Ericeira

**Ericeira**
Ericeira
	Civil parish coat of arms
Municipality	Mafra
Area	12.19 km²
Population
- Total	6,597 (2001)
- Density	541/km²
	Website: none

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Ericeira is a fishing and seaside resort town on the west coast of Portugal, in the municipality of Mafra, about 35 km north-west of the centre of Lisbon. Its name originates from Ouriceira, which derives from Ouriço, the Portuguese name for a sea urchin, as seen on the coat of arms.

The Ribeira d'Ilhas Beach, which routinely hosts a round of the World Surf Championship and is widely-regarded as one of the best beaches in Europe ^[1] for the practice of this sport, is located 2 km to the north of the town. It is a popular destination for holiday-makers and amateur surfers, as there are over 40 beaches with good surf in the area ^[1].

Close to North is Coxos Break point, also one of the best European surf spots well known between pro-surfers ^[1]. This is not an easy spot for beginners.

Ericeira is also home for one of the first and biggest Portuguese Surf Associations\Clubs, Ericeira Surf Clube. This club, founded in 1993, derived from the surf section of Ericeira Naval Club, have been organizing local, regional and national competitions in surf, bodyboard, kneeboard and longboard trough out years. It also has a surf school to local athletes and tourists who want to learn how to surf.

Ericeira is also keen on its musical culture. The local philharmonic, currently named Filarmónica Cultural Ericeira, exists since 1849 and pursues a path of success in this villages's musical heritage with a permanent free musical school for all who love this type of culture.