Beach break · Guincho, Lisbon and Cascais · 38°44′N 9°28′W
Guincho
An exposed dune beach below the Sintra hills. The summer nortada makes it one of Europe's best wind and kite spots; in the calmer months it is a serious, current-heavy beach break.
Guincho faces the full Atlantic with nothing to shelter it, which is exactly why it is so good for wind sports and so demanding for surf. From late spring through summer the nortada blows hard cross- to onshore almost every afternoon, and the beach becomes a windsurf and kite arena that has hosted world-tour events.
For surfing, the window is the calmer half of the year and the early morning before the wind fills in, on a west or north-west swell with an offshore easterly. Even then the currents are strong and the shorebreak is heavy. It is not a beginner beach.
Schools & rentals near here
Guincho Wind Factory
A kitesurf, windsurf and wing school and watersports shop at Guincho, running since 1999 on the beach that the summer nortada turns into one of Europe's best wind arenas.
KitesurfWindsurfSurf
Moana Surf School
A family-oriented surf school on Guincho beach, 30 minutes from Lisbon, established in 2003, with small-group lessons, kids' camps and private coaching.
SurfFrom EUR 40 / group class
Moby Dick Surf School
A Cascais surf school working the Guincho and Sintra coast, with lessons for all ages, kids' programmes, SUP, a big rental fleet and two surf lodges.
SurfNearby
São Pedro do Estoril
A rock-reef break on the Cascais train line that comes alive when a south swell or a large wrapping west swell hits. A long, workable wall favoured by longboarders, and the venue for the national longboard finals.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring, and on the big W swells that shut the open coast
Praia Grande
A wide, consistent beach break under the Sintra hills, with a powerful right-hand reef at its northern end that has hosted world-tour surf and bodyboard events. Something here for every level, depending on the day and where you paddle out.
All levelsAutumn to spring; summer smaller and good for learningPraia das Maçãs
A beach break tucked under the cliffs at the end of the Sintra tram line, a few minutes north of Praia Grande. Punchy and fun at low tide, tight and dumpy on the push.
IntermediatesAutumn to spring; softer in summerCommon questions
- What kind of wave is Guincho?
- Guincho is a beach break. It wants W to NW swell swell and works best with cross-shore n nortada most summer afternoons; clean on e mornings wind.
- Is Guincho good for beginners?
- Not for a first session. It's rated intermediate — better once you can paddle out and read a line-up on your own.
- When's the best time for Guincho?
- Surf autumn to spring; wind and kite in summer.
- What should I watch out for at Guincho?
- Very strong currents, powerful shorebreak, relentless afternoon wind, cold water