On the hunt for the best surf hotels in Portugal? Hunt no longer. Our editors have curated the very best of the bunch, from Porto in the north to Sagres in the south. Man, these are some slick surf stays…
Portugal is surely the surf capital of Europe. A steady stream of the continent’s very best breaks unfolds down the Atlantic coast, from the wild beaches of Porto in the north to the cliff-backed bays of the Algarve in the south.
It’s not for nothing that surfers look to this uber-consistent corner of Iberia for their fix of waves both summer and winter. And that’s why it’s also where you’ll find arguably the best array of surf camps and surf stays this side of Bali.
There’s a good argument to plump for a fully packaged surf camp – they’re great for beginners and groups of travelers who want everything sorted for them. But there’s also plenty to be said for going it alone and organizing your own trip. It means you can hop the various surf towns (some of which are downright lovely). And it means you can enjoy the crème-de-la-crème of surf hotels in Portugal…
Cue this guide. It showcases a curated selection of just five of those. We think DIY surf travelers will very much like what they see. It’s a hodgepodge of boutique coast cottages, boho surf lodges, and cozy Portuguese villa stays that put you within striking distance of epic waves. Let’s get started…
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
This is just one part of our complete overall guide to surfing in Portugal
Aethos Ericeira
You can trust in the Aethos name to create truly serene spaces. They’ve done it in Monterosa in the midst of the snow-capped Italian Alps. They’ve done it in Corsica above the glistening waters of the western Med. And now they’ve gone and done it in Ericeira, the surf cap of Portugal.
Perched on a wave-bashed clifftop north of the town, right on the cusp of the designated World Surfing Reserve, the resort seems to sprout almost organically from the rocky coast meadows. It’s a lesson in the beauty of architectural simplicity, showcasing clean-cut lines and wood-clad interiors; like Le Corbusier by way of Scandinavia by way of Coxos.
Inside, the rooms are orientated so as to offer jaw-dropping views of the wild Silver Coast. Each is done with a pleasing finish of Japandi interior design – think rattan wall paneling, bamboo-wood shelves, woven deck chairs. You know, that look that’s at once rich in detail and pleasing on the eye. Complex yet simple.
It’s all been thought through so well. Take the pool, which is framed in soft wood decking and sheltered by the blustery ocean breezes by a punctuating line of cabbage palms. Then there’s the spa, with its elegantly minimalist hammam and hot limestone slab; just perfect for post-surf wind downs.
They’ve got an in-house surf program that’s fantastic and all about squeezing out the most from this incredible corner of the PT coast.
Bukubaki ECOSURFRESORT
Bukubaki ECOSURFRESORT is one of the best surf hotels in Portugal for those looking to escape the hubbub of the coast towns and do communion with nature. It’s tucked into the aromatic pine forests that abound around Ferrel, close enough to the umpteen spots of Peniche and Baleal but far enough away to retain a real Zen calmness.
There are all sorts of room options up for grabs. The standard bungalows – perched on stilts under the forest canopy – are cool as. They sleep up to four people in rooms that recall the long-lost pioneer cabins of Appalachia, only with fitted kitchens and deluxe bathrooms. Then there are the glamping tents. Choose those to laze on decks overlooking the stone pines and sleep in style under canvas.
The whole resort converges on a pool and skate bowl combo. It’s just what the travel agent ordered for post-surf chills. You can drop in and practice your carves on the concrete. Or you can get lost in a book while bobbing on a lilo. Up to you.
Laneez Ericeira
We namedrop Laneez in our guide to surfing in Ericeira. We namedrop it in our guide to the top surf camps in Portugal. And we name drop it here. Quite right. The alluring accom has managed something quite unique: A blend of boutique hotel, coast villa, backpacker hostel, and surf camp all in one.
What’s important is that there’s a room type to suit any sort of traveler. On a budget? Plump for one of the shared mixed dorms. Want luxury? Go for the ocean-view suite with its marble-baulstraded balcony and walk-in closet.
What’s great is that all guests, whether dorm or private double, are treated as equal in the chill-out spaces. That makes for a vibe that would make the surf lounges of Bali’s Bukit blush. On balmy summer eves, everyone’s chatting, clinking cold beers, and sharing tales of past surfs and surfs to come.
We should also mention something of the soothing design of lovely Laneez. The whole inside seems bathed in light, and every nook and cranny has been optimized to make the most of the coastal location. That’s most true on the west-facing balconies, which showcase some of the finest sunsets in town.
(Just ask at reception and they can book you onto their in-house surf or yoga packages. Easy peasy).
Selina Peniche
Never discount the Selina name. These guys have crafted some of the best branded surf hotels in the world. They’ve got outlets far and wide, from Costa Rica to the Aussie east coast. But there’s something extra special about their Peniche edition.
For one, it’s sat smack dab on the bustling Avenue do Mar. For those who don’t know, that’s the vena cava of Baleal, arguably the single finest place to learn to surf in Portugal. What’s more, it’s a looker of a spot, fronted with whitewashed exteriors picked out in sky blue and peppered with potted olive plants.
That’s just first impressions. Go inside and it’s got all the trademark Selina extras. We’re talking dedicated co-working spaces, a swimming pool and deck area, a yoga studio, bike lockups, a halfpipe for the skaties.
They run planned surf lessons and surf sessions every day. Rooms can be budget dorms or deluxe doubles, making this another great choice for mixed-budget groups.
Memmo Baleeira – Design Hotels
Set on the lush clifftops on the eastern side of Sagres – the surf hub of the Algarve region – Memmo Baleeira is a hotel that really lives up to its name. It’s a lesson in Bauhaus modernism from the outside, with clean-cut lines and painted concrete that, oddly, works like clockwork to a backdrop of sheer-cut rock faces and the inky blue of the Atlantic Ocean.
Rooms are contemporary yet cozy affairs. They’ve each got big bedspreads and windows artfully arranged to make the most of the surrounding panoramas (try to bag a sea view one, though – they’re certainly better).
There are communal facilities that can help crank up the luxury level of any surf trip. Take the pool. It’s fronted by a long deck topped with loungers and is a cracking spot for post-surf chills. Talking of the surf, these guys do now run a dedicated surf-camp package. Or, you can book accommodation only and add-on surf excursions whenever you like…
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
