The biggest sandy beach in the area, where the River Lizandro meets the sea, wide open space, surf schools and a boardwalk of cafés.
Foz do Lizandro is the broadest beach around Ericeira, with room to spread out even in August. The river forms a shallow lagoon behind the sand that younger children love, while the open beach is the go-to spot for first surf lessons.
The setting is wide and open, where the River Lizandro slips out to sea between low green hills, backed by a long stretch of sand and a scatter of cafés. After rain the river runs fuller and the lagoon shifts shape, so no two visits look quite the same.
The sand is broad and flat, easy for beach games and long walks at low tide, and the water shelves gently. The exposed sea gets lively with Atlantic swell, best for splashing and body-surfing rather than calm laps, while the river lagoon stays shallow and warm, the safest water for toddlers. Summer brings the warmest sea, and spring and autumn are cooler and much quieter.
Because the beach faces the open ocean, currents and shorebreak can be strong, so swim where the lifeguards indicate. In the summer season they fly the Portuguese flags, green for safe swimming, yellow for wading only, and red for no swimming, with a chequered flag when they are off duty. It pays to respect the red flag here even on a sunny day.
Surf schools set up on the sand in season and it is one of the friendliest places in the area to try surfing, with plenty of room for beginners. That makes it a fine all-rounder, families with small children by the river, learners in the waves and walkers along the wide sand.
A boardwalk of cafés and restaurants lines the back of the beach, and there is parking near the bridge, though it fills on summer weekends. It is a five-minute drive south of the centre, or a scenic walk along the cliffs. Come early or late in the day in high season, and time a low tide if you want the most sand and the calmest river.
