24 Best Surf Towns in the World: A Guide by Region

I’d say that Peniche is Portugal’s ultimate surf town. It’s got something for everyone in a small stretch of about 10 miles of shoreline.

Go north to find Baleal, which has the softest, most protected beach breaks for beginners. South of town, Supertubos delivers some of the heaviest, most barreling waves in Europe when big NW swells filter through.

The town itself is a no-frills fishing port, but that’s part of the charm—it’s all about the surf here and the cobbled streets and the cool cafes.

Just a 90-minute drive from Lisbon, it’s one of the easiest spots to reach in the country becuase the roads are good and there are even direct buses from the capital.

Where to stay? The Salty Pelican Peniche is a cracker. It’s right beside a beginner beach break and offers exceptionally good surf-yoga packages.

A former fishing town turned Europe’s most famous official World Surfing Reserve, Ericeira is a mix of cobbled streets, seafood restaurants, and world-class waves.

The south side of town has plenty of user-friendly breaks, most of them nice and easy beachies that have small waves from spring to summer, but head north and you’ll find Ribeira d’Ilhas, Coxos, and Cave, which are barreling reefs that are nothing short of world class.

It’s got a lively surf scene, plenty of surf schools, and some great surf hotels—ideal for those looking for waves and nightlife. The downside is it’s busy but shoulder-season visits can help reduce the crowds.

Where to stay? Laneez Ericeira Surf House has an epic location right on the coast and a real Euro surf-lodge vibe.

Aljezur is where you go if you want Portugal’s west coast without the crowds. The town itself is small, full of whitewashed houses, and perched above the Costa Vicentina, a seriously gorgeous part of the country with heather meadows right by amazing surf beaches.

Surf-wise, Arrifana is great for beginners, while beaches like Amado and Bordeira offer something for more experienced people. It’s mainly punchy beach breaks with the seasons dictating swell size – winter is bigger, summer is easier.

It’s a bit remote, so a rental car is a must, but that’s all part of the adventure.

Where to stay? Anywhere in the Old Town of Aljezur, which is filled with cozy hilltop cottages that sit in the shadow of a Moorish castle.

A classic French Atlantic surf town, Mimizan is known for its fun beach breaks and long, sandy coastline.

Winters can be big here and the paddle outs and rips are heavy then. Wait for the biggest NW storms to abate and then come to find more beginner-improver conditions from May onwards.

It’s one of the best places for summer surf camps, offering glamping stays, great local food, and easy access to nearby breaks like Biscarrosse and Moliets.

If you want a mix of learning to surf, long summer evenings, and that iconic French surf vibe, this is the place to be.

Where to stay? Single Fin Hotel & Lodge – Affordable accomodation with a youthful vibe.

The French surfing capital, Hossegor is known for its thumping beach breaks that attract the best barrel hunters on the planet.

La Gravière and La Nord serve up world-class tubes, but there are plenty of mellower peaks in Seignosse and Capbreton if you’re not chasing death pits. Or if you want something that doesn’t require the strongest NW swell pulses to really come alive with any consistency.

It’s also one of the most stylish surf towns in Europe, with boutique surf shops, epic food, and a pumping party scene. If I was 21 again – oh, to dream – I’d go here in a second.

Where to stay? JO&JOE HOSSEGOR – The leading surf stay in the Hossegor area is this lively hostel-poshtel.

Zarautz is the Basque Country’s surf hub, offering a mix of powerful beach breaks and beginner spots along its urban beach.

I’d say it’s an excellent spot for intermediates looking to step up their game because there’s generally great power to the peaks that stretch along the beach.

What’s more, it’s a quick drive from San Sebastián, one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, so you can hit that up for pinxtos (tapas) and parties either side of a surf trip.

Where to stay? Zarautz Surf House – Among my top picks for surf stays in northern Spain, this lodge in Zarautz town gets a lot right, namely the coffee and the proximity to the surf.

Located just outside Bilbao, Sopelana is one of the most accessible surf towns in Spain but I’d still rate is as a semi off-the-beaten-path option.

The punchy beach breaks here work well in the tail end of the NW swell season, which means April and May and then the autumn are prime time.

It’s a pretty place, offering a mix of affordable self-catering spots and surf lodges without too many frills. Rare days when there’s nothing to surf can be spent hiking the Basque Coast.

Where to stay? Moana Eco Surf House is Scandi-cool and close to the beach. Built for surfers in Sopelana.

On the northwest coast of Fuerteventura, El Cotillo is a Canary Islands surf paradise..

It’s less crowded than other parts of the island and picks up solid swells from the North Atlantic. With a mix of sandy beach breaks to the south fo town and then heavier reefs further south or to the north, it has options for all levels.

What I really like about El Cotillo is just how chill it is. This is a Spanish fishing town that’s turned into a surf hub, so you have people playing dominoes in the cantinas by morning and tapas bars aplenty. Don’t leave without trying the mojo potatoes.

Where to stay? Surfvilla Riders Surf ‘N Bike do a great package that has three surf lessons in small groups.

Newquay is often called the surf capital of the United Kingdom, and while it can get a little rowdy in summer, it’s still a solid surf destination.

Fistral Beach is the main spot, offering everything from mellow beginner waves to big winter XL waves that require tow-outs.

I’ll assume you’re coming for the more accessible waves. For that, you have Towan Beach and Watergate, and more beach breaks stringing all the way up to Treyarnon Bay.

The town has a huge surf industry presence, from long-running surf schools to gear shops, making it the best place in England to base yourself for a surf trip.

Where to stay? St Christopher’s Inn Newquay is right above the town’s main surf beach, offers surf lessons, and has one of the best bars in town.

A quieter alternative to Bali, Kuta Lombok is the main surf town on the next island over, Lombok (clue’s in the name, huh?).

Some people say it’s going the same way as Canggu (see below) but the town is still pretty relaxed and attracts a mix of backpackers and serious surfers.

There’s only one break in town – a rubbishy left that’s in the polluted waters of the harbor. But that’s not the point. The 10 miles of coast to the west and east of Kuta Lombok is packed with epic breaks for all levels, from Gerupuk’s mellow inside reefs to Mawi’s heavier barrels.

The beauty of Kuta Lombok is its variety—if the wind’s wrong at one break, you can jump on a scooter and find another within minutes.

Where to stay? Porter Jungle Hotel is exceptional. Boutique and lux, it’s hidden in the hills a 15 min walk from the town center and they now do private surf coaching packages.

You’ll either love Canggu or you’ll hate it. I know a lot of surfers who’ve been going to Bali for years will balk at seeing this one here, but I reckon there’s no doubt it deserves a place among the world’s best surf towns.

First, the bad: It’s 100% going to be the one of the busiest places you’ve ever surfed. Some of the people are super showy. Prices are high. There can be bad pollution in the water come rainy season.

Now, the good: Canggu has some of the best surf infrastructure in Bali and access to much, much easier waves than the Bukit Peninsula area in the south. That means it’s a rare chance for beginner surfers to enjoy the Isle of the Gods, all with fantastic lux hotels and cool beach bars on the side.

Do not come if you hate crowds.

Where to stay? Check out our guide to the top surf camps in Canggu, which we update every year with what’s currently scorchio in the town.

It thought very hard about which south coast surf town in Sri Lanka I wanted on this list and ended up at Midigama.

For me, it’s the most solid option as a base on this reef-rich coastline. It has breaks of its own – from cruisy Lazy Left all the way to hollowish Ram’s – but it’s also smack dab in the middle of the area’s most diverse array of surf spots.

You can get to Weligama for Sri Lanka’s best beginner waves, or up to Ahangama for the range of reef breaks there.

Best of all, Midigama is a chilled place to stay with great beaches and great views.

Where to stay? Naomi Beach Hotel is right on a white-sand beach and has walking access to Coconuts surf break.

Arugam Bay comes into season when the south side of Sri Lanka gets the monsoon. That’s a fantastic arrangement since it means you can always find somewhere that’s got consistent swells on this island.

For right-hand point breaks, there’s hardly anywhere in Asia that can beat it. Main Point is the most famous, but you also have Peanut Farm, Pottuvil Point, and Whisky Point within a 15-min tuk-tuk.

The town is strung along one road, which is packed with great hotels, bars, and curry houses. It’s also eminently affordable.

Where to stay? Whisky Point Resort sleep right beside one of the best intermediate waves in the area.

Siargao is more than a surf town. It’s a whole island. You’ll probably want to be based in the area around General Luna, in the south.

The star of the show is Cloud 9, a heavy, barreling right-hander that has put Siargao on the global surf map.

But there’s much more—Jacking Horse is a mellower reef ideal for intermediates, while Pacifico offers another powerful right with fewer crowds. From those you can also take boat trips out to surrounding islands to surf warm-water reef breaks aplenty.

Like I said, the town of General Luna is the island’s main surf hub, loaded with cool cafes, beachfront bars, and surf camps catering to all levels.

The best time to surf is August to November, when typhoon swells light up the reefs. Getting here requires a domestic flight from Manila or Cebu, but once you arrive, it’s all about scooters, island-hopping, and boat trips.

Not empty any more by any stretch but still lovely.

Where to stay? Punta Punta Surf Retreat. Wake to white-sand beaches in this perfect luxury surf resort.

Chigasaki is a laid-back coastal escape with stunning views of Mount Fuji on clear days and a deep-rooted surf culture.

Located just an hour south of Tokyo, it’s one of the easiest surf getaways from the capital, too.

The main surf spots sit along Southern Beach, offering playful, peaky beach breaks that work best from August to November when typhoon swells roll through the Pacific.

It’s not Hawaii or Indonesia, but the local surf scene is strong, and the mellow, cruisy waves make it ideal for longboarders and funboard riders and beginners.