Where to Surf: the Best of Europe's Beaches

Surfing is a sport that brings to mind the Pacific waves of Hawaii and the laid-back summer of the Californian coast. There are however plenty of places in Europe where you can catch some waves whatever your level of skill.

Whether you’re a beginner still struggling to stand up on your board or a confident surfer, all of these locations have some surf schools and excursion groups to suit all levels. Have a look at our roundup of locations along Europe’s coast for a beachside holiday where you can catch a wave.

Bundoran, Ireland

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Most people think of surfing as a sun-soaked holiday, but some of the best waves in Europe are to be found in its less sunny spots. Located on the north-west coast of Ireland, the seaside town of Bundoran is part of Ireland’s west coast drive known as the Wild Atlantic Way.

Bundoran, as well as many of the surrounding towns along the west coast, is a brilliant spot to pick up some of the waves along Ireland’s Atlantic coast and while the sun may not always be shining, the sea is surprisingly warm for somewhere so far north. The town is also a three-time host of the European Surfing Championships, so you know the waves are good.

Homestays near Bundoran.

Biarritz, France

Biarritz Surfing, France

Image courtesy of Guillén Pérez.

Further south along Europe’s Atlantic coast, the French town of Biarritz lies on the south-west coast of France in the Basque region. Known as much for its glamour as it is for its surfing, Biarritz is a town that has something for everyone. For those who want to explore the city as well as the surf, there’s plenty of art deco architecture and colourful cafes to explore.

The real win is, of course, the waves. Keep an eye on the tide times and try to get down early, the beaches around Biarritz, in particular, the Grand Plage, get pretty packed during summer. Head a little further out to La Barre beach to find a quieter spot.

Homestays in Biarritz

San Sebastian, Spain

San Sebastian Surfing, Spain

Image courtesy of Carlos Ubeda.

Just over the border in the Basque region of Spain, San Sebastian is a great place for a surfing holiday. While Spain is better known for its gentler Mediterranean coastline, the northern coast gets some strong surf. The area is also a lot less touristy than many of the beaches in Spain making it a great location for a holiday.

Head to the town of San Sebastian, famous for its rich food culture, and catch some waves on the busy La Zurriola beach and is a great place for beginners. La Concha is the best-known beach in the city, owing to its picturesque coastline, but explore the many beaches around San Sebastian and the northern coastline. For other beach sports like volleyball or bodyboarding, try Ondarreta beach.

Homestays in San Sebastian.

Peniche, Portugal

Peniche surfing, Portugal

Image courtesy of SayLuiiiis.

Anyone with an interest in surfing will tell you that if you want to surf in Europe, the best place to go is Portugal. The town of Peniche is a major fishing port and also has a sixteenth century defensive fort that is well worth a visit, but that’s not why the town is well known. The best-known beach is Supertubos, named after the rolling tube-like waves that are heaven for surfers. For those who are less experienced with a board, Praia Norte is a great place to start out, or if you want to try something different, kitesurfing is also very popular along the coast.

Homestays in Peniche

Cascais, Portugal

While Peniche is very much a small town with a long sporting history, Cascais offers a lot more activities for when you hang up your wetsuit at the end of the day. Close enough to Lisbon to drop in and explore the sites but very much a town in its own right, Cascais is a haven for all kinds of watersports.

Those looking for the best waves will have plenty to keep them occupied at Praia da Bafureira, so long as you take care of the rocks at low tide. Many of the beaches in this region can only be accessed by small steps to bear this in mind if you are travelling with a lot of baggage of small children.

The nearby beach of Guincho is also great for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Homestays in Cascais

Newquay, United Kingdom

Newquay surfing, UK

Image courtesy of Robert Pittman.

Britain is often overlooked when it comes to surfing: unlike the other countries featured here, the UK doesn’t have the same exposure to the wild winds of the Atlantic, but there is a small exception to that rule. Cornwall, in the south-west corner of England, is a haven for surfers, sailors, painters and anyone interested in life beside the sea.

While there are plenty of beaches to catch some waves in this part of Britain, Newquay on the north coast of the peninsula of Cornwall is the jewel in the crown of surfing in the UK.

Watergate Bay is a good place for beginners to start but Mawgan and Fistral are great beaches to bring a picnic and set up camp for the day. While most of these beaches are manned by lifeguards during high season, rip currents in the area are common so take care in shallow waters.

Homestays near Newquay

Munich, Germany

Our last surfing hotspot is very much a wildcard but definitely one worth trying out. The inland city of Munich may not immediately spring to mind when it comes to surfing, but don’t be put off. The man-made Eisbach river in the Englischer Garten was purposely built to satisfy the Bavarians desire to surf in their city.

The water in the Eisbach can be very shallow at times, so this is more of a spot for the experienced rather than the novice. The freshwater spot can also get very cold, so best to pack your warmer wetsuit for this trip.

Homestays near Munich

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