We continue exploring the best surf trips on the Peninsula, and this time we're stopping in our neighboring country, Portugal. If you're looking for an unforgettable surf trip in northern Portugal, whether for a surf trip or to start surfing, Flysurf has all the details you need to make the most of this unique experience. Keep reading to plan your next adventure!
At Flysurf, together with our friends from The Feather Van, we propose an amazing surf trip through the most unknown area for surfing in Portugal.
If you plan to surf in northern Portugal, we recommend experiencing it by traveling in a camper van. This style of travel allows you to fully enjoy each spot and each wave, with the freedom to move according to conditions, and it also has beaches for learning to surf for all stages of learning.
Surf Trip in Northern Portugal: an epic experience.
In this series of surf trips across the Peninsula, we begin a mini-guide to surf trips in Portugal. This country, known for its endless beaches for learning to surf and a surf school on every corner, is also a true paradise to explore by camper van. With Flysurf, discover hidden gems and enjoy the adventure of surfing in some of Europe's most outstanding destinations.
In this first trip along the Portuguese coast, we delve into northern Portugal, a lesser-known region but full of surfing potential. Although its climate is cooler than the south, this area has many perfect spots to enjoy incredible waves.
Our starting point on this surf trip is Moledo and Vila Praia de Âncora, located near the Spanish border. These open beaches offer multiple wave peaks, ideal for all stages of surf learning, from beginners to experts. Thanks to their proximity, these spots are very popular among Galician surfers.
A little further south, we find Arda beach, an iconic spot known for hosting international bodyboarding events for decades. The power and consistency of its waves, along with its numerous peaks, make Arda a perfect place to enjoy a good surf session. Its great exposure to the swell makes this beach an excellent option for summer days with fewer waves. However, when the swell is strong, it is important to be careful due to currents.
Next, we arrive at Cabedelo beach, which extends on both sides of the mouth of the Lima River. This spot is popular among surfers and wind lovers, as it offers ideal conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing depending on atmospheric conditions. It is a very long beach with dunes that offers very good peaks at the beginning of the beach, next to the breakwater, with long, hollow waves. This spot is ideal for surfers looking for consistency and quality in every wave. The best tide for surfing in Cabedelo is medium or low, allowing you to make the most of its waves. The beach has easy parking, showers in the parking area, a good restaurant, and nearby surf shops for those who want surfboards to start surfing. This spot combines comfort and excellent surf conditions, ideal for those wondering how to learn to surf.
We continue our surf tour in northern Portugal, at Aguçadoura beach. A fairly exposed beach break that offers great consistency throughout the year. Like practically the entire coast of Portugal, it works best with easterly winds (offshore) and is excellent at all tides. It doesn't usually have too many surfers, so it's a good option if you're looking to improve your take-off.
After crossing the quiet city of Vila do Conde, we reach our last stop: Azurara. This beach is one of the surfing landmarks in Northern Portugal. It is a long sandy beach divided by old jetties that, at high tide, form part of the beginning of some waves. The waves are fast with good walls for quality surfing.
Finally, it ends in Porto, where you'll find surf schools, surf shops to buy a surfboard, and beaches for surfing. Slightly north of the city, you have Matosinhos beach. A vast sandy area where the waves are long and gentle, allowing you to perform all kinds of maneuvers, whether with a longboard, like our 9.2 model, or with a shortboard. A perfect beach for beginner surfers. Generally, on good days and weekends, it gets crowded and can be chaotic when waves are scarce. A little south of Porto, you have the Espinho area, one of the surfing gems in Northern Portugal. It's an area with many beaches and breakwaters; with the right conditions and the sandbanks in place, the waves are very powerful and hollow, one of the best beaches for surfing.
Except for the more urban areas, surfing in Northern Portugal is much less crowded than in the rest of the country, making it a very good option for a van or camper trip. Use these points as a reference and try to discover new surf spots!
And so ends one of our recommended trips through Portugal. As we have already mentioned, this coast is a gold mine of wonderful waves, so we encourage you to leave the beaten path and discover new surf spots!
Enjoy surfing in this natural paradise and live a new adventure! See you in the water!
