Surf trips compared
Portugal vs Spain for surfing
Waves, seasons, crowds and costs side by side, from the 81 surf spots we cover in the two.
Both get the same Atlantic swell, so the real difference is the coastline. Portugal faces west and south and picks up surf almost every day of the year, from Ericeira's reefs to the Algarve's sheltered bays. Spain's north coast faces into the Bay of Biscay and needs a bigger swell, but when it works Asturias and Galicia are much emptier than the Lisbon coast, and Mundaka is one of the best lefts in Europe. In winter Spain also has the Canaries. Portugal is more consistent; Spain has more variety.
Plan and price both tripsSide by side
| Portugal | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Surf spots we cover | 46 | 35 |
| Areas | 12 | 10 |
| Beginner-friendly spots | 13 | 7 |
| Wave types | beach 89%, reef 11% | beach 62%, reef 38% |
| Best season | Sep-Apr | Sep-Apr |
| Average crowd | quiet (2.3/5) | quiet (2.2/5) |
| Flight from Europe | 2-3h | 2h |
| Daily budget (tight / comfortable) | $25 / $55 | $20 / $55 |
| A week from, with flights | $287 | $282 |
Crowd is the average of our 1 to 5 rating across all spots. Week from: seven nights on a tight budget in the cheapest area, with flights from Europe.
Month by month
| Month | Portugal | Spain |
|---|---|---|
| January | Prime (Ericeira) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| February | Prime (Ericeira) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| March | Prime (The Algarve) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| April | Prime (The Algarve) | Prime (Galicia) |
| May | Good (The Algarve) | Good (Basque Country) |
| June | Good (Porto & the North) | Good (Basque Country) |
| July | Quiet (The Algarve) | Quiet (Basque Country) |
| August | Quiet (The Algarve) | Quiet (Basque Country) |
| September | Prime (Porto & the North) | Prime (Galicia) |
| October | Prime (Ericeira) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| November | Prime (Ericeira) | Prime (Basque Country) |
| December | Prime (Ericeira) | Prime (Basque Country) |
Guides
Portugal vs Spain: common questions
Is Portugal or Spain better for beginners?
Portugal has more beginner-friendly spots: we list 13, against 7 in Spain.
Is Portugal or Spain cheaper for a surf trip?
Day to day, Spain is cheaper: from about $20 a day on a tight budget, against $25 in Portugal. A cheap week with flights from Europe starts around $287 for Portugal and $282 for Spain.
When is the best time to go to Portugal and Spain?
In Portugal, at least one region is at its best in these months: September to April. In Spain: September to April. Both are in good shape in these months: September to June.
More comparisons
Last updated October 2026. Seasons, costs and conditions change, so check the details before you book.
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