Portugal surf guide

Surfing Nazaré

Home of the biggest rideable waves on the planet

1 wave · Best Oct-Apr · Pro · From $40 a day

A capital city where you can surf before work and be at your desk by nine. Lisbon's coastline runs from the urban beach breaks of Carcavelos and Caparica to the powerful, wind-battered Guincho at the edge of Sintra's mountains, all a short train or drive from the centre of one of Europe's most beautiful cities.

LevelsPro

Best seasonOct-Apr

RegionLisbon Coast

Daily budget$40–205

The waves at Nazaré

Nazaré (Praia do Norte)Pro

Big Wave · Best Oct-Mar · 10 – 100+ ft · Crowd 2/5

Big NW groundswell; an underwater canyon focuses it, all tides

Praia do Norte in Nazaré is home to the biggest waves ever surfed. An underwater canyon runs straight towards the beach and focuses the swell, so on a big winter north-west swell the waves can reach 20 metres or more.

It's a tow-in spot for big-wave professionals, with jet skis, safety teams and a lot of experience. For everyone else, the place to be is the lighthouse at the Fort of São Miguel Arcanjo, which is one of the best places in the world to watch big surf.

On small days the beach breaks are still powerful, with heavy shorebreak and strong currents. Most travellers who want to surf go to the beaches south of the town or to Peniche, about 45 minutes away.

Full guide to Nazaré (Praia do Norte)

Where to stay in Nazaré

Stay in Nazaré town, along the main beach, where most of the hotels, apartments and restaurants are; Praia do Norte is a short drive or a long walk over the hill. Sítio, on the cliff above, is quieter and closer to the lighthouse. On big-wave days in winter rooms fill fast, so book as soon as a big swell is forecast.

Surf camps in Nazaré

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Before
you go

Book ahead

Lisbon books up for general tourism, not just surf - reserve 3-4 weeks ahead in summer and around any major city event.

The water

Guincho in particular is powerful and windy, not a beginner spot. Carcavelos and Caparica are more forgiving but watch the rivermouth pollution after heavy rain near Caparica.

Who it suits

Guincho's wind and shorebreak punish the inexperienced; don't paddle out there without solid beach-break skills first.

Money

Cards work everywhere in the city; carry a little cash for beach kiosks and buses.

Best time to surf Nazaré

Nazaré works best around Oct-Apr.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PrimeGoodQuiet

Portugal or Spain? Compared for surfing

Portugal or France? Compared for surfing

Guincho beach and the Sintra hills, near Lisbon — Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0

Getting to Nazaré

Lisbon airport (LIS) sits inside the city itself, and the coast is reachable by train, bus or a short drive in every direction.

Cascais rail line

$2-4

A cheap, frequent train runs from central Lisbon straight to Carcavelos and on to Cascais. It's the easiest way to surf without a car. Boards are allowed outside rush hour; avoid the 8-9:30am commuter crush.

Bus to Caparica

$2-5

Frequent buses cross the 25 de Abril bridge to Caparica's long beach strip in about 30 minutes. In summer the Transpraia, a small beach train, runs the length of Caparica's beaches.

Rental car

$25-40/day

A car makes reaching Guincho and Sintra's coast far easier, and lets you chase the best wind and swell combo of the day. Parking at Guincho and Caparica is tight and paid in summer, so arrive early.