Luxury holidays in Ericeira

There’s more than one kind of break to be found along Ericeira’s golden coast. Just under an hour from Portugal’s capital, this unsuspecting fishing village has become a much loved seaside sanctuary for urban Lisboetas and international wave-wielders alike. Home to Europe’s first World Surf Reserve, its pristine shores are maintained by a team of trusty stewards who work alongside local communities to protect the town’s varied ecosystems. Their efforts can be felt along all eight kilometres of Ericeira’s sandy stretches, where jagged cliffs rise up from quietly handsome coves. Once a prized sunbathing spot for royalty and aristocrats, today’s crowd is decidedly more bohemian; think beachside yoga, artisan boutiques, speciality coffee and hip co-working spaces where you’ll find remote renegades soaking up the sun with an ice-cold Corona in hand. Inland, the cobbled streets are crowded with vines of bougainvillaea and white-washed buildings decorated with Portugal’s trademark azulejo tiles. And with a name that derives from ‘sea urchins’ it goes without saying that Ericeira’s seafood is among the most adventurous in the country. Kick back in the town’s buzzy tapas bars for some unforgettable marine-themed feasting.