What to do in Santa Cruz if you don't surf?

Yes, Santa Cruz has waves, beaches and that wild Atlantic energy people love. But if surfing is not your thing, this little coastal town still has plenty to offer: ocean viewpoints, independent shops, creative workshops, good food, handmade souvenirs and easy day trips around the Oeste region.

It is a lovely place for slow travelers, families, couples, creative people, or anyone who wants a local experience without the big-brand feeling of the city.

🌊 1. Visit the viewpoints

Santa Cruz is one of those places where you can enjoy the ocean without needing a wetsuit. You can stop at a viewpoint, breathe for a minute, take photos, sketch, or simply watch the waves crash against the cliffs.

Start with Miradouro de Santa Helena, close to the little chapel of Santa Helena (my favorite place in Santa Cruz for meditation), for a beautiful view over the coastline. Miradouro do Alto da Vela is another peaceful stop if you want a wide Atlantic view. You can also look for Penedo do Guincho, one of the most recognizable natural landmarks in Santa Cruz.

These are easy, low-effort stops. No big hike needed, just a good excuse to slow down and enjoy the landscape.

🛍️ 2. Explore local shops

One of the best things to do in Santa Cruz if you do not surf is to take time for the small local shops. This is not a place for big brands and copy-paste shopping streets. Santa Cruz has independent addresses, handmade pieces, gifts with personality and products that sometimes come directly from the hands of the shop owner.

For example, O ARTESANATO is the kind of place where you can find local craft, small decorative objects and souvenirs that feel more personal than something bought in a chain store. You might meet the owner sewing cute and colorful bags and pouches in the shop where she created her little sewing studio.

Another beautiful stop is Anima Argilla, a ceramic shop and creative space where you can paint your own ceramic piece. You do not need to book, which makes it perfect for a spontaneous afternoon, a quiet family activity, or a creative break when the weather is too hot, windy or grey.

I also offer some of my workshops at Anima Argilla, so it is a lovely place to discover local ceramics and try something creative with your hands.

🎨 3. Try a creative workshop

If you want to leave Santa Cruz with more than photos, a creative workshop is one of the most memorable things you can do.

With WaterLili, you can join relaxed workshops in Santa Cruz such as watercolor, kintsugi-inspired repair, macrame, dreamcatcher-style making and other gentle handmade activities depending on the season. The idea is simple: slow down, create something with your hands and enjoy a warm moment, even if you are a complete beginner.

You do not need to be artistic. You do not need to come with materials. You just need a little curiosity and the desire to try.

You can discover the next creative workshops in Santa Cruz or read more about why Santa Cruz is such a beautiful place for creative people in my article Santa Cruz: a hidden paradise for artists and creatives.

✨ 4. Discover the Passeio dos Poetas

Santa Cruz also has a poetic side. The Passeio dos Poetas celebrates writers connected to the village and the sea, including Antero de Quental, Joao de Barros and Kazuo Dan.

It is not the kind of activity you need to plan for hours. Think of it as a small cultural pause: a way to notice that Santa Cruz is not only about beaches and summer holidays, but also about literature, memory, landscape and inspiration.

If you like words, photography, sketching or quiet places, it is a sweet detail to add to your visit.

🥗 5. Enjoy local food

Santa Cruz is also a good place to build your day around food. You can keep it simple with coffee by the sea, or plan a full local food day with a proper lunch, a sweet break and dinner with an ocean view.

This is where I like to recommend a few different kinds of addresses:

• Art B.Eat, a very good meat restaurant for a generous meal
• Cantinetta, a great pizzeria for an easy evening
• Gelatommy, a place to enjoy delicious home made ice creams (you have to try the pistachio one!)
• Plaj, a beautiful restaurant on the beach with an amazing view over the Atlantic
• Cultivo Puro, a local farm where you can buy organic vegetables and seasonal produce.

The nice thing is that food here still feels connected to place. You can eat close to the ocean, support local businesses, buy from producers, and avoid the anonymous feeling of eating somewhere that could be anywhere.

🗺 6. Explore the surroundings

Santa Cruz belongs to the municipality of Torres Vedras, so it is also a good base if you want to explore more than the beach. Torres Vedras town is worth visiting for history, local life, food, culture and the wine-region atmosphere of the Oeste.

If you have a car, you can also plan easy day trips from Santa Cruz:

• Obidos, for a beautiful medieval village with walls, narrow streets and a very different atmosphere.
• Peniche, for fishing-town energy, dramatic coastal views and boat trips to Berlenga when conditions allow.
• Caldas da Rainha, for ceramics, markets, culture and creative inspiration in its beautiful Parque Doom Carlos.

That is one of the strengths of Santa Cruz: it feels calm and local, but you are still close to several interesting places.

🏖 7. A simple non-surfer day in Santa Cruz

If you are wondering how to organize your day, here is an easy idea:

• Start with a coffee and a quick viewpoint stop over the ocean.
• Visit a few local shops and paint a ceramic piece at Anima Argilla.
• Have lunch in Santa Cruz or nearby.
• Join a creative workshop in the afternoon.
• Add a short stop at the Passeio dos Poetas.
• Finish with a sunset drink or dinner by the ocean.

No surfboard needed. Just a slow day, local places, good food and a little creativity.

If you are staying around Ericeira and want a quieter coastal escape, Santa Cruz is a beautiful option. And if you want another creative idea for your trip, you can also read 5 reasons to try a watercolor workshop during your holidays in Portugal.