Top 10 Europe surf destinations: Best European surfing holidays

Jul 27, 2021 BY Kris Goodbody

Writing a top 10 Europe surf destinations is tricky – there are many factors that have to be taken into account. Firstly I have to assume I am talking to a mixed bag of surfers. For beginners, the best European surfing holidays are not where the 18ft barrels will be found. Likewise the Kelly Slaters out there are not looking for the location of the friendliest surf school.

Review of the Surf Experience: Learn to surf in Lagos

Along with the surf, to decide this top 10 I have taken account of extracurricular activities for surfers to indulge in out of the water. Such as drinking, partying and meeting people they find attractive. The beauty of the surroundings has also played a role in the selection of these surfing EL Dorados.

Best European surfing holidays

  1. Biarritz/ Hossegor, France
  2. Mundaka, Spain
  3. Peniche, Portugal
  4. Sligo, Ireland
  5. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
  6. Thurso, Scotland
  7. Lagos, Portugal
  8. Iceland
  9. San Sebastian, Spain
  10. Newquay, England

Best Europe surf destinations

I feel that this top 10 Europe surf destinations, is arguably the most inclusive, unbiased and comprehensive Europe surf travel guide you will read. So lets count down from 10…

10. Newquay, England

Much of Britain’s exposure to the Atlantic’s waves is block by Ireland – some say it was an act of defiance by the small nation… All we know for sure is that most of the west coast is relatively surfless, except for the south west where you’ll find Newquay.

Top 10 Europe surf destinations Fistral Beach Flickr image by daniel2005

At the famous Fistral beach you’ll find world class fast, hollow waves. Although due to its fame you’ll find hoards of people to go with it. In and around Newquay there are a lot of other surf beaches to be explored. These include many beginner spots with Newquay surf lessons. Summer’s great for beginners, while winter can churn out some powerful waves for the experts.

In Newquay you’ll find a great place to learn and from time to time there’s world class swell. Also Newquay is a great place for a night out just ask one of the several thousand stag parties that pass through yearly. If you happen to call England home then Newquay is only a hop, skip and a jump away.

9. San Sebastian, Spain

San Sebastian is a fantastic city with many great activities. It offers a great blend of new and old world, plus an edgy city life with natural beauty. Plus did I mention that San Sebastian surfing holidays inare excellent?

Top 10 Europe surf destinations Basque Region Flickr image by Fresco Tours

San Sebastian lies in Basque country just 20km from the French border. The city’s main surfing beach, La Zurriola, is in the centre of town and is flanked by surf schools on all sides. The waves in San Sebastian in the summer lend themselves very well to beginners and, like most spots in Europe, winter is the time to go if it’s monster waves you’re after.

There’s a lot to do and see in San Sebastian, including free summertime open air concerts on the surf beach. You can ride waves and listen to big names wailing it out on stage. San Sebastian is a must visit for surfers and non-surfers alike and offers one of the best European surfing holidays.

8. Iceland

What is Iceland doing on a top 10 Europe Surf destinations? Out in the middle of the Atlantic seemingly closer to North America than Europe but European it is. This exotic land of Bjork, geysers, volcanoes and ice is bombarded with waves and has enough rough natural beauty to give a man an epiphany.

head to Iceland for one of the best European surfing holidays Flickr CC image by Dalli 58

Heralded by many as Europe’s last wilderness, there’s a lot to be discovered. One home grown tour operator, Arctic Surfers, provides a surfing in Iceland service to help avid cold water surfers. But a lot can be discovered by just hopping in a car and driving around the next glacier.

The best surf is to be found on the south east of the Island with big lumbering swells hitting the land at great spots such as Porlackshöfn and Hafnir. Both are less than an hour’s drive from the capital, Reykjavik, so they’re easily accessible. So grab your 6mm hooded suit and your thermal rashie (or even a drysuit!) and go get some frigid barrels.

7. Lagos, Portugal

The bottom left hand corner of the Iberian peninsula is a sun kissed eden for surfers and general holidaymakers alike. And both head there in their droves. If you want to avoid the crowds there are plenty of reefs and beaches to keep surfers supplied with crisp new spots on a daily basis and Lagos is a great spot to explore them from.

Review of The Surf Experience in Lagos Portugal image by Staffan Rennermalm

Lagos is a lovely town with plenty of nightlife. Check out this review of The Surf Experience in Lagos to find out how one of our team got on learning to surf. In our opinion one of the best European surfing holidays to experience a lively surf camp.

In the summer the west facing beaches tend to churn out clean waist to chest high swells, though popular lineups can get busy. Either side of the summer is when the storm chasers will find the drama they’re looking for. Under a clear, warm autumnal sky beaches such as Carrapateira have been know to get surging 25 ft waves – attracting the pros from all over the world.

If you want to explore the Algarve and avoid the crowds then hire a campervan.  Then you can go where the surf takes you, find your own perfect break and your bed will never be for away! We recommend West Coast Campers as they provide simple to use campers at highly competitive prices.

6. Thurso, Scotland

If it’s brooding cobalt blue northern seas, massive slabs of waves and adventurous isolation you’re after, Thurso is one of the best Europe surf destinations for you. Lying almost as far north as you can go in the rocky fringes of the upper Scotland, this place is a primeval proving ground for hardy surfers from all over the world.

Best Europen surfing holidays in Thurso Scotland Flickr image by jack spellingbacon

From  2006 to 2011 Thurso East was home to the annual O’neill ‘Coldwater Classic’. A professional competition in which the winner, in a wonderful display of Celtic mysticism, receives a sword.

While the pro comp has left the surf has not. Check out these Thurso East surfing courses if you want to learn. But be warned, the North of Scotland is where you’ll find Europe at some of its wildest in terms of locals, landscape, weather and waves. Only the very brave need apply.

5. Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Number 5 in the top 10 Europe surf destinations is another far flung Island that many do not consider European. Fuerteventura literally translates as ‘Strong Winds’ in Spanish. The good news is while it does tend to be a bit breezy, a good chunk of this wind is blowing lightly offshore onto world class surf.

Top 10 Europe surf destinations Fuerteventura Flickr image by maccanti

The town of Corralejo is the heart and soul of the Island and amongst the pulsing nightlife teeming with tourists there are some fine waves to be found. Waves like the heavy right-handed Los Lobos with its breathtaking view of the volcano and it’s aptly named lefthand counterpart ‘Izquierda’ simply meaning ‘left’ in Spanish. Even the pros out there will have their hands full.

At the other end of the spectrum there are plenty of beginner waves for those learning and an abundance of options to surf in Fuerteventura to choose from. This sun kissed lump of volcanic rock will treat you to some great weather and world class waves all year round. Check out this guide to Corralejo surfing holidays in Fuerteventura for more info.

 4. Sligo, Ireland

Sligo is one of Ireland’s most beautiful counties, and it also happens to be privy to some of the finest surf in Europe. With big, meaty reef breaks such as the lethal left hander at Easkey right beside the long, rolling beachbreaks of Enniscrone and Strandhill, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Go to Sligo in Ireland for one of the best European surfing holidays Flickr image by atomicpuppy68

All this watery adventure is set against a beautiful backdrop of wild west Irish landscape. Great pubs, interesting locals and all manner of tin-whistle playing paddywhackery.

Are you a soul surfing big wave charger? A keen beginner? Or just a booze-hound masquerading as a surfer? Then you’ll be sure to have a grand auld time in this welcoming fringe of Europe. I should know as I have called it home for many years, but to me it is one of the best European surfing holidays.

 3. Peniche, Portugal

Peniche is a peninsula located roughly halfway down the Portuguese coast. This chunk of land jutting defiantly into the Atlantic works on almost every swell and wind direction making it one of the best Europe surf destinations for consistency.

Top 10 Europe surf destinations Peniche Flickr image by undone2009

If you want to learn to surf in Peniche then the schools use the gentle chest-high breakers. Beaches such as the relatively placid Cantinho da Baia provide a more sheltered playground for beginners and intermediates.

While just round the corner you’ll find the sleeping giant of Supertubos. This big fella requires a lot to wake him up, a two metre swell should do it, but when he does it’s a hell of a thing. These cavernous, hollow barrels attract the surfing pro tour every year.

The nightlife in Peniche is both understated and highly enjoyable. In the summertime the campsites fill up fast and there’s usually a bit of guitar playing bonfire action to be found. Midnight swims and urgent trysts are also a regularity. All the fine things to be expected from a good old fashioned surfing holidays!

 2. Mundaka, Spain

This is a little seaside fishing village on the north coast of Spain that has been harbouring a secret for many years. Turns out this unassuming little Basque town has one of the most perfect waves in the world giving it number two spot on our top 10 Europe surf destinations.

Top 10 Europe surf destinations Mundaka Flickr image by joseramondelamar

Lying at a river estuary the wave at Mundaka has a sandbar that jacks up a left hand wave that famously barrels for 400m or more. The wave also breaks right beside a beautiful old pier making for a perfect viewing platform for all your fans while you’re out tearing it up.

Mundaka’s pedigree is such that it was an on/off stop on the ASP surfing world tour for more than a decade before it became the World Surf League. Although recently many have argued that the wave has suffered due to changes in the sandbar. Whatever the case it’s still a magnificent wave to surf, and one of the best Europe surf destinations purely for the wave.

 1. Biarritz/ Hossegor, France

Biarritz and Hossegor is a paired seaside town not far from Bordeaux where the best European surfing holidays are to be found. A contented surfer can lounge around in the sun ogling the lithe bodies passing by, deciding every now and then to take a leisurely paddle in the warm consistent waves.

Hossegor, France provides one of the best European surfing holidays Flickr image by Angeloscense

In the evening this handsome part of the country offers a nightlife to be reckoned with. So after a surf just go to a bar and patiently wait for the nightly drink fuelled madness to get going.

The climax of the season is in October when the French leg of the World Surf League pass through Hossegor. The coast heats up for a few weeks of general hedonism before Europe shuts up shop for the winter.

We hope you found this top 10 Europe surf destinations useful in planning your next trip. Be sure to check out out surfing discounts as you could save yourself a fortune.

 
 

2 responses to “Top 10 Europe surf destinations: Best European surfing holidays”

  1. There’s no beach called “La Gaviota” in San Sebastián. The name you’re looking for is “La Zurriola”.

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