Surfing in Lisbon

Lisbon is a rare capital where you can sightsee in the morning and score Atlantic waves the same afternoon. It is one of the easiest places in Europe to learn or improve your surfing. 

The Atlantic is close, the beaches are many, and surf schools run every day. You can be on a board within 30–40 minutes of the city center.

This guide will show you the best beaches for beginners and for more experienced surfers, when to go, and what wetsuit you’ll need. 

You’ll also find clear information on tickets, prices, meeting points, what to bring, and basic safety and guidelines. 

Top Tickets

# Lisbon surf adventure: group & private with transfers
# Surfing lesson on Costa da Caparica: small group tour

As surf lessons in Lisbon often sell out quickly, it’s recommended to book them as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.

Surf tour options: private, small-group, sunset, & transfers

Pick the surf experience that fits your day—private coaching, small-group lessons, sunset sessions, or tours with transfers. Look at the times, inclusions, meeting points, and prices to book fast.

Lisbon surf adventure: group & private options with transfers 

• The surf adventure takes about 2–4 hours, depending on the tour option you choose.
• You can choose from two starting time slots: 9:00 and 14:00
• Your tour instructor speaks in English, Portuguese, and Spanish
• You can choose your surf experience from 4 different options available,
  • 2-Hour Caparica surf adventure
  • Surf experience with transport (4h)
  • 2-Hour Caparica private surf + souvenir video
  • Private surf with transport + souvenir video (4h)
• Surf Atlantic waves just 10–30 minutes from Lisbon
• See Caparica’s fossil cliffs (protected landscape) and long sandy beaches
• Safety and beach briefing, then a 2-hour coached session
• Try different board sizes and shapes to find your fit
• Includes certified surf instructor + local guide, full surf equipment (board + wetsuit), and sports insurance
• The meeting point varies according to the option you choose.
• Price: From €30 per person 

Book This Tour

Surfing lesson on Costa da Caparica: small group tour 

• This Lisbon surfing lesson takes about 3 hours.
• This surf experience starts at 10:00.
• For a personalized experience, this small-group tour involves a maximum of 6 participants. 
• Your tour instructor speaks in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian.
• Meet your instructor, get your wetsuit and board.
• Learn the basics on the sand, then practice in the water
• Includes surf lesson, certified instructor, all equipment, Portuguese Surfing Federation certificate
• Meeting point: Parking lot — look for a grey Peugeot van.
• Price: €29 per person

Book This Tour

Sunset surf adventure: golden-hour session

• Learn surfing for about 2 hours
• Your sunset surf adventure starts at 19:00
• Your certified instructor’s language is available in Portuguese, English, French, and Spanish
• Get all the equipment – board, wetsuit, lycra
• Learn basics, then surf during golden hour
• Enjoy sunset views with Lisbon on the horizon
• You get the sunset vibes and photo-ready scenery
• Showers, changing rooms, and lockers are the facilities available

• Meeting point: Portugal Surf School in Costa da Caparica
• Prices: €40 per person. Not suitable for children under 6 years or seniors over 95 years.

Book This Tour

Save with the Lisboa Card: Free entry to Jerónimos, Belém Tower, Saint Jorge Castle & 50+ sights, plus unlimited metro, trams, buses and CP trains—skip lines and save money.

How to choose the right surf lesson in Lisbon

• Want a private surf experience? Enjoy pick-up & drop-off, and a 2-hour surf lesson from a private coach.
• Would you like a surf lesson in a small group? Go surfing at the Costa da Caparica beach with your instructor.
• Love golden-hour vibes? Take the Sunset Surf Adventure, a 2-hour evening session that includes all gear and facilities.

Where to surf near Lisbon (best beaches & who they suit)

Use this quick guide to choose the best beach that matches your level.

Costa da Caparica (south of Lisbon) 

• Best for: Costa da Caparica is suitable for beginners & mixed groups. 
• Vibe: long sandy coast with many peaks and surf schools. 
• When it works: most days; sheltered from N winds. 
• Access: 15–30 min by car/transfers; many lessons run here.
  

Carcavelos (Cascais line) 

• Best for: Carcavelos is for beginners on small days, intermediates in winter. 
• Vibe: consistent beach break, can get punchy and crowded. 
• When it works: autumn–spring is most reliable. 
• Access: train from Cais do Sodré → Carcavelos, short walk.

São Pedro do Estoril / Bafureira (Estoril coast) 

• Best for: São Pedro do Estoril is for confident beginners (on small swells) to intermediates. 
• Vibe: reefs/sand with defined peaks. 
• When it works: smaller swells or when Carcavelos is too big. 
• Access: Cascais train line.
  

Guincho & Cresmina (Sintra/Cascais) 

• Best for: Guincho is suitable for intermediates/advanced. 
• Vibe: powerful, wind-exposed beach. 
• When it works: early mornings or light-wind windows; winter swells. 
• Access: car or a lesson with transfers.
  

Praia Grande (Sintra)

• Best for: Praia Grande is for intermediates. 
• Vibe: consistent, heavier beach break with currents. 
• When it works: summer into the shoulder seasons. 
• Access: car/bus; many schools coach here on the right day.
  

Fonte da Telha (south Caparica) 

• Best for: Fonte da Telha is for beginners and intermediates who want space. 
• Vibe: fewer crowds, long banks. 
• When it works: similar to Caparica; needs less wind. 
• Access: car is easiest.
  

Day trip: Ericeira (World Surfing Reserve) 

• Best for: Ericeira is suitable for all levels (spot-dependent). 
• Vibe: variety—Foz do Lizandro (beginners), Ribeira d’Ilhas (intermediate points), Coxos/The Cave (experts). 
• Access: 40–60 min by car or guided trip.
  

When to surf: seasons & swell

Quick take (seasons)

• Lisbon is surfable year-round.
• November to April brings the most consistent, larger Atlantic swell (great for intermediates/advanced)
• May to August is smaller and friendlier for learners. 
• September to October often sees a mix of warm water and improving swell, and locals call them “magic months.”
  

Swell & wind pattern

• Most Lisbon surf beaches face west to northwest, so they get lots of waves from the Atlantic.
• In summer, a strong north wind (“Nortada”) often kicks in and makes the ocean rough. 
• To avoid that wind, surf early in the morning or choose the south-facing Costa da Caparica, which is more sheltered from the wind.
  

Water temps & wetsuits

• Winter (Dec–Feb): approximately 14–16 °C → 4/3 mm (boots on cold/windy days). 
• Spring/Autumn (Mar–May, Sep–Nov): approximately 15–19 °C → 3/2 mm (some prefer 4/3 early spring). 
• Summer (June–Aug): peak approximately 20–22 °C → 3/2 mm or springsuit/shorty on warm days. 
• Who benefits when: Beginners thrive in late spring to summer; experienced surfers target winter pulses or Sept/Oct shoulder season for quality with fewer crowds.
  

Practical info: Safety, etiquette & tips

• Choose beaches suited to your level, follow your instructor’s briefing, respect right-of-way in the lineup, and avoid strong wind/swell days if you’re new. 
• When in doubt, take a lesson—local coaches know the day’s safest sandbars. 
• Lisbon has numerous surf schools and camps offering lessons, coaching, rentals, and surf-house stays—especially around Caparica and the Estoril/Cascais line. Book ahead on weekends/holidays.
• Bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, water, and warm layers for post-surf. 
• Wetsuits and boards are provided during lessons; independent surfers use 3/2–4/3mm suits, depending on the season.
• You must be comfortable swimming in ocean waves. Surfing needs a basic level of fitness.
• The tour runs only in good weather/sea conditions. If it’s canceled, you can reschedule or get a full refund.
• Please provide the height and weight of all participants on booking

FAQs about Lisbon surfing 

Here are some common questions tourists ask before going on a surf adventure in Lisbon.