Surfing is a difficult but impressive sport, and great if you can control this sport. If after all this time practising and training you can finally call yourself a true surfer, it is of course great to look for the best waves. For every surfer it is a dream to surf in Hawaii or California, but let’s start with one of Europe’s best surf spots: Portugal! Portugal is located in the extreme Southwest of Europe. The west and south coast of Portugal is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. This means that Portugal is rich in waves. Besides, it is one of the warmest countries in Europe because of its Mediterranean climate. Always ideal weather for surfing! We will tell you everything about the most impressive surf spots in Portugal.
Top 5 surf spots in Portugal
The west and south coast of Portugal have enough beaches where you can enjoy the best waves. In addition, they often organise surfing competitions on one of these beaches. Below, we’ve collected the 5 best surf spots in Portugal for you. Take your notebook and start writing!
Carcavelos
Carcavelos is located in the Southwestern part of Portugal, about half an hour driving from Lisbon. The beach is one of the most popular and visited beaches of the city, and that is why we recommend to get as early as possible to avoid the crowds and get a good spot, especially in summer. Around this time the beach is so crowded that it becomes difficult to surf without hitting anyone. That is why we recommend visiting this beach during low season, because even then the waves are perfect. Do you prefer going during summer times? Then you could possibly drive a few minutes on the Parede or S.Pedro road, which will automatically lead you to some quiet beaches. Are you a novice surfer? Then this is a perfect beach to practise, because in addition to its high waves, this beach also has smaller waves.
Besides, you will find many restaurants and bars in the area with good food. The beach also has shower spaces, toilets and a volleyball and basketball court if you want to take a break from surfing.
Coxos
Coxos, in the Ericeira region, on the Southwest coast of Portugal is undoubtedly one of the best surf spots in Portugal. The waves are suitable for advanced surfers and if the conditions are right it will be guaranteed to be busy. A lot of water that flows along the rocks ensures that getting in and out of the water becomes a game of patience. The waves can reach a height of up to 3 metres! They are at its best during autumn and winter. Early in the morning during the winter it can be cold, but the sun will heat up the place around the morning. The temperature of the water in January is about 12 degrees and in October about 18 degrees. Lisbon is a 30 minute drive from Coxos, so there is always time to take a rest day and enjoy the atmosphere in the capital city. With this travel guide you will learn everything about Lisbon!
Peniche
Peniche is a peninsula of Portugal that is well-known by most surfers. It is suitable for starters and for the best in the world. The only drawback to this peninsula is that it can be busy, but that isn’t for no reason, the island has many surf options. If the waves on one side of the island are too intense, then on the other side it is often good.
A well-known surfing spot from Peniche is Supertubos. The name says it all! This beach undoubtedly has the best waves in Portugal. The waves are best with a Northeast wind, a decent Southwest wave and mid tide, but these conditions do not occur every day. At the end of autumn, and during winter, you are most likely to hit high waves. Although the bottom is sandy, the strokes are very strong and you have to be careful to keep your board away. It is generally a popular beach, so do not be surprised if you come across several surfers here.
Zavial
Zavial is a beautiful, hidden pearl on the south coast of Portugal. It is located in the southwest corner of the Algarve and is a famous surfing spot. However, it is not a tourist beach but more a local spot, hence there is only one restaurant. Also, these waves are not suitable for beginners. The waves are most beautiful from 1 metre and break the best from mid to high tide. If you nest in the water close to the rocks, then wait for the best waves, you will see a nice wave coming from the right side of the bay. For a trip you could drive to Lagos and discover the fort and the lighthouse at Cape St. Vincent.
Sagres
Sagres, located on the most south-western tip of Portugal, is very popular among surfers. Sagres is a 3 hour drive from Lisbon, and a 2 hour drive from Faro. Thanks to the different beaches with different heights waves. For this reason, you will encounter here both advanced and beginners. Sagres is divided into three beaches: Mareta (south side), Tonel (west side), and Martinhal, which lies in between. In Martinhal you will find smaller waves, perfect for beginners. In Mareta, the waves are generally smaller but here they can also get higher, and in Tonel there are usually higher waves and more rocks in the water. If you are looking for high waves, it is best to go between October and April.
A nice trip next to surfing is to visit the extreme point of Sagres: Cape St. Vincent. Here you will have the feeling to be at the end of the world.
These were our 5 best surf spots in Portugal! Have you been able to choose a favourite? The beaches are generally not very far from each other, so it would even be possible to visit several in one holiday. Anyway, we are very curious about your experiences!
