Surfing is probably the best sport that you can participate in. It keeps you healthy and occupied, takes you outside, and offers so many vacations and journeys to the world’s most stunning destinations. There are a ton of surf beaches around the globe with fun waves. Seaside breaks, point breaks, reef breaks, barrels, novice waves, and beyond – the world is full of a wide range of waves suiting your style and abilities.
In Europe, the fusion of old-world charm, gorgeous beaches and secure travel help you get a prime surf destination for beginner surfers.
Some of the best spots to learn surfing in Europe are listed below.
1. Cascais, Portugal
Surf Cascais is a stunning surf camp situated in Cascais, the surf town of the Lisbon area. They have affordable packages that are ideal for surfers interested in improving and polishing their surfing skills. Professional surf instructors can conduct surf lessons according to your skills. You’ll be able to surf the best places and hidden spots with an experienced surf guide by your side.
In the quiet neighborhood of Murches, the accommodations are a five-minute drive from Guincho seacoast, the primary spot where surfing lessons are given.
Based in Guincho Beach, close to Cascais, Moana surf school is the prime surfing school known to provide surfing lessons to adults, teenagers, and groups. They cover both beginner and advanced surf lessons; whether you are a complete beginner and want to try your luck in surfing and shoot scores or an intermediate surfer who just wants to have the time of his life, this is your go-to place.
This surf camp takes place in Portugal’s Cascais. It’s a village 30 minutes away from Lisbon, Cascais. It is one of Portugal’s most popular resorts, surrounded by beautiful beaches, gardens, and villas. Cascais is a perfect surfing paradise, with world-class waves throughout the entire year. Praia da Ursa, Praia da Ribeira and Parede are a few famous surfing spots in Cascais.
The nightlife in Cascais is excellent, and numerous casinos come to light above the sandy beaches. Push your curfew for a few hours and play some poker while sipping the local mojitos and Sagres beers.
Following a successful surf day, you can take your pick from one of the numerous local seafood restaurants.
2. Peniche, Portugal
Peniche is one of Portugal’s best surfing towns, offering a good range of waves in almost all conditions. Supertubos is viewed as a standout amongst Europe’s best beach breaks, but it is generally for advanced surfers.
Peniche Surf Camp is located in Casais do Baleal. It also offers a pickup facility from the Lisbon airport and is within walking distance or a short drive of every Peniche Peninsula wave.
Groups or private lessons are also available for all levels, from beginner to experienced, with 150 surfboards to choose from in all shapes and sizes.
As far as accommodations go, you can book either singular condos or shared apartments. In addition, there’s a bar and many restaurants on the location where you can appreciate delicious dinners or connect with new friends.
Papoa, Bananas, and Prainha are among the other famous surf spots.
3. Algarve, Portugal
Algarve is a small town of Lagos on Portugal’s Algarve Coast, known for its famous and stunning beaches and humming nightlife. The town beaches have clear, serene waters, and you’ll find some great surf spots for all levels on your way to Sagres and the West Coast. Arrifana Beach, Praia de Alvor, and Praiha Amado are some of the main highlights.
Since 1992, The Surf Experience is the first and the best surf camp in Lagos, offering surfaris to southwestern Portugal’s best surf spots. You will also enjoy several special events, from riding the greatest waves to regular yoga, boot camps, and longboard weeks.
Accommodations range from famous ‘Surf House’ to typical pensäo or boutique apartments, and all the bars, restaurants, and street life are just minutes away in the center of Lagos.
4. Praia da Foz do Lizandro, Portugal
Foz do Lizandro with left and right breaks, and the sandy bottom is a great surf spot for both novice and intermediates. Foz do Lizandro was granted a blue flag and is lauded for its services, including seasonal rescue services, emergency departments, bathrooms, showers and changing rooms, lifeguards with various bars and beach restaurants. It is perfect for beginners who want to learn to surf.
You can easily rent umbrellas and sunbeds on the beach if surfing is not your thing or you want to relax.
Foz do Lizandro can get busier when other surf spots around Ericeira aren’t available to other travelers.
5. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
Assuming that you want to dodge the harsh and chilly winters of Europe, you should head to the Canary Islands, which offers all-year-round sunshine and light temperatures.
There are several surf camps across Tenerife and the Canary Islands, Lanzarote, but Fuerteventura’s climate conditions make for an incredible surfing camp location. It also offers a favorable environment for beginners to learn surfing and practice to polish their skills.
Star Surf Camp appreciates a beachfront location directly on El Cotillo’s wonderful beach and is located with access to three coastlines. Following a day full of surfing, you can lounge on two sun terraces on the surf camp, enjoy some neighborhood food in one of the nearby restaurants, or head into Corralejo for tapas, lagers, and karaoke.
It can become busy, but on the other hand, it’s excellent for learning to surf with gorgeous surf spots and magnificent landscapes.
6. A Coruña, Spain
On the north coast of Spain, Galicia is less packed than some of its neighbors, providing an incredible spot to learn surfing in the summer months.
Art Surf Camp enjoys a special spot at Razo seashore in A Coruña, offering a casual air where you can surf and do exercises like yoga, stand-up paddleboarding, beach volleyball, and many more. The surf camp has heaps of faithful clients and gets a lot of positive responses. Besides, the surf instructors have more than 12 years of involvement, so you’ll be in good hands.
The lodging inn has two stories of rooms with windows for you to appreciate and enjoy the magnificent view of the beach and a restaurant and a cafe where you can enjoy delicious meals, which are well-prepared to ensure you do not fall sick and can surf to the best of your abilities.
7. Zarautz Beach, Spain
Zarautz is the best option for beginners for surfing throughout the year, courtesy of the Bay of Biscay swells. There are numerous breaks here as well.
Situated just 24 kilometers from San Sebastián, Zarautz itself is a small town. There are plenty of surf shops, surf schools, restaurants, and bars in the region that make it an excellent spot for learning to surf.
Summer months are ideal for enjoying the great waves of Zarautz when the waters are warm and the conditions are suited for amateurs. In winter, surfing becomes more challenging, as the waves get harder and the waters cold. It can get busy, but it is also a beautiful surfing spot with lovely scenery.
Near Zarautz Beach, there are plenty of lodging options, including surf camps with jaw-dropping landscapes.