beach of São Lourenço is located in the parish of Santo Isidoro, more precisely between the settlements of Ribamar and São Lourenço. It boasts not only a beautiful setting – with the Safarujo estuary and a broad sandy beach – but also a good infrastructure for visitors: as well as a large parking lot, it has beach facilities (with changing rooms, toilets, a first-aid post and a pleasant bar with terrace), a sports area in the sand, shower, access walkways, beach umbrellas and sun loungers for rent. Its waves, which are part of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, attract many surfers and stand-up paddle practitioners. The beach is watched by lifeguards and an SOS Praia system.
Awards: Blue Flag; Accessible Beach; Healthy Beach; Gold Beach; Zero Pollution Beach
GPS Coordenates: N 39º 0.70896' W 9º 25.281'
PRAIA DE SUL (OR DA BALEIA)
This beach is close to the town centre and easily accessible on foot. The colourful striped awnings and tents identify the various bathing concessions, housing veritable clans and creating a sense of stepping back in time. The Vila Galé Hotel (formerly the Hotel de Turismo) is a cherished icon of the landscape here.
Sheltered from northerly winds by the Ponta de Santa Marta headland, this is one of the safest bathing spots on the Atlantic coast, but also has plenty of waves to delight surfers and bodyboarders. The beach is watched by lifeguards and an SOS Beach system. It has bars, public showers and changing rooms.
Award: Blue Flag; Healthy Beach; Gold Beach
GPS Coordinates: N 38º 57.32862' W 9º 24.74338'
PRAIA CALADA
This small, sheltered beach in a bay in the parish of Encarnação stands out for its natural beauty, surrounded as it is by high, and steep cliffs. Despite the rugged terrain, it is easily accessible by road and has plenty of space to park. It has modern beach facilities (in addition to changing rooms, toilets and a first-aid post, there is a pleasant bar with terrace), showers, access walkways, a sports area on the sand, beach umbrellas and sun loungers for rent. Its waves are very popular with surfers and bodyboarders. The beach is watched by lifeguards and an SOS Praia system. Awards: Blue Flag; Accessible Beach; Healthy Beach; Gold Beach. GPS Coordinates: N 39º 1.94532' W 9º 25.09374'
PRAIA DO MATADOURO
Located in the parish of Ericeira, this beach has a limited strand but plenty of space in the water to accommodate the many surf schools that come here to give lessons to allcomers. It has mobile toilets during the bathing season. There is no lifeguard but there is an SOS Praia system. A short distance away is Ericeira Camping (holder of a Green Key award), which stands out for its camping and caravanning facilities. GPS Coordinates: N 38º 58.53864' W 9º 25.2156'
PRAIA DE SÃO JULIÃO
São Julião beach spans the municipalities of Mafra (in its parish of Carvoeira) and Sintra. With an extensive stretch of sand framed by cliffs, it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. Because it is very exposed to waves, it is a favourite with surfers and bodyboarders, especially when they rhe looking for some action in the calmer seas of summer. This beach has lifeguards and a bar for visitors. Awards: Gold Beach GPS Coordinates: N 38º 55.91508' W 9º 25.20654'
PRAIA DOS COXOS
Still in the parish of Santo Isidoro is this small but pretty horseshoe-shaped beach, bathed by extremely clear waters and sheltered from the north wind. Don't let the name fool you: the renowned Coxos waves (which are part of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve) are not to be found here, but in the neighbouring bay to the south. There is a small bar and toilet facilities. Beach watched by lifeguard and SOS Praia system. GPS coordinates: N 39º 0.258' W 9º 25.52826'
PRAIA DO NORTE (OR DO ALGODIO)
With direct access to the centre of Ericeira, this beach has at its southern end the breakwater of the fishing port and to its north a natural rocky spur that separates it from the Praia de São Sebastião. Looking down over it are the lovely traditional houses of the northern part of the town of Ericeira. The beach has modern facilities with changing rooms, toilets and a bar with a terrace facing the sea, where you are sure to find surfboards and surfers. The beach is watched by lifeguards and an SOS Praia system. Parking is limited; the São Sebastião Urban Park is recommended as an alternative. Awards: Blue Flag; Accessible Beach. GPS Coordinates: N 38º 58.02708' W 9º 25.1934'
PRAIA DE SÃO LOURENÇO
This beach of São Lourenço is located in the parish of Santo Isidoro, more precisely between the settlements of Ribamar and São Lourenço. It boasts not only a beautiful setting – with the Safarujo estuary and a broad sandy beach – but also a good infrastructure for visitors: as well as a large parking lot, it has beach facilities (with changing rooms, toilets, a first-aid post and a pleasant bar with terrace), a sports area in the sand, shower, access walkways, beach umbrellas and sun loungers for rent. Its waves, which are part of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, attract many surfers and stand-up paddle practitioners. The beach is watched by lifeguards and an SOS Praia system.
Awards: Blue Flag; Accessible Beach; Healthy Beach; Gold Beach; Zero Pollution Beach
GPS Coordenates: N 39º 0.70896' W 9º 25.281'
EMPA BEACH
This small beach is frequented mainly during low tide, but offers several charms. Besides the rockpools, two of the waves are concentrated here that form part of the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve: the twin sisters called Pedra Branca and Reef attract surfers and bodyboarders all year round. There's no lifeguard but there is an SOS Praia system, plus mobile toilets during the bathing season. Ericeira Camping (holder of a Green Key award) is a stone's throw away from Empa Beach (just across the N247 highway) and stands out for its camping and caravanning facilities. GPS Coordinates: N 38º 58.76706' W 9º 25.33968'
PRAIA DOS PESCADORES (OR DO PEIXE)
This is the municipality's most historic beach, as it was here that on 5 October 1910 Portugal's royal family embarked for exile after the proclamation of the Republic. It is also one of the area's most visited beaches, both because it is so central (just below Ericeira's old town centre) and for its broad expanse of sand, sheltered from the south and southeast winds. It has small mobile beach facilities during the bathing season, as well as permanent toilets at the fishing port end. The beach is watched over by an SOS Praia system. GPS Coordinates: N 38º 57.84414' W 9º 25.11018'
PRAIA DE SÃO SEBASTIÃO
Down below the chapel that gives it its name, São Sebastião beach is situated at the northern end of town. It is reached via a beautiful staircase with traditional Portuguese paving (long and narrow, and all but flooded by the sea during high tide). Another of the beach's attractions are the waves, which are very popular with surfers and bodyboarders. No lifeguard, but with an SOS Praia system. The adjacent Urban Park has parking, a bar with a terrace and space and equipment for exercise. GPS Coordinates: N38º 58.296' W 9º 25.23042'
PRAIA DA FOZ DO LIZANDRO
Located in the parish of Carvoeira, Foz do Lizandro beach has the largest stretch of sand in Mafra municipality and a natural landscape that is bound up with the River Lizandro, which flows through and gives the beach its name. This beach is not so much a summer resort but a leisure centre, with modern bars and restaurants with terraces. The establishments are arranged along a raised walkway, parallel to the river-/sea-front, that connects to a large parking lot. The beach also has other facilities, including changing rooms, toilets and a first-aid post, a sports area on the beach (and also in the sea, since the waves here are famous well beyond Portugal), showers, beach umbrellas and sun loungers for rent. Beach with lifeguard and SOS Praia system. Awards: Blue Flag; Accessible Beach; Healthy Beach. GPS Coordinates: N 38º 56.53584' W 9º 24.92412'
PRAIA DE RIBEIRA D'ILHAS
Ribeira d'Ilhas is the northernmost bathing area in the parish of Ericeira, located about 3.5 km from the centre. Famed as the stage for multiple national and international surfing competitions, this beach is averitable home for the sport in Portugal and its waves are the most popular in the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve. Located in a valley through which flows the river that gives the beach its name, the setting is that of a natural amphitheatre, with high cliffs acting as a belvedere. Ribeira d'Ilhas has plenty of infrastructure for bathers and surfers: a parking lot, beach facilities (with changing rooms, sanitary facilities, a first-aid post, an inviting restaurant-bar with terrace and space for surf schools), showers, access walkways, beach umbrellas and sun loungers for hire. Beach watched by lifeguards and SOS Praia system. Awards: Blue Flag; Accessible Beach; Healthy Beach; Gold Beach. GPS Coordinates: N 38º 59.29314' W 9º 25.15152'
PRAIA DE SUL (OR DA BALEIA)
This beach is close to the town centre and easily accessible on foot. The colourful striped awnings and tents identify the various bathing concessions, housing veritable clans and creating a sense of stepping back in time. The Vila Galé Hotel (formerly the Hotel de Turismo) is a cherished icon of the landscape here.
Sheltered from northerly winds by the Ponta de Santa Marta headland, this is one of the safest bathing spots on the Atlantic coast, but also has plenty of waves to delight surfers and bodyboarders. The beach is watched by lifeguards and an SOS Beach system. It has bars, public showers and changing rooms.
Award: Blue Flag; Healthy Beach; Gold Beach
GPS Coordinates: N 38º 57.32862' W 9º 24.74338'