Perfect A-frame beach-breaks, hollow reef breaks, monster waves, shallow slabs & mellow shoulders. Portugal is one big surfing gem, with all kind of waves for every surfing level.

The best tourist destination of the world (for the second year in a row) is a small country with a huge coastline, directly exposed to the roaring Atlantic Ocean, with 1,214 kilometers (754 mi) of waves to be discovered.

Besides the stunning beaches, warm weather, lovely food, great wine and warm people, Portugal is the best surfing destination in Europe – hosting 7 WSL events, holding the Guinness World record for the biggest wave ever surfed and owning the only world surfing reserve in Europe.

With near 300 sunny days a year and approximately zero flat days, Portugal receives consistent Atlantic North swells all year round, usually displaying 4 seasons:

Spring: Mar-Jun | 5-10ft good waves | 21ºC average air temp | Sea 17ºC | Few crowds
Summer: Jun-Set | 3-6ft waves | Awesome weather of 27ºC average | Sea 19.5ºC | Onshore winds | Good for beginners | Very Crowded
Fall: Set-Dec | 5-10ft awesome waves | 21ºC average air temp | Sea 18ºC | Offshore light winds | Fewer crowds
Winter: Dec-Mar | 6-16ft big and powerful waves often | Offshore Winds | No Crowd | Sheltered (usually flat) places like Algarve and Cascais having great surf and Nazaré firing 60footers | 17ºC average air temp with showers | Sea 15ºC

For beginners, the summer season is just perfect, with awesome weather and small/medium waves to learn.
For advanced surfers, the best time to surf in Portugal is September-October-November when the good swells hit the coast again, the weather is still summery, the water is at its warmest, winds turn offshore and crowds are fewer. April-May are also good, with consistent waves and nice weather. If you don´t mind the thick rubber and the occasional showers, the winter is the best season for big wave hunting and spots that are usually flat, light up perfectly.

The country has regions: North, Center, Ericeira, Peniche, Lisbon, Alentejo and Algarve

Since Portugal has great infrastructures, you’ll be able to go to every surfing spot from the Airport (Lisbon, Porto or Faro) by car, with campervans being one of the most popular ways to explore the coast. You can also hit the Portuguese archipelagos of Azores and Madeira by plane and still expect world-class waves within the same seasons.

Portuguese waves are very powerful and even a 1foot wave can snap you board in half (fact)

Despite having a great demand by surfers advanced and beginners alike, bear in mind that the Atlantic Ocean unleashes its whole power on these beaches and so be careful.

The go-to beach for basically every lisboner is just 10 minutes from the center. Despite being flat during the north summer swells, after September, when the swells build-up coming from W, this place literally turns into a san- bottomed Pipeline with the heaviest pits around.

At the south side of the river from Lisbon, at a 15minute trip by car over the Portuguese equivalent of San Francisco Bridge (same builder actually), lies a 30km stretch of sandy beach with the same amount of surf peaks to be ridden. This super consistent surf region works all year round and is most sought by surfers on the jetties of the villa, opening into a wide beach where you can even find yourself alone if you care to go the distance.

In the region of Cascais, at a 20minute drive from Lisbon, this beautiful beach is where the North Atlantic Ocean unleashes its power. One of the most consistent surf beaches all year round, has a sand bottom with multiple peaks that packs a punch. Gets windy during the summer. Don´t miss the chance to explore the villa of Cascais and its Charms.

In the picturesque region of Sintra, at half-an-hour ride from Lisbon, Praia Grande (Big Beach) is a sand bottom break with multiple shifting peaks that can handle big crowds. The waves haves are really power and with the right conditions.

The only World-Surfing Reserve in Europe is a stretch of coast about 5km (8mi.) filled with surf spots to discover, from world known reef breaks, to secret slabs or fun beach breaks. About 35minutes from Lisbon, this charming fishing village is named after the amount of sea urchins that live in the (super sharp) reef. Watching your step at all times is strongly advised.

Ribeira D’Ilhas is one of Europe’s finest. A big reef in front of some beautiful cliffs set the mood for a magnificent & long right-hander to drool for. Great accessibility, café, surf schools. An unforgettable postcard waves. A truly beautiful place that works all year round.

Coxos is the best beachless beach you’ll ever surf. This long, hollow, power and fast right-hand reef break can provide you the ride of your life or a big trip to a reef full of urchins and leave you boardless. Getting in and out is difficult and so are the skilled crowds.

Cave. The name, even in English, is self-explanatory. The Portuguese definition of a slab wave that a provides a monster barrel below sea level. This true wave of consequence is a right-hander that is only fit for the savviest tube-seeker like Kelly Slater or John John Florence (that ended injured here)

On the opposite side of Coxos, from the bay of 3 Irmãos, sits Crazy Left. The name also speaks for itself. Expect a powerful left-hander over some shallow reef and some powerful rip currents.

This powerful left-hander rolls over a shallow slab of reef, producing a perfect barrel.

To the right of Pedra Branca, reef is a shallow slab with a perfect right-hander. And we mean really shallow.

This long beach break is Ericeira’s swell magnet, offering multiple peaks.

Peniche is a peninsula that provides surf all-year round and a chance to always surf somewhere with offshore. One hour away from Lisbon, you might have heard by now of the massive barrels and crazy airs (such as Julian Wilson’s Alley-Oop or Kelly Slater’s 540) that that keep everyone coming for more.

The name says it all: Supertubos. This world-class beach break is one of the best waves in Portugal and the World. A hollow, fast and powerful barrel.

This picturesque right-hander is a reef break set in front of a Castle on top of the stunning cliff . With a tight take-off zone, you’ll able to make long mellow rides. Watch out for the reef and urchins.

On the corner of a big sandy bay full of peaks, lies a wave usually fit for beginners, although with the right conditions it can provide epic rides.

This powerful and uncrowded beach break offers lefts and rights that with the right conditions can offer some barrels.

Belgas is a beach break with lefts and rights that pack a punch. A good option if you’re looking for smaller crowds.

With stunning cliffs, marvelous beaches and clear waters, the Southwest of Portugal receives swells all year round and is always sunnier and warmer than the rest of the Country (and even Europe). Once Europe’s best kept secret, this region has won 6x the award of the Best Beach Holiday Destination in Europe by the World Travel Awards Europe. While the west coast works all year, the crowded south coast is best for surfing during the winter when bigger swells hit the coast.

Below a massive cliff and after a steep slope, lies a secluded and stunning beach with two surfing options: a beach break that works with swells under 6ft and a right-point break at the north end of the beach that works over 6ft and provides shallow rides and barrel sections.

Bordeira Beach (also known as Carrapateira) is a swell magnet that generates good and powerful waves. Expect long lefts on the low tide and fast rights on mid to high tides into the river mouth.

On the south of Bordeira, after a stunning path to the sea, Amado is a long beach break, quite consistent with several fun peaks. Gets quite crowded with surf schools.

Cordoama is a long beach in front of gorgeous cliffs, with multiple fun peaks that work all year.

Beliche is a small beach facing south on Sagres town, with a bollow peaks that works best with south and west swell and north swells.

Tonel is the most consistent wave in Sagres town, suitable for everyone. When the conditions are ideal, it really lights-up.

One of the best spots in the South Coast of Portugal, Zavial is a fast and powerful wave that works best with west or southwest swells. Gets crowded.

The Center of Portugal is the proud owner of 2 Guinness World Records for the biggest wave ever surfed. Well known for the monster waves of Nazaré and the longest right-handers of Figueira da Foz, this off-the-beaten-path region has an endless array of waves. Least known is the North Region of Portugal. Here the swells are powerful and the air and sea temperatures are colder. But fear not. These regions are filled with perfect waves to be discovered – and lesser crowds. If you get there, don´t miss the chance to explore the charming city of Porto – 3 times Best European Destination award winner.

This stunning beach is a legendary surf break that conquered the World Record of Biggest Wave Ever Surfed – twice. After traveling the ocean, the North Atlantic swells roll over a 5km depth underwater-canyon for a distance of 230km, just before hitting the shallow sandbars of Praia do norte – instantly multiplying the size of the swell and producing a monster of a wave. The power of this wave is unmatchable and provides the craziest barrels, but it’s still surfable on every other day. Expect this peak to always be bigger than everywhere else.

In Cabedelo, south of Figueira da Foz, a jetty offers some wedgy, hollow and fast waves. There are multiple sand bottom peaks along the beach.

One of the biggest rights in Europe offers rides up to one mile with some tubular sections and big walls to be carved.

In Viana do Castelo, you’ll find some hollow barrels next to the jetty. Not very consistent.

The two stunning archipelagos of Azores and Madeira are just at a 2-hour flight distance from the mainland, both stunning in their own way and both with plenty of surf to explore.

In Madeira, Jardim do Mar is a right-hand point break that once was known for being a big wave spot.

In São Miguel Island in the Azores, Santa Barbara is a big black sand beach with several peaks with powerful and fast waves.

Portugal is a surfer’s playground, offering something for everyone, from beginners looking for mellow waves to seasoned pros chasing adrenaline-pumping barrels. With a coastline spanning world-class surf spots like Ericeira’s legendary reefs, Peniche’s consistent breaks, and the raw beauty of the Algarve, you’ll never run out of waves to ride. Add in the incredible food, rich culture, and affordable travel, and you’ve got a destination that’s as rewarding on land as it is in the water. Whether you’re paddling out for your first wave or hunting for the next big swell, Portugal delivers the goods. Grab your board and see you in the lineup.