Looking for a place to surf, work, and live in Portugal this winter? Here’s how to find the perfect balance of waves, comfort, and community.
If you’re looking for the best surf destination in continental Europe during winter, you’re surely looking at Portugal. Sure, you could also go to the Canaries or Morocco, but that means a longer and less convenient journey, plus giving up many of the comforts that Europe offers, which are pretty essential if you’re thinking of working remotely or if you’re a digital nomad.
Why is Surfing in Portugal so good during winter?
There are a lot of reasons why, but in our opinion, the main ones are:
- Warm weather, or at least much warmer than the rest of Europe (especially amazing when you’re here in Sagres).
- Winter is the best surfing season, especially if you’re an intermediate or advanced surfer.
- Winter in Portugal offers unbeatable low prices compared to the rest of Europe.
- Portugal still offers the safety and comfort of Europe: bars, restaurants, good internet, transport, hospitals, etc.
- One of the few surf destinations in Europe where you can still find uncrowded spots, especially in winter.
Which is the best Surf Town in Portugal during Winter?
Sagres
The Gem of Winter Surfing in Portugal
The best thing about Sagres is the weather, it’s by far the warmest surf destination in continental Europe. There’s an excellent variety of surf spots for beginners, intermediates, and advanced surfers, especially in winter when the south coast starts working really well. The town is small but offers a vibrant community and plenty of bars, cafes, and infrastructure.
It can be reached from Lisbon in about 3 hours by car or bus, or from Faro Airport in around 1 hour by car. Unfortunately, the bus connection takes a bit longer, around 3 hours.
Mafra, Ericeira
Upsides: Ericeira is the best-connected surf town and offers a strong surfing community. There are plenty of surf spots, and the infrastructure is well developed. Ideal if you are looking for city vibes.
Downsides: the weather can be poor, especially compared to the Algarve: lots of rain, fog, and humidity, particularly in the mornings.
Secondly, the crowds: Ericeira is probably one of the most famous surf destinations in Europe, which makes the lineups really crowded. Because of its popularity, prices also tend to be higher than in the rest of Portugal.
Lastly, most surf spots are on rocks and better suited for advanced surfers. In winter, when swells are big, it can be difficult to find a wave suitable for beginners or intermediates.
Peniche
Upsides: Peniche offers a good combination of surf spots, including the crown jewel: Supertubos. It’s fairly easy to reach from Lisbon and the old fishing town offers a few cafes, restaurants and bars.
Downsides: On the downside, the weather here is even worse than in Ericeira, and the crowds are very real. Unless you have a car, surfing can be complicated since the surf spots are quite far apart. On top of that, there’s honestly not much to do there apart from surfing, haha.
Alentejo
Upsides: The best thing about this region is how wild it is: lots of surf spots and no crowds. If you want to score empty waves, this is the place. Being so “remote” also helps with prices, life here is cheaper compared to the rest of Portugal. The weather is better than in northern Portugal, though still not comparable to the Algarve.
Downsides: What Alentejo lacks is infrastructure and reliable information about surf spots. It can be tricky to surf here unless you have local knowledge, as many spots break over rocks.
Why Surf, work and Stay in Sagres during Winter
Microclimate
December, January, and February are much warmer compared to central Portugal. Compared to Lisbon, Ericeira, and Peniche, Sagres has much warmer water and air, after all, it’s so close to Morocco.
Even during winter, it’s easy to enjoy “bikini days,” and whenever the sun is shining, you can definitely sunbathe. The water is also warmer, so you can forget about freezing morning surfs, especially considering that the water temperature doesn’t change much compared to summer.
Surf Spot Diversity
Sagres is famous for having two coasts and plenty of surf spots. This variety always allows you to find a wave that suits your surfing level.
Especially during winter, the south coast, which normally doesn’t work in summer, starts firing and delivers dreamy waves. On top of that, there are two surf beaches facing different directions right in town, so you can score waves even without a car. If you wish to discover more surf spots around Sagres, you can find out more in our guide: “Surf in Sagres from Beginner to Advanced Riders“.
Community and Infrastructure
More and more, Sagres is becoming alive during winter. Having recognised how good life is down here, many people choose to stay and make the most of the surf season.
This means a strong surf community, plenty of events, and bars and restaurants that stay open all year round. Even better, there are markets, a pharmacy, post office, shops, co-working spaces, a gym, all the facilities you’d want when staying somewhere for a while. If you want to know more about the best bars, cafes and restaurant around Sagres, you can find out more in our guide: “The best after surf food in Sagres”
Accessibility and Pricing
Sagres is easy to access by bus from both Faro and Lisbon, and if you’re coming by car, you don’t need to worry about traffic or parking problems.
Even better, during winter, when there are no tourists, only surfers, prices drop significantly. You can afford to stay much longer for far less.
Where to Stay and Surf in Winter – Choosing the right base
When planning to stay in Sagres during winter, consider:
- Proximity to surf spots: You don’t want to waste time and energy on long drives. Choose a base with direct access to the surf, especially if you don’t have a car.
- Proximity to restaurants, cafes, and markets: It’s inconvenient to need a car just to grab a meal, go out for a beer, or work at a cafe.
- Comfort and warmth: Heating, good showers, comfy beds, and cozy spaces matter even more in winter than in summer.
- Flexibility for longer stays: Choose a place that offers weekly or monthly deals and allows guests to use shared kitchens, community spaces, and a surf-friendly vibe.
- Extras: Never underestimate the value of free parking, board storage, surf gear rentals, local knowledge, and easy access to different breaks when the wind shifts.
This is why Lemontree Eco Surfhouse is perfect during winter. From the surfhouse, Mareta and Tonel surf spots are only a 2-minute walk away. Being right in the center of Sagres, bars, cafes, and a supermarket are just on your doorstep.
Long stays are encouraged during winter with weekly and monthly deals. The surfhouse features central heating, a common kitchen, and cozy communal areas. Guests also enjoy lots of cool extras, like free surfskates, bikes, and yoga equipment. On top of this, surf lessons, guiding, and coaching are offered all year round.
Best surf spots in Sagres during winter
Tonel
During winter, Tonel is super consistent and can really be the gem of the Algarve. With swells ranging between 1 and 2 metres and east, south-east, or north-east winds, it delivers excellent waves on a sandy bottom (be aware of occasional rocks). As with any beach break, waves can be a bit shifty, and there can be A-frames, but the best ride is normally the left. Advanced surfers can go at low to mid tide to catch barrels, while mid to high tide is better for mellow waves.
Beliche
When Tonel is too big, Beliche turns on. During winter, Beliche is quite consistent, with smaller waves perfect for beginners and intermediates when the waves are under shoulder-high. When it gets bigger, it turns into a perfect A-frame barrel suited only for experienced surfers. The optimal winter conditions are with a north wind, and mid tide is usually best.
Mareta
Mareta is only 400 metres from Tonel, right in the center of Sagres, and faces south. This beach works with south swells, which are common in winter, as well as big west and northwest swells. Waves at Mareta are normally mellow, and low tide is best since at high tide the wave breaks very close to shore.
Zavial
Located on the south coast but facing west, Zavial is famous for its steep and powerful right-hander that breaks off the rocks onto a sandy bottom. Like Beliche, it’s great for beginners and intermediates on small swells, but it becomes intimidating when the surf picks up above 1.5 metres. At low tide, waves barrel hard, while at high tide the wave tends to disappear, so mid to low tide is ideal. Zavial also picks up slightly more swell than Beliche, making it a great option when Beliche is too small.
Winter Surf Tips for Sagres Area
Wetsuits: The water temperature varies depending on the swell direction. The most appropriate wetsuit is a 4/3mm, but if you plan to surf early in the morning or at sunset, a 5/4mm might be better. You should also consider boots and a hood.
Don’t waste your day checking: It’s a very common mistake for newcomers to get excited and check 10 surf spots in one day. Most likely, after an hour of checking, you’ll end up surfing the first spot you looked at! If you’re staying at Lemontree, you’ll have Tonel, Mareta, Martinhal, and Beliche right on your doorstep, no need to drive around forever.
Get ready at home: Consider changing at the surfhouse so you don’t have to get naked in a cold parking lot. At Lemontree, you can get ready and walk down to the surf in just 2 minutes.
Surfing at the right time: Unlike other surf destinations, the best waves here aren’t necessarily in the early morning or at sunset. Since there isn’t much crowd, you can surf during the day when it’s warm and sunny.
Local knowledge: Ask at Lemontree for tips on the best sandbars, which spots might work, and where the best surf is. Surf forecasts aren’t always accurate, and insights from a local can make a big difference in your experience.
Find our more tips for your upcoming surf trip to Sagres in our guide: “Tips for you next Surf Trip to Sagres”
Spend the winter surfing with us
To conclude, if you want to surf in continental Europe during winter, Portugal is by far the top destination. Among all surf destinations in Portugal, Sagres in the Algarve is the absolute best because of its balance between a variety of surf spots, fewer crowds, amazing waves, accessibility, infrastructure (cafes, bars, restaurants), comfort, community, and stunning natural beauty.
Here at Lemontree, knowing that the best surf season really is winter, we are open all year round. If you’re curious about our winter deals, weekly and monthly discounts, check out our co-living and co-working surf stay options.
