How to Travel From Lisbon to Ericeira: A Complete Guide

ByMelissa Byron

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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! 

A statue of a robust man standing on a pedestal in a charming town square. The background includes colorful buildings with tiled roofs and a clear blue sky.
A stunning coastal view featuring a sandy beach meeting the vast ocean. The scene captures the cliffs covered in green vegetation under a clear blue sky.

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

A picturesque street in a quaint town, showcasing white buildings with blue accents and vibrant pink bougainvillea flowers cascading from a wall. The cobblestone path adds to the charm of the scene.
A charming street scene in Ericeira featuring white buildings with blue trim and cobblestone streets. The architecture showcases traditional Portuguese design with red-tiled roofs.

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: 

Lisbon to Ericeira Bus Time Table: 

Departing Times #27407:45, 8:15, 9:45, 16:35, 17:20, 17:35, 17:50, 18:05, 18:20, 18:45, 18:55, 19:30
Departing Times #280311:20, 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
*Always double-check the site to confirm in case of any changes

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! 

Screenshot of Uber ride details showing a map with the route from Lisbon to Ericeira. The ride was with driver Eduard on June 28 at 9:41 AM, costing €29.87. The pick-up address was unspecified, and the drop-off address was Praceta da Praia do Matadouro, 2655-467 Ericeira, Portugal. A €1.00 tip was added, and the ride was rated 5 stars. The help options include finding a lost item, reporting a safety issue, and providing driver feedback.
Screenshot of Uber ride details showing a map with the route from Lisbon to Mafra. The ride was with driver Jose Ricardo on July 3 at 9:34 AM, costing €34.26. The pick-up address was Rua da Arreganha 33, 2655-200 Mafra. A €1.00 tip was added, and the ride was rated 5 stars. The help options include finding a lost item, reporting a safety issue, and providing driver feedback.

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!

My Travel Planning Resources

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. 

  • An artistic entrance gate to Villa Ana Margarida in Ericeira. The gate is adorned with colorful murals of fish and aquatic motifs, surrounded by a stone wall and lush greenery.
  • The pool area at Villa Ana Margarida in Ericeira, surrounded by colorful, traditional Portuguese cottages. The scene includes lounge chairs, vibrant decor, and lush greenery.
  • A peaceful courtyard at Villa Ana Margarida in Ericeira, with colorful sun loungers and a large anchor placed on a tiled mosaic. The area is framed by charming cottages and greenery.
  • A bright and sunny street scene in Ericeira featuring colorful traditional Portuguese cottages. The buildings have white walls with blue and yellow trim, red-tiled roofs, and decorative accents. A red motorcycle is parked on the cobblestone street under a clear blue sky.
  • A quaint courtyard of Villa Ana Margarida in Ericeira, with a small dining area featuring a table and chairs. The walls are decorated with blue and white tiles, and a lifebuoy hangs on the wall.

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

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.
  • Menu from Balagan Café & Deli showing breakfast options such as Chocolate Tahina Granola, Lox & Schmear, Balagan Brekkie, Turkish Eggs, Breakfast Flattie, and Crispy Hashbrown. The menu also lists bakery items and additional options like toast, croissant, cinnamon roll, and chocolate brownie.
    Balagan Breakfast Menu
  • A cozy breakfast setting with a cup of latte featuring a heart-shaped foam art and a bowl of fresh salad with greens, avocado, and poached eggs. The items are placed on a tiled table with a set of cutlery wrapped in a napkin.
    Coffee & Eggs at Balagan
  • A plate of beautifully presented ravioli, garnished with fresh greens and accompanied by a beverage in a glass with slices of orange. The dish is set on a wooden table with a woven chair in the background.
    Dinner Balagan
  • The exterior of Sr. Tigre Lounge & Tapas Bar, featuring a modern sign with a tiger logo and outdoor seating with black tables and chairs. The cobblestone street and surrounding white buildings add to the charming ambiance.
    Sr. Tiger Tapas Bar
  • A bar scene with a sparkling wine glass and a small plate of tapas on a round table. The background features a stylish bar with various bottles and a dimly lit, cozy atmosphere.
    Tapas at Sr Tiger
  • A cozy and rustic dining area with a wooden table and red-cushioned chairs. The space features a warm ambiance with decorative plants and wooden shelving holding glasses and plates.
    La Popular
  • A charming interior setup with a wooden sideboard displaying vases filled with dried and fresh flowers. A large mirror hangs above, reflecting the room and adding depth to the space.
    Inside La Popular
  • A dining setup on a red-checkered tablecloth featuring plates of anchovies and a glass of white wine. The table also includes a dish of olives and a pink ceramic bowl.
    Tapas at La Popular
  • A menu from La Popular, showcasing a variety of items including bread and tomato with olive oil, Gilda Basque pickles, mojama tuna, roasted pork belly, smoked sardine, and various beverages. The menu is placed on a red-checkered tablecloth.
    Menu La Popular
  • A plate of three small fried appetizers topped with cream and pickled onions, served at Mar das Latas Wine & Food. A glass of white wine and a napkin with the restaurant's logo are next to the plate.
    Food at Mar das Latas
  • A dining setup at Mar das Latas Wine & Food featuring a bowl of salad topped with nuts, a glass of white wine, and a water glass. The table is set with a white plate and a napkin with the restaurant's logo.
    Food at Mar das Latas
  • A bowl of finely shredded fried potatoes served at Mar das Latas Wine & Food, placed on a dark marble table. The bowl is accompanied by a serving spoon.
    Food at Mar das Latas
  • A bowl of ceviche garnished with cilantro and red onions, served at Mar das Latas Wine & Food. A glass of white wine and a white plate are set beside the bowl on a dark marble table.
    Food at Mar das Latas
  • A basket of crusty bread served alongside a dish of marinated sardines garnished with a lemon slice and basil, set on a wooden table at Mar das Latas Wine & Food.
    Tapas at Food at Mar das Latas Wine Bar

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. 

Three surfers in wetsuits walking along a sandy beach, each carrying a surfboard. The background features the ocean waves crashing against the shore, creating a picturesque surfing scene in Ericeira
A woman standing on a coastal path with green shrubs, looking out towards the ocean under a clear blue sky. She is wearing a green tank top and white shorts, enjoying the sunny day in Ericeira.

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. 

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Melissa Byron

Melissa Byron, a seasoned solo traveler since 2009, is the founder of A Solo Woman Traveling. After visiting 40+ countries solo, she creates trusted guides, itineraries, and women-only small-group tours in Europe for solo female travelers.

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