
Set in a valley between high cliffs, just to the north of Ericeira is the beach of Ribeira d'Ilhas. A lovely sandy beach complete with river and lots of interesting nooks and crannies, there's plenty here for the kids to do.
What Ribeira d'Ilhas is best known for though is the surf. Having hosted numerous rounds of the WQL surfing World Tour championships there is no doubts this is a world class break. There are actually better waves in the Ericeira area but most are harder to get too...
The Praia dos Pescadores (Fishermen's beach) is Ericeira's central beach, but not by coincidence. Rather, the town was built around this beach which also serves as a harbour. Sheltered to the south by the small headland of Furnas and from the north swells by a breakwater, this is about the most protected beach on the Ericeira coast.
Despite being a busy working harbour this is a pleasant enough sandy beach, although not as stunning as many of the other beaches in the area. It does...
As the name suggests, Praia do Sul is on the southern fringes of Ericeira, or at least the old village. As the seaside village constantly expands the area around the beach feels more and more developed.
Praia do Sul is Ericeira's main beach and is the only easily accessible beach within a stone's throw of the village. This makes it popular, which is nothing new and the beach has catered for the Lisbon holiday weekenders for many years. The beach is dominated by the Vila Galé hotel...
Just before you reach Ericeira from the Lisbon direction there is a deep valley through which the river Lizandro flows. At the mouth of the river ("Foz") is a wide sandy beach that extends inland, along the banks of the river for some considerable distance.
The beach at Foz do Lizandro is actually the biggest patch of sand in the area. This feeling of space is further added to by the fact the beach is not backed by cliffs. Instead there is a low headland to the...
At a around 7km from Ericeira, Praia de São Lourenço is the most northerly of what are considered the area's beaches. This wide sandy and sheltered bay is a popular spot and is best known for two things; surfing and seafood, although sunbathing is pretty high on most people's list too.
São Lourenço is home to a number of quality restaurants specializing in fresh and seafood fish.
Surfing at São Lourenço is fine for all on calm days. However, this is known as Ericeira's big wave...
Backed by imposing cliffs this long sandy beach is located at the mouth of the river Mata.
Just around the corner from Praia Grande is another local favourite Praia da Adraga. This sandy little cove is backed by high cliffs with a deep valley winding down to the beach. The beach here is usually quieter than the better known beaches in the area and is mostly the preserve of locals. However, it can get quite busy at weekends when parking is at a premium.
Adraga is a fairly wild spot being located just a few kilometres north of Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point on mainland...
Just 35 minutes north of Lisbon on a section of toll-free motorway, the beautiful and wild Praia Azul, whose name translates to 'blue beach' is one of the first beaches associated with the famous waves of Peniche. This relatively unspoilt blue flag beach is a long, sandy surfer's paradise located where the Sizandro River meets the Atlantic Ocean. There is fairly consistent surf...
Praia das Maçãs (Apple beach) is one of the most popular beaches within striking distance of Lisbon. The name comes from the fact that once upon a time apples would fall off trees upstream of the (Ribeira de Colares) river that flows along the southern side of the beach. These would then wash up on the beach - hence the name.
One reason for the popularity of this beach is the tram line which connects Praia das Maçãs to Sintra during the Summer months.
Being on the Atlantic...
Praia Grande is probably the closest, and certainly the mostly easily accessed, beach from Sintra. The name translates to "Big beach" and whilst the beach isn't massive, it is the biggest on the Sintra - Cascais coast, rivaled only by Guincho in terms of size. The expanse of golden sand is big enough to hold the summer crowds who flock here, many coming straight from Sintra on the tram which stops close to Praia Grande before continuing on to Praia das Macas.
As you'd expect for a...
Ericeira, perched on high cliffs some thirty meters above a string of sandy beaches, has benefited greatly from it's location. A small fishing village whose name derives from sea urchins
(Ouricos do Mar) and where...