Top 6 surf spots in Ericeira, Portugal
April 29, 2024Are you looking for the best surf spots in Ericeira? This Portuguese fishing village has put its name on the global surf map thanks to its diverse waves and beautiful surroundings. Here are our six favourite spots for beginners to learn to surf in the Ericeira area.
When arriving in Portugal at the Lisbon airport, the surf town of Ericeira is only a 45-minute drive away. Ericeira, even known as the surf capital of Europe, with its eight kilometres of coastline is the home of many beaches with different types of breaks. From beginner-friendly spots at the heart of the old town to famous world-class spots where some of the best surfers in the world have caught waves.
There’s something for every level and beginners can surf in Ericeira throughout the whole year if they know where to go.
The 6 best surf spots in Ericeira
Here we list our top six beginner surf spots to try out when paying a visit to the town. The list is starting at the southern part of Ericeira and working its way up north:
1. Praia de São Julião
The furthest south of the Ericeira area you’ll find São Julião, located in the split between Mafra and Sintra. It is a sand-bottomed spot with a huge beach. São Julião is usually referred to as Ericeira’s swell magnet, so you’ll likely find enjoyable waves here when other beaches are flat.
You’ll find beach breaks to both left and right and it’s a great spot for beginners during smaller tides. Next to the parking lot lies a local coffee shop where you can enjoy espresso and Portuguese pastries in the sun with a good view of the waves.
2. Praia da Foz do Lizandro
Just a quick drive towards town is the next spot on our top list. Across the road from our Ericeira camp is the Foz do Lizandro beach, a very beginner-friendly beach break when the conditions allow it.
This sand-bottomed spot provides tame and rock-free rides with a nice view of the surrounding cliffs and the town silhouette. The beach got its name from the Lizandro river that flows through here and out into the Atlantic.
After your surf session, don’t forget to check out the area. Foz do Lizandro has one of the biggest beaches in the area, where you find bars and restaurants with delicious food on the boardwalk.
3. Praia do Sul – South Beach
If conditions get too big at Foz do Lizandro or São Julião, you can move closer to town.
This more protected spot is called Praia do Sul or South Beach. At this beach break, you can ride both left and right waves. Praia do Sul is located in the centre of Ericeira, right next to the iconic hotel Vila Galé.
Along the beach walk, you’ll pass a local coffee shop and a fish restaurant, both worthy of a visit!
4. Praia dos Pescadores
Sometimes referred to as fisherman's beach, Pescadores is a beach break in the heart of town. This is a safe spot for beginners to learn how to surf since the beach is sheltered by the cliffs. This spot is very popular for a beach day, especially during summertime. Behind the beach, you’ll see the local fishermen’s boats.
5. Praia do Matadouro
Don’t let the name scare you, even though Matadouro is Portuguese for “slaughterhouse”, this is a beginner-friendly beach where you often see many surf schools. You’ll find both beach- and reef breaks at Matadouro, so watch out where you put your feet when walking out in the water. Matadouro offers both left and right waves.
Across the road from Matadouro lies a skatepark, where you can go practice your surfskate-skills, have a beer and have a good view over Matadouro.
6. Praia de Ribeira d'Ilhas
Lastly, we have Ribeira d'Ilhas, a world-famous surf spot that hosts national and international surf competitions thanks to the quality of the waves. This spot is the home of Portugal's first national surfing competition which was held in 1977.
Ribeira D'Ilhas is Ericeira’s most popular spot and it fits beginner and advanced surfers alike. It is a right-handed point break where you can catch small white water waves, or you can go on the outside and catch perfect right-handed waves. Ribeira d'Ilhas is one of seven beaches around Ericeira that is a part of the World Surf Reserve.
Have a look up at the top of the cliff when you’re in the water and you’ll see the statue of “The Guardian” looking out over this surf reserve.
Why should you learn to surf in Ericeira?
– First of all, Ericeira is a really beautiful town and the view that we have from the water is amazing. I think the main reason people come here to surf is that we have some of the best waves in Europe, it's a place that fits everyone from a beginner to an advanced surfer. Due to our coast, we have high-performance waves for the advanced surfers but we also have super easy waves for the ones who just got started.
Something that I think is great with Ericeira is that you can be surfing at one place with small and easy waves, then get into your car and after a two-minute drive you can surf a perfect wave, said our head surf coach Rui Henriques, at our Ericeira camp.
What's the worst part of surfing in Ericeira?
– In my opinion, I would say that a problem with surfing here is that there are a lot of people who start to surf without knowing the rules or how to behave in the water. We have bigger crowds now than before, so it is extra important to know the rules. But there are good things that come from the bigger crowds too since we are a surf town we live a lot on tourism and it provides jobs for the local people. We should collectively focus more on teaching people how to behave in the water for everyone to be safe and have a good time, said Henriques.
Check out this post to read more about surf ethics and the rules in the water.
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