Ericeira Shopping
The Ultimate Ericeira Shopping Guide
Ericeira has some fun shopping possibilities. It’s a small town so most of the shops are within walking distance. Whether you need presents or souvenirs, surf gear or something for dinner, this Ericeira shopping guide got you covered. Lets check out the shopping options.
Mercado Municipal
Mercado Municipal is a three-story building located close to the main square. Even if you don’t plan on buying anything this place is worth a short visit. The market is not exactly sprawling, and the architecture is a bit drab. But they do have everything from flowers, fruits and vegetables to meat and fish. Maybe pick up some fresh tuna for dinner? The products can be a bit more expensive than what you will find in Lidl, but the place is a whole lot more atmospheric.
Last time we visited the market a guy was selling sea urchins, ouriços-do-mar, at one of the gates. This is a specialty of Ericeira, and some even claim that the name Ericeira originates from the ouriços. So do try these.
On the second floor there are a couple of handicraft stores. One of them sell local honey. Don’t miss the girl making macramé art and flower-hangers; that’s the perfect souvenir or present according to us.
Frutas e Legumes Luís Carlos Alves
One of our best insider tips is the fruit and vegetable shop in Baril. The fruit and vegetables are more flavorful, bigger and cheaper than anywhere else. You get a bundle of cilantro for free. Luís himself is often behind the cashier, weighing the goods and chatting with customers.
Frutas e Legumes Luís Carlos Alves also sells wine, olive oil and nuts. Even if you just want to buy some grapes and olives this shop is still worth a visit to get a true Portuguese experience. And every epic Vegan dinner start with a visit to Luís Carlos Alves.
Board Riders and Surf Shop 58
If you need wax, a new wetsuit or just something surfy to wear out to dinner, pay a visit to Boardriders or Surf shop 58, or both. They are located next to each other on the main road going north towards Peniche and beyond. You can easily walk from Ericeira to both shops, although most people take the car.
Both shops have a cool surf vibe, complete with bar/café/ small restaurant and outdoor seating. As for shopping, they stock different surf brands such as Billabong, Quicksilver and Roxy. They also have everything you need in form of fins, pads and zink paste and their selection of surfboards are what you would expect in a surf mecca like Ericeira. Boardriders even have hanging moving surfboards as a roof decoration.
Surf shop 58 also sells secondhand boards, so if you are on the hunt for a board, or want to sell your old board, you should check them out.
The clothes as well as the surf gear are on the expensive side, but the sales are good and happens often. If you do need cheaper surf gear, Decathlon in Torres Vedras is where all Ericeira locals go for things like a new leach and reef boots.
Even if you are not planning on buying anything a visit to Boardriders and Surf shop 58 is still fun for entertainment and inspiration, and possibly a great souvenir such as a poster or a stainless water bottle.
Semente Surfboards
Semente is located in Ribamar, they shape and sell their own surfboards. Since their board prices are more affordable than in other stores some of our friend have bought their boards in Semente. So it’s worth checking out if you want a brand-new board but are on a limited budget. They also have a few secondhand boards for sale. Semente stocks Vissla wetsuits and some brands that other surf shops doesn’t have. And when the cold water wax was finished in all the other shops, Semente still had some.
Magic Quiver/ HeyDay /Wavegilders surfshop/ Waterbound
If you want something a lot cooler, more hipster and with a hefty price tag, check out these four stores. They are all insanely stylish, well decorated and with a lot of cool -can’t find anywhere else- gear. Even if you can’t afford a Patagonia wetsuit, the stores are still a lot of fun to browse in.
All four shops are worth a visit on your ericeira shopping stroll. Magic quiver and HeyDay are located next to each other and the other two shops are close by.
The surf boards in these shops are colorful like candy and with shapes like work of arts. If you celebrate a big birthday and want to treat yourself, the boards are worth checking out. Even the fins are well designed. The shops sell surfing as a covetable lifestyle. Complete with surf guides to all the best breaks around the world and coffee table books about leaving your job and embarking on an open-ended van-journey.
Helder Alfaiate Art Gallery
Speaking of art, believe it or not, there is a well-curated art gallery in Ericeira. Tucked away in a cute alley, Helder Alfaiate Art Gallery is worth a visit regardless of if you are planning to buy any art. If you do want a painting, the gallery feature selected Portuguese artists as well as a couple of international artists. They have some paintings of Portugal (bordering kitsch) and a few good nonfigurative paintings. The owner is very friendly and helpful and, stating the obvious, with a good eye for picking out the best in the art world.
Rustica
Rustica is located in one corner of the main square, Praça da República. If you need to buy a gift for someone back home this shop is a good place to start. They have a good mix of beach clothes, interior design pieces and things you won’t find anywhere else. They also stock Ipanema flipflops and a good variety of scented candles. And if you forgot to pack beach essentials, they have sun hats, beach cover ups and sarongs.
Rustica Móveis e Decoração (Furniture and decoration)
Rustica is Ericeira’s best interior design shop and a must stop during your Ericeira shopping tour. Its located at the main road and close to São Sebastião shopping mall.
Even if you can’t fit a new table in your cabin bag Rustica is still worth a visit for inspiration. You can always bring home ideas. Rustica is also a good place for buying a small souvenir. The furniture is hippie chic, lots of wood, lots of originality. Some of it with Asian influences, some of it shabby chic. They have some good stuff and some hideous stuff. Like stuffed fishes caught in a fishing net. It’s a great place for buying a “Gone Surfing” sign, a vase or a candle holder.
Thursday market in Malveira
Every Thursday morning people from all over the region come to the Malveira market to buy their groceries. As it is a 40-minute drive away from Ericeira, its not an obvious part of your Ericeira shopping journey. However, its well worth a detour. A visit to the market is a great way to experience everyday life in Portugal.
The land around Malveira is fertile agriculture land, and supplies the greater Lisbon region with fresh produce. The Malveira market has been around for hundreds of years. There are stands with fruits, vegetables, cheese, fresh fish, even clothes and furniture. So basically everything you need can be found at the market. The Malveira market is especially famous for its trade in livestock. Arrive early. By lunch everything has already slowed down, and the most dedicated market goers are having lunch on the popular cafes and restaurants surrounding the market. Do buy things like bread, olives, and fresh fruit for a nice picnic.
Ericiera Shopping at the Weekend Market
Once a month or more often in the peak season there is an open-air weekend market just next to the São Sebastião chapel. It’s worth a visit for its fun mix of secondhand trinkets and homemade art and crafts. There is a stand selling honey, and a couple of stands with secondhand furniture’s as well as art and jewelry. The location is perfect for a late-morning stroll. Shopping and inhaling the salty ocean air. If you want a snack the churros wagon is close by. And in the market itself there are usually someone selling homemade Portuguese cakes and pastries.
Grow from Nature
Cork is one of the most characteristic natural products from Portugal. The cork trees are native in Portugal, and producing cork is one of Portugal’s biggest industries. The trees aren’t cut down or damaged when the cork is harvested, and they can be harvested every 9 years during the lifetime of the tree. Cork is an unassuming material and at the same time great for creating a warm ambiance. Just look at your nearest wine bottle. Cork is a lightweight flexible material, so it makes a good iPad cover.
If you are in the mood for a cork souvenir, or are looking for something cork-related, we suggest a visit to Grow from Nature. The shop is located in the center of Ericeira. They have sandals, bags, dog collars and yoga blocks, all made out of cork. Very charming stuff and great gifts for the vegan or environmentally concious person in your circle.
Revestir
Revestir is the best secondhand shop in Ericeira. There are actually a few secondhand shops in Ericeira which shows how good the Portuguese people is when it comes to keeping things instead of throwing away. Revestir has the best assortment of secondhand clothes. It’s not exclusive clothes, but very clean and nicely organized, and who knows, maybe you are lucky and find that special jacket or dress you have been looking for.
Maria Sol/ Espaco bymii
If you feel your closet needs a vitamin injection, for example a colorful hippie blouse or a long dress, there are a couple of nice boutique catering to a holiday way of dressing. Mari Sol and By Mii are located just a 2-minute stroll away from each other. Maria Sol have the best lace dresses and By Mii features brands such as Fracomina, Salinas and Birkenstock. Both shops are perfect for picking up something vibrant to go with your new tan.
Biju with Love
This shop is great for leather gods and Portugal is famous for leather. If you want a new bag as a memory from your Portugal vacation, Biju with Love is where to find it. Check out their Instagram for pictures. They also sell souvenirs and statement earrings. In Biju with Love you can find my favorite brand for bath towels, Futah. The towels are made in Portugal, features vibrant patterns and 100 percent cotton, basically everything you want from a beach towel.
Loja Chinesa
In Portugal there are lots of Chinese shops, and they are called Loja Chinesa. This can seem a bit degrading, but in Portugal its commonly accepted. The stores are very popular and usually run by Chinese people. They sell everything, and we mean everything. So if you want something specific and have no idea where to find it, try the nearest loja Chinesa. Slippers, fabrics, rackets to kill mosquitoes.
The Loja Chinesa is particularly good for hobby things and if you have kids this is a good store for picking up beach toys. The prices are modest and that’s probably one of the reasons behind their popularity. There is a smaller Loja Chinesa in Ericeira, not marked on google map, but located next to Rustica Móveis e Decoração. Another one, even bigger is located above Intermarché, next to Pão da Vila – Escolas.
Enjoy your Ericeira shopping adventure!