If you were to pick a handful of countries that could put themselves forward as the surfing capital of the world, Portugal would be front and centre of that debate. A surfing holiday in Portugal isn’t just an activity holiday. To many of the locals, surfing is a way of life, almost a religion.

Portugal boasts the infamous Nazare, where some of the biggest waves found on earth form, and where the best surfers in the world flock to prove their mettle. For beginners, there are endless choices for a slightly more tame experience. Portugal’s west coast is a patchwork of long, sweeping beaches with great surf year-round. Finishing up a day in the waves with an ice-cold beer, a barbecue, and a group of fanatical and friendly local surfers as the sun sets over the Atlantic – we don’t think it gets much better than that.

Surfing Adventures in Portugal

Surfing holidays are all about truly immersing yourself in a landscape, about taking to the water and experiencing the power of nature, harnessing it to enjoy one of the most exhilarating feelings. Skimming across the sea surface, sending salt spray into the fresh sea air as a wave propels you to shore is an experience you don’t forget.

And in Portugal, surfing is more than a sport or a hobby. For many of the locals, surfing is a way of life. On the stunning beaches of the Atlantic coast you’ll find surfing havens, occupied by those who have taken the sport and turned it into a fully fledged, thriving culture.

Not In The Guidebooks put you in touch with local instructors and surfing enthusiasts who know the beaches, the tides and the currents better than anyone, so that you can be safe in the knowledge that you’re experiencing the best surfing spots in a totally safe environment.

And at the end of your exhilarating day in the waves, it’s only right to kick back on the beach, feel the warm sand between your toes and the dried salt in your hair, as you enjoy an ice-cold beer and barbecue as the sun goes down, because when it comes to surfing, the culture extends far beyond the activity itself.

Join a Not In The Guidebooks surfing holiday to find the most beautiful beaches, the best surf and the best local instructors, and upgrade your beach holiday to experiencing an exhilarating piece of local culture.

Where to experience surfing holidays in Portugal

Discover the beaches near Lisbon, and combine your surfing holiday with not only the option to explore the stunning streets and winding stairways of the capital, but potentially yoga, meditation, or wellness experiences to truly achieve that sense of breaking the routine of everyday life. Or explore the region around Porto, and join experienced local guides on an excursion into the Atlantic to achieve that thrill of riding the waves for the first time.

The locals here are famously friendly, and it won’t take too much searching to seek out a stunning seafood shack on the beach, or find someone ready to show you in the direction of the secret beauty spots and secluded beaches.

Wherever you go for a surfing holiday in Portugal, you can be sure that you’ll create memories of unique experiences that last a lifetime.

Who are our Portuguese surf holiday Guests?

People who have never set foot on a surfboard in their life, people who enjoy bodyboarding, surf beginners and people who are aiming to hone their technique and seek out the best surf spots thanks to that invaluable local knowledge, everyone is welcome on our surfing holidays in Portugal.

Your instructors are experts at teaching all, from the absolute beginners to the experts, and they’ll ensure you are absolutely safe and in your comfort zone throughout your time in the water. This means you can simply relax, drink in the stunning scenery, and enjoy that unique experience of mastering the waves.

All you need to bring is energy, enthusiasm and the thirst to try something a little different. Sound like you?

Why choose Not In The Guidebooks?

We’re passionate about helping people find the most amazing experiences on their travels, through meeting local people, exploring new places, and discovering alternative activities that make holidays special. We do this by carefully selecting partners in countries around the world who are experts in their local area, sourcing interesting people who can guide you through immersive experiences.

We’ve got local partners all across Portugal, from the rolling green hills and dramatic canyons a the Douro Valley, all the way to the beautiful and historic cities of Porto and Lisbon. Choosing a Not In The Guide Books holiday in Potugal means you don’t have to choose between a beach holiday or an activity-filled break, you can get the best of both worlds with a unique trip.