Day trips from Ericeira

The colossal UNESCO-listed Palácio Nacional de Mafra, with its baroque basilica and one of the most beautiful libraries in Europe. An easy half-day before lunch back in Ericeira.

Allow two to three hours for the palace and basilica; the library is the highlight, so do not rush it. The drive is short and parking in front of the palace is usually easy. Check opening days and ticket prices on the official site before you go, and pair it with the Tapada next door if you want a full day.

The walled former royal hunting park of the Mafra palace, now a forest reserve with walking and cycling trails and free-roaming deer.

A good change of scene after a few days on the coast, and a reliable plan when the sea is too big or the wind is blowing. Go early in the day for the best chance of seeing wildlife, wear proper shoes, and check the trail options and entry conditions on the Tapada’s own site.

A miniature village in Sobreiro built by the potter José Franco, with small-scale houses, old trades and workshops, and a traditional bakery.

An easy hour, and a favourite with families since it sits just off the road between Ericeira and Mafra. Stop for warm pão com chouriço from the wood oven and browse the local pottery. It combines naturally with the Mafra palace on the same morning.

Fairy-tale palaces and wooded hills, the Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira are the headline acts of this UNESCO landscape. Go early to beat the crowds.

Pick two sights at most for one day; trying to see everything means spending it in queues. Buy tickets online in advance, especially for Pena in summer. Parking near the palaces is scarce, so leave the car in town and use the local shuttle or walk up.

A postcard village cascading down the cliff to a natural seawater pool, a scenic stop on the Sintra coast, best paired with neighbouring Praia das Maçãs.

The classic photo is from the viewpoint on the road above the village, so stop there first. The sea pool depends on the tide and the swell, and on rough days it is off limits. Late afternoon light is the best, and it fits neatly on the drive to Cabo da Roca or Sintra.

The westernmost point of mainland Europe: a lighthouse, high cliffs above the Atlantic and a monument marking the spot.

A short stop rather than a destination, thirty minutes to an hour is enough. It is very exposed, so bring a jacket even in summer and stay behind the barriers on the cliff edge. It works best combined with Azenhas do Mar and Sintra on the same loop.

A relaxed seaside town north of Ericeira, in the Torres Vedras municipality, with long sandy beaches, cliffs and striking rock formations.

A good answer when the Ericeira beaches are packed in August: the sand is wider and there is more room. The beach breaks here also suit surfers looking for a change. Take the coast road north through the villages rather than the motorway for a more scenic drive.

A whitewashed medieval town enclosed by its castle walls, with cobbled lanes, flower-covered houses and ginjinha served in chocolate cups.

Half a day is plenty. Walk a stretch of the walls for the views, but watch your step, as there are no railings. Arrive early or late to avoid the tour buses, and combine it with Peniche and Baleal for a full day up the coast.

World-class surf, long beginner-friendly beaches at Baleal, a sea fortress, and boats to the Berlengas islands nature reserve. A great day up the coast.

Boats to the Berlengas run mainly in the warmer months, depend on sea conditions and have limited places, so book ahead and have a plan B. On land, walk the cliffs of Cabo Carvoeiro and visit the fortress, now a museum. Surfers can check whether one side of the Peniche peninsula is cleaner than Ericeira on the day.

The capital is close enough for a day: the historic districts of Alfama, Baixa and Belém, viewpoints over the river and a very different pace from Ericeira.

Driving into central Lisbon and parking is stressful and expensive, so the bus to Campo Grande and then the metro is often the easier option. Choose one or two areas instead of crossing the whole city, and check the last bus back to Ericeira before you set off.