Praia de Sao Sebastiao

Portugal, Portugal

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Praia de São Sebastião is a natural, uncrowded beach at the northern edge of Ericeira, about 40 km northwest of Lisbon in the Mafra municipality, within Europe's only World Surfing Reserve.

Named after the small white Chapel of St. Sebastian perched on the cliff above, this long but narrow stretch of fine sand and Atlantic rock is almost completely covered by the ocean during high tide, making it small at low tide. The beach is famous among surfers and bodyboarders for its powerful, advanced-level waves with multiple peaks, including a right-hand break near an exposed rock formation and a heavy left-hand wave called "Esquerda dos Surfistas" or "Esquerda Moita," attracting experienced surfers seeking uncrowded, authentic breaks.

It has no lifeguards, bathrooms, showers, bars, restaurants, or accessibility features, maintaining a rustic, unspoiled character with free parking available 300 meters away at Largo de São Sebastião. Water temperatures reach 17–18°C in summer and drop to 13°C in winter, and the beach is accessible via a beautiful Portuguese cobblestone staircase descending from the cliff, making it ideal for couples and surfers but not recommended for families with young children due to strong waves and rocky conditions.