Many people visiting Lisbon for the first time wonder where the best surf spots are. Below we have described for you the 3 main and definitely the best surfing locations during your holiday in Lisbon.
Guincho Beach
Number one is, of course, Guincho beach - the main place of our work and undeniably one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Portugal. Guincho Beach is located approximately 30 minutes' drive from Lisbon and approximately 10 minutes' drive from Cascais center. It was on this beach that many world-class surfers trained their skills, as we have already written about in this article. Guincho is characterized by a specific microclimate, the beach located near Cabo da Roca (the westernmost cape in Europe) can be windy and demanding, but regardless of this on many days a year it is the best place for both beginners and more advanced surfers. The extensive dunes and the mountain landscape above it add to its charm. It is wild and beautiful - Guincho is definitely our number one beach in Portugal!
Carcavelos Beach
Carcavelos is the second beach where we work - especially in winter, when there are no crowds and the waves on Guincho no longer allow beginner surfers to learn. Carcavelos is the closest beach to Lisbon. It's definitely more urban - the famous Marginal Road runs along the beach, there are a lot of bars and restaurants in the area, and a train station connecting Cascais with Lisbon. This beach is a perfect alternative to Guincho, the waves are usually smaller and more regular, and the beach itself is large and wide. The landscape here is complemented by the famous fort with a flying Portuguese flag. Several times a year, surfing competitions are held here, attracting crowds of onlookers and fans of this sport.
Costa da Caparica
Costa da Caparica is a beach located on the other side of the famous Lisbon bridge. For many people visiting Lisbon, Costa da Caparica is one of the first choices when it comes to learning to surf. Many nurseries are located there, and along the beach you will find numerous bars and restaurants. Although this beach has no direct transport connection with Lisbon, for people with a car getting there should not be a problem (on sunny days, however, it may involve a traffic jam on the bridge). Costa da Caparica is an alternative to the beaches of Cascais (Guincho or Carcavelos) and undoubtedly provides very good surfing conditions for both beginners and more advanced surfers most of the year.
Want more?
There are many other beaches in Lisbon that you can visit. In another article we pointed out other truly incredible beaches: check them out here.
Also, if you're visiting Cascais and don't know what to do, check out our suggestions here.
We hope you like it!