Written by Tom Hooker

If you live and breathe for the waves, then you know that Portugal holds a special place in the hearts of surfers worldwide. The blend of pristine beaches, perfect swells, insane food culture, cold brews, and an infectious surf culture makes it a true slice of paradise on Earth—especially if your version of paradise includes a perfect beach break! In simple terms, the rustic coastline of Portugal has some of the most exhilarating surf on the planet. So, we’re paying homage to one of the world’s top surf meccas by handpicking five stops you have to make on your hunt for the best waves. But like any pursuit worth its salt, finding the ultimate waves requires a bit of planning and perhaps a few insider tips from a local or two. We’re taking you on a trip to explore the charming coastal towns, sleepy villages, and surf capitals that dot the Portuguese shoreline. Let’s paddle out!

Awesome food, some of Europe’s most beautiful natural wonders, and outstanding waves. These are some of the things you can expect when you visit Costa da Caparica for your next surf trip. While not as high as the beaches like Supertubos in terms of the surf, Caparica is one of the places in Portugal that surfers love the most and tend to spend a lot of time in. There are many great reasons for this and we’ll explore ‘em all in this article. But first…  

Just How Good Are the Waves at Costa da Caparica?

If you’ve ever researched waves in Portugal, then Caparica is definitely on your radar. The waves on this beach are very consistent and are friendly to surfers of all levels. As with the rest of Portugal, the peak of surf season occurs during the winter. But Caparica has waves year-round, so you won’t ever have to wait more than a day or two to hit the shore. Likewise, we recommend you visit Caparica in summer because that’s when it has the best combination of wave size, impeccable weather, and a huge number of cool events to choose from. 

Beginner Surfing in Caparica

Surf schools are part of the backbone of the city of Caparica. So as long as you have a local teacher to help you learn, you should be alright surfing these waves as a beginner. While it may feel like one giant beach, keep in mind that the coastline of Caparica is divided into different beaches, and there are some designated swimming and surfing areas within these beaches. So keep an eye out for signs that can help you prevent accidents. 

Aside from Surfing, What’s There to Do in Costa da Caparica?

There are loads of great activities you can do while staying in Caparica. For example:

• Walking around the main promenade, which wraps around the city’s coastline
• Do a sunrise or sunset yoga session

• Ride the beach train, which has been transformed into a tourist attraction
• Join a Tagus River tour and potentially see dolphins and other wildlife
• Take a muay thai lesson in Costa da Caparica city
• Rent a kayak or paddle board in the estuary
• Organize a kitesurfing lesson–but this will depend on the weather conditions!

Activities Around Costa da Caparica

Spending a lot of time in Costa da Caparica? Once you check out all of the local attractions, there are plenty of other awesome things to do, like:

• Do a day trip to Setubal, Caparica’s closest neighboring city
• Explore Belem, one of Portugal’s historic sites and home of the Old King’s summer house
• Visit the best restaurants in Lisbon, including Pastaria, Puro, and Caffè di Marzano
• Experience the fine cuisine of restaurants in Cacilhas, a vibrant and fun place located on Caparica’s side of the bridge

How to Plan Your Surf Trip to Caparica

Getting to Caparica is very easy because it’s located a short drive away from Lisbon. As a matter of fact, if you fly into Lisbon, your sightseeing tour will begin with the 25th of April Bridge, an architectural masterpiece reminiscent of the Golden Gate Bridge. Little fun fact: they were designed by the same engineer! Now, planning your trip and figuring out what to do besides riding amazing waves on the daily can be challenging. The good news is that you can rely on ALLMYNE to find a local guide that surfs or is knowledgeable enough to create a custom plan based on the things you want to do. 

Next Stop: Costa da Caparica!

If the main goal of your next trip is to get the best surf possible, then Caparica is an obvious choice. Not only is it a very relaxed city in terms of its identity and the people that live there, but it’s also easy to get to and delivers the rustic feeling that Portugal is known for. Depending on the time of the year and the exact beach, Caparica is a great option for surfers of all levels; so don’t hesitate to contact a local guide and get an itinerary built based on the things you want to see and experience.