How to spend a weekend in Ericeira, Portugal’s laid-back beach town

Lisbon: Ericeira, on Portugal’s Atlantic coast, has been shaped over centuries by the rhythms of the sea. In 2011 it was designated a World Surfing Reserve, the first of its kind in Europe (and the second in the world, after Malibu, California).

In the years following, a steady stream of newcomers has transformed the once-sleepy fishing village into a busy surf town. Today, it’s a magnet for surfers, remote workers and city escapees looking for salt air and freshly baked sourdough bread. But don’t let the flat whites fool you, under all the glossy charm, Ericeira remains stubbornly, beautifully local.

Just under an hour’s drive from Lisbon, it’s the perfect beachside addition to any visit to the capital.