Visiting Ericeira
Visiting EriceiraA few kilometres from Lisbon this beach is not exactly the best place to swim, but is surely a good place for a brief stay.
Very well maintained and clean, it keeps its typical look in the central area, unspoiled by the massive construction around it.
Good views, and good seafood, it is also one of the first ideas when someone decides to go out without knowing where.
Beach
Why not?
It is small, the water is cold, in the good days risks to be full, but it is there, the sun invites and, usually, is not dangerous.
It never was my first idea in Ericeira, because… never happened, that’s all.
Of course, this is only one of the main options nearby, not the best, to be honest, but really close to town.
Fishing
Ericeira was, in the 18th century, one of the most important fishing places of Portugal (the proximity of Lisbon being the reason).
The conditions of the harbor are hard, and the development moved that importance to other ports – in Lisbon’s area, for instance, Peniche and Sesimbra.
Tourism became the first activity, but fishing keeps present, nowadays more sportive than professional.
Mafra’s harbor
When the kings started to use Mafra palace, in the 16th century, Ericeira became the port for royal use.
If was from there that our last king left to exile. The city of Ericeira has grown, but the port seems to remain almost untouched.
The (now) useless defenses are still present in the rocks.
St Pedro Church
This modest church from the XV century, has a rich interior, “impossible” to appreciate or to photograph under the dimmed light of a dark winter day (yes, in Portugal, there are a couple of dark days each winter!).
The cross at the entrance was built in the XVIII century.
Typical Houses
It’s nice to stroll in the old central quarter of Ericeira.
The old houses are maintained and painted according to the traditional colors, and the commercial activities are discreet, respecting the harmony of the whole.
Public Library
Ericeira’s public library is installed in the Cultural House Jaime Lobo e Silva, maybe the most beautiful building in Ericeira.
With more than 17000 books and a multimedia section, it may be useful for those staying more than the few hours we always have in each (frequent) visit.
Pillory
Medieval symbol of justice, most of the small towns with discreet history are proud of their pillory.
Ericeira is no exception, and in 1924 they reconstructed it, with the original stones, buried in place when Ericeira was lowered from “vila” to “freguesia”.
Dated from the XIV century it still keeps the rings were the convicted were tied.
Fountains
Many beautiful corners of Ericeira are embellished by the old fountains, now useless, but still decorative, even under the rain.
They were built in the decade of 1920, when Ericeira became an important summer destination, needing to supply water to a few more thousand dwellers.
Saint Sebastian chapel
At the north entrance of town, this small chapel stands alone in the middle of a parking lot, shared by cars and boats.
It’s a simple building coming from the fifteen or sixteen centuries, with one particularity: all the interior, even the roof, is covered by tiles.
Entrance is free.
Praia do Sul (south beach)
At the southern end of town, this is, maybe, the best bet combining distance and quality.
It’s not difficult to walk there from town, and you’d better do it, because the parking is small.
A great hotel where I’ve never been – Vila Galé, a known chain that I used elsewhere – dominates the beach.
Seafood Vivariums in the Furnas
Eating seafood is “mandatory” in Ericeira, and you may stroll on the cliffs, watching the holes made in the rocks to keep the lobsters (now empty, I think).
Most people use these cliffs to lay in the sun, catching the strong iodine.
Os Marialvas
Os Marialvas
A good lunch
Ericeira is a known place where people from Lisbon and surroundings go to eat seafood. Some restaurants are famous, meaning long lines at the doors, and, sometimes, a fat bill. Tired of it, I tried this small restaurant in the main commercial street, and came out very satisfied. The food was excellent, the people very friendly, and the bill very reasonable. It’s a place to return.
Favorite Dish: I only tasted some delicious fried shrimps. But all the food passing by us looked tasteful
Address: Rua Doutor Eduardo Burnay, 29
Directions: In the centre of town, closes on Mondays
Phone: 261 862 549
Tik-Tak
Good Seafood
Another day in Ericeira and another positive experience in a new restaurant.
This one is called Tik-Tak and it’s located near the center. We had good prawns, fried and grilled, with a tasty salad. The desert was also well prepared and presented. A short wine list, but well balanced and priced.
The ambience is sober and with good taste, with paintings in the walls showing their pride.
No doubt that there is a connection with artists – at the door, a Christmas tree was made by Cd and cases, in a recycling idea.
The price was regular, almost 50 € both meals.
Favorite Dish: Fried prawns with sauce.
Address: 7, 5 de Outubro st. Phone: +351 261863246
Tasca da Boa Viagem
Tasca da Boa Viagem
Checking Google I was surprised by the very high ranking of this restaurant, deciding to try it.
Well, the lunch was not bad, but the high expectations led to some disappointment.
If you want an elaborated meal, then skip it. If you want grilled fresh fish (or meat), then you may enter.
The decoration is interesting, the service was very gentle (but slow), the price not cheap.
Nothing to complaint, but I hardly will repeat it, since eating in Ericeira has many other options.
Popular events
In the small villages of Portugal, mainly in the north, during summer, is common to find some festivities, with not much than an opportunity for meeting people and chat.
Some (generally bad) music, popular cakes and vendors, and that’s all. I was not expecting it in winter, in a touristy place like Ericeira, but… I found it.
Funny!
It happens in December 8th, a national holiday.
Foz do Lizandro
In 1971 I was taken at night to a terrific place for military training.
I had to descend in slide, from a steep hill to what seemed to be a beach.
36 years later I went back to that place, about 10 km south of Ericeira, and… terrific?
My God! How subjective things can be.
It’s a common empty beach, with a calm small river and… the hills of memory!
