Summer is a time of choice for many to enjoy their holidays under the sun due to the good weather and the desire to enjoy the beach and the sea which are not inconsistent with all the beautiful destinations. If you are fond of water sports we propose a tour of the best surfing destinations in Europe.
Spain
Both in the Peninsula and on the islands are some of the best beaches and surfing spots in Europe. Places such as Mallorca are prefered thanks to the great sunny weather they offer. Villa rentals in Mijas can be a great start in getting the best of this destination! There are three main areas. The Cantabrian coast which runs through the north of the country from the Basque Country to Galicia and is influenced both by the storms of the British Isles and the North Sea and by the Azores anticyclone. This combination creates the strong northwest winds that provide spectacular quality waves and amazing sunny weather in many beaches as Mundaka, Zarautz, Rodiles, Liencres and Pantin popular with surfers for their excellent conditions. In the south the Cadiz coast and the windswept Strait of Gibraltar offer several interesting points for surfing, windsurfing and kiteboarding such as Tarifa, El Palmar or Barbate. In the Canary Islands surfing tradition dates back to the ’60s. The array of spots and quality of the waves make this subtropical archipelago seem like the Hawaii of Europe. On the islands of Fuerteventura , Lanzarote , Tenerife and Gran Canaria people find the best spots such as El Confital, The Quemao Lloret, Punta Blanca, Los Lobos, Billboards and more where you can surf throughout the year but the biggest waves up to 4.5 meters are between November and March.
Great Britain
It is difficult to relate the little humid weather of Britain with surfing but the truth is that the coasts of the British Isles host a few interesting places to practice this sport and enjoy the sun. Starting from the north, in Scotland the rugged coast of Caithness offer little crowded points of great potential for surfing. The coast of Wales also has good areas such as Hell’s Mouth, a stunning bay of more than 6 km long. Cornwall in the southwest of England is a surfer’s paradise with its epicenter in Newquay and the north and south coasts of Devon.
Portugal
The Portuguese coast is completely open and exposed to the Atlantic winds . In Portugal we find an excellent mix of reefs, powerful waves and mild climate. The best waves occur in the center of the country north of Lisbon, on the coast of Ericeira and Peniche with long wide beaches, hidden bays and reefs. Peniche is Portugal’s most famous waves known as Supertubes.
France
Along with Spain, France is the largest country in Europe with the surfing tradition. The country’s southwest coast from Bordeaux to the border with Spain is the most appreciated. Great waves, warm water in the summer resorts of quality and charming beaches await you in French destinations such as Lacanau, Hossegor, Anglet, Biarritz or Guethary.
Surf photos: Egon Phillips, Tyler Ross, Jim Vail.
