This traditional fishing village has a lot more to offer these days than just fish. Although without the ocean, it would by a sleepy town. It's a favorite spot for surfers, travelers, influencers and digital nomads. I visited this place several times, it has a certain charm and it can definitely have that relaxing vibe. The large number of people it attracts these days can have a downside. For those who haven't been her yet, here's a short description of my personal experiences.
The view from one of my camp spots at Ericeira
A pleasant stop
I've seen almost every beach on the coast of Portugal by now, South and West. And I do understand why people love Ericeira. It has a lot to offer. A long stretch of good surf spots and some of them just in front of the old town. Praia do Sul, Praia da Baleia, Praia dos Pescadores, Praia de São Sebastião, Praia do Matadouro and Praia de Ribeira d'Ilhas are good spots to watch the surfers and to dive in with you board. Although at some moments it is way too crowded, because there are also a lot of surf schools. I am more into body boarding, so for me personally some of these spots are way too crowded. I like to sit there and watch from time to time, especially with sunsets. Or when you just ordered you take-away coffee with delicious pastry, these spots are good to chill. Talking about pastry...my all time favorite is the bakery of O Pãozinho das Marias. Why? Sometimes they have the larger version of the Pastel de Nata, called: Tarte de Nata. They sell these tartes at more locations in Portugal, but the crust at this bakery is more like we Dutchies know the crust of a good apple pie. When you get your take-away stuff, walk around the little streets of Ericiera, take your spot on a rock or at one of the many miradouro's, open the box of pastry, take a sip of your hot Galao, taste the sweetness, feel the sun shining on your face, enjoy the sound of the waves, watch the surfers and relax. This is why I love to make a stop in Ericeira from time to time. I have to mention, I only made these stops during low-season (October to March).
Floating in there is such a good feeling
Ericeira has enough spots to watch the sun go down
The crowd and moving around
Everyone wants to see Ericeira. Although the village and the surroundings can be a treat, the crowd can be overwhelming. Surfers, influencers, tourist, digital nomads etc. I could not live in a town like this during high season. Luckily I have a van...oops, temporary I don't have a van... Anyway. Ericeira is located along the main coastal road down south, it's an easy place to stop. The place is booming. Loads of bars and restaurants, nice little shops & outdoor markets, big supermarkets, co-working spaces, surf houses etc. The first time I arrived at Ericeira with the van, it was at the end of the day. I didn't even know anything about Ericeira, I just saw a cool viewspot while driving on the main road. After the stop, I saw the town looked pretty awesome. A big outdoor pool got my attention.I decided to stay here overnight. I was still the naïve vanlifer that trusted Google Maps. It sent me with my high van straight through oldtown. I managed to squeeze through the narrow streets (the Portuguese love to put their car anywhere in these streets) without hitting any low balconeis. The Park4Night spots are not recommended, you can end up on a big ugly parking lot next to a supermarket. My van is just 5 meters long, so for me it's easy to park on a normal parking lot. I found a nice spot next in front of the ocean, between some old cannons...in the middle of oldtown. Amazing views. Around that time there were no restrictions and during all my visits I stayed overnight at the same spot. The views on the oldtown, the beaches, strolling along the cliffs and stopping at little bars. Drinking a Port...hmmm. And what about in the early morning when you wake up? You can just walk to the beach and say 'Hi' to the locals fishermen. Dip in the ocean and enjoy another Galao on the way back.
The beauty of vanlife. Park anywhere along the ocean and getting ready to get in with the BOARD. This spot is in downtown Ericeira
Let's go!
It's sounds attractive right? Today I was not planning to write a post about Ericeira at all. I just found some pictures while cleaning up files and wanted to write about looking forward to future roadtrips. I was with my mind into vanlife again after recents posts of my vanlife-on-hive friends @xsasj and @genesisledger. What I've heard, not everyone likes Ericeira. For surfing my favorite area is Peniche (including Baleal & Ferrel). Like I mentioned, Portugal is becoming a bit too crowded for me. I've been visiting the coast for years and my latest visit kind of shocked me a bit. Some of the romantic fishing / surf towns turned into a noisy madness. A lot of traffic, even in low season (November). Prices for accommodation, food, drinks & laundry have risen sharply in just a few months. I know, the lockdown years were probably the best time to travel around. I am happy that I could experience the lovely towns and beaches along the coast. I've learned that the ocean and being in the water calmes me down. I love to park the van next to a beach, walk into the ocean, float on my body board, catch some massive waves and enjoy the sunset. Do I miss this life full of freedom? I am happy that I currently live in a large apartment. Things are more stable for now and there is a bit of luxury compared to the minimalistic life in the van. Taking care of family is one of the things I do now as a caregiver. I am also sorting out my stuff, trying to fix the body a bit and looking forward to the next roadtrip, as soon as I am reunited with vanlife. Upcoming roadtrip: Sardinia. Not with a van, but flying and staying in Airbnb's. Luckily I am in good company, and looking forward to loads of impressive hikes, endless fun and an Italian birthday party with Tartufo & Ameretto.
The locals know what the ocean has to offer, embracing the sun
As soon as the van is recovered, new roadtrips will follow. Dozens of plans: Scandinavia, Italy, Morocco, Balkan, Turkey and even Asia are just a few ideas for a roadtrip. I love Portugal and I might live there one day. Let's see what the future brings. Do you have a van / 4x4 / camper / tent? What's your plan for the next destination?
Travel Digest #2137.
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Hiya, @livinguktaiwan here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Your post has been manually curated by the @pinmapple team. If you like what we're doing, please drop by to check out all the rest of today's great posts and consider supporting other authors like yourself and us so we can keep the project going!Ericeira area is beautiful! Your pics do it justice! I went surfing there few years ago and loved it. Have some superbock for me 😅 !BEER
Thanks!
And another Dutchie :)
Are you still surfing?
I haven't since unfortunately. Only windsurfing from time to time. I almost ending up signing a job contract in Ericeira. But now I'm in Vaals :P
The sunset beach view there is really amazing, I really like seeing every beautiful view that you share
Ooft, what a sunset. That place looks awesome
It's an awesome place. All the good stuff within a few hundred meters of a nice campervan spot.
Vantastic!
Funny, I just commented on an article by @riverflows that talked about surfing. I'm not going to repeat myself so here's the comment link:
https://peakd.com/hive-141964/@genesisledger/re-riverflows-s88gys
Your photos are really beautiful. Those are beautiful colors.
I've heard of Ericeira before. It's often mentioned in articles for digital nomads.
Really, your van is hot! I can't wait for your road trips to start up again. In the meantime, make the most of your apartment.
Haha, we all seem to be on a wave this week, at least with our minds. Although today feels more like ending up in the whitewash.
Besides the cannon view and the van picture, all the others are taken with my normal camera. I just got it back, so hopefully the pictures are getting better (at least with the sunsets).
You are totally right about the van. It's hot in several ways. When temperatures outside start to hit 20 degrees, I am starting to ask entrance fee for my private sauna. As you've seen in my naughty car post, I temporary have a huge hole. I could install a big fan in my hot van.
It's not my apartment. But I am very grateful to stay here and to most of the things that happen at the moment. Time for a checkup and recharge.
I hope you are not chased by dinosaurs tonight ;)
Haha, the van that turns into a sauna, I know all about that! You could install a big fan or why not 😅
I think we should always be satisfied with where we are right now. Because that's what makes us who we are.
As for the dinosaurs, I'm on my guard ^^
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