Praia dos Pescadores

Praia dos Pescadores (Fisherman's Beach) is the soul of Ericeira. Tucked into a small cove directly below the old town, it's where the fishing boats still launch daily and where the town's identity as a fishing village is most visible.

The beach is small - maybe 100 meters of sand - and sheltered by cliffs on both sides. This makes it one of the more protected beaches in the area, catching less wind than the exposed breaks to the north. The water is generally calmer here, making it suitable for swimming on most days.

Morning routine: Watch the fishermen bringing in their catch as the sun rises over the cliffs. The colorful boats pulled up on the sand and the nets drying in the sun are quintessential Ericeira scenes.

In summer, the beach fills up fast - it's small and central, so it reaches capacity on hot weekends. Arrive early for a spot. Lifeguards are on duty June through September.

The cliffs above the beach are lined with restaurants and bars - Aethos hotel looks directly down, and several cliff-side terraces offer the perfect vantage point for watching the beach life below.

Swimming: Generally safe with moderate conditions. Watch for rocks on the sides. Not great for surfing - the reef breaks nearby (like Reef/Pontinha) are better for that.

Access is via stairs from the old town - a short but steep descent that's part of the charm. There are showers and a small changing area at beach level.