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Ericeira Activities

Our most recommended Ericeira Activities

From Lisboa: Mafra, Ericeira & Queluz Full Day Tour

1. From Lisboa: Mafra, Ericeira & Queluz Full 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.

Sintra: Countryside Gastronomic Tour in a Vintage Car

2. 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.

From Lisbon: Coastal Villages and Mafra Palace Guided Tour

3. 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, and Sintra Private Tour

4. From Lisbon: Mafra, Ericeira, and Sintra Private Tour

Leave Lisbon behind and dive deep into the roots of Portuguese history with a private day trip. Discover the many ancient landmarks in the cities of Mafra, Ericeira, and Sintra, with the guidance of a local expert. Explore charming streets and take in panoramic mountain-top views. Enjoy a pickup from your hotel in Lisbon and drive over to Mafra. Visit the 18th-century National Palace of Mafra, a complex consisting of a royal palace, a basilica, and a convent. After your visit, arrive in the fishing village of Ericeira to stroll through its historic center and narrow streets. Travel inland to discover the city of Sintra, a World Heritage Site. End the day by discovering Pena Palace and gasp at its Romantic architecture, combined with mesmerizing views of the area from the top of the mountain.

Sintra: Day Tour with a Hike in Nature

5. 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

6. 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.

Wonders of Ericeira, Mafra Rural Beach and Wine Tour

7. Wonders of Ericeira, Mafra Rural Beach and Wine Tour

Your journey begins with a morning pickup at your hotel in Lisbon, Cascais, Ericeira, or Sintra. From there, enjoy a brief ride to Mafra, about 40 minutes from Lisbon. Mafra’s convent is a masterpiece from the eighteenth century and one of the most important monuments of Portugal, unique for its two carillons with 92 bells, 1200 rooms, over 4,700 doors, and windows and the oldest library in the country with about 36,000 volumes of books and transcripts. After Mafra venture to the quaint Portuguese one-of-a-kind village of José Franco. This man was a sculptor and a poet who decided to build a living museum to show the customs, labor activities, and other aspects of Portuguese rural life back in his time in 1945. The result is a giant museum made into a village! Next, head to Ericeira, the first World Surfing Reserve in Europe and 2nd in the world. It is a touristic village also known for its blue and white colored streets and houses. In Ericeira enjoy some free time, for possibly a leisurely Portuguese lunch (not included) or a stroll through the town and by the seaside. Last but not least, to finish this exclusive day, head to an exquisite winery and cellar for a tasting and historical experience that will provide you with a fascinating insight into the world of Portugal’s wine production. A family-run business welcomes you to an entertaining and enlightening tour around wines and cellars to discover the secrets of the wine-making process. Learn how wine is produced and enjoy a tasting session of six different wines (four local wines and two other magnificent wines) accompanied by local bread and olives.  

From Lisbon: Ericeira and Mafra Private Day Trip

8. From Lisbon: Ericeira and Mafra Private Day Trip

Choose your own adventure with an expert guide and embark on an exciting day trip from Lisbon. Allow your guide to suggest the best locations and restaurants and design your journey to suit your wishes.  Perhaps make a visit to Mafra Palace, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting a magnificent library, or discover the stunning World Surfing Reserve of Ericeira on the western coast of Portugal. Embark on a train tour through an enchanting forest or visit the charming village of José Franco. Discover delicious Portuguese cuisine along the way and customize your experience with your guide as you go.

Mafra Convent, Queluz Palace & Ericeira Tour from Lisbon

9. Mafra Convent, Queluz Palace & Ericeira Tour from Lisbon

Heading just outside of Lisbon make your first stop at Queluz National Palace and Gardens. Known as little Versailles, enjoy the opportunity to explore French style garden and a cell room of a troubled queen. Continuing northwest of Lisbon reach Ericeira, a small fishing town nowadays very famous because of the surf culture. There are only 3 surfing reserves in the world and one of them it's Ericeira. Relax and unwind as you explore the town and the coastline. Finish your tour with a stop at Mafra, a small town built in front of an 18th century Convent. This monument is also a church, a palace, a library and a garden. Discover the many charms of this impressive and unforgettable place before heading back to Lisbon.

Lisbon: Lines of Torres Vedras, Mafra and Ericeira Day Trip

10. Lisbon: Lines of Torres Vedras, Mafra and Ericeira Day Trip

After the second invasion of Portugal by Napoleon’s army in 1809, the British army, Portugal’s ally, led by Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) designed three defensive lines of 152 fortresses 40 km around Lisbon to prevent another invasion which eventually happened. This magnificent strategic work can be seen today in some sites and better understood in one of the six interpretation centers. Visit this mountainous green region to witness history. The third invasion of Portugal defeat is said to have led towards Waterloo’s finale by Napoleon. Next visit the majestic Mafra National Palace which was turned into the French headquarters, but mostly it is the largest baroque building in Portugal. Finish your day passing by the Zambujal Fortress heading towards Ericeira, the west coast pearl, famous for surfing, its picturesque town center with amazing views to the Atlantic. Optionally visit a local winery and taste Lisbon Region wines.

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What people are saying about Ericeira

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!).