The popular main beach just below the old town, with a scenic clifftop boulevard and some of the best sunsets in Ericeira.
Also known as Praia da Baleia, this is the central beach most visitors reach first, a short walk down from the old town and the Vila Galé hotel. Golden sand, easy access and a lively summer atmosphere make it a favourite.
It sits in a broad bay beneath the cliffs, with the town rising behind and the clifftop boulevard running along the top. The scale is generous without being huge, and the backdrop of whitewashed houses and open Atlantic gives it a classic Ericeira look.
The sand is golden and soft, and the sea is a touch more exposed than at Pescadores, with a moderate shorebreak that children enjoy jumping in. Summer water is at its warmest and most inviting, while by spring and autumn it cools and the beach empties, still fine for a brisk swim on a calm day.
Lifeguards patrol through the summer season and fly the Portuguese flag system, green for safe swimming, yellow to wade but not swim, red to keep out, and a chequered flag when they step away. As surfers share the same bay, swim within the flagged area and give the boards a wide berth.
In season you will usually find showers and kiosks, with the town's cafés and restaurants a few minutes up the hill. It suits just about everyone, families, swimmers, sunbathers and people who simply want to stroll the boulevard, which is why it gets busy.
It fills through July and August, especially in the afternoon, so mornings are calmer and easier for parking nearby. The clifftop boulevard above is the place to be at sunset, with benches and a view that earns its reputation, so plan to stay late one evening and watch the sky turn over the sea.
