Beach break · Praia Grande, Lisbon and Cascais · 38°49′N 9°28′W
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.
Praia Grande is a long, cliff-backed beach at Colares, north of Guincho on the Sintra coast. It is one of the more reliable beach breaks near Lisbon and it has a big car park right behind it, which makes it an easy call for a session.
The beach
Along the sand it is a straightforward beach break with peaks that shift on the banks. On a small to medium day it works for all levels, and there is usually a school or two on the inside. On a bigger swell the rips get strong and it is less forgiving.
The reef
At the northern end is a shallow, powerful right that breaks over rock and has held international surf and bodyboard contests. That wave is for advanced surfers only and is often crowded with people who know it well.
When
W to NW swell, E or NE wind. The beach is best from low to mid tide; the reef holds through more of the tide but needs size to start working.
Schools & rentals near here
Aldeia da Praia
A surf and yoga camp right on Praia das Maçãs 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 Maçãs, from performance shortboards and mid-lengths to guns and tow boards tested at Nazaré. 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.
Surf
Praia Grande Surf School
A surf and bodyboard school based right on Praia Grande at Colares, the wide, consistent beach break under the Sintra hills.
SurfNearby
Praia 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 summerPraia 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 Grande?
- Praia Grande is a beach break. It wants W to NW; the beach works small, the reef needs size swell and works best with offshore from the e / ne wind.
- Is Praia Grande good for beginners?
- Yes — it's rated all levels and works for people who are learning.
- When's the best time for Praia Grande?
- Autumn to spring; summer smaller and good for learning.
- What should I watch out for at Praia Grande?
- Strong rips on a bigger swell, rocks at each end, and a shallow, powerful reef on the north side that is not a beginner wave.