Ericeira, Portugal: Our favorite European surf destination this winter
September 13, 2025Winter doesn’t mean the European surf season has to end. While the cold sets in at home, the waves along Portugal’s coast are still rolling – and Ericeira might just be the best-kept winter surf secret you’ve been ignoring.
As the colder months creep in, it’s the perfect moment to daydream and plan your next surf escape. Because winter is no excuse to miss out on surf adventures, it’s the perfect time to look for bigger waves, explore other cultures, and make memories outside of the more touristy summer months.
Our favorite European destination for surfing in winter is hands down Ericeira, Portugal. During winter in Ericeira, the town is quieter, and the pace slows down – and it’s the perfect time to see the real Portugal without the hustle and bustle. And trust us, nothing beats the winter sunrises here!
Surf in Europe’s only World Surfing Reserve
Ericeira is alive and vibrant in summertime, but missing out on Ericeira in winter is a big mistake many travelers make.
The swells are bigger (but don't worry, beginners; there are still plenty of beginner-friendly spots), and the crowds are fewer. The water may be colder, but that's nothing a good wetsuit can't fix.
Winter in Ericeira is when the ocean really shows off. The waves have more punch, the sets are longer, and there’s a rhythm to the surf you just don’t get in the busy summer months. Every ride feels earned, every barrel feels like a little victory, and when you finally climb back onto the sand, there’s a quiet satisfaction; the kind only winter surf can give you.
Our insider tips for an epic winter in Ericeira
Morning surf spots
Put your alarm before sunrise and head out to one of the local surf spots! Ribeira d’Ilhas or Foz do Lizandro are perfect spots for glassy waves, fewer people, and that perfect pumpkin and pink morning light in the sky.
Walk along the cliffs
Our camp is situated directly beside a cliff walkway that leads into the town center. It may be a 20-minute walk to get there, but skipping the Uber is sometimes a great decision; the walk, especially at first light and at sunset, overlooking the waves and cliffs, is truly a breathtaking display of Portugal's raw beauty.
Pastel de natas and seasonal coffees at Ericeira’s best cafés
Stop by O Pãozinho das Marias for a warm coffee and freshly made breakfasts. This is also where you find the town's best pastel de nata before or after (or both) your surf session.
Are you more of a seasonal coffee or matcha person? Then try Black Magic Cafe’s pumpkin spice latte or The Capsule Ericeira’s mango matcha.
Eat your way through town
With fewer tourists around, it’s much easier to plan your day as it comes than it is in summer. You’re much less likely to stand in line or make reservations for the restaurants in town.
Ericeira may be a small village, but the restaurant options are close to endless! Try the amazing octopus at Restaurante PRIM, a sunset wine overlooking the ocean at Mar das Latas, a seafood lunch at Tasquinha do Joy, or a pizza night at Pizzeria Pepe Verde or BoccaPizzeriaRomana.
This picturesque fishing village offers meals freshly caught by the local fishermen. Ericeira also offers a wide variety of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly restaurants.
Live music at the skatepark
One of the town’s favorite meeting spots is Boarderiders, a surf shop with a café, bar, and skatepark where people from all around the world gather to listen to live music on Friday nights and enjoy a beer while watching the sunset. It really is something you can't miss!
Watch the giants in Nazaré
Keep an eye on what’s happening in Nazaré, a town around an hour and 10 minutes' drive away by car. If you're lucky and time your trip with the BIG swells, you may be lucky enough to see the big wave surfers catch the most gigantic waves on the planet.
This is a show of nature's power and the bravest surfers out there – a true winter spectacle you won’t forget!
Ericeira in Christmas times
Ericeira is a perfect place to spend Christmas time. Sure, it doesn't have the big markets like Vienna or the snow-covered trees like Lapland – but it has its own kind of Christmas magic.
Drink mulled wine at Ribamar Wine Bar or hot chocolate at Pão da Vila, eat King’s Cake (one of Portugal’s most famous Christmas sweets!), and visit the small Ericeira Christmas market, where you can buy gifts and have a Ginjinha from a chocolate cup.
And if you’re in the mood for something bigger, then head to Lisbon and watch the Christmas lights!
Winter in Ericeira feels like a little secret you’ve been lucky enough to be in on. Winter here isn’t about rushing or checking boxes; it’s about slowing down, soaking it all in, and letting the ocean do its thing. And when you finally paddle back to shore, you know you’ve experienced something a little extraordinary.
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Beatrice Lindfors
About the author: My name is Beatrice, but Bea for short, and I’ve been a writer and content creator for Lapoint since 2022. My life revolves around my laptop and backpack as I travel the world, always with a stop in Ericeira; the camp vibe and the Portuguese sunsets have my heart.
Life goal? Visit every country.
Obsession? The Sri Lanka waves, the Atlantic Ocean and tracking down the best coffee (whichever my current location is).
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