Beach break · Praia Grande, Lisbon and Cascais · 38°50′N 9°28′W
Praia das Macas
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.
Praia das Macas is the small town beach of Colares on the Sintra coast, lined with seafood restaurants and with a saltwater pool at one end. It is also the terminus of the Sintra tram, which has run here from Sintra since 1904.
The wave
A beach break that sits square to the open Atlantic, so it has more power than its size suggests. Low tide is when it comes into its own, with peaks spread across the beach. As the tide fills, the waves squeeze up against the cliffs and start dumping straight onto the sand.
Who it is for
Intermediates for most of the year. Some guides call it fine for beginners, but the power and the rocks at both ends make it a poor first beach in winter. In summer it softens and suits a wider range of surfers.
When
NW to W swell with an E or SE wind, around low tide. Winter has the most clean days. If it is too small or too messy, Praia Grande a few minutes south is the more consistent option.
Schools & rentals near here
Aldeia da Praia
A surf and yoga camp right on Praia das Macas near Sintra, with dorms, doubles and en-suite family tents, two-hour lessons with gear and insurance included, and day trips to Cabo da Roca and Pena Palace.
Surf
Edu Shapes
Eduardo Garcia shapes a full range out of Praia das Macas, from performance shortboards and mid-lengths to guns and tow boards tested at Nazare. Custom only, more than twenty years in.
Surf
Portugal Surf Factory
A production factory near Sintra that builds boards for international shapers - Dylan Longbottom, John Carper, Gary Linden among them - plus big-wave boards and repairs.
SurfPraia Grande Surf School
A surf and bodyboard school based right on Praia Grande at Colares, the wide, consistent beach break under the Sintra hills.
Surf
Blue Ocean Ericeira Surf School
A surf school based right on Ribeira d'Ilhas beach, inside the Ericeira World Surfing Reserve, running lessons and multi-day courses for every level with equipment included.
SurfFrom EUR 40 / lessonNearby
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 do Magoito
A wide, cliff-backed beach on the wild northern stretch of the Sintra coast, picking up groundswell that misses the bays further south. Quieter than Praia Grande, with nothing to hide behind when the north wind blows.
IntermediatesWinter has the most clean days
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.
IntermediatesSurf autumn to spring; wind and kite in summerCommon questions
- What kind of wave is Praia das Macas?
- Praia das Macas is a beach break. It wants NW to W swell swell and works best with offshore from the e / se wind.
- Is Praia das Macas 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 Praia das Macas?
- Autumn to spring; softer in summer.
- What should I watch out for at Praia das Macas?
- Powerful for a beach break, rocks at both ends, and a crowd when it is good.