Ericeira Holidays

Surf spot

Ericeria’s a once-quaint fishing town that’s been transformed into a surfer’s must-visit destination. In fact, it’s Europe’s only World Surfing Reserve, and has surfing spots suitable for everyone, from beginners to champion surfers. Being the surf capital of Portugal hasn’t taken away from the fishing towns’ charm, though. The centre of the village is a maze of pastry stores, ice-cream parlours and restaurants serving freshly caught seafood and Portuguese delicacies such as salted cod and famous custard tarts. If you want to see the fishing harbour in all its glory, take a stroll along the Largo das Ribas and soak up the clifftop views.

Paddleboard up the Lizandro River

If you want a break from the waves, take a trip a few kilometres up the coast to Foz do Lizandro Beach, where the mouth of the Lizandro River meets the sea. Grab a paddleboard, stand up and drift your way upstream, taking in the jungle-like scenery as you bob along. And if you’ve never given it a try before, don’t fret – this calm river is great for beginners, and is more relaxing than thrill-a-minute.