The Ultimate Guide to Matosinhos Surf

Matosinhos is the go-to place for many surf schools in Porto and we’d say it’s still the best place to do a lesson if you’re in Porto on a city break.

Though we’ve been less than kind about the pollution and the localism here in recent years, there’s no denying that it’s a handy break to have.

The spot is less than 20 minutes by car from the UNESCO core of Porto and about the same if you take public transport. That’s made it super-popular with city breakers who want to sample a little of the iconic Portuguese surf on a weekend away.

The waves themselves lend themselves to that vibe too. The added protection of a breakwater at the north end of the bay, along with patches of rock reef that temper swells to the south, mean that you get cruisy sets that are often nice and accessible throughout the summer and autumn.

Add to that the fact that it’s a sand-bottomed spot and you begin to see why this is such a doozy of a stomping ground for Porto’s top surf schools.

An extension to the breakwater after 2021 did cut down the consistency a little but it also solidified Mato’s place as a spot for learners on a city break.

We’d say it’s a great place to to do a lesson if you’re in Porto for the weekend on a stag do or something. But, for better surf, track north up the Costa Verde for jewels like Azurara and Afife.

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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing In Portugal

Matosinhos key takeaways

Surf break in the city – This is the main break in Porto, so perfect for weekend trippers looking for a quick surf between sightseeing
Surf schools – Matosinhos is the go-to spot for Porto’s surf schools
Decent waves but nothing special – Depending on swell size it’s good for all levels and kinda fun when it’s on
Pollution problems – Water isn’t the best but plenty of people still get in

What’s in this guide to Matosinhos surf?

Where to surf in Matosinhos?

Matosinhos Beach – Praia de Matosinhos – isn’t just one spot but several. And they are actually a pretty varied bunch.

Arcing for around 1.5km from the breakwater in the north to the Castelo do Queijo (the castle you can see next to the big roundabout on the south side of the beach), the bay hosts a right-hander point, some beginner beach peaks, and even a lefty sandbank wave to cater to the goofies.

Let’s take a close look at the lot…

The jetty right at Porto Leixões

The right-hand point that starts on the inside of the Porto Leixões cruise terminal is one of the more fickle waves in the area.

It’s often a whole lot smaller than the rest of the beach but does have much better shelter from winter N winds on big swells.

Try this one when the rest of the beach is blown out or closing. The right usually doesn’t work in the summer and it’s now more fickle than ever after suffering because of the jetty extension, which means there’s not a

Matosinhos beach break

The center of Praia de Matosinhos is split between two beach breaks. They’re both best on a pushing tide with 4-7 foot in the swell or thereabouts.

The northern ones are finer lefts and the southern ones are better for the rights. They each break onto a sand bottom and are the go-to spot for most of the local surf camps, largely thanks to the spacious whitewash that rolls in before the secondary swell.

We won’t lie – on the bigger days these can be quality beach peaks, offering nice workable shoulders (esp the rights) that peel for 70-100 meters. It’s just that doesn’t happen too often in Matosinhos, and the water pollution means you might feel like skipping it anyway if you’re not on a surf lesson or whatever.

Castelo do Queijo left

There’s no official name for the left that works on the south side of Matosinhos, but it’s right under the rocks that sprout the Castelo do Queijo.

Go there to find the most reliable break on the whole stretch. It gets more action from the SW swell channels because the jetty from the port doesn’t hang over.

The best days see about 4-8 foot and a decent winter E wind to keep it offshore. When that happens you can score fun, occasionally hollow, rides. The pollution also thins out nicely this far from the refinery and port.

Praia Cabedelo do Douro

You’re no longer in Matosinhos here but it’s worth mentioning because Praia Cabedelo do Douro is one of the only other places where you can surf in central Porto.

It’s on the south side of the river mouth and it’s generally unreliable, mushy stuff, although decent for casual sessions in the spring and fall. Summer can be flat.

Espinho

Espinho is one of the best-known surf towns in northern Portugal. Like Matosinhos, it has harbor walls that will offer nice point-break rights.

Thankfully, the ones here aren’t in danger of being lost to construction and they are nowhere near as polluted.

There are also regular competitions here and some nice beach break waves for beginners. Many of the surf schools in Porto will make the trek south to Espinho to search for swell but I’d say it’s best to actually stay in Espinho for a few days to enjoy the waves to the full.

We’ve got a complete guide to surfing in Espinho – check it out right now

Surf camps in Matosinhos

Matosinhos is near enough to Porto to be a great option for surfers who don’t want to bother with all the ins and outs of planning a trip from the ground up.

The town hosts some great surf schools and hostels that have banded together to offer multi-day packages that get you guided lessons, equipment rental, and accommodation, all in the same price tag.

Onda Pura – We see this 3-night, 4-day surf package as a great supplement to a trip to Porto. Take some time to see the sights and then head down to have a trio of guided lessons on the best breaks in the region. It’s best for the younger crowd because you’ll be staying in a local hostel; a pretty darn fun one at that!
Porto Selina – Another great surf camp that’s based in a Selina hostel/hotel in Porto, this package includes 7x 2-hour surf lessons and transport to beaches (that are likely to include Matosinhos) throughout your stay. Great if you want to really experience Porto to the full.

You might also want to check out our complete guide to surf camps in Portugal for 2023 – it’s got LOADS more suggestions on top stays and surf packages all around the country!

We also have a guide to the best surf camps in Porto itself, which keeps the recs more local.

Best hotels in Matosinhos

Matosinhos is the epicentre of the surf-school and surf-camp scene in Porto.

That means you shouldn’t have a shortage of places to stay. The area also happens to be right on the edge of the main cruise terminal, plus close to the best urban beaches around.

That means hotels, hotels, and more hotels.

Porto Sea Apartments – These get you within eyeshot of the main beach breaks and lefts at the south end of Matosinhos Beach. They are nicely done up and offer windows and patio spaces form where you can check the state of the swell. They also have the added bonus of fitted kitchens and lounge spaces.
Four Points by Sheraton Matosinhos – A great option if you want the added comforts of a tried-and-tested chain hotel. It’s super new and really well designed, with bright, colorful lounge, bar, and lobby spaces. The main reason we love it is for the walking access to the beach breaks.
Matosinhos House Surf & Beach – A self-catering pad for four people within walking distance of the beach. Nicely done up with a boho bedroom. We’d say it’s the best option for two couples or a small family.

Where is Matosinhos?

You can look at Matosinhos as an extension of Porto. It lies on the northwest side of the town, some 20 minutes’ by car from the famous Ribeira neighborhood on the Douro River (the part of Porto you see in all the travel brochures!).

The big Porto Leixões cruise terminal marks the top end of the bay, giving way to a marina that’s also the reason fro the extending breakwater that’s set to play havoc with the surf in Matosinhos. To the south is the area of Foz do Douro, which has loads of rock-speckled beaches that are top for sunset beers.

The best way to get here is on the metro to Matosinhos Sul. Trains leave for there from the Sao Bento station in the heart of the city. You’ll need to walk a couple of minutes to the north to get to the main surf breaks after getting off the train. Tickets are like 1 euro from the kiosk at the station.

Surf lessons in Matosinhos

We’ve already mentioned that one of the greatest things about Matosinhos is the fact that you can simply waltz down during a weekend break in Porto and have a surf. Like, you can work in a surf to a city holiday. It’s great.

What’s even greater is that you can now pre-book surf lessons in Matosinhos so you don’t have to jostle with the summer crowds or be disappointed when you arrive. There are a couple of people offering good packages. We particularly like these:

Porto: Small Group Surf Lesson with Transportation – This one costs a little more but includes all of what the basic surf experience does plus guided transport from the station in Aliados, in central Porto. It’s a great choice if you don’t want to bother navigating the town’s metro or rail links. Just get on the bus and be taken to the surf. Easy.
Porto: Surfing Experience – A two-hour surf lesson with a surf school that’s been plying their trade on Mato for like 25 years. You’ll do out-of-water training and learn proper pop-up techniques.

When to surf in Matosinhos?

The best swells here roll through in the fall to spring, when the North Atlantic has regular low pressure. Summer is better for learners, butt there are flat spells. They only usually last days, not weeks, though.

Matosinhos is like the rest of Portugal in that the autumn and the winter are the best times to surf. Strong NW swells are needed to get the waves properly pumping. They turn on in earnest around October time and stick around until March-ish. Don’t be shy to come in summer if you’re learning.

The surf schools in Porto operate all year round. There might be some super-flat days between May-August but that will give you time to explore the city itself. Plus, the surf camps here know where to go to squeeze sessions out of days with even a foot or two in the swell charts.

Do I need a car to surf in Matosinhos?

Beach breaks and boardwalks in Northern Portugal

Nope.

One of the great things about Matosinhos is that it’s an urban break. In fact, it’s the best urban break in Porto we’d say. You can fly into the city, see all the UNESCO sites, party in the downtown, and head here to surf whenever you like. The metro from Sao Bento takes 20-30 minutes in all. It’s even more accessible on public transport than Carcavelos is down in Lisbon.

Of course, renting a car isn’t a stupid idea by any stretch. It’s just that it’s not required like it is in other regions in PT here. If you do decide to hire, we’d recommend staying in Matosinhos itself. That way, you can pick up the wheels in the airport and drive there in like 10 mins, no need to navigate central, old Porto, where the streets are ridiculously tight.

Having a car means good access to some great surf to the north (the Green Coast) and the south (Espinho and the Silver Coast). It also means you can drive out to spend some days in the awesome Douro Valley (a gorgeous UNESCO wine region about an hour’s drive to the east of town).

Anyway, rent or no rent, it’s up to you. If it’s affirmative, we would recommend using RentalCars.com. They have some of the best rates and they usually offer free cancellation until pretty late, which is handy.