The wind whipping your hair, the sea-spray on your skin, riding the waves that grow on the horizon and then peter out on the shore. This is what surfing is all about.
To get the full exciting and emotional experience of catching a wave, try going to one of these paradise destinations for wave lovers. We’ve selected three from Spain and three from Portugal, so there’s plenty of ideal destinations to choose from for your surfing vacation.
The sea, a surfboard and you – that’s all you need to face up to nature, get the thrill of the waves and experience the freedom that comes with this sport.
Whether you’re a newbie or a pro surfer, take a look at these ideas for enjoying the sea at the best surfing beaches on the Iberian Peninsula.
1. Santander: surfing in the Spanish city
The well-known tourist destination of Santander is the Cantabrian capital in the north of Spain, near the Basque Country. This region was a pioneer in Spain for surfing, largely thanks to Jesús Fiochi who brought a surfboard to Santander from France and started practising the sport on the Sardinero beach there.
Since then, surfing has become the most popular sport in Cantabria and surfers come to Santander from all corners of the globe to get their dose each year.
The best beach to get the full thrill of surfing is the so-called Second Sardinero Beach, which has a number of surf schools, plus loads of bars and restaurants to refresh yourself after a long day doing battle with the waves.
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2. Tarifa: surfing in southern Spain
In the province of Cadiz in the south of Spain, looking over the Strait of Gibraltar, is Tarifa, the holiday destination of choice for both surfers and people looking for a bit of R&R.
Tarifa has eight fairly wide beaches, with white sand and a clear blue sea, among which the Playa Bolonia beach is considered a real paradise for both windsurfers and surfers thanks to its constant strong winds. There is also the Cañuelo beach with its amazing natural landscape, plus Los Lances, Punta Paloma and Cala Picacho beaches where you can also have fun on your board.
If you want a break from the waves, take a walk through the streets of the city and discover some incredible historical sites like the Castle of Guzmán el Bueno, near the port.
Not too far from Tarifa are Roman ruins of the city of Bolonia, with the remains of a theatre, three temples and several houses.
Finally, you have the opportunity to take a daytrip to Morocco thanks to a daily ferry service. The journey takes just 35 minutes and you can spend a day in Tangier, then come back in the evening.
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3. Lanzarote: learn to surf in the Canary Islands
Lanzarote, one of the beautiful islands in the Canary archipelago, is an unmissable destination for surfers.
The north of the island has the famous Famara beach, a great place to go if it’s your first time on a board because of the multiple schools with courses for all levels. Far from the more touristic parts of the island, this unspoilt beach is a true beauty of nature, with a relaxed and youthful feeling.
Other beaches often frequented by surfers in Lanzarote include El Quemano, with some of the most famous and powerful waves worldwide; La Santa, a beach with high-quality waves; and Caleta Caballo beach, with various different types of waves and the opportunity for jumping and manoeuvring which is typical of freestylers.
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4. Nazaré: record-breaking Portuguese waves
Nazaré was once a fishing village in the Portuguese region of Estremadura but has now become the setting for the Big Wave Tour due to its impressive waves. This yearly competition, organised by the World Surf League, pits the best champions in the world against each other. This was where, back in 2013, Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara rode a 30-metre wave to set a world record.
These sorts of events usually take place in the wintertime when the waves are at their biggest. The summer is a good time for beginners to go to put on their wetsuits and learn how to use a surfboard like the pros.
The best place to take on these record-breaking waves, or just to watch other surfers doing their thing, is the Praia do Norte beach.
Aside from this, the city's long, crescent-shaped beach is the site of a strange spectacle – the ‘Arte Xávega’ (trawl fishing). When the fishing nets are brought in, everywhere you can hear the calls from the fish vendors walking up and down the beach in their traditional long skirts.
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5. Ericeira: World Surfing Reserve in Portugal
In the region of Lisbon, just a few kilometres from Mafra, is the pretty little village of Ericeira, the surfing capital of the world today. With ideal conditions for surfers of any ability, its coastline has been proclaimed as the first ideal location for surfing in Europe by the World Surfing Reserve, and the second in the world, after Malibu in California.
The best beaches in the area are undoubtedly Pedra Branca, Ribeira d'Ilhas, Coxos and São Lourenço. Here, beginners can take surfing lessons at one of the many schools and the already experienced surfers can master their technique. If this is your first time, you’d probably be best off on Foz do Lizandro and San Juliao beaches.
As well as surfing, this area has an excellent local gastronomy with traditional flavours of seaside towns. Try the fish and seafood dishes at the restaurants, with lobster raised in local nurseries in the ocean being particularly typical.
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6. The Algarve: catch a wave on Portugal’s south coast
The popular and sunny Algarve region in southern Portugal has several beaches which, thanks to their temperate climate, constant rate of wind and variety of waves, make for a surfers’ paradise. The best surfing areas are Sagres and Lagos.
Sagres is popular with more experienced surfers, especially in spring, autumn and winter when the waves reach their maximum height. For those just starting out on their surfing expedition, it’s better to go in the summer and to the most protected beaches where the current isn’t as strong.
This area is as special below the waves as on top of them for the wonders of the marine biodiversity to be found here. Find a secluded spot, away from the surfers, and try snorkelling.
Lagos, meanwhile, is a lively city popular with tourists where there are other good surfing beaches. Praia da Rocha beach, for example, is a good one for novice surfers, with its long stretch of golden sand and characteristic rock formations.
Meia Praia is suitable for beginners too, but also perfect for long, relaxing walks with its fine sand and tranquil atmosphere.
Finally, between Lagos and Sagres you can find the Praia da Luz beach, which is better for more expert surfers as the strong waves makes it dangerous for those who don’t have the required skill on the board yet.
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