The best places to learn to surf in Europe
Where beginners find gentle waves, good schools and the right season, from Portugal and the Canaries to France, Spain and Ireland.
What makes a good place to learn
The best places to learn to surf share a few characteristics. They have sandy beaches with gently sloping bottoms, where waves break softly and consistently. They have a choice of beaches facing different directions, so schools can find sheltered waves when the swell or wind is wrong. They have plenty of established surf schools with qualified instructors, and they are easy to reach, with accommodation for different budgets.
Season matters as much as place. Many of Europe's surf coasts are powerful in winter and gentle in summer. A beach that is perfect for beginners in August can be dangerous in January. The destinations below are chosen for their reliability for learners at the right time of year, and we explain when that is.
Peniche and Baleal, Portugal
Peniche, about an hour and a half north of Lisbon, is arguably Europe's most practical place to learn. The town sits on a peninsula with beaches facing north, west and south, so there is almost always a sheltered option. The bay at Baleal is one of the busiest teaching beaches on the continent, and the area has dozens of surf schools and camps.
Peniche works for learners for much of the year. Summer brings small, gentle waves and warm weather; spring and autumn bring more consistent swell, with schools moving between beaches to find suitable conditions. Even in winter, good schools can usually find something manageable. The famous Supertubos is for experts, so leave it to them.
The Algarve: Sagres and Lagos, Portugal
Portugal's southern tip is another excellent learning destination. Around Sagres, beaches face west, south-west and south within a few minutes of each other, giving schools flexibility in almost any wind. Lagos, a lively town about thirty minutes east, is a popular base, with camps driving students to the best beach each day, often on the west coast around Arrifana and Amado.
The Algarve is one of Europe's sunniest regions, and its water is a little warmer than Portugal's north. It works well for learners from spring to autumn, and winter can be good with a school that uses the south-facing beaches. Summer is windy, so morning sessions are usually best.
Ericeira and Lisbon's beaches, Portugal
Ericeira, a World Surfing Reserve near Lisbon, is famous for advanced reefs, but its sandy beaches, especially Foz do Lizandro, are good for learning. Closer to Lisbon, Costa da Caparica stretches for kilometres of sandy beach with many surf schools, and Carcavelos, reachable by train from the city, is a popular city surf beach.
These spots make it easy to combine surf lessons with a city break in Lisbon. Summer and early autumn are best for beginners, with smaller waves and warm weather.
The Canary Islands, Spain
For winter learning, the Canary Islands are hard to beat. Lanzarote's Famara, a long sandy beach below high cliffs, has many surf schools, and Fuerteventura's beaches around Corralejo and El Cotillo are popular for lessons. The islands enjoy mild, sunny weather all year, with water warmer than mainland Europe in winter.
The main swell season is October to March, when schools choose sheltered beaches for beginners. Summer brings strong trade winds, which suit kitesurfing, but learners can still find waves on calmer mornings. The famous reefs of Fuerteventura's North Shore and Lanzarote's La Santa are for experienced surfers only.
South-west France
France's Atlantic coast has some of Europe's most powerful beach breaks, but in summer it is a classic learning destination. Seignosse, Capbreton and the beaches around Hossegor have many surf schools, as do Anglet and Biarritz in the Basque Country, where the Côte des Basques offers slow, rolling waves at lower tides. Further north, Lacanau is another popular choice.
Summer and early September are best for beginners, with smaller waves and warm water. Outside summer, waves are often too powerful for learners, and many schools reduce their schedules. Lifeguarded swimming zones restrict surfing on busy summer beaches, so follow local rules.
Northern Spain
Spain's north coast has a strong surf culture and many good learning beaches. Zarautz in the Basque Country has a long sandy beach and many schools. Somo, across the bay from Santander in Cantabria, is one of Spain's most popular learning beaches, with surf camps and a relaxed atmosphere. Salinas in Asturias and A Lanzada in Galicia are other good options.
Summer and early autumn are the best seasons for beginners. The region's food, from pintxos to seafood, is a big part of the experience.
Ireland and the UK
If you do not mind cold water, Ireland and the UK offer friendly surf communities and good learning beaches. In Ireland, Bundoran's Tullan Strand, Rossnowlagh, Strandhill and Lahinch have established surf schools that provide thick wetsuits and boots. In the UK, Cornwall and Devon are the main surf regions.
Summer and early autumn are best for learners, with smaller waves, long days and the warmest water of the year, which is still cool. A good wetsuit makes all the difference.
| Destination | Best months for beginners | Water |
|---|---|---|
| Peniche, Portugal | May–October (all year with a flexible school) | Cool: 3/2 to 4/3 |
| Sagres & Lagos, Portugal | April–October | Cool: 3/2 to 4/3 |
| Canary Islands, Spain | All year; October–March for more swell | Mild: shorty to 3/2 |
| South-west France | June–September | Mild in summer: 3/2 |
| Northern Spain | June–September | Mild in summer: 3/2 |
| Ireland | June–September | Cold: 4/3 to 5/4 with boots |
Questions
Where is the best place in Europe to learn to surf?
Peniche in Portugal is one of the most reliable, thanks to beaches facing several directions and many surf schools. The Algarve, the Canary Islands, south-west France and northern Spain are also excellent at the right time of year.
Where can I learn to surf in Europe in winter?
The Canary Islands offer mild weather and warmer water in winter. Portugal's Peniche and Algarve can also work with schools that choose sheltered beaches. Morocco, just beyond Europe, is another popular winter option.
What wetsuit do I need to learn to surf in Europe?
It depends on the destination and season. In summer, a 3/2 is common in Portugal, France and Spain, while Ireland and the UK need a 4/3 or thicker. Most surf schools include wetsuits.
Is Portugal or France better for beginners?
Portugal is more flexible year-round, especially Peniche and the Algarve. France is excellent for beginners in summer but often too powerful outside it.
How much does it cost to learn to surf in Europe?
Costs vary widely by country, season and type of trip. Single group lessons are generally affordable, while week-long surf camps that include accommodation, meals and daily lessons cost more. Shoulder seasons such as spring and early autumn usually offer better prices than July and August.
Can I learn to surf near a European city?
Yes. Lisbon has Carcavelos and Costa da Caparica nearby, San Sebastián has Zurriola beach in the city, Biarritz is a town with surf on its doorstep and Las Palmas on Gran Canaria has city surf. These are good options for combining a city break with lessons.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer to learn to surf?
You should be comfortable in the water and able to swim, but you do not need to be an athlete. Lessons take place in shallow water at first, and instructors keep a close eye on students.
Plan the trip
- Peniche surf guide
- Sagres surf guide
- Lagos surf guide
- Lanzarote surf guide
- Fuerteventura surf guide
- Biarritz surf guide
- Surfing in Portugal
- Surfing in Spain
- Surfing in France
- Surfing in Ireland
Sources
These are editorial planning suggestions, not a substitute for local instruction or current conditions. How we write our guides.