Where to Surf Near Lisbon

There are many very nice beaches that you could easily reach from Lisbon and most of them are good for surfing. Having this in consideration, surfing is definitely a thing for people that come here, since Lisbon is almost a year-round surf destination and that's one of the reasons why Portugal is one of the star surf destinations in Europe.

Doesn’t matter if you’re a pro surfer or you’ve never done it before, there’s always a chance to give it a try here. It is easy to find surf schools at the beach or also rent a surfboard and a wetsuit and the prices are quite affordable.

If you're curious now about where you can surf around Lisbon, these are our favorite surf beaches nearby.

🏄🏻‍♀️ Carcavelos: you can get there in 20 minutes by train. It is one of Lisbon's top-ranked beaches and has consistent waves. However, this beach is usually quite crowded during summertime.

🏄🏻‍♀️ Guincho: it is 30 minutes away from Lisbon by car, near Cascais. It has smooth waters in summer which makes it better for beginners but during the other seasons, it is a major beach for experienced surfers.

🏄🏻‍♀️ Costa da Caparica: this 30 km coastline across the Tejo River is the perfect beach for surfers from all levels, it is 30 minutes from Lisbon downtown by car and you can also find some trendy restaurants and bars at the beach.

🏄🏻‍♀️ Lagoa de Albufeira: right in the south of Costa da Caparica there is one of Portugal’s biggest lagoons that is connected to the sea. You got the best of both worlds, calm water from the lagoon and the waves from the ocean.

Don’t think about it too much and come to enjoy the waves in Portugal!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to rent a board in Lisbon?  

You can easily find a place to rent a board on basically every beach in Portugal. The prices usually vary between 10 euros/hour to 20 euros/hour. This price most of the time includes also the wetsuit, having in mind the temperature of the water, it is a must-have to surf.

How much it is to learn how to surf?

The individual price of a single class, including the rent of board and wetsuit, varies from 15 euros/hour to 25 euros/hour in more tourist places. If you choose group lessons, the price per person can go down to approximately 15 euros per person, but keep in mind that you won't have as much attention from the instructor as in a particular class, but it can be a fun activity for a group of friends to have fun together.

How to find the best board size for me?

When choosing your surfboard, you need to consider your size and weight, and your level of experience. Ideally, a beginner should be riding the equivalent of 100% of their body weight in volume. i.e. A beginner weighing 176 lbs / 80kg should be riding a surfboard of around 80 liters in volume. Alternatively, an experienced surfer can ride a board that's around 40% of their body weight. In a simple way, we can say that beginners should go for bigger ones, and decrease it's size proportionally to the increase in experience level.