Portugal - the surfing destination of Europe
January 15, 2022
Great surf spots around Portugal
Peniche
Home to the only European stop of the World Championship Tour in Supertubos, it’s also a singular surfing destination. Say the wind is blowing from the north - you can surf offshore in Peniche. South? The gorgeous Baleal will be pumping. East? Lots of options. West? You got it. With lots of atlantic swell that Pros love, and gentle safe corners for beginners, Peniche is a surfing paradise.
Ericeira
If your morning session and Peniche didn’t go so well, not to worry. A slo drive 40 minutes south will take you straight to Ericeira, home to a variety of breaks that will leave your surf bug itching to be scratched. Super accessible from Lisbon as well if you’re there, Ericeira is a beautiful quaint fishing town that surfers everywhere love to love, home to Kanoa Igarashi and the surf prince of Portugal, Tiago Pires, the first Portuguese surfer to make the world tour.
Sagres and beyond
Oh but you’re flying to Faro and these are too far for your surfing taste? No worries, Sagres has so much to offer a surf fanatic. Zavial, Tonel, all the breaks at Vila do Bispo going all the way up to Aljezur and its dramatic Arrifana will leave you all surfed out. All out algarve surfing if you need it.
Matosinhos
Fine, you’re landing in Porto. Surely there’s no surf out there? LOL. Surf sis, surf bro. This. is. Portugal. Matosinhos, Espinho and more are right outside your hotel door and offer some of the most amazing waves in the country. Rent a board, get a 4/3 wetsuit and get out there. Watch some of the best surfers in the country absolutely rip it in the cold northern waters of Portugal.
Bonus: The surf no crowd crowd
The central region in Portugal is often overlooked, but it’s got some beautiful beaches and waves. Figueira da Foz, home to the longest rights in the country and the craziest most comfortable wetsuits in Europe. It doesn’t end there either. Mira, Tocha, Quiaios. So many breaks, so little crowd. Come surf.
I want to learn to surf, where should I go?
Not Praia do Norte in Nazare when it’s pumping, that’s for sure. There are some great surf schools all over the country which will take you to the best local spots for beginners, give you the tools you need to be successful and share the stoke. Escola de Surf de Peniche, Dude Surf School, Onda Pura, Surf Pro. Up and down the coast, the guys and gals want to share some of the portuguese aloha with you.
How to use slo to book your surf trip
It’s late night, you’re lying in bed watching Italo Ferreira making a crazy backside rotation into the flats. You want to book a lesson tomorrow because the forecast on magicseaweed looks like beginner surfing heaven? Open whatsapp, talk to your slo assistant and say: “Please magic slo bro, my wish is a surf lesson tomorrow AM around supertubos?” Next thing you know you’ll be riding a dream tube thinking about which board to choose tomorrow. You’re Italo Ferreira himself? No worries, BRABO, we gotcha. Text us and we’ll set up the perfect pumping surf trip for you.
Go slo
So there you go, if endless calls, a pile of unmanageable emails and crappy travel sites aren’t your thing, don’t worry. They’re our thing. All you need to do is sign up on our website, start a conversation with us, and you have the best personalized agents in the world, right in your pocket. Why would you travel the old hectic way, when you can travel slo. Feel the sun and the wind in your face, worry less, travel slo.
written by slo.travel. Follow us on instagram