Further south are legendary barrels along the sands of Supertubos, with reefs and points to paddle out to in between. Just run your finger westwards across the map of Europe. No worries Portugal is easy to find. However, the food is wonderful, very typical and quite different from the cuisine in continental Portugal. There are three main breaks here: Tamagueira, Teimoso and Mina. Porto isnt so much a surf spot as a whole surf city. Ones up towards the Atlantic mainstays of Ericeira and Peniche. If you are bringing the board, then youre in luck. Check out our complete guide to Arrifana right now. Think we missed something? I guess its almost like an internal battle of like Do I be really selfish and surf myself or do I take him surfing and let it go? Sponsored articles are advertisement placements. Theres also a huge spread of surf camps in Portugal in terms of style. Yep that good. Sometimes tough. Its not got the most consistent surf in the country (most people come to top up the tan) but it does have a few excellent spots for beginners. Its getting busier every year Malibu is possibly the most famous longboard wave in the world. Youll also find considerably warmer water here than elsewhere in the country. On the south coast, Mareta, Martinhal and Praia do Zavial are calmer, more sheltered alternatives for learners although the latter can get fairly choppy in winter, depending on the strength of the swell. Nope: Beach breaks, gnarly reef left-and-righters, colossal big-wave swells its all here. Also reachable by a short train ride from Porto, Espinho is at the centre of a 17km (10mi) expanse of beaches stretching south from the estuary of the Douro River, featuring numerous prime surf spots. There are great deals to be had from airports (think around 600-800 for a whole month), especially if you come during off seasons like spring, winter or autumn. Check out our ultimate guide to Sagres surf. Featuring left and right breaks of varying intensity, Costa da Caparica is an ideal spot for beginners and intermediate-level surfers. Basically, we only accept advertisers who we've already written about or would write about naturally. The main motorway going south will mean drifting inland, but we prefer the slightly slower coast roads if youre heading from Lisbon to the Algarve anyhow. You can learn to surf in Comporta an artsy town with superb beaches on the Tria Peninsula as part of Culture Trips exclusive nine-day Portugal adventure. Northern Portugal may be less popular when compared to the beaches in the central and southern parts of the country, but Porto and its surrounding area are home to a few wave-riding spots. Youll be able to walk to the beach breaks around Supertubos every day. The high cliffs of Carrapateira and the bordering beaches of Bordeira combine to create some of the most stunning places to surf in the western Algarve. Similarly, intermediate and expert riders will find loads to like in Portuguese surf destinations like Ericeira and Porto, but summers can mean only small waves, while some breaks are best left to the surf schools. Others are start-out, grassroots ventures that connect learners to local surfers. Its a light beach swell that breaks onto pristine golden sand what more could you want as a beginner? Swells facing in from the N and NW give some good waves to the coves of the Lisbon Coast and the Silver Coast at this time of year. No ultimate guide to surfing Portugal could possibly be complete without at least a nod towards Peniche. Also known as Ribeira das Galinhas, this beach is quiet and secluded, with large waves that made it one of the selected venues for the World Surfing Championship of 2001. However, you usually have to wait for October for the real big waves. The crowds arent massive, but there are good vibes slinging around surf towns like Peniche and Ericeira. The accommodation is pretty standard hostel-camp stuff but its clean and affordable. Portugal hasnt become a surf mecca for nothing! It can also suffer from long flat spells, with expensive camping. Please try again. The second largest island in China after Taiwan, Hainan offers a ton of mellow left point breaks. On the south shore of Hawaii lies Queens, a break offering lengthy rides with plenty of time to perfect your hang-ten. As the days lengthen, the ocean torrents slacken just a little and opens up stretches of the Alentejo region. It borders the land of flamenco through high central mountains with rustic villages made of schist stone. A longboard can be a life-saver to score waves. Although, youll still find plenty of beginner-friendly breaks, too. More sun also means you can thin out the wetsuit a little, but thats only for the thicker skinned. They tend to ride the towns main breaks in the more chilled summer, and venture to nearby Esmoriz and beyond with learner groups. In November 2017, Brazilian surfer Rodrigo Koxa rode an 80ft (24m) wave off the coast of Nazar, a small fishing village 120km (74mi) north of Lisbon. Albufeira is a fun-loving town that was once just a humble fishing village. As the name suggests, it offers long lazy lines to noseride. As far as accommodation goes, there are campsites and a few hotels between Peniche and Baleal beach, and also a selection of simple houses and apartments for rent. The beach stretches for 30km (18mi) down the coast. ). Stacks of budget carriers head to the capital think Ryanair and EasyJet and WizzAir. Why You Should Go To The Algarve For Your Next Surf Trip, Best Surf And Yoga Retreats In Portugal For 2018, The Best Junior Female Rider and Role Model, The Hardest Working Female Contributor to the Industry. Thats the province of some excellent beach breaks. Down in the Algarve, you can still get hot days with calmer seas. We wouldnt recommend for a full-on surf holiday, but for mixing sunbathing with days on the waves, its a doozy. TheresSurf Lisbon! Both the male and female Guinness World Records for the largest waves ever surfed have been recorded here. Arrifana is probably among the top three most consistent spots in Portugal. The real key is in knowing where and when to go. The main surfing destinations in Portugal are all linked via highways and train lines that roughly run along the coast. Surviving: getting mowed down by a soft top is a real danger here. Over the years, Espinho has grown to become a very popular attraction for those in want of spending some days in the sun. The surf in Cascais is pretty darn epic. Theres a little lack of stuff for total beginners and the breaks can be hard to reach. You werent listening in geography class, ay? If you would like to receive newsletters containing all of our latest content and offers, just enter your email here. Its never been easier to reach Portugal. Man, the Surfers Lodge Peniche is some seriously slick stuff. Crowds diminish fast and lineups are just a fraction of the size at the end of the month, save in hotspots like Lisbon. required! Coastline Algarve is the go-to place for the best water and land tours, with specialized tour guides taking you to secluded grottoes and hidden beaches along the coastline. Access. momondo is part of Booking Holdings Inc., the world leader in online travel & To give you an idea, its possible to go from Lisbon to Porto in under three hours. Theyve got everything from zippy left-handers to high steep and hollow frames that curl into points. come ASAP! We got you covered. This super mellow left-hander peels over a deep reef. It has three separate take-off zones, works on all tides and delivers a perfectly shaped wave. Praia do Norte became famous for its gigantic waves, particularly after the month of November 2011. Wowza! Long-distance train and bus connections also come into Portugal from all over Europe. Speaking of Lisbon, one of the top spots for riding the waves near the capital is Costa da Caparica on the Setbal peninsula, just a 20-minute drive from the city. Simultaneously terrifying and awe-inspiring, Nazar isnt the place for casual or even intermediate surfers but you can take a funicular up to Sitio da Nazar for views of the thundering waves crashing against the craggy coastline below. Accessible by car and by foot, it is a secluded, peaceful beach with violent, turbulent waves, perfect for surfing. The reason? The rashes and respiratory illness due to the pollution are incongruous with the traditionally glamorous image of surfing Malibu. Things are rough and the waves can get high. Then you have the whopping 30-km beach break to the south, on the Costa da Caparica. Its loaded with uber-cool suites and rooms done in Bali-style polished concrete with beautiful furnishings and boho art touches. Carcavelos beach has shower rooms and toilets, and also a volleyball and basketball court if you want to take a breather from wave-hunting or working on your tan. The ASP World Tour hosts competitions in this otherwise inconspicuous fishing village once a year, bringing crowds from all over the world to witness Peniches impressive waves. Want to know the world better? The surf at this beach break is fairly mellow, increasing in size as you move further south down the beach. These days, lots of surf vans and bigger hatchbacks with boards tacked to the roof can be spotted along the coastal routes. Also, try out the regional cuisine you simply cannot leave without tasting the barbecued sardines or the traditional caldeirada, a rich, thick Portuguese fish stew. But its also a haven for surfers, who can pick between two very different coastlines. Remarkable for its dunes and wild vegetation, Praia do Cabedelo is a quiet, family-friendly beach with good facilities and an amazing view over the city of Figueira da Foz. First up is Tonel, which has some high A-frames between its daunting headlands (a doozy for intermediates looking to improve). Think of Ericeira as two distinct surfing destinations. Because Portugal is such a doozy of a holiday destination, renting a car is also a fine choice. Surf-wise, the area isnt extensively explored, offering some rugged, remote surfing with the dramatic backdrop of volcanic mountains. Burning black sand, and beginners bouncing off boards. The joy is in the variation thats offered. While Sagres is the epicentre of the Algarve surfing scene for its quality spots, this area offers visitors several other interesting activities to choose from. This right-hander is plagued by a strong rip almost as famous as the wave itself, but once youre on the wave, expect a super-long ride. Theres ample surfing in Portugal for beginners for example, with the likes of Peniche and the Algarve offering loads of spots. Something to correct? Nestled in the Cte dArgent (Silver Coast) lies a wealth of waves and Lafitnia doesnt disappoint: offering a stella righthand pointbreak. Its safer waves also tend to attract a lot of beginner surfers, so choose your timeslot and location wisely to avoid overcrowding. Read our full guide to Cascais surf right now, Wed say Lisbon is perhaps the single best surf capital in Europe. Down south, however, things can be bright and sunny in the Algarve. Peniche also comes replete with a bumping nightlife and well-seasoned surf schools. Whether youre an ardent hang-tenner, or just wishing to dust off your longboard for a cruisey session with pals, this selection of waves should sate your longboarding appetites across the globe.