
REGION:
EUROPE

2.5-3 HR FLIGHT FROM THE UK TO FARO OR LISBON

BEST FOR FAMILIES
APRIL-NOV

ALL ABILITIES,
EXCELLENT SURF SCHOOLS

REGION:
EUROPE

2.5-3 HR FLIGHT FROM THE UK TO FARO OR LISBON

BEST FOR FAMILIES
APRIL-NOV

ALL ABILITIES,
EXCELLENT SURF SCHOOLS
PORTUGAL FAMILY SURF TRAVEL GUIDE
SANDY BEACHES, YEAR-ROUND SURF AND WAVES FOR ALL ABILITIES
Easy to get to from all over Europe, Portugal boasts over 1,700km of coastline and stunning beaches exposed to wide-ranging Atlantic swells. What’s more, it’s one of the sunniest places in southern Europe, and food and accommodation are really quite affordable. Little wonder, then, that Portugal is our go-to annual destination and a popular spot for a family surfing holiday.
Portugal Holiday Highlights
- A mix of sandy beaches and reef breaks, with waves for the whole family.
- Excellent surf schools and family surf camps for all levels.
- Boutique family hotels and apartments designed for beach-loving families.
- Short flights and easy access from all over Europe.
- Home to Europe’s first surfing reserve, rich in waves, biodiversity and history.
- Fresh, cheap and delicious local cuisine.
Portugal Overview
Choose from sheltered breaks along the south coast, or the wide open beaches of the west coast – or enjoy easy access to both from Sagres on the southwest tip. With surf hubs in the Algarve, Lisbon, Ericeira, Peniche and Porto, there’s a perfect wave for everyone – whatever the time of year. Not forgetting Nazaré, where spectators flock to watch pros take on one of the world’s most famous big waves.
Aside from a rich surf culture and thriving beach life in Portugal, the food is cheap and delicious, and there’s plenty of stylish family accommodation with excellent facilities, including onsite surf schools, yoga, bike hire and activities for non-surfers.
Featured Portugal Surf Trips
QUICK FACTS ABOUT PORTUGAL AS A FAMILY SURF DESTINATION
Getting there: An easy 2.5-3 hours flight from London, Cornwall, Bristol and Exeter, to Faro (Algarve) or Lisbon (West Coast).
Getting around: It’s just 30-60 minutes transfer from Lisbon airport to Ericeira, Santa Cruz and Peniche, and 1.5 hours from Faro airport to Sagres. Hire a car to make it easy to hop between surfing beaches according to conditions.
Surf season: April to November is peak season for surf holidays in Portugal, but there are waves year-round. Spring and Autumn are the best times for offshore groundswells, while summer brings small, fun waves for beginners.
Surfing level: Beginner to expert.
Climate: Portugal’s Mediterranean climate is mild compared to much of Europe, with the weather and water temperatures cooling down the further north you travel.
Wetsuit: 5/4mm in winter, 4/3mm in spring, and 3/2mm or shortie in summer and autumn.
Time zone: GMT (GMT +1 during DST)
Currency: EURO €
Family Surf Co says:
Elliot Walker
Portugal is our go-to destination for family holidays. I’ve visited the Algarve five times for surf trips since the kids were toddlers. Our latest trip to Sagres with older teenagers was also a success, with plenty to do for the ones less interested in surfing these days.
While they lazed on the beach, we had perfect surf conditions from small peelers to overhead barrels. The whole family loves returning to this surf-soaked destination for the sun, cool vibes and amazing food. We usually visit in the spring when it’s nice and warm, without being too hot.
Read on to discover the best locations to surf, play, eat and stay on your family surfing holiday in Portugal.
SURF: WHERE TO GO FOR YOUR FAMILY SURF HOLIDAY IN PORTUGAL
Portugal caters for all levels of surfers, with over 1,700km of coastline riddled with waves to suit everyone: Sheltered beach breaks for beginners. Long, sandy beaches where intermediates can ride on the inside or head out back to the green waves. Hollow beach breaks where you might snag your first barrel. Power-packed reef breaks. And the big wave scene at Nazaré.
The main surfing areas to base yourself for a family surfing holiday include:
Peniche
Situated on a small peninsula jutting into the Atlantic, the surf hub of Peniche boasts waves for all swell and wind directions in a tiny area of coastline, so you can usually find a break to suit all different levels and conditions within half an hour’s drive.
Choose from zippy rights off the jetty at Molho Leste, the legendary barrels at Supertubos, or – just 10 minutes’ north of town – the more mellow banks at Baleal. If you’re prepared to seek beyond the more popular spots, there are also some uncrowded breaks to be found, too.
Santa Cruz
Just 45 minutes south of Peniche, the little beach town of Santa Cruz is at the heart of 20km of rugged coastline, boasting 11 surfing beaches within easy reach. It’s also home of the annual WSL Pro Santa Cruz surf competition. You don’t have to travel far to find plenty of options for different conditions and surfing abilities, but strong westerly winds can affect many of the beach breaks.
For family surfing and beach days, we love Praia das Amoeiras, a stunning beach backed by stunning red cliffs, and Praia De Santa Rita, tucked just south of Porto Novo, where the surf can be a little cleaner than on the wide open beaches.
Ericeira
Ericeira was Europe’s first designated surfing reserve, boasting 8km of coastline packed with outstanding breaks for all levels of surfers. South of the surfy town, you’ll find beach breaks where beginners and intermediates can find their perfect peak, while north is studded with reefs and rugged beaches for the experts.
Praia do Sul is one of the more accessible reefs in the area for intermediate surfers, and a great family beach with lagoons for the children to paddle in, as well as a beach café for snacks and sundowners. Our favourite family surfing beach for beginners is São Julião, a sheltered, long stretch of sand just 10 minutes’ south of Ericeira.
The Algarve
With its temperate climate, stunning beaches and a unique location with south and west coast breaks to choose from, the Algarve is our favourite destination for family surf holidays in Portugal.
The most convenient base is Sagres, just 1.5 hours’ drive from Faro. This small, surf-focussed town boasts its own huddle of breaks catering for various conditions and surfing abilities, as well as easy access to a huge range of breaks along the south and west coasts. So, when the westerlies are howling you can seek shelter on the south coast (Mareta, Beliche and Zavial), and when the easterlies groom the Atlantic swells, head up the rugged west coast to the likes of Amado and Bordeira.
Other Portuguese surfing regions you could consider for a family surfing holiday include:
Madeira
Adrift off the north-west coast of Africa, Madeira has a reputation as a big-wave surfing destination. However, come here in summer and you’ll find perfect waves for the whole family. Aside from the heavy, world-class spot of Jardim do Mar that put the islands on the surf travel radar, you’ll find black-sand beaches such as Seixal where beginners can get to their feet, as well as hidden spots along the north coast in São Vicente.
The Azores
Midway between North America and Europe awaits an archipelago of nature-hewn islands, so often omitted from surfers’ travel lists. But, despite its remoteness, the Azores isn’t difficult to get to, and once there, the surfing opportunities are endless – and uncrowded. No matter what you’ve heard, the adventure isn’t solely for experienced surfers. Away from the slabs and points that fire up in huge winter swells, there are a few much mellower black-sand beach breaks, with a handful of up-and-coming surf schools, to go with them.
Featured Portugal Surf Trips
PLAY: THINGS TO DO ON A FAMILY SURFING HOLIDAY IN PORTUGAL
Being a destination where the sun the temperature doesn’t dip much below 17C, even in mid-winter, much of Portugal’s playtime is based on outdoor life. When it’s scorching, the kids will love splashing around at a water park, casting away on a paddleboard, or searching for dolphins and marine life on a boat trip. If you fancy a bit of culture, explore coastal fortresses, or hop on a tram and explore Lisbon.
FAMILY THINGS TO DO IN PENICHE
Not only well placed for its variety of surfing beaches, Peniche is a great location from which to explore many of Portugal’s gems. Hop aboard the 20-minute boat trip from Peniche to the natural sanctuary of the Berlengas Archipelago, drive 30 minutes to Lourihnã to journey back in time at Portugal’s biggest Dinosaur Park and visit the magical hilltop city of Sintra. It’s also just 45 minutes’ drive to Nazaré, where you can witness the world’s bravest surfers dropping into giant waves up to 35-metres.
FAMILY THINGS TO DO IN ERICEIRA
We love the vibe in Ericeira – its cool surfy culture underscored by a rich fishing heritage. Spend time in the shade at the skate park outside the Boardriders Quiksilver store, hire an e-bike, try stand-up paddleboarding on the river, in the harbour or out on the open sea, or spend a day exploring cosmopolitan Lisbon.
FAMILY THINGS TO DO IN SAGRES
From dolphin watching boat trips to tuk-tuk tours, there are plenty of things to do in Sagres between surf sessions. If it’s not scorching head out on foot along the trails of the Costa Vicente Natural Park, explore the wild terrain on two wheels with Sagres Bicycle and Company, and take a twirl around the 15th century fortress at the tip of the Sagres peninsula. As the sun drops make your way out to Cabo St Vicente to see the sunset from the most south-westerly tip of Europe.
Each region has its own local attractions and activities to keep families occupied and entertained on holiday. See our local guides and blog posts for more inspiration on things to do with the family in these areas.
EAT: FOOD & DRINK FOR ALL THE FAMILY IN PORTUGAL
From pasteis de nata (custard tarts) to seafood flipped fresh from the fishing boats, we love Portuguese cuisine. Fish, grilled meats and wood-fired pizzas are staple dishes, making it easy to find food that the kids will love. We like to start the day with a galão (milky coffee) and a pastel de nata, and end the day with an ice-cold Sagres lager or Vinho Verde served with a traditional dish of bacalhau (salted cod) or grilled sardines.
All of our recommended surf destinations in Portugal have plenty of restaurants and cafés to choose from, and they are used to catering for overseas visitors with a wide choice of dishes and cuisines to suit all tastes. Get a flavour of what to expect in each surf destination in our local dining guides.
STAY: FAMILY-FRIENDLY SURF HOTELS AND ACCOMMODATION IN PORTUGAL
There is no shortage of holiday accommodation in Portugal for your family’s surf adventures. This ranges from affordable surf camps, holiday homes and villas where you have freedom and flexibility, to luxurious surf resorts and hotels that cater to your every need.
To make it easy for you, we’ve sought out the best surf accommodation in Portugal, and finest places for families to stay by the coast. See our recommended places to stay and book your family holiday to this much-loved European surf destination.
THE WRAP: YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED BY PORTUGAL AS A FAMILY SURF DESTINATION
Once experienced never forgotten, Portugal is a world-class destination for surfers of all ages and abilities. There’s power-packed waves to gentle beach breaks, luxury resorts to affordable surf camps. Plus a wide variety of exciting things to see and do, and family-friendly places to eat and drink. Book your family surfing holiday to Portugal today, you won’t be disappointed.
For further inspiration, here’s a little video from our visit to Portugal a few years ago when the kids were young.