Ericeira City Guide
Image by Rikin Katyal via unsplash

Portugal

Ericeira City Guide

Lisbon

Ericeira is a small fishing town on Portugal's west coast, famous for surfing and a relaxed vibe. It's popular with remote workers who enjoy ocean views, fresh seafood, and easy access to Lisbon. The town blends traditional charm with outdoor activities and a growing digital nomad scene.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Fresh seafood is the highlight, including grilled fish and stews. Local specialities like sea urchins and limpets are worth trying. Good international and vegetarian/vegan choices exist. Some places serve late during peak season.

Local Dishes:
Grilled fish, Caldeirada (seafood stew), Ouriços do mar (sea urchins), Lapas (limpets)
International Cuisine:
Italian, Asian, Vegetarian, Vegan
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
7

Nightlife peaks in summer with bars and pubs featuring live music and DJs. The vibe stays relaxed and surf-focused.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Traditional pastelarias and specialty coffee shops coexist, offering good options.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is appreciated but not required. Leaving 5-10% in restaurants is typical.

Top Attractions
Praia dos Pescadores
Beach
The main beach in town, great for sun and surf.
World Surfing Reserve Interpretation Centre
Culture
Learn about Ericeira's surfing heritage.
Historic Town Center
Culture
Narrow streets and traditional houses to explore.
Mafra National Palace
Historic
UNESCO site under an hour away.
Sintra
Historic
UNESCO site with palaces and castles nearby.
Óbidos
Historic
Walled medieval town to visit within an hour.
Lisbon
City
Portugal's capital city, a short trip from Ericeira.
SIM Cards

Buy SIM cards at provider stores or Lisbon Airport; Vodafone and MEO have good coverage. Registration with ID is required. eSIM depends on provider and device.

Available at:
Vodafone
MEO
NOS
Recommended Apps
Bolt/Uber(Transport)
TheFork(Food)
Glovo/Uber Eats(Food Delivery)
Google Maps(Navigation)
WhatsApp(Communication)
MB Way(Finance)
Surfline/Magicseaweed(Surfing)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
8

Town stays clean with good waste management, especially in tourist areas.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

24/7 services are rare. Some minimarts may have long hours, but pharmacies and clinics usually close at night.

Groceries
Continente
Pingo Doce
Intermarché

Supermarkets sell international products and local fresh markets offer produce and fish. Main stores include Continente, Pingo Doce, and Intermarché. Most open from early morning to evening but may close Sundays.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Most places accept cards, but carry cash for small shops or markets.

ATMs

ATMs from the Multibanco network are common throughout town. International card fees may apply depending on your bank.

Schools
International

Ericeira has local public schools. International schools are in greater Lisbon, such as Carlucci American and St. Julian's, with varying languages and admission rules.

Available Schools:
Escola Secundária de Ericeira
Carlucci American International School of Lisbon
St. Julian's School

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
8
Available Spaces:
Salt Studio Ericeira
Daily to monthly passes, meeting rooms, community feel.
Ericeira Surf & Business
Co-working combined with surf experiences.
Selina Ericeira
Coworking within hostel/hotel, flexible options.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Dear Rose Cafe
Good for working with Wi-Fi and relaxed atmosphere.
O Pãozinho das Marias
Cozy spot, suitable for focused work.
GiG - Green is Good
Healthy food café with work-friendly vibe.
Coffee & Waves
Coffee spot popular with nomads and surfers.
Balagan
Offers good Wi-Fi and coffee.
Alternatives:
Local libraries
Quiet places but check hours and Wi-Fi availability.
Hotel lobbies
Some offer comfortable seating and internet.
Less crowded cafes
Off-peak hours can be calm for work.
Digital Nomad Community
Excellent
8

Fast-growing community with meetups, coworking spaces, and nomad-friendly cafes.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
7

Green spaces along the coast and parks. Nearby Tapada Nacional de Mafra offers larger nature areas.

Running
Excellent
8

Good coastal and countryside running routes with safe paths and fresh air.

Gyms
Available

Gyms and surf schools offer fitness classes including yoga.

Available Gyms:
Ericeira Fitness Club
Ericeira Crossfit
Ericeira Surf & Fitness
Tennis
Good
6

Tennis and padel courts at local clubs and private facilities. Booking advised.

Padel
Good
6

Padel courts are available, often alongside tennis at sports clubs.

Yoga
Excellent
8

Several studios offer multiple styles of yoga with English-speaking instructors. Surf camps often include yoga.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Gyms offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and boxing. Drop-in classes available, some English-speaking.

Skiing
Poor
1

No nearby skiing; closest is Serra da Estrela region, several hours away.

Water Sports
Good
7

Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular. Rentals available. Sailing and windsurfing less common locally.

Surfing
Excellent
10

World Surfing Reserve with waves for all levels year-round. Wetsuits needed most of the year. Surf schools and shops are plentiful.

Diving
Limited
5

Diving and snorkeling exist but water is cold. Visibility varies, with local dive shops offering courses.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
7

Basic care is available at the local health center. More serious cases go to hospitals in Torres Vedras or Lisbon. English is common in private clinics. Pharmacies are widespread and stock common meds.

Hospitals:
Torres Vedras Hospital
Lisbon Hospitals
Pharmacies:
Farmácia Central
Farmácia do Mercado
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is safe to drink in Ericeira.

Common Scams
Pickpocketing in crowded places is rare but possible., Overcharging for services occasionally occurs., Unsolicited help at ATMs should be declined.

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Excellent
8

Several parks and playgrounds, family-friendly eateries, and baby supplies in supermarkets. Beaches and cultural sites offer activities for kids.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Excellent
8

Portugal is LGBTQ+ friendly and inclusive; Ericeira is relaxed and safe for the community.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Many pet-friendly places and vets. Coastal paths suitable for dogs despite limited official parks.

Communities
Ericeira Digital Nomads & Remote Workers (Digital Nomads)
Ericeira Community (Local)
Ericeira Surf Guide (Surfing)
Expats in Portugal (Expat)

Quick Facts

Population
7,538
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Power supply is stable and reliable, like elsewhere in Portugal.

Beach Access
Available

Many sandy and rocky beaches are close by, great for surfing and relaxing.

Mountains
Available

Serra de Sintra is under an hour away, offering hiking trails and nature nearby.

Languages
Portuguese(90%)
English(60%)
Emergency
112
Emergency
261 862 000
Local Police (PSP)

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Low Risk
3
🏔️
Earthquake
Moderate Risk
5

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
July, August
Hot weather but tempered by coastal breezes.
Crowds
July, August
Peak season brings busy beaches and restaurants.

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