Visiting Ericeira, Portugal: Top Sights on Foot

Looking for things to do in Ericeira? This coastal town in Portugal’s Lisbon District combines historic churches, maritime defences and distinctive local heritage. Its compact collection of monuments makes it especially well suited to exploring on foot, from the Pelourinho da Ericeira to the forts overlooking the Atlantic.

Neywo has a free audio guide for Ericeira with five narrated places, available in 11 languages, so you can discover the town while walking.

What to See in Ericeira

The main sights form a route through Ericeira’s religious and military history. Together, they offer a focused introduction to the town and the coastline around it.

Pelourinho da Ericeira

The Pelourinho da Ericeira is a cultural heritage monument in Mafra, Portugal. It is one of the town’s recognised heritage landmarks and a natural starting point for exploring Ericeira’s historic centre.

Arquivo Museu and Igreja da Misericórdia da Ericeira

The Igreja da Misericórdia da Ericeira, also known as the Church of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia, dates from the seventeenth century. It was built on the site of an earlier chapel dedicated to the Holy Spirit and combines religious art, local history and a small museum connected with the church’s past.

The Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Ericeira was founded in 1678 by Francisco Lopes Franco, procurator to the Counts of Ericeira. Inside, look for the paintings on the ceiling and in the choir, as well as the two side altars: one dedicated to Saint Anthony and the other to the Lord of the Garden, known as Ecce Homo.

The church is also known for its nine banners representing the Passion of Christ. They are traditionally displayed during the Procissão dos Fogaréus, held on Holy Thursday. Attached to the church, the Arquivo Museu was founded in 1937 by the Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Ericeira together with the local parish and tourism authorities.

Igreja Paroquial de São Pedro

The Igreja Paroquial de São Pedro, or Church of São Pedro, traces its history back to 1466, when the site was occupied by a small Chapel of São Pedro. From 1658 onwards, the building was enlarged several times until it reached its present size. Since 1984, it has been classified as a Property of Public Interest.

The main chapel contains four paintings depicting episodes from the life of Saint Peter, along with a carved altarpiece and tabernacle. Baroque images of Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Peter add to the decoration. Four side altars are dedicated to Our Lady of the Conception, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of the Rosary and Calvary.

The sacristy contains the altar of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It originally stood in the church porch, which was later destroyed to make room for the church’s enlargement. Outside, a stone cross dating from 1782 provides another visible link with the building’s history.

Forte de Nossa Senhora da Piedade

The Forte de Nossa Senhora da Piedade, also known as the Forte de Nossa Senhora da Natividade, stands in Ericeira, in the municipality of Mafra. Its position reflects the importance of the town’s coastline and its historic relationship with the sea.

Fort of Milreu

About three kilometres north of Ericeira, the Fort of Milreu overlooks the Atlantic coast. Also known as the Fort of Saint Peter of Milreu, it is the last surviving example of the few coastal forts built here during the Restoration of Independence.

The fort was built between 1670 and 1675 as part of a programme to strengthen Portugal’s coastal defences. Its position allowed it to control maritime access from the north, giving the site both historical and coastal significance.

Explore Ericeira with a Self-Guided Walking Tour

Neywo’s Ericeira: Churches, Pillory and Coastal Forts is a 3.27-kilometre walking tour lasting about 81 minutes. It includes five narrated stops: Pelourinho da Ericeira, Igreja da Misericórdia da Ericeira, Igreja Paroquial de São Pedro, Forte de Nossa Senhora da Piedade and Fort of Milreu.

The app tells the story of each place as you reach it, at your own pace, with no group and no schedule. It is a free alternative to a traditional free walking tour in Ericeira, combining the freedom to explore independently with narration at the sights themselves.

Download Neywo and Discover Ericeira

Download Neywo to explore Ericeira with one walking tour, covering 3.27 kilometres in 81 minutes and featuring five narrated stops. Each story plays automatically as you reach the next place, so you can pause, look around and continue whenever you are ready.

Ericeira is part of the Lisbon region in Portugal. If you are planning a wider trip, you can also explore nearby destinations such as Cascais, Sintra and Lisbon.