Surfing

Although Lisbon makes the perfect city break for sightseeing, nights out and cuisine it doesn't have a beach of its own. Yet only a five minutes drive or a few stops on the train, tram or bus and dozens of beautiful white sandy surf beaches await you.

Caxias

Closest to Lisbon is Caxias which, although it has a train station, it is lacking many other facilities. The golden sandy beach is popular with locals and is favoured for its left-hander barrels. There's good surf at all stages of the tide yet winter is the best time of year for surfing at Caxias when the wind direction is from the north northeast. Caxias is on the estuary of the Tejo river and its proximity to Lisbon can cause problems with pollution. | 38° 41' 55.3" N | 09° 16' 46.9" W

Santo Amaro de Oeiras

Starting at the small Forte de São João das Maias fort, the Praia de Santo Amaro de Oeiras runs a kilometre or so west accompanied with the Passeio Marítimo de Oeiras along the way. The sands are well-groomed by the local council and the beach is often utilised by players of beach sports. On the western end is the Marina de Oeiras and a plethora of amenities and yet another small fort and saltwater swimming pools.

The surf here is exposed point break that has unreliable waves. Winter is the preferred time of year for surfing. Offshore winds blow from the north with equal amounts of windswells and groundswells, the best from a southwesterly direction. Best waves at high tide and also has less chance of pollution.
38° 40' 45.5" | N 09° 18' 58.1" W

Carcavelos

Past a headland that marks the end of the Tejo river and wide-open ocean, Carcavelos is where the waters of the Atlantic first really make its presence known as its waves crash onto the wide sandy beach. Its location 20 minutes from central Lisbon make it popular with families and day-trippers. Praia de Carcavelos is one of the longest beaches on the Cascais-Estoril. The Forte de São Julião da Barra Fort defines the eastern end of the beach, although not open to the public it makes an attractive backdrop. There's a youthful feel about the place and it's a popular spot for beach football, volleyball and general larking around. The Passeio Marítimo de Oeiras (Paredão) coastal path runs the whole length which passes great establishments for sampling locally sourced seafood and watching hi-viz lycra-clad joggers rush by. The train station, however, is a leisurely ten minutes stroll from the beach.

Carcavelos beach is probably the most famous of all the Lisbon surf spots. The waves are remarkably consistent at all tide levels, mainly because Carcavelos has both Northwesterly and Southwesterly swells all year round. Waves on the east side of the beach hold more shape and side. You'll find left-hander barrels under the disused fort. The west side of the beach tends to offer up right-handers, where the swell tends to be more west-northwesterly. Carcavelos can get quite busy, especially during school holidays.
38° 40' 50.1" N | 09° 20' 20.2" W

Bafureira

Bafureira has great break waves all year round making it a popular go-to place for local surfers. The rocky nature of the beach keeps the sunbathing crowd away and poses a slight hazard. Bafureira tends to receive a mix of groundswells and windswells with the ideal swell direction coming from the southwest. The waves work best as the tide starts to recede. | 38° 41' 30.9" N | 09° 21' 56.8" W

Poça

Possibly the most challenging surf spot on this stretch of coast with most of the surf here comes from groundswells and the best swell direction is from the southwest. The waves really get going during mid-tide especially coupled with offshore winds from the north. Conditions here are not for the faint-hearted.
38° 42' 06.8" N | 09° 23' 30.5" W

Cascais is a cosmopolitan coastal town that has everything to offer all types of visitors. Its picturesque network of cobblestone streets stuffed full of cafes, bars & restaurants. A series of small tame sandy beaches connected by lively promenades line the shoreline of the town. Cascais is the ideal place to base yourself on a surfing holiday. Beyond Cascais and the headline, the coastline faces the full effect of the Atlantic. [ More About ► ]

Guincho

Exposed to the West Coast’s Atlantic breezes Guincho is a kilometre-long beach renowned for its large waves, driven by a North-northwesterly swell. The largest waves hit the coastline during the winter months and attract the more experienced surfers. Previously Guincho has hosted both World and European Surfing Championships. There's a good selection of amenities including several great eateries. There are plenty of surf schools that use Guincho as their training ground, so expect plenty of international visitors. | 38° 43' 54.7" N | 09° 28' 22.1" W

The waves which have continually battered and shaped this dramatic coastline for millennia provide excellent and consistent conditions for some of the best surfing in Europe. The two resorts of Praia das Macas and Praia Grande offer great facilities for visiting wave jockeys, whereas dozens of smaller coves and other smaller beaches offer a more secluded experience. The reliably strong currents and beach waves found here make the Cascais-Sintra coast the location of choice for national and international surf and bodyboard championships. Coupled with the close proximity to Lisbon, the surrounding beauty of the UNESCO Natural Parque of Sintra - Cascais and the charming town of Sintra a short distance away, all make this area the perfect location for a surfing holiday.

Praia das maçâs

A pleasant wide stretch of sand with plenty of amenities and facilities for water sports. Praia das Maçãs is named after the river Rio das Maçãs (also the Rio de Colares) that empties into the sea at the southern end of the beach. Maçã means apple. On its course to the sea, the river flows through several orchards. Throughout autumn, apples come floating downstream and deposit on the beach. The small town of Praia das Maçãs has developed into a pleasant resort with plenty of restaurants, cafés, bars, craft shops and a choice of accommodation. The Sintra old tram terminates here during the summer months which delights its passengers as it chugs along the 45-minute route through the picturesque countryside of the Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais.

The beach at Maças is narrow and offers consistent surf conditions. There's a beach break with rocks on both sides and sand in the middle. The sand part is suitable for all levels. Since the bay is small Praia das Maças can feel crowded during peak season. [ More About ► ] 38° 49' 29.2" N | 09° 28' 11.8" W

Praia Grande

As you probably can guess from the name, Praia Grande is the largest beach in the area. A vast swathe of pristine golden sands awaits you. The beach is popular with locals since it's easily reached by both private and public transport. The swell and consistent beach break attract surfers and bodyboarders all year round. On occasions, Praia Grande hosts national and international surfing championships. The magnificent slate cliffs on the southern end are an impressive backdrop to the view and create natural windbreaks. If you climb the steps to the top, not only will you be treated to a magnificent view, but be surprised at seemly gravity-defying dinosaurs. A total of 66 footprints dating back 170 million years are imprinted almost vertically ascending the cliff. Since the time Megalosaurus and Iguanodons walked here, tectonic forces have uplifted and tilted the land sideways. The beach has plenty of facilities such as cafes, bars, toilets, showers and ample parking.
[ More About ► ] 38° 48' 52.0" N | 09° 28' 39.4" W

Ericeira was awarded the title of Europe's first and only World Surf Reserve in February 2011, a preservation programme whose sole aim is to protect key environmental, cultural, economic and community attributes of surfing areas. This recognition has elevated Ericeira into the same ranks of the Gold Coast, Australia and Santa Cruz, California and hosts world championships. Not all the beaches here are for professional surfers, there are a diversity of waves and conditions to suit all levels of competence and types of boards. Some of the best Ericeira surf camp options are right on the beach so you never have far to go for a surf. Ericeira is only 40 minutes drive from Lisbon centre and 30 minutes from the airport. You can get a bus from the centre of Lisbon which takes about an hour. [ More About ► ] Nearby, there are twelve beaches suitable for surfing with rental shops and surf schools at hand.

Praia da Foz do Lizandro

If you're a beginner head straight to Foz do Lizandro south of Ericeira which is one of the best spots for learning how to surf. The beach is beautiful, has a sandy bottom, and offers some pretty great breaks from low to mid-tide. | 38° 49' 29.2" N | 09° 28' 11.8" W

Praia de São Julião

São Julião enjoys the best swells in Ericeira. As with Foz do Lizandro, São Julião is ideal for learner surfers. The best waves are found between low and mid-tide. The beach has a sandy bottom and is free of rocky obstacles.
38° 55' 55.1" N | 09° 25' 12.0" W

Praia do Sul

South or Ericeira Praia do Sul is another great beginner beach break. It's a beautiful long beach with a nice sandy bottom and both left and right peaks. Praia do Sul is one of the more popular beaches in the area enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. | 38° 57' 20.7" N | 09° 24' 58.3" W

Praia dos Coxos

For the more adventurous there is the world-class Praia dos Coxos which is tube city and can be absolutely wild when the water really gets going. The breaks here are fast and furious. The wave changes according to swell direction, period and wind direction, but is always fun. This is definately the beach for the pros. No longboards allowed! | 39° 00' 16.1" N | 09° 25' 31.6" W

Extending down the west coast South of the River Tejo is the 26km (16 miles) stretch of stunning beaches collectively known as the Costa da Caparica. A major draw for locals and their families, it is relatively unknown by foreigners. The majority of the beaches here are family-friendly and are especially busy during school holidays. However, be aware the Praia do Meco at the southern end of the Costa da Caparica beyond the Lagoa de Albufeira is a nudist beach. Also down the southern end is the Arriba Fóssil da Costa nature reserve, where the pristine beaches, along with rare fauna, are protected by law.

It is the northern end that has a beach resort feel about it and enjoys excellent transport links with the capital and a range of accommodation. The plethora of beach bars make for a lively night out. That said, the age-old fishing traditions continue here. The daily catch is hauled onto the beaches in colourful traditional small boats and sold directly to the public and local restaurants. A mini-train runs nine kilometres (6 mi) from Costa de Caparica town through less accessible beaches to the small village of Fonte da Telha during the high season. Water sports here are also popular. The waves here offer good conditions for beginner surfers. Regular buses run central Lisbon, starting from Praca do Areeiro (on the Green Metro line) to Costa da Caparica everyday.
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Praia da Lagoa de Albufeira-Mar

Just south of the Arriba Fóssil da Costa de Caparica nature reserve is over a thousand hectares of rugged cliffs containing fossils dating back over 15 million years. Beyond the Arriba Fóssil da Costa de Caparica the Costa da Caparica coastline opens up into a beautiful lagoon. The lagoon system is fed by three small rivers and the sandbars offer good wedge-like waves. The Praia da Lagoa de Albufeira-Mar faces the Atlantic and when the swells are westerly the waves are punchy and consistent. The beach is also long and spacious with far fewer visitors than the beaches on the Northside of the Tejo. | 38° 48' 52.0" N | 09° 28' 39.4" W

Praia das Bicas

Praia das Bicas Beach is a very long stretch of sand, known at the northern end as the Praia dos Cardosos. The waves here although not consistent can be large when the conditions are right, especially on the southern end of the beach. There's a rip current close to shore and the paddle-out can be tricky.
38° 27' 48.8" N | 09° 11' 34.0" W