Our most recommended things to do in Ericeira

From Lisbon or Cascais: Mafra, Ericeira, and Queluz Day Tour

1. From Lisbon or Cascais: Mafra, Ericeira, and Queluz Day Tour

This tour will take you to Mafra, where a world heritage famous convent-palace takes place. The National Palace of Mafra, a complex consisting of a Royal Palace, a Basilica and a Convent, was completed in 1735, by the will of King D. João V by virtue of a promise he had made on behalf of the descendants he would obtain from the queen. It was the residence of the royal family for a few years, until the king's death, but never ceased to be one of the court's favorite places. Mafra's greatest treasure is the library. Here are kept books that are unique and rare examples of knowledge produced between the 15th and 19th centuries. After visiting the palace, head to the coast and arrive at Ericeira, a pretty fishing village. Its connection to the sea is undeniable, which you can enjoy exploring its narrow streets located in the Historic Center that take us back to other times. The cliffs along the shores of Ericeira beach also give it a unique beauty, as do the fishermen's boats that bring the best and freshest fish to land that can be tasted in many of the village's restaurants. Onwards, you will travel towards the interior, to discover Queluz National Palace, not infrequently called the Portuguese Versailles. It is an 18th century palace and was built as a summer retreat. Among the various rooms and other divisions of the palace such as the throne room, music room, ambassador's room, D. Quixote's room, among others, it is here where you will find the most interesting and important historical gardens in Portugal, present the most significant set of statues by the British sculptor John Cheere, outside English territory, which gives it great importance in the international art scene.

From Lisbon: Coastal Villages and Mafra Palace Guided Tour

2. From Lisbon: Coastal Villages and Mafra Palace Guided Tour

First stop will be Azenhas do Mar, a scenic village on the coast built in the "Portuguese Soft Style". Continue along the coast, passing by steep cliffs and wild beaches. Arrive in Ericeira, a village known for its blue and white buildings, as well as its lively food scene. Enjoy free time to explore the village at your own pace and have lunch. After lunch, head to Jose Franco, a working village and open-air museum that showcases the traditional culture and handicrafts of the área. End your tour with a visit to the magnificent Palace of Mafra, a masterpiece from the eighteenth century and one of the most important buildings in the Portuguese Baroque style. The palace is home to 92 bells, 1200 rooms, and over 4,700 doors and windows. It also hosts the oldest library in Portugal with about 36,000 volumes. Enjoy a tour of the site with your dedicated guide, who will share interesting facts and stories about the monument.

From Lisbon: Mafra, Ericeira & Queluz Day Tour

3. From Lisbon: Mafra, Ericeira & Queluz Day Tour

This tour will take you to Mafra, where a world heritage famous convent-palace takes place. The National Palace of Mafra, a complex consisting of a Royal Palace, a Basilica and a Convent, was completed in 1735, by the will of King D. João V by virtue of a promise he had made on behalf of the descendants he would obtain from the queen. After visiting the palace, head to the coast and arrive at Ericeira, a pretty fishing village. Its connection to the sea is undeniable, which you can enjoy exploring its narrow streets located in the Historic Center that take us back to other times. Onwards, you will travel towards the interior, to discover Queluz National Palace, not infrequently called the Portuguese Versailles. It is an 18th century palace and was built as a summer retreat. Among the various rooms and other divisions of the palace such as the throne room, music room, ambassador's room, D. Quixote's room, among others, it is here where you will find the most interesting and important historical gardens in Portugal, present the most significant set of statues by the British sculptor John Cheere (1709-1787), outside English territory, which gives it great importance in the international art scene.

Ericeira Private Tour: Hidden Gastronomic Gems with lunch

4. Ericeira Private Tour: Hidden Gastronomic Gems with lunch

Get a real taste of Ericeira on this Private Food Walking Tour with a storyteller guide. We believe that the best way to discover our culture is through our food and wines while seated around at a table. Sharing stories, learning about our history, enjoying our local delicacies, and tasting the best portuguese wines . Discover the historical importance of the Ericeira fishing port and how artisanal fishing is inseparable from the local identity and the genesis of this community. Understand how the fishermens beach has become a landmark in the Portugal history and how tourism and the “world surfing reserve” have changed the local socio-economic and cultural dynamics. In this walk food tour we will passing through 5 different spots, taste and understand the roots of local gastronomy. You will taste regional delicacies from a hot and fresh muffin associated with the village name, savory classics in a local restaurant, visiting our fresh market and having lunch in a fisherman's club. This is the stress-free package ideal for first-time visitors. - Try local portuguese food and wines on a private tour with a local storyteller guide; - Visit locals hot spots and hidden local gems; - Understand portuguese gastronomic roots and how traditional delicacies are made or produced.

Private Airport Transfer Lisbon to Ericeira

5. Private Airport Transfer Lisbon to Ericeira

This one-way transfer between Lisbon Airport and your hotel in the Ericeira region will take approximately 45 minutes and is priced for up to 4-8 passengers. The cost-effective and convenient service is available both from the airport to your hotel and from your Ericeira accommodation to Lisbon Airport. In addition to this transfer service, the provider also offers premium chauffeured transportation available throughout your stay in the Ericeira region. Vehicles for various occasions are accessible on an hourly, daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. You can anticipate a superior level of excellence during the transfer, and you'll be in the capable hands of a competent and friendly professional driver, who is well-acquainted with the area.

Sintra: Countryside Gastronomic Tour in a Vintage Car

6. Sintra: Countryside Gastronomic Tour in a Vintage Car

Uncover the beauty and flavors of the countryside surrounding Sintra on this tour in a vintage car. Take some free time to explore the cobble stone streets in the seaside village of Ericeira.  Meet your guide at the Portela de Sintra train station and sit back and relax in a stylish classic car on the drive to a hidden waterfall in the mountains. Have some time to snap some pictures before heading to a rural village.  Sit down in a picturesque country village and breathe in delicious aromas. Immerse yourself in local cuisine while taking in views of the unique landscape.  See the sights along the main street of Mafra city and admire the “Convento de Mafra” palace. Make your way to the seaside village of Ericeira, a world surf reserve. Take some free time to walk in the center of the village before returning to you meeting point in Sintra.

Sintra: Day Tour with a Hike in Nature

7. Sintra: Day Tour with a Hike in Nature

This tour in Sintra combines the classic visit of palaces, parks and heritage that all travelers want to experience with an optional easy hike that will make you feel like a local and make your day unforgettable. After visiting Palace of Pena and another monument to choose from Sintra Royal Palace, Monserrate Palace and Park, Quinta da Regaleira or the Moorish Castle, you can enjoy the nature in Sintra with an easy hike through the magical forest with amazing viewpoints. This tour is flexible enough to even include a third monument and manage the time schedule according to your preferences. We finish the day with a visit to Cabo da Roca, Europe's western most point.

Mafra, Ericeira Private Tour from Lisbon

8. Mafra, Ericeira Private Tour from Lisbon

Your private full-day tour is designed to take you on a journey of history, beauty and indulgence as you explore the best of Mafra and its surroundings. The tour begins with a convenient pick-up from your Lisbon accommodation, after which you will embark on a drive to Mafra to visit the magnificent Mafra National Palace. This grand palace-monastery was built by King João V in 1717 to celebrate the birth of his first child, and is considered one of the most stunning architectural masterpieces in the world. On your tour, you will marvel at the palace's grand details, including over 5000 doorways, 2500 windows, 880 rooms, 154 grand staircases, 29 courtyards and 330 monks' cells. You will also have the chance to admire the palace's stunning library, which is considered one of Europe's finest, housing over 40,000 rare volumes, including the earliest edition of Homer in Greek, a trilingual bible from the early 16th century, and a first edition of Os Lusíadas by Luís de Camões. After your tour of the Mafra National Palace, you will travel to the nearby Olaria Típica João Franco (Typical Village of José Franco). This miniature working village showcases the traditional culture and handicrafts of the region, crafted using traditional techniques by renowned Portuguese potter and sculptor José Silos Franco. This is a fascinating and surreal experience, depicting the true story of the region and arousing the curiosity of travelers of all ages. You will also have the opportunity to taste traditional bread with sausage (pão com chouriço) and buy handmade pottery from the on-site shop. After your visit to Olaria Típica João Franco, you will travel to the charming fishing village of Ericeira. This authentic fisherman town is famous for its history, cliffs, sandy beaches, surfing, fresh seafood and fresh fish. Here, you will take a leisurely stroll and taste the local gastronomy, getting a glimpse into the rich history of the town. It is the perfect place for a fresh fish lunch and a chance to admire the beauty of the region. In conclusion, this full-day tour is a unique opportunity to experience the best of Mafra and its surroundings, combining history, culture, architecture, food, and natural beauty.

Lisbon: Wellington's Defensive Lines Tour

9. Lisbon: Wellington's Defensive Lines Tour

Two hundred and fifty years ago Napoleon ordered his armies to invade Portugal as punishment the country for not having joined the blockage of all European ports to English navigation. Portugal asked for aid to England and a joint force of British and Portuguese commanded by Arthur Wellesley, future Duke of Wellington, was created to tackle the situation. To prepare the defense of the third and last invasion, Wellington's ingenious vision and his defensive strategy in theatres of war led to the construction in 1809, in record time, of a gigantic and impregnable defensive structure, covering twice the 40 km distance between the waters of the River Tagus and the Atlantic Ocean. Two parallel defensive lines were built along this route and 152 redoubts were created, equipped with 600 pieces of artillery, 140 thousand soldiers and an optical communication system with 10 stations. The mountains north of Lisbon were the key to this extraordinary defensive system. Marshal Massena exclaimed perplexed on arrival "What the devil! Wellington did not build these mountains!". Thirty-three days after several defeats and other unsuccessful attempts to break through the lines, Massena withdrew his troops from their positions in front of the lines in November 1810. In March 1811 he abandoned Portugal. The worst was yet to come for the invading armies. In this tour you will explore three of the main fortifications of the Defensive Lines: Alhandra Fort and Memorial, Zambujal Fort in Mafra and St. Vincent Fort in Torres Vedras. In Mafra, you will visit the magnificent Basilica of the baroque complex Palace and Convent built with the large amounts of gold brought from Brazil in the 18th century. This palace was the last residence of King João VI before the escape of the royal family to Brazil. Later it would be the headquarters of the French army during the first invasion commanded by Junot. The Lines of Wellington were subject to archaeological recovery, all the sites are properly documented in Portuguese and English, some forts have modern interpretation centers equipped with audiovisual aids, photos, videos, brochures, models and books about the Lines of Torres Vedras and the Peninsular War in Portugal.

To/ From Lisbon Airport: Ericeira Private Transfer

10. To/ From Lisbon Airport: Ericeira Private Transfer

Book a private transfer from the Lisbon Airport to your Ericeira hotel, or a departure transfer in the other direction. This one way, 45 minute service is priced for up to 3 passengers. Transfers for 1 to 3 passengers are by car and for 4 to 8 passengers by modern 8 passenger vehicle. Service is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, throughout the year. On arrival at the airport, after you have collected your luggage, you will find the driver waiting in the arrivals hall holding a sign with the name of the lead traveler. From this point, all you need to do is relax and enjoy the comfortable drive to your destination in an air-conditioned vehicle. Listen to some soft music or you can ask the experienced driver about restaurants, sightseeing or other activities of interest. During your stay in Ericeira, you can also schedule private chauffeured transportation with a wide range of vehicles available.

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What people are saying about Ericeira

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 34 reviews

We had a WONDERFUL time on this trip with our tour guide, Goncalo. He is a lovely lovely young man, very friendly, responsive, considerate, and interactive. Most of all, he is very knowledgeable about Portugal’s royal history and eager to tell us throughout the entire trip. Ericeira is a small fishman town. The chasing waves of the ocean were very impressive. Mafra Palace and Queluz Palaces seem to be less known to tourists, but thanks to Goncalo, we have learned a lot of Portugal’s history when visiting these 2 Palaces. we really appreciate Goncalo’s proactive interaction with us. He contacted us to introduce himself and to confirm the pick up time/location so that we could have a peace of mind before our trips. We highly recommend this trip, especially with Goncalo as a tour guide.

This tour was the best thing i’ve done in my trip to Portugal. Our guide, Rodruigo, was amazing! He was very friendly, made wonderful stops at the coastal road so we can check the viewpoints and enjoy the ocean. And most importantly, he made our trip very memorable because it was so much fun (and there was a surprising wave too! Literally! Watch out lol). He also recommended very good restaurants at the fishermen’s village. We had a fantastic time and enjoyed a delicious meal there. The Mafra palace was impressive and Rodruigo was very patient as we enjoyed the gift shop there :) He is also very knowledgeable and shared the history of the area with us. I couldn’t ask for more! The trip was excellent and I highly recommend it!

Our guide Costa is very experienced and he dropped us at all the beautiful spots for taking pictures. He gave us enough time to walk and feel the Atlantic Ocean which is so worth to see. The Atlantic coastal lines are a MUST to go route. Costa is also very thoughtful to let us visit the miniature museum of Portugal before going to Mafra Palace. The library of Mafra Palace is terrific, haven't seen such a beautiful palace library before. Costa knows a lot of history and he introduced us in details on the Portugal history in relation to the Mafra Palace making our visit very much more interesting. Mafra Palace is beautiful though without much furniture.

Highly highly recommend spending some time with Diogo and Rita!! We had a lovely experience and would book this again in a heartbeat. The time and care Diogo and Rita put into this entire experience is wonderful, and you truly get to learn about Portugal and it’s culture. I don’t want to give away the secret gems Diogo and Rita shared with us but this day trip was more than worth it. Thank you so much for everything Diogo and Rita!!!

Great small group and unique experience with Diogo and Rita. I would highly recommend (bring comfortable shoes to climb one short but steep hill!).