Ericeira & the surf coast Day Trip from Lisbon
A World Surfing Reserve and a fishing town that still feels like one
A one-day drive from Lisbon to Ericeira & the surf coast — 100 km round trip, about 1h 38m behind the wheel, with stops, timings and where to eat already worked out.
A World Surfing Reserve and a fishing town that still feels like one. It's a day out of Lisbon: 100 km of driving in total, about 1h 38m behind the wheel, and the rest of the day on your feet.
The plan below is paced so the driving doesn't eat the day — leave after breakfast, be back for the evening. Every stop can be swapped for one of three alternatives if it isn't your kind of thing.
Praia de Ribeira d'Ilhas
World-famous surf beach and Portugal's first World Surfing Reserve, with dramatic cliffside views.
💡 Arrive early morning for calm light and easier parking on the cliff.
Ericeira
Centro Comercial Ericeira
Whitewashed fishermen's town with narrow lanes, blue-trimmed houses, and Atlantic viewpoints.
💡 Walk along Rua 5 de Outubro toward the Miradouro do Farol for the best sea views.
Praça da República 12, Ericeira
Mar à Vista
Well-regarded seafood restaurant overlooking the ocean, known for fresh fish and local specialties.
💡 Book ahead for a window table at lunchtime — it fills up fast on weekends.
R. de Santo António 16, Ericeira
Farol Museu de Santa Marta
Small working lighthouse with a free museum and sweeping coastal panoramas.
💡 Free entry; check the small museum inside the lighthouse base.
Av. Rei Humberto II de Itália, Cascais
Nothing stops you at the road, so this is on you to settle. Some motorways are electronic-only with no booths. A foreign plate has to be registered (Easytoll) before driving them.
Buy at www.portugaltolls.comPrice checked 2026-07-30 — confirm on the official site.
- Ericeira has limited parking near the historic centre — use the public lot near Mercado Municipal.
- No highway tolls on this route, but fuel up before returning as Lisbon fuel prices are higher.
- Ribeira d'Ilhas gets crowded with surfers midday — visit early or late afternoon.
- Restaurants in Ericeira often close between lunch and dinner service, plan meal timing accordingly.
- Praia do Guincho+25 km
Wild, wind-swept beach popular with surfers and kitesurfers, dramatic dunes and Atlantic swell.
- Convento dos Capuchos, Sintra+30 km
Eerie 16th-century cork-lined monastery hidden in Sintra's forest, a striking contrast to coastal Ericeira.
- Azenhas do Mar+15 km
Picture-perfect whitewashed village clinging to a cliff above a natural seawater pool.
Make this trip your own
Plan your own road trip →This route was drafted with AI. Please double-check roads, opening hours and local conditions before you go.
Made with Roadanza
What will the fuel cost?
This route covers 100 km. Put your own car's consumption and local fuel price in and you'll have the number in a few seconds.
Work it out for this route →Questions, answered
- Is Sintra better by train or car?
- By train, for most people. The line from Rossio runs every 20–30 minutes and takes about 40; driving means a congested mountain road, car parks that fill by nine in summer, and a centre where traffic is restricted. Take the car only if you're combining Sintra with Cabo da Roca and the coast road afterwards.
- How do Portuguese motorway tolls work with a hire car?
- Most motorways are electronic-only: cameras read a transponder or your registered plate, and there is no barrier to pay at. Arrange it when you collect the car — otherwise the charges arrive later with an administration fee on top, and some routes have no cash alternative at all.
- Can you do Évora as a day trip from Lisbon?
- Yes — about ninety minutes each way on the A6, which makes for a comfortable day with time for the Roman temple, the cathedral and lunch. It is one of the few Alentejo towns close enough to do properly without staying over.
- Which day trip is best for beaches?
- The Arrábida coast for calm, clear water and dramatic cliffs, or Ericeira and the Ericeira–Guincho stretch for surf and wind. Arrábida's beach access roads are narrow and sometimes closed to cars in peak summer, with a shuttle instead — check before you set off.
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