Ericeira from Lisbon by Motorcycle: One-Day Route and Prices

Riding to Ericeira from Lisbon by motorcycle is one of those trips that fit into an unhurried day and leave you feeling you have travelled much further. The town lies about 35 km northwest of the capital, 18 km from Sintra and 8 km from Mafra, and it has everything a rider asks of a day destination: winding road on the way, a small town centre where you park the bike at the café door, and the Atlantic just at the end of the street. This guide explains how to get there, which route to pick, where to stop and which bike to take, with the numbers that matter for planning the day.

In short:

• Ericeira is about 35 km northwest of Lisbon, 18 km from Sintra and 8 km from Mafra.
• There are two ways to get there: the A21 to go fast, or the coast and the Sintra hinterland to go slowly.
• In October 2026, the Honda PCX125 costs €45.77 per day (€600 deposit) and the Honda NC750X €100.43 per day (€1,000 deposit).
• Each rental day includes 400 km; each additional km costs €0.49.
• The Mafra National Palace is closed on Tuesdays, so it pays to plan the day around that.

Why Ericeira and why by motorcycle

Ericeira is a fishing town of 12,359 inhabitants in the 2021 census, spread over just over 12 km². That is not many, and it shows: the centre is easily covered on foot. Its reputation comes from the sea. In October 2011 the Save the Waves Coalition granted it World Surfing Reserve status, as Ericeira Magazine recalls, and since then the town has had an unusual mix of whitewashed houses, fishing boats in the harbour and people with a surfboard under their arm at any hour of the day.

On a motorcycle, the trip gains a practical advantage. In August, the access road and the town's car parks fill up with cars, and anyone arriving on two wheels sorts out parking in seconds. At the same time, the route itself is part of the experience: you can choose between a fast motorway and a succession of back roads through pine forest, vineyards and villages, and both versions fit into a comfortable round trip.

There is also a less romantic reason. The town is a little over 35 km from Lisbon, which means you do not need to get up at dawn or cut anything short at lunch. You leave at ten, have lunch in Ericeira, wander for an hour or two and ride back with plenty of daylight, even on the short days of winter.

Two ways to get there

The fast one: the A21

The A21 motorway is the direct link serving the town and the reason Ericeira became a weekend destination for people living in Lisbon. It is the right choice when the sky is overcast, when the day is already well advanced or when you want to arrive fresh for a morning at the beach. Check the tolls before you leave and allow for the typical traffic on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings, when everyone heads back at the same time. If you can choose, leave Lisbon before nine and return before five.

The slow one: along the coast and through Sintra

The route that justifies the motorcycle is the other one. You head for the Cascais area, pick up the N247, which follows the coast and passes Cabo da Roca, and keep going north on smaller roads to Ericeira. It is a longer route, with every kind of bend, stretches of eucalyptus forest, descents to beaches and small hamlets where you should slow down. If you want to turn the day into a bigger ride, the route through Sintra fits well as the first half of the morning, with Ericeira as the lunch destination.

The most balanced combination is to ride out on the interesting road and come back on the A21. You spend less time on the way home, when tiredness is already weighing, and the day keeps the best of each version. In terms of kilometres, even adding detours, the round trip stays comfortably below the 400 km per day included in the rental.

What to see and where to stop

The town and the harbour

The centre of Ericeira is easily covered on foot. You park the bike near the main square and walk the narrow streets towards the sea, as far as the viewpoints over Pescadores beach and the small harbour. According to Wikipedia, the historic points of interest include the Forte de Milreu, the Forte de Nossa Senhora da Natividade and the Igreja Paroquial de São Pedro. There is no big itinerary to tick off: what works best is to walk, look down at the cliffs and sit at a table.

The surf beaches

Even if you have never picked up a board, you will want to see the waves. Ribeira d'Ilhas is one of the best-known surf beaches in the region and has hosted a stage of the ASP world tour. Coxos, in Ribamar, is another much-cited surf beach. São Lourenço, also in Ribamar, is a large and calmer beach, better suited to families. There are also Foz do Lizandro and Praia do Norte, both cited as surf beaches in the area.

In practice, park by the viewpoint, look down at the sea for ten minutes and decide whether it is worth going down. The waves change with the tide and the wind, and what is calm at eleven can look very different at three. If you go to watch the surf, also keep your helmet fastened to the bike or in your hand: do not leave it resting on the seat.

Mafra, 8 km away

A few kilometres away is Mafra, and the Mafra National Palace deserves a stop. Commissioned by King John V (D. João V) in the 18th century, it includes a palace, a basilica, a Franciscan convent and the Tapada. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019 and has two carillons with 98 bells in total. The corridor linking the king's and queen's wings is 232 m long. According to Turismo de Lisboa (Lisbon Tourism), the palace is open from 09:30 to 17:30, with last entry at 16:30, and closes on Tuesdays, on 1 January, on Easter Sunday, on 1 May, on Ascension Thursday and on 25 December. Always check the opening hours before you leave, because they can change.

If you only have one day, choose between two scenarios. Either you start in Mafra at 9:30, when it opens, and have lunch in Ericeira, or you do Ericeira in the morning and leave Mafra for the afternoon. The first order is more comfortable because the palace is less crowded in the morning and the town is good for long lunches.

Which bike to take

This is one of the few trips where almost any bike will do. It all depends on what you want to do with the day and which licence you hold. The figures below are from October 2026 and come from each model's page.

• Honda PCX125: €45.77 per day, €600 deposit, minimum rental of 2 days. It is light (134 kg), with a low seat (763 mm), and it is the easiest option for a relaxed ride. The licence and age requirements are on the model page.
• Honda ADV 350: €79.84 per day, €800 deposit. It requires an A2 or A licence and a minimum age of 21. It is a larger scooter, more stable on the motorway, with room for two people.
• Honda NC750X: €100.43 per day, €1,000 deposit. It requires an A licence and age 21. It is one of the easiest bikes in the fleet above 125 and has a compartment where the fuel tank would be that helps with the day's luggage.

For a day on the coast with stops, a scooter is more than enough for Ericeira from Lisbon by motorcycle: it is agile in town, fits in any space and handles the A21 well if you pick the 350 cc one. For anyone who wants to feel the road more along the way and has the right licence, the NC750X is a bike that does not tire you out and leaves room to extend the day to Sintra or Cascais.

There is no discount for long rentals and the price is per day. You book with 30% of the amount and the deposit is held on a credit or debit card, being released within the deadlines set out in the terms and conditions. Pick-up is in Sobreda between 09:00 and 19:00, and delivery to the airport or to your accommodation is a paid service.

How to ride this trip well

Gear

A certified, properly fastened helmet is mandatory and, according to the ANSR campaign "2 Rodas: Agarre-se à Vida" (Two Wheels: Hold On to Life), it reduces the risk of death in a crash by 40%. The same campaign recommends gloves, boots, a jacket with protection, trousers with CE protection and an airbag to reduce the severity of injuries. The rental includes a basic helmet; the rest of the gear is your decision and, on a day with wet roads or strong wind, it makes a difference.

Wind, fog and light

Near the coast, the Atlantic wind can change the pace of the day. On a light scooter, crosswinds are felt on bridges and exposed stretches; on a trail bike or a bigger motorcycle they are felt less but are still there. If the morning is cloudy in Lisbon, do not give up straight away: the weather changes a lot over 35 km. Check the forecast for the town before you leave and bring an extra layer, even in summer.

Parking and stops

Parking the bike in Ericeira is easy outside August, but on hot weekends it is best to arrive early or stop a little outside the centre and walk the last few minutes. Always keep your helmet and gloves well sheltered and take anything valuable with you. With 400 km per day included, the only real limit is the light in the late afternoon and the wish to get home rested.

A possible day, hour by hour

For those who like to see a plan before deciding, here is a concrete suggestion, which can be shortened or extended.

1. 09:00: pick up the bike in Sobreda, with the inspection checklist done on the spot.
2. 10:30: leave Lisbon towards the Cascais coast, to ride the prettiest stretch of the N247.
3. 12:00: short stop at a viewpoint or on a beach along the way.
4. 13:30: lunch in Ericeira, near the centre or the harbour.
5. 15:00: ride round the surf beaches to watch the waves, no rush.
6. 16:00: return to Lisbon on the A21, before the late-afternoon traffic.

If you prefer to go to Mafra, swap the 15:00 item for a visit to the palace. With last entry at 16:30, that plan requires an earlier lunch, around 12:30.

Frequently asked questions

How many kilometres is it from Lisbon to Ericeira?

The town is about 35 km northwest of Lisbon. The actual route depends on the road you choose, and the route along the coast and through Sintra is considerably longer than the direct one on the A21.

Can I do Ericeira on a 125 scooter?

Yes, it is a good choice for a relaxed ride, especially if you do the round trip on the calmer road. A 125 feels the wind more and has less in reserve on the motorway, so make sure you are comfortable on that kind of route. The licence and age requirements for each model are on the respective page.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle for this trip?

In October 2026, the Honda PCX125 costs €45.77 per day, the Honda ADV 350 costs €79.84 per day and the Honda NC750X costs €100.43 per day. Each day includes 400 km, and each additional km costs €0.49. The deposits are €600, €800 and €1,000, respectively.

Is the Mafra Palace open every day?

No. According to Turismo de Lisboa, it is closed on Tuesdays and on some public holidays. The basilica has its own opening hours, with a break at midday. Check the opening hours before you leave.

Can I do this trip in winter?

You can, with one rule: plan the day so that you return the bike before dark. Pick-up in Sobreda is from 09:00 to 19:00, but on short days the last stretch of the coast road is better ridden in daylight. Bring warmer gloves and a waterproof layer too, because the temperature by the sea drops quickly in the late afternoon.