There’s nowhere quite like Portugal for surfing. The coastline is peppered with breaks for every ability, friendly surf towns, and a laid-back pace that gets under your skin. Brilliant surf spots stretch north and south—so no matter if you’re just finding your feet or you crave a proper adrenaline rush, this country’s got plenty for you.
The type of waves you end up chasing, and the best times or places to head out, often come down to your own confidence and experience in the water. What feels perfect for an old hand might seem daunting to someone just starting out, so it’s no surprise that the Portuguese coastline dishes up very different surf experiences depending on skill level and personal style.
Where in Portugal has the best surfing?
Portugal’s finest surf is found along much of the Atlantic west coast, stretching from the green north to the sunbaked Algarve in the south. Beginner-friendly beaches crop up all over, especially close to Lisbon and in the Algarve. The central region, including Peniche, Nazaré, and Ericeira, is more famed among seasoned surfers. Ericeira tends to lead the pack as the surfing capital of Portugal. It’s a true surf stronghold with a World Surfing Reserve badge to its name, an ever-growing surf culture, and waves for all skill levels.
Best surf spots in Portugal for beginners
Starting out on a surfboard? Here’s where the waves tend to be forgiving, the vibes are laidback, and you’ll find surf schools gearing up fresh faces all year round.
Praia de Carcavelos (Lisbon)
Praia de Carcavelos sits just a stone’s throw from Lisbon, drawing a lively crowd with its generous stretch of golden sand and welcoming beginner-friendly waves. The ever-reliable beach breaks here are ideal for mastering the basics. Numerous surf schools line the promenade, including Feel Free Surf School and Angels Surf School, which offer group classes, one-to-one lessons and surfboard rentals. Students in Lisbon will also be happy to see that classes are available to Erasmus students.
Beyond the surf, Carcavelos has a proper local buzz—grab a pastel de nata and strong coffee at a beach café or sample fresh seafood at one of the restaurants with ocean views. Volleyball courts, open-air gyms, and an array of surf bars give the area a sociable, energetic feel. Trains from central Lisbon make it almost too convenient, and it's hands down one of the best beaches near the capital city.
Praia do Amado, Algarve
Amado Beach is often named among the best surf spots in south Portugal for beginners and intermediates. This rugged stretch of Costa Vicentina near Bordeira is a real favourite for those looking to sharpen their skills on the Algarve’s west coast. The wide, gently curving bay serves up mellow, forgiving peaks with enough variety to keep things interesting. The sheer amount of space means there’s always room to find your own wave. Surf schools like Amado Surf Camp offer month-long surf camps with accommodation included. Plus, there are hire huts dotted right along the beach, so it’s easy to get set up—even if you’re trying surfing for the first time.
What really sets Amado apart is the dramatic, untouched scenery surrounding it. Red cliffs, rolling dunes and the ever-present Atlantic fill every vista, making it a day out as much about wild nature as fun in the water. After a session, you can stroll up the boardwalk for a snack from one of the food trucks perched above the sand and take in the sunset, one of the best in the region, before heading back along winding coastal roads.
Praia do Cabedelo, Figueira da Foz
Cabedelo Beach, on the edge of Figueira da Foz, is a staple in any list of best surf spots in Portugal for beginners and families. The beach serves up steady, beginner-friendly waves throughout most of the year, with autumn and winter bringing nicely shaped Atlantic swells that keep things lively.
Located on Portugal's Silver Coast, this spot has earned a reputation as a good surf spot not just for its mellow breaks, but also for its spacious sands, protective dunes and very decent facilities. It’s easy to see why it’s such a hit for group surf trips and those just starting out.
You’ll find a friendly local surf scene, a safe swimming area, and a number of surf schools. Surfing Figueira is a solid choice if you’re hoping to get some coaching right on the sand. The jetty creates fun, rideable “jettybreak” peaks, while the beach itself is kitted out with showers, cafes and sheltered spots for a picnic.
Best intermediate surf spots in Portugal
Already confident with your pop-up and keen to progress? These surf spots will offer a solid test as you chase better waves and refine your skills.
Baleal, Peniche
Baleal has become a staple among the best intermediate surf spots in Portugal. The gently shelving beach and series of sandbanks serve up peaks to suit a range of surfers, especially those keen to move beyond whitewater. The peninsula’s unique geography—where you’re never far from shelter or open swell—means you can almost always find a wave that matches your ability or mood. It’s often a top pick for those seeking good surf spots in central Portugal.
The village and surrounding area are loaded with easy-going hostels, beach flats, and surf camps. For lessons or gear, you’ll find plenty of schools to choose from Baleal Surf Camp and Drop In Surf Center are both reputable names with experienced instructors. Many of these schools offer group and private sessions depending on the swell and time of year.
Ericeira, Algarve
Ericeira stands out as one of the best surf towns in Portugal, just a breezy drive north of Lisbon. It truly lives up to its world surfing reserve title. The town’s coastline is a playground for intermediates, offering a mix of beach breaks like Foz do Lizandro for those progressing past the basics, plus trickier reefs such as Praia dos Pescadores. The famous Coxos is there for when you’re ready to push yourself a bit further. The variety makes it one of the best surf spots in Portugal for anyone keen to progress, with local outfits like Extra Surf School and Activity Surf Centre well regarded for group and one-to-one coaching.
It’s not all about the waves here—Ericeira itself is a charming fishermen’s village laced with cobbled streets, blue-trimmed houses, and a laidback energy. Off the water, you might wander up to Mafra for a pastel de nata or take a day trip to Sintra’s palaces. The local food scene deserves its own mention, especially the legendary marisqueiras (seafood restaurants) serving up heaps of the day’s catch.
Sagres, Algarve
Sagres, perched right at the southwest tip of Europe, is a genuine all-rounder and one of the best surf towns in Portugal for those who thrive on variety. Here you’ll find the full spectrum primarily along Tonel Beach, and Zavial a little further out. Friendly beach breaks for less experienced surfers, as well as exposed points and punchier swells that draw intermediates and above, especially as the autumn and winter Atlantic storms roll in. The dramatic scenery—sheer cliffs, windswept beaches and rolling ocean—sets a wild backdrop that’s hard to beat.
But there’s far more to Sagres than the waves themselves. In between sessions, you can swap your wetsuit for hiking boots and tackle clifftop trails, or head out with Divers Cape for a spot of scuba diving. There’s a laid-back local feel, plus plenty of choice for boat trips, paddleboarding, and dolphin watching with companies like Cape Cruiser. Away from the water, you’ve also got the windswept Cape of St. Vincent and the 16th-century Sagres Fortress to explore.
Best surf spots in Portugal for pros
If you’re ready for serious muscle, hollow waves, or those wild days that put Portugal on the international surfing map, give these a look.
Praia do Norte, Nazaré
Norte Beach, at Nazaré, is the stuff of surfing legend, being home to Portugal's biggest wave. This beach has earned its reputation as one of the best surf beaches in Portugal—and honestly, in the world—thanks to the mind-bending waves that roll in every winter. An underwater canyon just offshore ramps up the swell, creating gigantic waves that regularly draw the bravest pros on the planet. If you’re keen for a proper spectacle, winter brings crowds to the Miradouro do Suberco, where you can watch surfers try their luck against some of the largest rideable waves ever recorded.
Nazaré itself is an atmospheric fishing town that has embraced its big-wave fame. Local surf schools like Nazare Surf School are on hand if you’re hoping to get a taste of the action. However, only the truly experienced should attempt the peak here. To soak up the local flavour, grab a plate of grilled sardines or a hearty bowl of caldeirada after a day at the beach.
Arrifana, Costa Vicentina
Arrifana is a standout among the best surf spots in south Portugal for experienced surfers and bodyboarders. The horseshoe-shaped bay, hemmed in by dramatic cliffs, provides a spectacular stage for serious point breaks that come alive when the Atlantic swell is up. On a good day, waves here get fast and powerful.
The beach itself is just a stroll from a little fishing village, so there’s plenty of local colour to soak up in between sessions. After surfing, it’s well worth rambling through the Costa Vicentina National Park, catching sweeping coastal views or just unwinding with a coffee overlooking the bay.
Espinho, Aveiro
Espinho sits on Portugal’s northern coast and is known among the surfing crowd as a spot that doesn’t pull any punches. The beach itself stretches out with soft golden sand, but the real draw here is the raw power of its Atlantic swell. Waves can be unpredictable, making Espinho one of the best surf spots in north Portugal for experienced surfers after a challenge. If you’re confident in bigger, rougher surf and want to test yourself, this is a spot that regularly rewards commitment.
Beyond the adrenaline, Espinho has a bit of old-school seaside fun to it. When the conditions are too wild for an ocean dip, there’s a saltwater pool beside the sand, which is a handy option for kids and more cautious swimmers. Off the beach, the town offers everything from good seafood to a classic casino for a post-surf wind down.
Paúl do Mar, Madeira
Paúl do Mar, tucked away in the island’s southwest corner, serves up a hefty dose of raw Atlantic power that experienced surfers can really sink their teeth into. It’s also one of the places where surfing first took off in Portugal back in the 1970s. The breaks here dish out a steady mix of lefts and rights, thanks to the island’s rugged volcanic coastline and year-round exposure to ocean swells. Surfing here can be technical and demanding, but those with confidence and a bit of know-how are rewarded with long, powerful rides and a crowd-free setting. Some say these are the best waves you’ll find outside mainland Portugal.
The village clings to the base of towering cliffs, lending Paúl do Mar a wild, remote charm. Surf conditions can shift quickly with the weather and seasons, so it pays to check local forecasts and treat the place with respect. Off the water, the peaceful nature of Madeira and its dramatic landscapes add an extra layer to the experience, making this corner of Portugal’s surfing map one for the adventurous.
Supertubos, Peniche
Supertubos, just outside Peniche, is often called the “European Pipeline” for good reason. This stretch of sand is world-famous for its fast, hollow, and heavy barrels. Autumn and winter are when Supertubos truly comes to life, pumping out powerful tubes that regularly feature on world tour circuits, and providing some of the best surf beaches in Portugal for high-performance riding.
When the competitions roll into town, Peniche transforms into a buzzing surf mecca with crowds flocking to watch top athletes push their limits in the water. The energy on and off the beach is electric, but this spot is strictly for experienced surfers as the waves don’t offer much margin for error. Even if you’re not paddling out, Supertubos is well worth a visit for the spectacle alone.
Is surfing in Portugal safe?
Surfing in Portugal is generally a safe bet, especially if you’re heading to spots with a good reputation for beginner-friendly waves. Most of the well-known beaches have lifeguards around, clear flag systems, and no shortage of surf schools ready to run you through the basics.
- Stick to mellow, well-patrolled beaches if you’re just starting out, and don’t be shy about signing up for a lesson or two.
- Check conditions before you paddle out: tides, weather, and flags on the sand all matter.
- The right board (and a decent wetsuit) makes a world of difference.
- Know your own limits and, if in doubt, take a mate with you for extra peace of mind.
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