This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Ericeira, a beautiful city located in the coastal center of Portugal just an hour from the capital of Lisbon, is an amazing city if you look for beautiful beaches and amazing waves, perfect for surf lovers (surf competitions are very common around here), delicious seafood (shellfish like lobster, crab, octopus are their specialties), and very good pastry (while there, try the “suspiros” -- a traditional and very sweet cake).
Try to have some surf lessons (which are really good value for money) –- there are amazing places for everyone from beginners to professionals. The instructors are very friendly and they will teach you some moves and tricks. If you are into relaxed vacations, you can simply enjoy the sun on the beach, walk around and browse in the local shops (on weekends, there are also small markets in the main street that sell clothes, antiques, and art crafts), or have a nice coffee in an esplanade while reading a book or enjoying the landscapes. There are also a few walks by the shore that are really worth it –- ask the locals for directions, they will be glad to help.
If you have more than a couple of days here, try to rent a car and visit the surroundings -– Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, and Mafra are a short distance drive and are really worth seeing.
There are not so many hostels in Ericeira, but the ones that exist are cheap and with good facilities. In summer, Ericeira can become a little crowded, so book your Ericeira hostel in advance.
Written by local expertz for Ericeira
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