Top 7 Surf Spots In Lisbon, Portugal

surf spots in lisbon
Hannah
Hannah 
Published
| 3 min read

Lisbon, the capital and the largest city in Portugal, is one of the oldest European cities that is rich in culture and architecture. The city possesses an ageless and charming beauty made up of the popular Pombaline architecture and iconic yellow trams passing through its cobbled streets. The city has a plethora of sites to see like Belem Tower and the white-domed cathedral structure. Many tourists have cited that Lisbon offers great food, a vibrant nightlife, interesting history and a pleasant climate. The city is based on the Atlantic Ocean and River Tagus, which offer great spots for engaging in water-related sports like surfing, canoeing, kitesurfing and much more! With its pleasant, warm climate throughout the year, guests of all ages are guaranteed a fantastic vacation in Lisbon, Portugal. Check out our list of the top surf spots in Lisbon as you plan the ultimate vacation with your friends or family.

1. Bafureira

Praia da Bafureira - Portugal
Source: Photo by user Vitor Oliveira used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Located on the Estoril coast, west of Lisbon, Bafureira has been a favorite destination for many surfers on the Estoril coast. Bafureira offers the right conditions for all types of suffers to hit the waves. It is a consistent, exposed reef break that provides both left and right breaking waves, although it is known more as a right breaking wave area. The best time to surf here is at mid-tide as it offers great waves. However, surfers must be on alert for dangerous rips and hazardous rocks during low-tide. Being a popular spot, Bafureira can get crowded at times.

Bafureira

Address: Bafuereira, Estoril Coast, Lisbon

Website: Bafureira

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2. Santo Amaro

Praia de Santo Amaro 01 (5194110732)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bosc d'Anjou used under CC BY 2.0

For those who would love to perfect their surfing skills, Santa Amaro is the perfect spot since it is not usually crowded. It is an exposed beach break with unreliable waves; suitable for surfing in the winter. It offers both wind swells and groundswells in all directions with the southwest swells being the best direction. The beach is suitable for expert surfers since it is best to surf during high tide when the waters are quite busy. To get the best rides, surf when there is a little wind and remember to watch out for rocks.

Santo Amaro

Address: Santa Amaro, Lisbon, Portugal

Website: Santo Amaro

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3. Praia do Guincho

Guincho June 2013-3
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Alvesgaspar used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Guincho Beach is located on the West Coast, just 30 mins drive from Lisbon. It is a beautiful surf spot suited for all types of surfers and works throughout the year. Playa Guincho offers the best beach breaks with the right breaks being the most preferred. During the summer, Guincho features the most swells and works well on all tides. Kitesurfers will enjoy surfing in the afternoon as it gets windy. Surf schools are available on the beach, and they offer great lessons and surfing equipment. Guincho can be crowded during peak seasons.

Praia do Guincho

Address: Guincho Beach, West Coast, Lisbon, Portugal

Website: Praia do Guincho

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4. Carcavelos

Praia de Carcavelos 2
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user ceiling used under CC BY 2.0

Located 24km (15 miles) from Lisbon, just 10 minutes’ drive from the city center, Carcavelos surf beach is a popular surf spot that works throughout the year. It offers consistent surf waves, good for all levels of surfers. It is frequented during the summer when most beginner surfers try to improve their skills. Carcavelos offers both right and left breaks, with sand bottoms. You’ll find a number of beachfront bars and cafes where you can sit and sip some drinks as you enjoy the view of the waters. Be aware of large crowds and pollution.

Carcavelos

Address: Carcavelos, Lisbon, Portugal

Website: Carcavelos

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Lisbon Tour Guide

Ana-Cristina Paiva

Ana Cristina Paiva

I am an australian-born Portuguese living in Lisbon since I was 8 years old. I studied Tourism and became a Licensed Guide and I absolutely love my job! The Portuguese landscape, history, food, traditions have won me over and I hope to share all this with you! I live in an historical neighborhood and believe that the best way to get to know a city is by walking. During the tours I hope to answer your questions and curiosities, proving a memorable and fun learing experience.

Tours by Ana-cristina

Lisbon Tour Guide

Francisco

Francisco

Hello!!! My name is Francisco, but my friends call me Chico, so, feel free to call me that! I was born, raised and live in Lisbon, but I am a well travelled person, as I work for almost 30 years in the Tourism Industry. I am a family man, father of 3 grown up boys, and my friends say I am a "Social Animal" as I easily make friends! I love sports ( especially soccer and rugby), walking the streets of Lisbon ( I always discover new things. . . ); talking to people; trying a new wine or a different type of food. With a degree in Social & Cultural Anthropology, and with the experience as a Tour Guide, I have learned to look and feel our City and its people with tourist's eyes and heart. I believe that Life is a wonderful gift and must be enjoyed every single day, and in every moment, so my Tours reflect this philosophy. You can expect I will inform you about facts, but I will tell you the stories that made these facts interesting. My favourite themes are History and Traditions, Art and Gastronomy, Sports and People. . . Lisbon People!!! My Tours are relaxed; they are made for people who seek to Know, but also, to Enjoy!!! Aahh. . . and I can customize any of my Tours according to your special interests. Just ask me. So, this is Me. . . I am waiting for your contact!

Tours by Francisco

Lisbon Tour Guide

Marta Côrte-Real

Marta Côrte Real

I was born in Lisbon and I'm forever in love with it! After my family, guiding is my greatest passion: I love what I do! I have a 5 year degree called Touristic Information, specifically to work as a Tourist Guide, as well as the Certificate of Competence acquired through a qualifying examination, in order to be able to exercise this regulated profession. I own and manage a tour company licensed by the Turismo de Portugal IP, Portugal's National Tourism Authority. Tour guiding has been my full time job since 2003 and it has always been incredibly rewarding. In 2021, I was recognized by the Wanderlust Awards as one of the world's "Best Specialist Guides", which I think is a result of doing what I love every day. Waking up knowing I'll meet enthusiastic people who are excited to discover my city makes me a very grateful and happy person. For almost two decades (how am I that old already?!) I travelled around the world as a tour guide and tour manager in Portugal, Europe, South and Central America. I stopped being so nomadic when my first child was born and in 2016, I became part of ToursByLocals' amazing team and since then I've been 100% dedicated to my lovely Lisbon and its surroundings. I am a mother of 3. I love planning family trips. I know how important it is to create special family memories. Travelling means getting to know new places and cultures, experiencing nature more closely, walking and playing more, discovering history through cities, monuments and palaces! Our childhood travel memories are often the sweetest and along with other remarkable moments, we build who we are and how we live in the world. So if you're in need of someone to guide you and your kids and have them thrilled about travelling, I'm your guide! I'm also very fond of small groups of friends, extended family trips and solo travellers. It's a much more personal approach and very interesting and grateful, too. It's so lovely to get to know you! My wish is to make you feel all the unique details of this fairytale country the way I proudly do, welcoming you as a friend, however always assuring professional, original and interesting tours. I offer walking tours or if you prefer to just sit and relax, I also provide tours with transportation included (private minivan, minibus, bus). You can choose from my many tours the one you're most interested in, or we can build together a tailored experience, everything at your pace. Once you send me a message, I'll try to answer right away, but if I'm delivering a tour or busy with my family, I'll let you know that I'll get back to you soon. I'll be happy to create a customized tour just for you and if you have a special request, if it's a family with different age ranges. . . let me know so we can build the best option for your group. Some of my tours can perfectly be combined. I can also help you plan the best timings to avoid the crowds and even buy your tickets, if needed. There are lots of magic places in Portugal: let me know about you, your interests and ideas and according to that I will work on your time here! The most recent experience has been incredible: the virtual tours. The idea came up with the 2020 pandemic scenery and I decided to keep them going in the future as they're such a pleasant way of travelling differently and sustainably. These tours are perfect to gather families and friends who live away from each other and for schools to complement their teaching, as well as to help those who cannot travel for many reasons, to be able to see the world. I believe we always need to make the best out of the worst. Portugal is a country to visit all year round: weather is wonderful and even during the winter you can enjoy the simple pleasures of life like sitting on an esplanade, absorbing each sunbeam! Plus, I love cooking and baking and I'm happy to share my recipes. Portuguese food is simply delicious and the wine is just perfect for a toast to celebrate life! Get ready to deeply fall in love with Portugal! Can't wait to meet you!

Tours by Marta

Lisbon Tour Guide

Beatrice Sacco

Beatrice Sacco

Hello! My name is Beatrice, I'm originally from Milan and I'm currently living in Lisbon. Travel, nature, music and art are among my passions. I'm curious and determined and I love meeting people from different countries. I moved to Portugal after finishing my studies in Art History. Now I'm putting into practice what I have learned by working as a tour guide. I love to share with people all the history, culture and local insights about the beautiful city of Lisbon and its surroundings! Come with me, if you want to go deep into the richness of this place!

Lisbon Tour Guide

Rita Jardim

Rita Jardim

Rita has been a tour guide in Portugal since 2015. She is a passionate storyteller and a history buff whose goal is to immerse curious travelers in the beautiful Portuguese tale. Rita creates customized tours, cultural experiences, and food adventures in Lisbon, Belém, Sintra, Évora, and lesser-explored corners of Portugal. If you're looking for a genuine and immersive experience beyond the typical tourist route, Rita is your guide.

Tours by Rita

5. Foz do Lizandro

Web Summit 2017 - Surf Summit SM1 2053 (38150741242)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Web Summit used under CC BY 2.0

Foz do Lizandro has a reputation for its powerful waves that thrill expert surfers! It is an exposed beach break with the biggest patch of sand. Located in Ericeira, the beach offers a consistent surf with left-hand reef breaks that are said to be strong, steep and tubular, best suited for experts!. The right-hand breaks are the best and suit all levels of surfers. The beach is surfable throughout the year, but during the summer, it tends to be flat. Being located in Ericeira, it is no surprise that the beach can be crowded.

Foz do Lizandro

Address: Ericeira, Mafra, Portugal

Website: Foz do Lizandro

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6. Costa da Caparica

Caparica December 2011-4
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Alvesgaspar used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Perfect for beginners, Costa da Caparica offers a beach break with both lefts and rights and a consistent surf. The beach features exposed jetties and flat sandy bottoms. Coast da Caparica works at any time of the year and the best time to surf is during mid to high tide. This area receives both groundswells and wind swells, making it a great place to perfect your skills. Surf schools that offer surf equipment for rent are available on the beach stretch, as well as cafes and bars.

Costa da Caparica

Address: Lisbon, Portugal

Website: Costa da Caparica

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7. Praia das Macas

Praia das Maçãs (31221112263)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Teves Costa used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Praia das Macas in Lisbon is an exposed beach break that offers a reliable surf that works throughout the year. It offers both left and right waves and features rocks on both the left and the right but with sand in the middle. Despite being crowded, Praia das Macas is great for all levels of surfers and it is safe for beginners.

Praia das Macas

Address: Lisbon, Portugal

Website: Praia das Macas

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Have a great time surfing in Lisbon

Lisbon has been counted among the top places to surf in the world. These best surf spots from our list guarantee you an exciting experience of a lifetime. So, if you’re planning a trip to Lisbon, choose a spot and get ready to hit the waves.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
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In addition to her love for writing and adventurous spirit, Hannah is a dedicated learner, always striving to acquire new knowledge with each passing day.

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