We’re consistently contacted by surf travelers asking about the best surf towns in Portugal, which is the thinking behind this guide to six of the top places to hunt waves in the home of salt cod and Algarvian sunshine.
Move over Newquay. Buzz off Biarritz. The surf towns in Portugal are on another level. Bathed in sun from May to August, they’re among the most acclaimed spots to bring out the board quiver of anywhere on the globe. If we had a cent for every time someone messaged us asking about which town in PT is best for what sort of surfers, we’d have like 20 cents by now.
So, here’s our guide. It’s built to reflect what we think are the hottest surf towns in Portugal of the moment. This could all change in 2024, but we think there’s a core group out there that will remain – Ericeira, Peniche. Anyhow, you’ve got options that are bit off the beaten track, one wedged in to the middle of the Atlantic, and plenty within easy reach of Lisbon Airport. Enjoy!
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 guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Portugal
What are the best surf towns in Portugal?
Aljezur
Our runaway favorite among all the surf towns in Portugal has to be little Aljezur. A quintessentially Algarvian village, it straddles the rolling hills in the northern extremity of the famous region. Its old town cascades like a waterfall of white paint down the sides of narrow ridge, a half-ruined Moorish castle still crowning the pinnacle.
Anyone who knows Aljezur might think it odd that we’ve put it up here in pride of place. The reason? The town isn’t actually on the coast at all. It’s actually about 10-15 minutes’ driving in from the beaches. But we say that’s a blessing, not a curse. So long as you have a car with you, you’ll be able to cruise not one, not two, not three, but a whole medley of top-quality surf beaches.
The most famous of the bunch is probably Arrifana. It’s among the most beginner-friendly bays in the western Algarve, has umpteen surf schools capping its main cliff top, and punchy beach breaks with lots of whitewash throughout a long season. Cruise north from there and you’ll get to Monte Clérigo, a wide bay with a heavy reef break at its center. Go north again and there’s Praia da Amoreira, which oscillates from easy cruiser waves on small swells to massive bombs out back in the winter months.
Where to stay in Aljezur?
- Casa do Pátio – This is what Aljezur is all about. Surf all day then return to your cozy Portuguese cabin to chill.
- Aljezur Old Town – Same as above, only this one’s a bit more stylish, a bit more boho.
- Arrifana Surf Lodge – Go for this if you’re not up for planning the minutia of your surf trip. It’s an 8-day package in a villa just outside of Aljezur. Best for beginners, you’ll surf Arrifana’s easy beach break every day and get tailored tuition.
How to get to Aljezur?
Fly into the Algarve Airport (FAO) in Faro. Rent a car (we recommend using Rental Cars, as they always give us the best rates) and then drive the Algarve coast road 1.5 hours, turning north just outside of Sagres.
Ericeira
If in any doubt about where to go for your next surf trip in Portugal, pick Ericeira. It’s that simple. This town has something like 20 named breaks stretching up the same mileage of coastline. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Lisbon Airport. And it has stacks and stacks of style.
The main center is a centuries-old mix of cobbled lanes and whitewashed fishing cottages that’s now overtaken by more veggie cafes, yoga studios, and roaster coffee bars than you could hope to get through in a year. They’re the result of Ericeira soaring to become the single most famous surf town in Europe in the wake of its accession to that coveted group of World Surfing Reserves (a list that includes the likes of Playa Hermosa in Costa Rica and the Gold Coast in Oz).
Ericeira has a world-leading selection of surf camps helping it cater to the beginner end of the spectrum (Magikvanilla Surf Camp is probably our overall fav, but there are tons to pick from). Pros and advanced surfers can stay north of town to score the barrels of Coxos and other spots.
Where to stay in Ericeira?
- Magikvanilla Surf Camp – We’ve already mentioned this one. Two mentions in one article? It’s the bee’s knees! Arguably the best pick in PT for complete beginner surfers.
- Laneez Ericeira Surf House – A very cool surf house perched right on the cliffs above roaring Atlantic waves. It’s quintessential surf lodge stuff.
- The Salty Pelican Yoga & Surf Retreat – A great option for younger travelers, Salty Pelican’s Ericeira outlet has all the quirky features you’d expect of this global camp brand.
How to get to Ericeira?
A 40-minute bus or drive from Lisbon brings you to Ericeira. There are frequent public services leaving the Campo Grande station on the north side of the capital.
Sagres
Sagres is the undisputed surf capital of the Algarve. It’s also the southwesternmost town in Portugal, which should say something about the waves you can look forward to here. There are heavier, more exposed breaks to the west that get all that winter NW swell. Then there are the more protected south-facing waves that string along the sunny Algarve coast going east. They can suffer from localism but work well in the depths of winter.
Sagres itself channels the chilled vibes of a Portuguese holiday town, only the expat bars are replaced by surf shops and board rentals. There’s a touch of hedonism after dark if you make it to Chiringuito Last Chance or the reggae-bumping Three Little Birds. There’s also a good selection of Algarvian tavernas to pick from.
We like Sagres for both family and backpacker surf trips. The first are catered to by a range of larger resort hotels that run down to sheltered Mareta. The latter get some very lively surf schools with ISA instructors and evening BBQ nights to keep the schedule busy.
Where to stay in Sagres?
- Wavy Surf Camp Portugal – Over 500 top-star reviews and counting earns the Wavy Surf Camp Portugal a place here. It’s a solid surf camp choice that’s uber-sociable and just a little bit different – think stays in glamping tents and an on-site halfpipe.
- Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort Hotel – The option we usually recommend to families wanting a vacation with some surfing involved, this hotel is right by a really protected beach with small waves and is 100% setup for kids and parents together.
- Casa Azul Sagres – Clean family apartments with self-catering and budget doubles alike beckon at this stay. It’s got a great location for both access to the beach and access to the surf spots in Tonel and Mareta.
How to get to Sagres?
The best place to fly into for Sagres is the Algarve Airport in Faro. It’s about 1.5 hours’ drive from there.
Peniche
Not a year can go by without Peniche gracing the cover of surf mags. All hail Supertubos, the greatest barreling beach break in the world. But there’s A LOT more to this town than just that sandbank phenomenon, though it does make for a great watch when there’s 10 foot swells and the pros are in town.
Peniche has a pretty unique makeup of north-, west-, and south-facing beaches. There’s virtually no other place in the country with that, and it means that nearly 180 degrees of swell direction work here, plus there’s always an offshore.
For beginner surfers looking for a chilled Portuguese surf town, we this this one can hardly be beaten. More specifically, we say that the fishing village of Baleal and the beaches to the north and south of that can hardly be beaten. They have an epic array of surf camps aimed at improvers and newbies, along with access to some of the most sheltered beach break action in the region.
Lately, Peniche has also channeled a little bit of cosmo energy and has become a bit of a nightlife hub to boot. It’s a great place for a boozy blowout between wave sessions and an all-round fun place to be. The downside? It’s certainly not Portugal’s most handsome town!
Where to stay in Peniche?
- The Salty Pelican Peniche – There’s no doubt that this one’s up there with the best surf camps in Portugal. It’s located steps away from a ridiculously consistent beach break and offers rooftop drinking terraces for when the surf is done.
- Shark’s Lodge – Take a surf camp package with Shark’s to shock yourself into surfing. It’s an all-round fitness regime that’s brutal but sure to leave you surfing much better than when you arrived.
- Surfness Lodge – A low-key but comfy surf lodge located in the backstreets of Baleal. That puts you away from the crowds but close to some of the easiest waves in the region.
How to get to Peniche?
Fly to Lisbon and then catch the bus to Penich from the Sete Rios station. It shouldn’t cost more than $5-7 each.
Santa Cruz
From Navio Beach to Azul Beach, there are eight separate stretches of sand gracing the Atlantic shores in front of Santa Cruz. They all have waves, but Praia da Amoreira and Centro Beach usually top the bill for their punchy right handers over the rock reefs. Those will be the playground for intermediates, but there’s also a nice amount of whitewash that makes it through the gaps in the stones to offer ample practice space for total beginners to boot.
The town of Santa Cruz itself strings along the cliffs behind. It’s not got the crooked cobbled streets of other coastal villages in these parts. Instead, it’s modern, with some nice contemporary hotels, a manicured promenade, and a large campsite.
Roughly midway between Ericeira and Peniche, Santa Cruz has been kinda’ happy to live in the shadows and let those two draw in the crowds. That means the waves here aren’t as busy as you might find elsewhere in central Portugal.
Where to stay in Santa Cruz?
- Noah Surf House Portugal – The Noah Surf House is a pretty fantastic example of everything a surf stay should be. It’s close to the breaks, has dorm and private options, healthy breakfasts, and a really chill vibe. Keep doing what you’re doing!
- The Surf Hostel – These guys run a 6-day budget surf package that is awesome for first-timers without too much cash to splash.
How to get to Santa Cruz?
Access from Lisbon Airport takes about 1h10 by car. There are also buses to Santa Cruz from Lisbon and nearby Ericeira.
Ponta Delgada
No one really considers the Azores for their Portuguese surf adventure. Until now, that is. The main town of São Miguel island, Ponta Delgada, has recently been graced with the first surf camp in the archipelago and it’s a cracking one! Guests get access to a whole range of both north-coast and south-coast breaks that have swell almost all year.
Ponta Delgada the town is accessible by short drive from the camp. It’s an enthralling capital with New World vibes and stoic Manueline churches dotting its downtown, plus a range of informative museums that chronicle the Age of Discovery. Beyond the city itself, you can hike dormant volcanos and laurel forests as green as emerald. Choose this one for a surf trip with a bit of a difference.
Where to stay in Ponta Delgada?
- Azores Bagus – If you’re coming to the Azores to surf then this has to be where you go for. They cover transport to the beaches, board rental, and breakfasts, and offer a very warm island welcome.
How to get to Ponta Delgada?
Ponta Delgada happens to be the home of the main airport for the Azores as a whole, the João Paulo II Airport. There are flights going direct there from Paris, Amsterdam, and London to name just a few. Expect 4-5 hours in the air.
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!
