Last updated on 2026-06-24.
So why trust this shortlist over the dozen me-too "best hostels in Ericeira" lists Google serves up? Because we did the honest work. Every rival sorts a roster by overall rating, slaps a "party" tag across the lot, and leaves a quiet surf-and-relax bunk looking identical to a genuinely social hostel. We rank instead on real social atmosphere and after-surf nightlife access , sense-checked against recent guest reviews from the last few months and the live sub-scores for things like fun and location, then mapped onto where the night actually happens in Ericeira.
We have kept this to a tight, vetted eight rather than padding out a top ten. A short, honest shortlist beats a bloated one, because every pick here genuinely delivers a social stay; we cut the dead and boring options rather than counting up to a round number. The bigger favour we do you is being straight about what "party" means here. This is an after-surf social town, not a clubbing one, so a few stays wearing the "party" tag are really wellness or yoga-led and would leave you in a quiet common room when you wanted a crew, which is why they did not make the cut. The How We Chose section below sets out exactly how we drew that line.
That honesty runs through every review. Where a pick has a trade-off, a hill, a distance, or an in-house vibe that is more walk-out than buzzing, we frame it as fit, never a warning. A calmer or further-out hostel is not a worse hostel; it is the right hostel for a different traveller. For a wider trip you might also browse our other nearby Portugal guides for Lisbon, Cascais and Peniche and a solo-travel safety guide before you go.
In a hurry? Here is the cheat sheet.
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| Hostel | Price | Rating | Best For | Party Style | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The 70's Hostel | from €20 | 9.9/10 | First-time solo travellers | Homely after-surf social | Steps from beach and bars |
| WOT Ericeira Surf Social | from €13 | 9.3/10 | Groups wanting activities | Bar and pool-deck social | On-site bar and skate ramp |
| Surfers Den Ericeira | from €20 | 9.7/10 | Sociable surf-shack seekers | Communal evening hangout | Central with a pool |
| Ericeira Destination | from €26 | 9.9/10 | Hostel-led nights out | Organised group socials | Events engine and pool |
| Hostel & Surfcamp 55 | from €18 | 9.8/10 | Affordable female-solo social | Surfcamp-house communal | Central top-rated all-rounder |
| Hospedium Hostel Republica Surf House | from €28 | 9.9/10 | Surf-first social base | Backyard-BBQ communal | Great social backyard |
| Villa dos Irmãos | from €20 | 10.0/10 | Homely social surf base | Games-room and balcony social | Social balcony and great hosts |
| Amar Hostel & Suites | from €19 | 8.1/10 | Central walk-out base | Doorstep-nightlife social | Steps from the main square |
| Overall | Reviews | Security | Location | Staff | Fun | Clean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.9/10 | 352 | 4.94/5 | 4.98/5 | 4.98/5 | 4.98/5 | 4.92/5 |
If there were a trophy for the best party hostel in Ericeira, The 70's Hostel would have it on the shelf already. It is the name that comes up again and again as the actual "best for partying" pick, and it is one of the highest-rated hostels in the whole town. Small, independent and full of character, it is built around one simple idea: throw like-minded travellers together and let the friendships happen.
This is the genuine article. Because it is small, you get to know everyone, and the place tips quickly from "hostel" into "home away from home". Guests cook together, play games and head out to surf as a group, and host Maria is singled out constantly for the warm, welcoming energy she sets. It is a real standout for fun and social buzz , the kind of spot where people arrive for a few nights and stay for weeks. As one recent guest put it, "everyone becomes like a small family." If your worst fear is a dead common room, this is the antidote.
You could not be more central. The 70's sits in the heart of the village on Rua de São Felix, a few steps from the beach and surrounded by the best restaurants, bars and local shops. It rates near the top of town for location, which for an after-surf night out is exactly what you want: roll back from the bars in a couple of minutes, no taxi required. This is the doorstep-nightlife pick .
Expect a homely setup with dorms and a private room option, a self-catering kitchen, a common room, board games, an outdoor terrace, a garden and a rooftop where the evenings gravitate. Linen and towels are included and there is 24-hour security and free WiFi. Breakfast is not included , and there is a city tax of €2.50 per person per night in the May to October high season (€1.20 off-season), payable in cash or card on arrival. Note the 72-hour cancellation policy and a check-in window of 3pm to 7pm.
The social side here is organic rather than a rigid timetable: group beach walks, shared surf sessions and communal dinners that the small size makes effortless. Maria and the team point you to surf rentals, local eats and the best spots in town, so arriving solo and finding a crew takes about an afternoon.
This is the obvious number one for first-time solo travellers who want a guaranteed social scene, a central base and a genuine family feel without an all-night party in the corridor. It rates at or near the top of the town for fun, location, staff and cleanliness. The honest fit note: it is small and it books up fast, especially in summer, so reserve early if it is your first choice.
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| Overall | Reviews | Security | Location | Staff | Fun | Clean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.3/10 | 688 | 4.60/5 | 3.98/5 | 4.20/5 | 4.38/5 | 3.82/5 |
WOT is the property most travellers search for by name, and for good reason: it is the closest Ericeira gets to a full social-hostel resort. A brand-new building with an outdoor pool, a skate ramp and the only true in-house bar on this list, it is built from the ground up to keep you entertained and surrounded by people.
When WOT is on form, it is one of the most fun, most social hostels in town. Guests rave about how easy it is to meet people, with the pool, the mini ramp, the pool table, foosball and the bar all pulling everyone into the same orbit, plus surf lessons and skating to fill the days. It is a genuine standout for fun . Being straight with you, the experience does swing: some guests have felt the cleanliness and housekeeping were not quite up to scratch in the busy months, and a few found the atmosphere depended on the crowd that week. So set your expectations to "lively, facility-packed social base" rather than boutique polish.
Here is the honest trade-off, framed as fit. WOT sits up the hill on Rua das Lombas, with a genuinely privileged view over the village and the ocean, but it is a steep walk and a little out of the centre, around 20 minutes on foot or a cheap, quick Uber. The upside is the bar and pool mean the social happens on site, so you are less reliant on walking into town. This one suits travellers who want their nightlife brought to them, not those set on rolling straight out to the village bars.
There are dorms, private rooms and even apartments for groups, all with private facilities, plus a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious terrace and 24-hour reception. The outdoor pool is seasonal, open April to September , so check your dates if that is a deal-breaker. Breakfast is an extra , towels are hire-only , there is a city tax of €2.50 per person per night in high season, and note the house rule that outside alcoholic drinks are not allowed because there is a bar on site. It is pet-friendly with no curfew.
This is where WOT earns its "party" billing: beer pong, foosball and video and board games in the evenings, BBQs on the terrace, plus a packed day menu of surf lessons, bike rides, trekking and yoga. The on-site bar is the social hub once the sun drops, with sunset views thrown in.
Book WOT if you want the most facilities and the only true in-house bar in town, and you are happy to be up the hill with the pool, the ramp and the games on your doorstep. It is a real fun standout. The honest fit: it suits activity-led travellers and groups who want the social on site over a central walk-out base, and it is at its liveliest in peak season when the pool is open and the place is full.
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| Overall | Reviews | Security | Location | Staff | Fun | Clean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.7/10 | 203 | 4.88/5 | 4.92/5 | 4.86/5 | 4.80/5 | 4.76/5 |
Surfers Den is the central, super-sociable surf shack that locals and repeat guests adore. It is small, unpretentious and built around community, and it is one of the highest-rated stays in town. The pitch is simple: crash at a place that feels like a mate's surf house, in the middle of the village.
This is a standout for the communal evening buzz . The hostel is small enough that everyone hangs out together, cooks together and ends up extending their stay, with the common areas in use every single night. Guests describe a genuine "little family" feel and a friendly, surf-minded crowd, and the staff and volunteers get glowing praise for organising activities and keeping the energy up. As one guest summed it up, "the full hostel felt like a little family." Honest read: it is a basic, characterful place rather than a flashy one, and some guests have mentioned squeaky beds and a bit of road noise, so it suits travellers who care more about the crew than the polish.
Location is a real strength. You are right in the centre of town on Rua dos Bombeiros Voluntários, five minutes from the beach and surrounded by restaurants, bakeries, cafes, bars and the town's biggest skate park. It rates near the top for location, so the after-surf bars are an easy stroll and you can walk home without a second thought.
Expect simple, clean dorms and private rooms, an outdoor pool, a BBQ, a self-catering kitchen, security lockers and free WiFi. Towels are not included (hire available), and there are sensible house rules: no loud noise before 10am or after 10pm, and only checked-in guests inside. Check-in runs 2pm to 9.30pm, with a flexible WhatsApp option if you are arriving later.
The social glue is the communal evenings and the easy surf setup: board and wetsuit rental on site, surf lessons booked at reception, and volunteers who organise group activities to get everyone mingling. With the small numbers, it takes one evening to know the whole house.
This is the pick for sociable solo travellers who want a central, genuinely communal surf-shack base with the beach and bars a short walk away. It rates top of town for location and near the top for fun, staff and security. Best for travellers who value a tight-knit crew and an unbeatable central spot over fancy facilities.
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| Overall | Reviews | Security | Location | Staff | Fun | Clean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.9/10 | 143 | 4.62/5 | 4.36/5 | 4.70/5 | 4.72/5 | 4.38/5 |
Ericeira Destination is the genuine hostel-led events engine on this list. It is one of the highest-rated stays in town, and the thing that sets it apart is staff who actively organise nights out for everyone, backed by serious facilities: an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a games room, a rooftop terrace and a traditional pizza oven.
When this place is buzzing, guests call it the best hostel in Ericeira full stop, with an incredible atmosphere where it is easy to share meals and great conversation no matter why you came. The open common areas, the pool and the garden keep everyone together, and the staff get singled out again and again for making the social happen, from welcome BBQs to organised nights out. It is a standout for fun . The honest note: because it draws a mix of long-stayers and a broader age range, a few guests have found the social temperature dips at quieter times, so it is at its most sociable when the house is busy.
Here is the trade-off, framed as fit. Ericeira Destination sits further out, up near the Ribeira d'Ilhas surf break, around a 10 to 15 minute walk to the beach and a little out of the village centre. That distance is actually part of why it works socially: guests tend to hang around the hostel rather than scatter into town, and Ubers into the centre are cheap and quick. It suits travellers happy to base themselves by the surf and let the hostel be the night.
There are dorms and private rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a coworking space, an outdoor pool, a hot tub and that rooftop with sunset views. Linen is included and towels are available. Breakfast is not the highlight , so many guests pop into town, and there is an occupancy tax of around €2 per person per night , payable in cash or card. Check-in is 3pm to 10pm with no curfew.
This is the engine room: staff-organised nights out, welcome BBQs, the pizza oven, a games room and the pool keeping the social calendar full. It sits a short walk from the world-class Ribeira d'Ilhas break, so surf-by-day, socialise-by-night is the natural rhythm.
This is the pick for travellers who want a hostel that does the work of bringing people together, with the facilities to back it up, and who are happy to be near the surf rather than in the centre. It rates near the top for fun and staff. Best for surf-first social travellers who want organised group nights and do not mind a cheap Uber into the village.
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| Overall | Reviews | Security | Location | Staff | Fun | Clean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.8/10 | 369 | 5.00/5 | 4.94/5 | 4.82/5 | 4.62/5 | 4.92/5 |
Hostel & Surfcamp 55 is the central, top-rated all-rounder, and one of the best-value social stays in town. It runs on a surfcamp-house format rather than a bar-and-events model, and guests consistently describe the feeling of living in a big shared surf house rather than a hostel. It is also one of the cleanest, most reliably good picks on this list.
This is warm, communal and easy rather than wild. The indoor and outdoor common areas pull guests into conversation, the surf-minded crowd is friendly, and the small size makes it simple to meet people. It is near-spotless on cleanliness , a genuine standout, and rates top marks for security, which makes it a comfortable, confident choice for solo female travellers. Being straight: the social here comes from the shared spaces and the crowd rather than a packed events board, and some guests note the regulars can skew a little older and surf-focused, so it leans sociable-and-chilled rather than party-hard. As one recent guest put it, it "feels like you're living in a big surf house rather than a hostel."
You are central, on Rua Eduardo Burnay, a short walk to both the beach and the town, which rates near the top for location. That puts the after-surf bars within easy reach on foot, so even though the hostel itself is calmer, the night is still a stroll away when you want it.
Expect clean dorms and private rooms (some with ocean views and balconies), a self-catering kitchen, a common room, a BBQ, board games and an outdoor terrace. Linen is included; towels are hire-only and breakfast is not included . A couple of honest practical notes from guests: rooms can be short on AC, and there are limited bathrooms for the size, so it is worth packing light expectations on facilities and big ones on the vibe.
The format is hang-out over timetable: BBQs, the shared social spaces and easy surf-lesson bookings at reception, with boards and beach gear to borrow. It is the spontaneous, get-to-know-everyone kind of socialising rather than a fixed programme.
This is the value pick for solo travellers, and especially solo female travellers, who want a clean, secure, genuinely sociable central base without paying for the bigger party hostels. It rates top of town for security and cleanliness and high for location. Best for anyone who wants warm company and a relaxed surf-house crowd over a packed party calendar.
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| Overall | Reviews | Security | Location | Staff | Fun | Clean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.9/10 | 32 | 3.82/5 | 3.36/5 | 4.36/5 | 4.09/5 | 3.73/5 |
República Surf House is a small, surf-first social base that wins on warmth. It is highly rated by the guests who have stayed, and the recurring theme in their reviews is that it feels like family from the moment you walk in, built around a friendly crowd and a great BBQ backyard.
The social heart here is the backyard and the people. Guests describe making good friends easily, a chilled-out vibe and hosts who go out of their way, with the BBQ and garden as the natural gathering spot. It is a standout for that homely, communal feel on a small scale. Honest read: it is a basic beach hostel rather than a facility-packed one, and some guests have felt the cleanliness and the simple setup were not quite up to scratch, so it suits travellers who prioritise the crew and the surf over polish and amenities.
Here is the trade-off, framed as fit. República sits out of the main town, over in Santo Isidoro and closer to the surf than the village centre, which is reflected in its lower location score. That means the after-surf bar scene is a drive rather than a stroll, but it also keeps guests hanging out together at the hostel in the evenings. It suits travellers happy to be near the breaks and to make their own social fun rather than walk out into the village night.
Expect simple dorms and private rooms, a common room, a great backyard with a BBQ, a self-catering kitchen and free WiFi, with linen and towels included. It is a small house, so book ahead in summer. Given the out-of-town spot, plan how you will get to and from the beaches and the village, ideally with your own wheels or a rideshare budget.
The social programme is informal: BBQ nights in the backyard, easy surf access and the kind of small-house evenings where everyone ends up together. Hosts are happy to help with surf and getting around.
This is the pick for surf-first travellers who want a warm, family-feel social base near the breaks and do not mind being out of the village centre. It rates well for staff and fun on a small but loyal review base. Best for those who would rather wake up near the waves and socialise over a backyard BBQ than chase a doorstep night.
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| Overall | Reviews | Security | Location | Staff | Fun | Clean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.0/10 | 43 | 5.00/5 | 4.83/5 | 5.00/5 | 5.00/5 | 4.83/5 |
Villa dos Irmãos is a small, genuinely social hostel that punches well above its size on atmosphere. It earns top-tier guest ratings, and the consistent theme is the warmth of the place and its hosts, Jonathan and Moa, who get named in review after review for looking after everyone.
This is cosy, relaxed and sociable in the best small-hostel way. A games room, a social balcony with panoramic views, a garden and a BBQ give guests plenty of places to gather, and the hosts set an easy, at-home tone. It is a standout for fun and staff . Worth being honest, in the words of one happy guest: "this is NOT a party hostel" in the wild sense, and they meant it as a compliment. It is a genuinely social surf base with great people, not a rave, and there are still proper parties in the area to head out to.
Here is the trade-off, framed as fit. Villa dos Irmãos sits in Ribamar, a few kilometres out from the centre, so the village nightlife is a short drive rather than a walk. The flip side is a peaceful, scenic base with knockout balcony views, and the hosts can steer you to the local bar's jam nights and the area's social scene. It suits travellers who want a homely social hub over a doorstep night.
Expect a homely setup with dorms and private rooms, a games room, a social balcony, a garden, a BBQ and a self-catering kitchen with everything you need, plus a coworking space and free WiFi. Linen and towels are included. As a small place a few kilometres out, it is worth sorting transport for beach and town runs, and booking ahead given the limited beds.
The social side is host-led and informal: BBQs, games-room evenings, balcony hangs and tips on the local jam nights and surf. The small numbers and great hosts make it easy to settle in fast.
This is the pick for travellers who want a homely, friendly social surf base with brilliant hosts and standout views, and who are happy to be a little out of the centre. It rates top marks for fun, staff and security on a small review base. Best for those after a relaxed crew and great company over a walk-out nightlife scene.
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| Overall | Reviews | Security | Location | Staff | Fun | Clean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1/10 | 168 | 4.62/5 | 4.54/5 | 4.46/5 | 4.04/5 | 4.29/5 |
Amar is the most central walk-out base on this list. Set in a charming 1933 fisherman's house right by the village's main square, it pairs a lovely building, a lounge bar, a Mediterranean garden and a rooftop with a location that puts the whole town on your doorstep.
The honest read here is about fit. Amar is clean, characterful and well kept, with lovely common areas, a lounge bar and weekly activities, and at its best it has a fun, relaxed atmosphere. But several recent guests have felt the in-house social side is more hit-or-miss than at the top picks, with a vibe that can feel quieter and a layout where the social spaces are a little tucked away, so it leans toward a comfortable central base rather than an instant-crew social engine. That is not a knock; it is the trade-off that comes with its biggest strength, the location.
This is the location pick, full stop. Amar sits 150 metres from the main square and 300 metres from the beach, one step from the best restaurants and pubs in the village. For after-surf nightlife that is ideal: the night is literally on the doorstep, so you walk out, find the buzz, and stroll home in minutes. It rates well for location with guests.
Expect dorms and private rooms in a 90-year-old house with sea-view options, a lounge bar, a rooftop patio, a garden and a kitchen. Breakfast is not included , payment is card only (no cash), and bookings are non-refundable , charged at the time of reservation, so book with certainty. There is a tourism tax of around €2 per person per night in high season, and free on-street parking nearby. A couple of honest notes from guests: the dorm beds can be squeaky and there is a single shared dorm, which is part of why the social side is quieter.
Amar runs weekly activities like surf lessons, yoga, BBQs and trips to Sintra, and the lounge bar and rooftop give you somewhere to gather. The bigger social draw, though, is everything just outside the door: the village's own bars and restaurants are the real after-surf venue here.
This is the pick for travellers who want a clean, charming, dead-central base and prefer to walk out to the village night rather than rely on an in-house party. It rates well for location and security. Best for those who want the main square, the beach and the bars on their doorstep, and are happy to make the town their social scene rather than the common room.
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So what does a night out actually look like once you step beyond the hostels? Ericeira is not a club-strip kind of place. It is a surf town, and the nightlife matches that: plentiful, but built around bars buzzing with the after-hours surf crowd rather than late clubs.
Best Nightlife Areas: The action clusters in the village centre, around the Largo de São Pedro and Rua de São Felix area, where the bars fill up with surfers, travellers and locals once the sun is off the water. It is compact and walkable, so a night out is more bar-hopping on foot than queuing for a single venue.
Typical Night Out Costs: This is a value-conscious scene. Think cold beers and casual bar nights rather than pricey bottle service, which keeps a hostel-led night refreshingly cheap. Stick to the village bars and you will spend far less than a night out in Lisbon.
Local Party Culture Tips: The rhythm is after-surf social, not big-city clubbing. The best nights tend to start with a hostel BBQ or a group heading out together, then roll into the centre's bars. And as the locals say, if it is summer, it is beach-party time, so the warmer months are when the village really comes alive. For wider planning, our nearby Portugal guides for Lisbon, Cascais and Peniche are worth a look.
We did not just slap a "party" filter on a generic list and call it a day. Each featured hostel earned its place on a few clear criteria: a genuine social atmosphere (strong fun and social scores, plus recent reviews calling out how easy it is to meet people), regular events or a high-energy common space, a young and sociable guest mix, and a strong, recent review record cross-checked against multiple sources and the live Hostelworld ratings. We then mapped every pick onto Ericeira's actual geography, so you know not just that a hostel is "social" but whether the night is on the doorstep or a cheap Uber away.
The part we take most seriously is honesty about the trade-offs, framed as fit-routing rather than warnings. A calmer or further-out hostel is not a worse hostel; it is the right hostel for a different traveller, so when a pick sits up a hill, a few kilometres out, or leans walk-out over in-house, we say so and tell you exactly who it suits. The same honest read is why we define "party" as after-surf social: some stays wearing the "party" tag are really wellness or yoga-led, or in transition, and would leave you in a quiet common room when you wanted a crew, so they did not make this list. That split, between the genuinely social spots and the calmer stays wearing the same tag, is the whole reason this guide exists. If you want to read up on staying safe and sorted on a solo trip, our safety guide is a quick, useful read.
Summer is peak in Ericeira: the busiest, liveliest, beach-party stretch of the year, and the season the village really comes alive. It is also when the best central picks book up fastest, so if The 70's Hostel or Surfers Den is your first choice, lock it in early. Shoulder season is cheaper and quieter, with a calmer social scene, and midweek tends to undercut weekends if you are watching the budget.
One decision sits at the centre of it all: how central do you want to be? A village-centre base (The 70's, Surfers Den, Hostel & Surfcamp 55, Amar) puts the bars and beach on your doorstep, while the up-the-hill and out-of-town picks (WOT, Ericeira Destination, República, Villa dos Irmãos) trade the doorstep night for on-site facilities or a quieter surf base. Pick the spot that matches the night you want, and the rest of the trip sorts itself out. It is also worth a glance at our Lisbon–Ericeira transport notes if you are arriving by bus.
Here is the practical bit. Ericeira is a compact, walkable village, so if you have booked one of the central picks you can stroll home from the bars in a few minutes without a second thought. That is a big part of why location matters so much for a social stay here.
The gap to plan for is the out-of-centre and up-the-hill picks. WOT is a steep 20-minute walk or a quick Uber from the centre, and Ericeira Destination, República and Villa dos Irmãos all sit far enough out that a taxi or rideshare home is the sensible call after a night in the village. The good news is that Ubers around Ericeira are cheap and quick, so it is a small cost rather than a real barrier; just factor location into your choice if walking home is a priority. As always, head back with the crew you went out with, which is half the point of staying somewhere social in the first place. For the broader practicalities, our safety guide covers the basics.
Yes, though it is its own kind of nightlife. Ericeira's scene is plentiful but laid-back: loads of bars bustling with the after-hours surfing crowd, clustered around the village centre, rather than big clubs. Think cold beers, casual bar-hopping on foot and hostel BBQs that spill out into the town, an after-surf social scene rather than a clubbing one. In summer it is at its liveliest, with the village buzzing well into the evening.
The standout is The 70's Hostel , the clearest genuine social pick, central and consistently named the best for meeting people. WOT Ericeira Surf Social is the marquee party property with the only true in-house bar, pool and skate ramp, if you want facilities on site. Just behind them, Surfers Den and Ericeira Destination round out the most sociable picks. Scroll back up to the ranked reviews for the full rundown of all eight.
Ericeira is good value. As a rough guide, dorm beds typically run from around €13 to €30 a night, depending on the hostel, the season and how far ahead you book, with private rooms costing more. The most affordable social picks sit at the lower end, while the most central spots and peak-summer weekends push towards the top. Book the popular central hostels early, because the cheapest beds go first.
It depends on the trip you want. Ericeira is the surf town: smaller, more laid-back, World Surfing Reserve waves and an after-surf social scene built around bars and hostels. Cascais is a more polished, upmarket seaside resort closer to Lisbon, with a wider restaurant and bar scene but less of a backpacker-surf vibe. For a sociable, surf-led, value-friendly stay, Ericeira wins; for a smarter coastal base near the capital, Cascais has the edge. If you are weighing it up, our Cascais guide goes deeper.
Surf, above all. Ericeira is Europe's first and only World Surfing Reserve, recognised in 2011, with a string of world-class breaks like Ribeira d'Ilhas, Coxos and Cave drawing surfers from around the globe. Beyond the waves, it is a traditional whitewashed fishing village known for excellent seafood, a relaxed microclimate and that easygoing after-surf atmosphere, all about 40 minutes from Lisbon.
In Ericeira, less clubbing and more surf-town social. At their best, the party hostels here throw you together with other travellers through organised events and shared spaces: hostel BBQs, group surf sessions, communal dinners, bar nights and the odd pub-crawl-style hang. Places like Ericeira Destination run staff-organised nights out, while WOT brings the bar, pool and games on site. The crowd skews young and sociable, and the whole point is that you arrive on your own and leave with a crew.