Carcavelos

Carcavelos is the closest proper surf beach to central Lisbon and, on a good day, the busiest wave in the country. It is a wide beach break in front of a promenade of bars and showers, backed by the São Julião da Barra fort at the western end.

Where to surf, by level

On small to medium days it is a friendly beginner and intermediate wave, and a wall of surf schools work the middle of the beach. On a bigger swell the peak near the fort gets fast, heavy and hollow, and holds a strong rip; that end is for confident surfers.

The catch is wind. Carcavelos faces south-west and the summer afternoon nortada blows it out most days by early afternoon. Dawn patrol is the move.

When to go

Autumn and winter bring the size and the cleaner mornings. Summer is small and best early. Water sits around 17 to 19 in summer and 15 to 16 in winter, a touch warmer than the open west coast.

Getting there

From Lisbon, take the Cascais line from Cais do Sodré to Carcavelos station, about 20 minutes, then a 10-minute walk to the sand.

Events

Capítulo Perfeito, an invitational tube-riding contest, holds a waiting period across January to March and runs on the single best barrelling, offshore day of the winter, at the fort end. Free to watch from the beach.