Ericeira is a fishing village on the coast of Mafra, about 50 kilometres from Lisbon, with whitewashed houses trimmed in blue above a bay of cliffs and beaches. The village lives from fishing, from its restaurants and from surfing, and its shore is a World Surfing Reserve.
From Ericeira, King Manuel II left Portugal for exile on 5 October 1910, the day the Republic was proclaimed.
Ray on a clothesline, a typical gastronomic delicacy from Ericeira in the municipality of Mafra. The ray is sun-dried on a clothesline, like a piece of clothing, then thoroughly washed and cured in brine, a tradition dating back to times when it was necessary to ensure sustenance during periods of scarcity
What to see in Ericeira
Old village: the narrow streets above the fishermen's beach, with tiled house fronts and small squares.
Church of São Pedro: the parish church of the village, with a Rococo main altarpiece.
Chapel of São Sebastião: a Mannerist chapel of the 16th century, with tiles and a main chapel of 1678.
Ericeira Archive-Museum: the local museum, open since 1937, with paintings of the 16th century.
Fishermen's beach: the beach below the village, where boats are still hauled up.
Seafood: the restaurants of the village, known for fish, shellfish and goose barnacles.
History of Ericeira
Middle Ages: the village grows as a fishing port and small harbour on this coast.
17th century: the village is enlarged, and forts are built to defend the landing places.
5 October 1910: King Manuel II sails from Ericeira into exile.
2011: the coast of Ericeira is classified as a World Surfing Reserve.
Visiting Ericeira
Getting there: Ericeira is about 50 kilometres from Lisbon by the A21 and A8 motorways, and buses run from Lisbon and from Mafra.
Beaches: the village beaches are watched in summer, and the reef breaks of the surf coast lie north and south of it.
Ericeira population (data from last censos):Parish has 12 359 Inhabitants
Ericeira area:Parish has 12 km² / 5 sq mi
Ericeira Living & Visiting Map
xrei.com12345678910111213141516Igreja Paroquial de São PedroEriceira Surf CoastIgreja da Misericórdia da EriceiraFonte do CaboCapela de Santo António ou Capela de Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem dos Homens do MarForte de Nossa Senhora da PiedadeCapela de São SebastiãoRibeira ou dos Pescadores beachAlgodio ou do Norte beachCapela de Santa MartaBaleia ou do Sul beachIgreja de Nossa Senhora do ÓPonte "Romana" sobre o rio LizandroFort of MilreuFort of ZambujalRibeira de Ilhas beachLisbon Airport (Humberto Delgado Airport) (LIS) 32 kmCascais Aerodrome (Tires) (CAT) 27 kmJardim do Cerco 7 kmFoz do Lizandro – Mar beach 3 kmCoxos beach 4 kmLizandro RiverSintra-Cascais Natural Park 4 kmMonsanto Forest Park 31 km
