Now that we’re officially in autumn, it’s a good idea to have some rainy day activities in your back pocket. Luckily, Ericeira has plenty of options.

Cafe Crawl

There are so many speciality cafes downtown where you can take shelter in bad weather. Not only are the interiors charming, but the coffee and treats are delicious, and well worth a trip. Some of our favorites include the Capsule, Tiger & Chick, Dear Rose Café, and Sano Café. These cafes are all located in the center of the village, so you can easily walk between them and try different speciality drinks and pastries.

Explore Mafra Palace

Museums are always a great option on stormy days. Mafra Palace, located just 15 minutes away from Ericeira, is a must-see monument. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a massive convent and palace, built in the Baroque style. You can spend hours inside the palace, walking through ornate halls, examining gorgeous paintings and artifacts, and reading about Portugal’s history. A highlight of the palace tour is the expansive library, notable for its rare books, as well as the bats that live inside and help preserve the books by eating pests.

If you want to extend your stay, Mafra Palace is also the home to the National Music Museum. You can get tickets to both the palace and museum and combine them into one visit. The Music Museum hosts a vast collection of rare and antique musical instruments, as well as some fun interactive exhibits.

Try your hand at Pottery

Ceramics play a huge part in Portugal’s artistic identity. Taking a pottery class is a great way to tap into Portugal’s rich tradition of ceramics and be creative.

There are several studios in Ericeira that offer a variety of workshops. Tia Lie Casa Criativa does wheel throwing workshops, as well as classes on making your own ceramic jewelry. Ericeira Ceramic Studio offers hand building, wheel throwing, and raku classes. Another one of our favorite studios is MATE Ceramics, which has a beautiful selection of ceramics available for purchase, and also hosts classes on hand building and wheel throwing.

Get Creative with an in-house Watercolor Workshop

If you’re itching to use your creative side but don’t want to head into town for a ceramics workshop, talk to the O House team about organizing an in-house watercolor workshop. We partner with a local artist who can bring materials right to the hotel and teach a hands-on class. Let your creative side run wild as you play with paints, learn new techniques, and sip tea in the cozy common room.

Relax with a Massage or Yoga Class

If you’re looking for relaxation, there are several options in town. For massages, check out Sabaidee Thai Massage. They have a good selection of massages and are located by Praia do Sul, making for an easy drive from O House to the studio.

If you’re interested in yoga, Ericeira Yoga Studio offers classes in English and Portuguese and caters to yogis of all levels. Popular classes include their yin yoga, vinyasa flowers, and aerial yoga.

Depending on availability, we may also be able to host a yoga class at O House. We work with some incredible instructors who can travel to the hotel and lead a variety of classes, whether it be yoga, meditation, breath work, or sound bathing.

Climb at Ericeira Boulder

Surfing isn’t the only adventure sport you can do in Ericeira. There’s also a thriving climbing community, and the local gym is the perfect place to spend a rainy day.

Located in Ribamar, Ericeira Boulder features a wide range of routes, with options for beginners and advanced climbers alike. It’s a bouldering-only gym, so no need to worry about a harness or rope. All you need are some climbing shoes (they rent these out at the gym if you don’t have your own) and you’re good to go.

You can easily spend several hours trying different routes and challenging yourself. If you want a break, head over to their bar and grab a beer or smoothie. Lounge on the sofa as you enjoy your drink and cheer on your friends.

No matter your interests, Ericeira has something to offer, even when it’s raining outside. For artistic travelers, consider a painting class. For those who love adventure and sports, give climbing a try. If all you want is to cozy up with a book as the rain patters against the window, consider heading to one of Ericeira’s coffee shops and spending the afternoon reading with a cup of coffee.