Learn to surf in Portugal

Beginner surf spots in Portugal

Quietest first.

Where to learn, area by area

Ericeira Town & South · Ericeira

• Foz do Lizandro: Foz do Lizandro is a wide sandy beach at the mouth of the Lizandro river, just south of Ericeira. The waves are slow and soft, and it's where most surf schools in the area teach.

A week here costs from about $287 with flights from Europe, or around $871 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $500 →

Costa Vicentina · The Algarve

• Amado: Amado is a wide, open beach just south of Carrapateira and one of the most consistent spots in the Algarve. The peaks move along a long stretch of sand, so there's room for everyone.

A week here costs from about $287 with flights from Europe, or around $843 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $500 →

Sagres & Lagos · The Algarve

• Zavial: A sheltered right-hand point tucked into a small bay near Sagres, and one of the more forgiving quality waves on this stretch of coast. Zavial breaks over a mix of sand and rock, giving a friendlier, more predictable wave than the exposed points further north.
• Tonel: Tonel is the small beach right below the town of Sagres. Cape St Vincent shelters it from the strongest wind and swell, so it often stays surfable when other beaches are blown out.
• Meia Praia: Meia Praia is a long, wide beach running east from Lagos marina. It faces south-east, so it only gets small, soft waves, even when the west coast is huge.
• Mareta: A small, sheltered cove right by Sagres town, popular for its wind protection and gentle, easy-going wave. Mareta breaks over sand in soft, forgiving peaks, one of the calmest options anywhere on this exposed stretch of coast.

Cascais & Estoril · Lisbon Coast

• Carcavelos: Carcavelos is Lisbon's main surf beach, about 25 minutes by train from Cais do Sodré. It's a wide sandy bay that picks up most swells, from knee-high to overhead.
• São Pedro do Estoril: A small, sheltered beach break tucked into the built-up Estoril coastline, and a friendlier alternative to the bigger, busier beaches nearby. São Pedro do Estoril breaks over sand in soft, manageable peaks that suit surfers stepping up from their first lessons.
• Praia das Maçãs: A small swell option on the Sintra coast north of Lisbon, rideable from low to mid tide when the bigger west-facing beaches are maxed out. Praia das Maçãs breaks over sand in manageable, approachable peaks, a useful lower-swell alternative on this stretch.

A week here costs from about $315 with flights from Europe, or around $920 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $500 →

Costa da Caparica · Lisbon Coast

• Costa da Caparica: A long, open beach directly across the river from Lisbon, and the city's classic weekend surf escape. Caparica's main strip breaks over sand in punchy, well-shaped peaks that handle a good range of swell without ever getting as heavy as the exposed spots up the coast at Guincho.
• Fonte da Telha: The quiet end of Caparica's long beach, reached by driving or riding the summer beach train down past the crowds. Fonte da Telha keeps the same open, sandy character as the main strip but with a fraction of the people, backed by pine-covered dunes instead of beach bars and apartment blocks.

São Miguel · Azores

• Populo: One of São Miguel's most consistent and best-loved beach breaks, a short drive from Ponta Delgada on the island's south coast. Populo breaks over dark sand in a series of manageable, well-shaped peaks, picking up more swell than most of the sheltered southern coastline thanks to its more open exposure.

A week here costs from about $630 with flights from Europe, or around $1,322 travelling comfortably. See other surf trips under $1,000 →

Terceira · Azores

• Praia da Vitória (Vietnam): Praia da Vitória, nicknamed Vietnam, is the long town beach on Terceira's east coast and the easiest wave on the island. It's an open beach break with plenty of room.

When to go

May to September, when the waves are smaller and the water is warmer. The big winter swells are too much for a first lesson.

Best time to surf Portugal, month by month →

Months when at least one zone is at its best: January · February · March · April · September · October · November · December