Surf near Lisbon today
Lisbon coast, Portugal · 17 spots ranked
Praia de Torre is the best choice in Lisbon today: ankle to knee high, 9-second swell, light offshore wind, rated poor to fair.Carcavelos is close behind.
Tomorrow, Wednesday 4 November
Praia de Torre is the best choice in Lisbon tomorrow: ankle to knee high, 9-second swell, light offshore wind, rated poor to fair.Carcavelos is close behind.
Surfing in Lisbon
Lisbon has surf on three different coasts within forty minutes of the centre, and they rarely work on the same day. Carcavelos and the Estoril line face south into the Tagus mouth and need a west or south-west swell; Guincho faces the open Atlantic and takes everything, along with the wind; Costa da Caparica, across the bridge, is a long straight beach that picks up more swell than the Estoril side and is where much of the city goes to learn.
That is the daily question - not whether there is surf, but which coast has it. This page answers it from today's forecast, using the same model as the app.
Where should a beginner surf in Lisbon?
Carcavelos on a small day, and Costa da Caparica most days - both sandy, both lined with surf schools, both reachable by public transport. São Pedro do Estoril's beach is a quieter third choice.
Guincho is the wrong place to learn: the wind is strong, the shorebreak is powerful and the rips are real. Carcavelos gets heavy and crowded on a proper winter swell.
When is the best time to surf Lisbon?
Autumn through spring - October to April - is when Carcavelos and the Estoril coast come alive on west and south-west swells. Guincho works most of the year but is at its cleanest in autumn before the winter storms. Summer is small and onshore on the Estoril side; Caparica is the reliable summer option.
Common questions
Which coast should I surf near Lisbon today?
Carcavelos and Estoril need a west or south-west swell and light northerly wind; Guincho takes any swell but suffers in wind; Caparica is the fallback. The ranking above already weighs all three from today's forecast.
Is Carcavelos good for beginners?
On a small day, yes - it is sandy, has surf schools, and is on the train line. On a big winter swell it is a heavy, crowded beach break.
How do I get to Carcavelos from Lisbon?
The Cascais line train from Cais do Sodré, about 25 minutes; the beach is a ten-minute walk from Carcavelos station.
Is Guincho good for surfing?
Yes, on the right day - it is the most exposed spot near Lisbon and picks up any swell. It is also the windiest, so mornings are best.
Where is the most consistent surf near Lisbon?
Costa da Caparica, across the bridge. Its long open beach picks up more swell than the Estoril coast and has peaks along its whole length.