The best areas to stay in Ericeira
Choose your area first and your accommodation second. The town itself is small and walkable, but the surf beaches, villages and colivings are strung out along the coast road, and each part has a different feel.
Town centre and the old town
Best for first-timers and short staysWhitewashed lanes, the main square, cafes, restaurants and the fishermen's beach (Praia dos Pescadores) all within a few minutes on foot, with Praia do Sul just beyond. The easiest base if you are not renting a car, and where most of the hostels and surf houses are.
Ribeira d'Ilhas
Best for surfersA short ride north of the centre, built around one of the most famous waves in the World Surfing Reserve. Surf houses and a few cafes, quiet evenings, and a cliff path back towards town.
Foz do Lizandro and Praia do Sul
Best for a beach stay close to townSouth of the centre, where the Lizandro river meets the sea. A wide beach that is good for beginner surf lessons, a couple of beach bars, and a calmer feel than the old town, while still being walkable or a short cycle away.
Sao Lourenco and Ribamar
Best for a quiet, scenic baseSmall villages a few kilometres north, with cliff-top views, a sandy beach at Sao Lourenco and a slower pace. Good if you want space and sea views and do not mind a 10-minute drive into Ericeira for dinner.
Santo Isidoro and the countryside
Best for longer stays and colivingsInland villages and farmland between Ericeira and Mafra, where you will find lodges, colivings and guesthouses with gardens and pools at friendlier prices. Plan on having a car, scooter or bike.
Our 6 recommended places to stay in Ericeira
Booking sites list hundreds of options around Ericeira. These are the six we would look at first, chosen across budgets and areas, with a mix of surf houses, colivings, a guesthouse, a lodge and a spa hotel.
Budget pickSocial surf hostel · Town centre
WOT Ericeira Surf Social
A big, sociable surf hostel with a pool, skate ramp, bar, games room and plenty of outdoor space. Breakfast is included and Praia do Sul is about an 8-minute walk. Dorm beds have curtains, so you still get some privacy.
- Breakfast included and a pool on site
- Staff and WiFi both rated 9.1 by guests
- Best for solo travellers and surfers who want a social stay
Budget pickGuesthouse · Ericeira outskirts
Like a Local Guesthouse
A calm, spotless guesthouse a little outside town, with a pool, hot tub, terrace and a well-equipped shared kitchen. Guests keep mentioning the helpful hosts and the free parking.
- Value for money rated 9.3 and WiFi 9.4
- Quiet, homely base with a pool and hot tub
- Best with a car or bike, for remote workers and budget travellers
Mid-range pickColiving surf house · Ribeira d'Ilhas
Ocean House Ericeira
A cosy, light-filled surf house right next to Ribeira d'Ilhas beach, with sea and nature views and cliff walks on the doorstep. There is a proper kitchen, good community spaces, morning yoga and a cafe that works well for a laptop session. Quieter than town, but still close.
- Steps from one of Ericeira's best-known surf breaks
- Morning yoga, community dinners and summer garden events
- Best for surfers, solo travellers and digital nomads
Mid-range pickBoutique lodge · Santo Isidoro
Terra Lodge
A peaceful lodge in the countryside north of town, with a garden, a year-round outdoor pool, a shared kitchen and an outdoor fireplace. Guests praise the breakfast, the tasteful design and the welcoming host, and there are massage and wellness options.
- Staff rated 9.4 by guests
- Calm, wellness-focused setting rather than a party crowd
- Best for couples, friends and families
Premium pickSurf house · Town centre
Laneez Ericeira Surf House
A surf house with what might be the best view in Ericeira, from a terrace and back garden a short walk from the centre. Social but relaxed, with an excellent breakfast included, a great shared kitchen and cosy common areas. Surf and yoga classes can be arranged.
- Sea-view terrace close to town
- Exceptional breakfast included
- Best for solo travellers, groups of friends and surfers
Premium pickSpa hotel · Porto da Calada
Aethos Hotel Ericeira
A stylish clifftop hotel south of town with ocean views, a heated saltwater pool, spa, sauna, steam room and hammam. Guests rave about the restaurant and the complimentary yoga, and Porto da Calada beach is a 5-minute walk.
- Cleanliness and comfort rated 9.7, staff 9.6
- Heated pool, spa and yoga included
- Best for couples and remote workers who want a quiet, upscale base
Ratings are from Booking.com guest reviews at the time of writing and can change. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Getting to and around Ericeira
Most people arrive from Lisbon. By car it is around 45 minutes to an hour on the A8 and A21, and there is free or cheap parking in most of the town apart from the very centre in summer. Without a car, the Mafrense bus from Campo Grande in Lisbon takes roughly an hour and drops you a short walk from the old town. From Lisbon airport, take the metro to Campo Grande and pick up the bus there, or book a private transfer if you are arriving late. There is no train to Ericeira.
Once you are here, the centre is easy to walk and Praia do Sul and the fishermen's beach are a few minutes away on foot. Ribeira d'Ilhas is a 10-minute cycle or a short drive north, and Foz do Lizandro is a similar distance south. If you stay outside the centre, a bike, scooter or car makes getting to the different beaches far easier, and many surf houses run shuttles to the breaks.
Staying connected is simple too. Our guides to the best eSIMs for Portugal and the best travel insurance for Portugal cover the rest of your trip, and if you plan to work from Ericeira, see our list of cafes and coworking spaces in Ericeira.
