How to Travel From Lisbon to Ericeira: A Complete Guide

Have you heard of Ericeira, Portugal? It’s an idyllic little beach town, popular among surfers, located 37 miles / 53 kilometers from Lisbon.

With an approximate driving time of 45 minutes, it could be the perfect place for a day trip from Lisbon. But you must first understand your options.

Having just made the journey myself, I will give you my first-hand experience tips and recommendations. 

In this post, I will highlight all your transit options on how to get to Ericeira from Lisbon so you can decide if the best way to make the trip! 

Easiest Way To Reach Ericeira From Lisbon

The best way to get to Ericeira is to rent a car! If you don’t drive, that is probably not what you wanted to hear, but it’s true. 

Luckily, if you are open to renting a car, the prices are super affordable. I use Discover Cars to find the best rates. 

Route: Take the A8 motorway from Lisbon towards Leiria, then take the A21 motorway directly to Ericeira.

Driving in Portugal isn’t all that stressful, the roads are well maintained and the drivers are not very aggressive. It’s nothing like driving in Sicily!

However, driving in Lisbon can be a nightmare because of its narrow streets and tight corners. 

Pro Tip: Get a tiny car! You will have an easier time parking and navigating the roads.

READ NEXT: How to Rent a Car in Europe Guide

Using Public Transport To Get to Ericeira (BUS)

Getting to Ericeira from Lisbon on public transport is doable, but not very convenient in my opinion.

There are no trains, and the buses take quite a while, and not as frequent as I would like. 

Bus tickets must be purchased IN CASH ONLY from the driver and, sadly, not through my go-to apps such as Trainline or Omio. 

The bus ticket cost is either €4.50 or €2.60, depending on the route.

Flix Bus does not have a route from Lisbon to Ericeira, which is a little surprising. You also can’t reach Ericeira by Rede Expressos.

The only service provider to Ericera is Carris Metropolitana.

All buses to Ericeira depart from Campo Grande; as it stands now, here are your options to take the bus from Lisbon to Ericeira: 

• Bus #2740
• Bus #2803
• Bus #2751
• Bus #2801

Lisbon to Ericeira Bus Time Table: 

Departing Times #2740	7:45, 8:15, 9:45, 16:35, 17:20, 17:35, 17:50, 18:05, 18:20, 18:45, 18:55, 19:30
Departing Times #2803	11:20, 13:20, 15:40, 17:10, 18:00, 18:20, 18:40, 19:20, 19:45
Departing Times #2751 (longest journey time)	7:40, 10:15, 12:45, 14:15
Departing Times #2801 (least amount of stops)	7:45, 8:15, 9:45, 16:35, 17:20, 17:35, 17:50, 18:05, 18:20, 18:45, 18:55, 19:30

Getting to Ericeira in An Uber

In some destinations, like Sicily, for example, using an Uber to go anywhere is simply out of the question due to the high costs.

But here in Portugal, it is an option to consider! 

When I recently visited Ericeira, I used UBER. My ride cost €29.87 to get there and €34.26 to return to Lisbon. 

You can see my receipts below for reference! 

While it might not be the most cost-effective way to visit Ericeira on a day trip if you are alone in Lisbon, it is a good option if you are visiting with friends or planning to stay for a few days. 

Visiting Ericeira on a Day Trip Tour

If you are short on time and uncomfortable renting a car, join a day trip tour!

I honestly love this option for so many reasons! The tours from Lisbon to Ericeira often include more than just Ericeira, so you can get a complete picture of the region in just one day. 

The best option is this tour; for only €75, you can visit Azenhas do Mar, Ericeira, and the Palace of Mafra.

Get rates and availability here for the day trip to Ericeira!

How to Travel From Lisbon Airport to Ericeira

If visiting Lisbon isn’t part of your plans, you can go directly to Ericeira; however, it is not really direct. 

You must still travel to the bus terminal at Campo Grande and catch one of the buses on the timetable above.  

Transit to Campo Grande via public transport from the airport is possible by taking the bus for around 20 minutes or taking the metro. 

The metro isn’t direct and would require you to take the red line to the Yellow line. Starting at Aeroporto train station, switch trains to the Saldanha metro station, and then get off at Cidade Universitaria.  

Grab the Free GOOGLE MAP of Ericeira’s restaurants, cafes, & places of interest in Ericeira!

Where to Stay in Ericeira 

If you plan to visit Ericeira for more than just the day, and I recommend you do, you should stay in the city’s center. 

The town is full of quaint little guest houses and Airbnbs. You won’t find large hotel properties inside the core of Ericeira. 

For those resort-style hotels, you will be a bit outside the city center, and having a car in that scenario would be ideal. 

I stayed at an epic property that overlooks the ocean and is just under 20 minutes walk from the center of town. 

Below are the pictures from my property, Villa Ana Margarita Beach. 

When searching for Villa Ana Margarida Beach in Ericera, don’t get confused by the other properties they have, such as: 

• Villa Ana Margarida Hotel
• Villa Ana Margarida by Nature

Best Time to Visit Ericeira

One very important thing to remember about visiting Ericeira is that although it’s close to Lisbon, the weather could be wildly different from that in Lisbon. 

I also experienced that the weather in Ericeira is very unpredictable. For example, I booked my stay only five days before my trip.

The weather apps showed no clouds in the sky and sunny conditions the whole week. 

It rained on the day of the trip, but it remained cloudy and cool the entire time I was there. 

This was in early JULY, when it is traditionally clear and sunny. So, while the summer months are typically the best time to visit Ericeira, you must be quite flexible with your expectations of what it will be like. 

I like using these Portugal-specific apps, and be sure to download the one for the beaches.

My Favorite Restaurants and Tapas Bars in Ericeira

Whether you are just passing through Ericera for the day or staying a few nights, there are a couple of stand-out restaurants that you should plan to visit! 

1. Balagan—Open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, this place has an epic view because it is located right on the ocean. I enjoyed my morning coffee here with an egg and pastry breakfast. Dinner on the upper deck is also a great place to watch the sunset. They serve Middle Eastern cuisine and delicious cocktails. Get reservations for dinner.
2. Mar das Latas Wine & Food—If you only have one night in Ericeira and need to choose a place for dinner, I would recommend Mar das Latas. It is more of a place for foodies than your quick casual Portuguese restaurant, so keep that in mind. I was in love with every single dish I tried here—I ate here for dinner twice! You will need reservations. 
3. La Popular Taberna—Another fantastic place for tapas or dinner (only open daily except Tuesdays from 17:00 to 23:00) is La Popular Taberna. I also ate here twice! You must have cash, though; they do not accept credit cards. 
4. Sir Tigre Lounge & Tapas Bar—Kick off your evening in Ericeira with some cocktails and tapas at the new Sir Tigre Lounge, which opened in 2024! It’s a great spot to start. After that, head over to La Popular Taberna for dinner.

Things You Don’t Want to Miss in Ericeira

Ericeira is a very chill place to visit. If you are visiting in hopes of exploring many historical sites, Ericeira might not be the place for you. 

In my opinion, a visit to Ericeira is all about immersing yourself in these 3 things:

1. Relax at the Beach, such as Ribeira d’Ilhas Beach and Praia dos Pescadores
2. Learn how to catch a wave
3. Try all the various kinds of seafood – Try Mar á Vista

This adorable little beach town is also a great place to stroll around the old town, visit a few boutique shops, eat some tapas, and take a surf lesson. 

Tips for Visiting Ericera

1. Remember your cash. You will be surprised at how many places in Ericeira don’t take credit cards.
2. Wear comfortable, slip-proof shoes. Portugal uses limestone tiles, and while beautiful, they are slippery AF. In Ericeira, you will encounter some hills where it can be extremely slippery. 
3. Bring a sweatshirt and prepare for cool mornings and evenings. I was very surprised by the temperatures in Ericeira, especially since Lisbon was so warm. 
4. Book your accommodations and dinner reservations in advance. Portugal is gaining a lot of popularity, and these destinations are booking up faster than you might expect. 
5. Download all the apps for Portugal. Most importantly, the apps are for weather, wind, and surf. 

Planning a Trip to Portugal? 

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