  
SURFING HOLIDAYS IN PORTUGAL'S LISBOA VALE DO TEJO REGION
ERICEIRA SURF CAMP - NIGHTLIFE & OTHER ACTIVITIES
When you're not surfing there are a lot of things to do. As surfers we often forget that there are other things to do in most of the destinations we travel to. When the surf is flat or blown out we mope around feeling a great injustice has been done.
You could simply relax at one of the street cafés or if you're not too surfed out, you can spend some time discovering the beaches, have a go at bodyboarding or skimboarding or play a game of beach-volley ball.
Other watersports on offer here include: windsurfing, fishing, diving, sailing, jet-skiing and water-skiing. Alternatively you could go mountain biking through the beautiful landscape, horseback riding or spend a morning hiking in the cliffs.
Quick links: Beaches | Nightlife | Restaurants | Bars, pubs & clubs | Culture vultures
BEACHES
The beautiful coast of Ericeira is cut out by more than a dozen beaches. Five of them are located within the village limits and include Praia do Sul, Praia D'ilhas, Praia do Norte, Praia São Sebastião and Praia Matadouro.
The village beach of Praia do Sul, is a popular beach, located at the south end of the village, next to the Hotel do Turismo. It is also called the Whale Beach. (In 1872 an enormous whale was stranded here). From the here the coastal promenade leads around the Santa Marta Park. The place where the ocean swell meets the steep cliffs is called Furnas. The caves here were formerly used as lobster deposits. Right in the center of the village steps lead down to Praia D'ilhas, next to the small harbor of Ericeira. Before the construction of the harbor wall small fishing boats put out to sea from here. The harbor of Ericeira is a full of small colourful fishing boats with typical and traditional design and painting. Next to the harbor Praia do Norte extends up to the Moita cliffs. Praia São Sebastião located at the north end of the village, is named after São Sebastião Chapel, which overlooks the beach. It's a small, quiet beach. Walking along the coast you'll finally reach Praia Matadouro, a small beach located at the very north end of Ericeira, near the camp site.
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NIGHTLIFE
The nightlife at weekends is suprisingly good for such a small town. This is due, in part, to the fact that Ericeira is popular with the people living in Lisbon as a weekend retreat. This local tourism also ensures that Ericeira retains its Portuguese flavour.
From the terrace of the Cafe Central you have an excellent view of the Praça da Republica (main square) where is always something happening and it's a great spot to chill and watch the world go by. On the same square you'll find the Tourismo Kino (English language cinema prices from € 3,00 - 5,00) an Internet Cafe and the Surfshop.
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RESTAURANTS
Gastronomically Ericeira is known for its quality fresh fish and seafood. More than 50 restaurants and seafood restaurants Marisceiras offer a great variety of dishes, some famous and typical of the Ericeira area, like puré de mariscos (seafood purée), frango de caldeirada (chicken, peas and various spices) or sopa de cabozes (crab, mussel and fish soup). The most expensive restaurants are the Marisceiras located around the habour. They are expensive but good!
The Restaurant Miradoura da Baleia, located on the South beach promenade has a great sea view, is not expensive and has good fish dishes. Prices typically start around € 7,00.
For full on carnivores the Restaurant Tik Tak serves a good steak and has a nice ambiance. The Tik Tak also has a good wine cellar with a huge range of wines. Meals start at around € 7,50 and a bottle of wine will set you back about € 4,50.
Just a stones throw from here you'll find the Restaurant Prim. The Brazilian owners do the best brazilian 'Picanha' or 'Lombo na Perda' (stone grilled fillets) this side of Brazil.
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BARS, PUBS & CLUBS
After an excellent meal take a stroll around the village and discover the many bars and discos Ericeira has crowding it's cobbled streets. A beer in a local bar should cost around € 90c. On the village squares you pay around €1,20 and in square around Caipirinha € 4,00.
If you enjoy typical British Pubs head for the Ponto 7. They play live Jazz & Blues and have the occasional jam sessions. If you're up for playing a little music be sure to chat with the barman, Tó is always looking for jam partners ;-).
More contemporary bars can be found around the Praça das Navegantes. The Big Waves Bar is good place to end up later in the evening, Plays a mix of music to a young surfy crowd and has a Billiards table. The Cadillac Bar is right next door to the 'Big Waves' and if you end up here late on evening you may think you've had too much Super Bok, relax, there really is a large pink cadillac sticking out of the wall. Also worth checking out is the La Luna Bar.
At around 1am everyone heads for the Bar Disco Ouriço, located on the Rua Capitão João Lopes. The Ouriço is run by a local surfer and this small club overlooks the fishermen's beach and is very popular with the local surf community as well as visiting surfers and the young crowd from Lisbon. Tradition dictates that all single guys should invite a date before heading out. Don't be shy, it's tradition here and will ensure you don't have to wait too long at the door. The Ourico is a cool place to hang out so it can get very crowded. Beer € 2,50 Long drink € 5,00.
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MUST DO
Visit the self service ice cream parlor. Be careful, it all looks so good you quickly end up piling your dish to overflowing, and the prices are based on weight! At the beach Foz do Lizandro you'll find the Bar Limipicos. In summer live concerts are held here and it's a good spot for embarrasing yourself and all your buddies with your interpretation of River dance.
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CULTURE VULTURES
Festivals and markets in Ericeira:
• January, 20th - S. Sebastião Festival - Ericeira
• January, 22nd - S. Vicente Festival - Ericeira
• July, 25th - Santiago or Dos Alhos Market – Ericeira
• August - N. Sra. da Boa Viagem Festival – Ericeira
(Takes plave on the Sunday closest to the 20th of august)
• August - Sagrado Coração De Jesus Festival - Fonte Boa dos Nabos
• December, 8th - N. Sra. da Conceição Festival - Ericeira
Art and Exhibitions:
Besides privately owned galleries, the Cultural Center Jaime Lobo e Silva is a public space dedicated to art exhibitions. The exhibition hall of the Ericeira Tourism Board at the Praça da República is dedicated to artists resident in the Mafra district and Ericeira.
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