Guide to Route 2118: from rural Monte Bom to Ericeira’s beaches, culture and flavors

Route 2118 connects Monte Bom to the Ericeira Bus Terminal in a single weekday journey, passing through Monte Godel, Pucariça and Santo Isidoro before reaching the coastal town.

The route begins in a distinctly rural landscape, among local roads, small settlements and agricultural areas in the parish of Santo Isidoro. The first stops, in Monte Bom, Pecuária and Rua do Sul, reveal a low-density area with a tranquil pace and strong ties to community life.

After passing through Monte Godel, Pucariça and Bairro Alto, the route approaches Santo Isidoro, a settlement that combines religious heritage, a rural setting and connections to the beaches along the Mafra coast. This section is suitable for those seeking a less tourist-oriented experience more closely connected to local identity.

In the final stage, already in Ericeira, the scenery changes: cultural facilities, green spaces, traditional shops, restaurants, urban beaches and meeting places in the historic center appear. Arrival at the terminal allows visitors to continue exploring the town on foot, although some sites are several minutes’ walk away.

Notice: the distances shown are approximate and estimated from the coordinates provided for the route and the confirmed locations of the sites. The available data indicates a frequency of one departure in the Monte Bom–Ericeira direction on weekdays only, with no departures on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays; no departure has been provided for the return direction. The fare and operator were not provided.

Location	Category	Nearest stop/section	Approximate distance
Santo Isidoro Church	Historical and religious heritage	R do Bacurenha 12 (X) Sto Isidoro / Estr da Ponte 25	Approximately 0.4 km
Ericeira World Surfing Reserve Interpretation Center	Culture and tourism	Ericeira (Bus Terminal) P5	Approximately 1 km
Praça da República, “Jogo da Bola”	Square, events and urban life	Ericeira (Bus Terminal) P5	Approximately 1 km
Jaime Lobo e Silva House of Culture	Library, exhibitions and auditorium	Ericeira (Bus Terminal) P5	Approximately 1.1 km
Ericeira Municipal Market	Shopping and gastronomy	Ericeira (Bus Terminal) P5	Approximately 1.2 km
Santa Marta Park	Leisure, sports and events	Ericeira (Bus Terminal) P5	Approximately 1.2 km
Praia dos Pescadores	Beach, seafront promenade and restaurants	Ericeira (Bus Terminal) P5	Approximately 1.4 km
Praia do Sul or Praia da Baleia	Beach, bars and restaurants	Ericeira (Bus Terminal) P5	Approximately 1.5 km

Santo Isidoro Church

The Santo Isidoro section is the route’s main point of heritage interest. Santo Isidoro Church is a property listed as being of public interest, originating in the 16th century, with later transformations that left Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque traces.

The interior deserves special attention for its 17th-century tiles, the triumphal arch with Manueline features and the gilded woodcarving altarpiece. It is a suitable stop for those wishing to interrupt the rural route and visit one of the parish’s most significant historical landmarks.

📍 Location: Santo Isidoro, Mafra.
🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: R do Bacurenha 12 (X) Sto Isidoro or Estrada da Ponte 25, approximately 0.4 km away.
🏷️ Category: Historical and religious heritage.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: A combination of tilework, Manueline elements and gilded woodcarving in a listed rural church.

Ericeira World Surfing Reserve Interpretation Center

Located next to the Tourist Information Office in Praça da República, the Interpretation Center presents the relationship between Ericeira, the ocean and surfing. The experience is interactive and explains the importance of the waves, coastal fauna and flora, as well as the development of surfing in the local community.

It is a good first visit upon arriving in Ericeira, especially for those who want to understand the landscape before heading to the beaches. The center also helps contextualize the town as Europe’s first World Surfing Reserve.

📍 Location: Praça da República, in central Ericeira.
🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Ericeira Bus Terminal, approximately 1 km away.
🏷️ Category: Culture, tourism and maritime heritage.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: Immersive content about the waves, biodiversity and history of surfing in Ericeira.

Praça da República, “Jogo da Bola”

Known locally as “Jogo da Bola,” Praça da República is one of Ericeira’s main meeting points. Surrounded by traditional buildings and close to tourist and cultural facilities, the square concentrates activity in the historic center and serves as a venue for concerts, theater and outdoor performances.

The site is particularly interesting in the late afternoon, when visitors can combine a break at cafés and establishments in the center with a walk through the old streets toward the coast. The cultural program varies throughout the year, so it is worth checking events before traveling.

📍 Location: Ericeira historic center.
🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Ericeira Bus Terminal, approximately 1 km away.
🏷️ Category: Square, urban gathering place and events.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: A central point for exploring the town and following the municipal cultural program.

Jaime Lobo e Silva House of Culture

This cultural facility occupies a historic building in the heart of Ericeira, next to Largo do “Jogo da Bola” and Praia dos Pescadores. The space includes a library, exhibition galleries and an auditorium with capacity for 174 people, offering a program that may include theater, music, lectures and visual arts exhibitions.

The building also preserves the memory of Ericeira’s former casino and cinema-casino, whose history helps explain the town’s transformation into a seaside resort. For those who prefer a cultural outing, it is one of the most comprehensive options in the central area.

📍 Location: Rua Mendes Leal, Ericeira.
🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Ericeira Bus Terminal, approximately 1.1 km away.
🏷️ Category: Library, exhibitions and performances.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: It brings together different cultural functions in a historic building connected to the town’s former casino.

Ericeira Municipal Market

To experience Ericeira through its flavors, the Municipal Market is one of the most interesting stops in the center. The ground floor is associated with fresh fish and seafood, while the other areas contain stalls selling flowers, fruit, vegetables, products from the saloia region and handicrafts.

The market retains an atmosphere connected to fishing traditions and is an option for those looking for local products rather than a meal exclusively at restaurants. It also periodically hosts activities such as cooking demonstrations and tastings.

📍 Location: Rua do Mercado, 22, Ericeira.
🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Ericeira Bus Terminal, approximately 1.2 km away.
🏷️ Category: Traditional shopping and gastronomy.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: Fish, seafood, agricultural products, flowers and handicrafts brought together in a market connected to local identity.

Santa Marta Park

Santa Marta Park is the itinerary’s main option for those seeking outdoor recreation. The area includes gardens, seating areas, a children’s playground, skating rink, fitness area and sports facilities, including padel and tennis courts.

The facilities also include a 12-hole mini-golf course available for free use, with clubs and balls available for rent. The park’s amphitheater hosts concerts and other events, making it a versatile choice for families, sports enthusiasts and visitors who want to rest before continuing through the center.

📍 Location: Largo de Santa Marta, Ericeira.
🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Ericeira Bus Terminal, approximately 1.2 km away.
🏷️ Category: Park, sports, recreation and events.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: It combines green areas, sports facilities, mini-golf and an amphitheater in a single space.

Praia dos Pescadores

Praia dos Pescadores, also called Praia do Peixe, is located in central Ericeira and retains a direct connection to fishing activity. The cove is protected by the seawall and elevated promenade, where a range of restaurants and seafood establishments are concentrated.

It is one of the best choices for ending the outing with a sea view, watching the boats and sampling coastal cuisine. During the bathing season, the beach has lifeguard supervision and a support bar, as well as conditions for activities such as surfing, bodyboarding and diving.

📍 Location: Ericeira’s seafront.
🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Ericeira Bus Terminal, approximately 1.4 km away.
🏷️ Category: Beach, seafront promenade and restaurants.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: A central cove with fishing traditions, restaurants and seafood establishments beside the seawall.

Praia do Sul or Praia da Baleia

Located at the southern end of Ericeira, Praia do Sul or Praia da Baleia offers an extensive, relatively sheltered stretch of sand accompanied by a seafront promenade with bars and restaurants. It is an alternative to Praia dos Pescadores for those who want to walk beside the ocean in a more open setting.

The beach also has an ocean swimming pool and is often visited by bathers during the warmer months. Reaching it from the terminal requires a longer walk than the sites in the center, but it can be combined with a stroll along the waterfront and through the town’s streets.

📍 Location: Southern Ericeira.
🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Ericeira Bus Terminal, approximately 1.5 km away.
🏷️ Category: Beach, leisure and gastronomy.
⭐ Distinguishing feature: Broad sandy beach, seafront promenade, bars, restaurants and ocean swimming pool.

Route 2118 is therefore primarily a practical weekday connection, but it can also serve as a gateway to an outing between the rural interior of Santo Isidoro and Ericeira’s seafront. Since only one departure has been provided in the outbound direction and none in the return direction, it is essential to check the service in advance and plan the return using another route or means of transportation. Upon arriving at the Bus Terminal, the main attractions are concentrated in the center and can be linked on foot in an itinerary combining heritage, the market, green spaces, culture and beaches.

Guide to Route 2118: from rural Monte Bom to Ericeira’s beaches, culture and flavors